Category: kesq-local-news

Shay Lawson

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ)  – The Desert Hot Springs Planning Commission approved a plan that helps the city better prepare for natural disasters — and unlocks critical federal and state funding for emergency improvements on Tuesday.

It’s called the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) — and while it’s already been approved by FEMA, the city still needs to formally adopt it to make it official.

“The Local Hazard Mitigation Plan is a plan that the city completes to analyze the risk a community has during natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes and fires,” said Deputy City Manager Daniel Porras. “It also makes recommendations to implement various projects for mitigating those risks.”

Tuesday’s vote is the first step of two.

Porras said now that the Planning Commission has recommended approval, the plan will move to the City Council for final adoption.

Porras said this kind of planning made a real difference after Hurricane Hilary.

He said the storm destroyed four major crossings in the city — but because the city already had a hazard mitigation plan in place, it qualified for emergency federal funding to quickly repair the damage.

“We were able to complete the construction or reconstruction of all the four intersections within 270 days of the storm, which made a little bit over $9 million available to the city almost immediately in a reimbursed basis,” Porras said. “Which was able to open the roads and not affect our general budget or any type of budget that we have here in the city.”

The updated plan would replace the one adopted in 2017.

“The biggest difference is one, updating all of our hazards here. So flood, water, fire anything new that has happened here. Then acknowledging all of the improvements that have been done since 2017,” Porras said. “And, what new mitigation measures we can implement based on the changes that have happened over the years.”

According to the city, Desert Hot Springs is now home to more than 32,000 people and continues to grow.

Porras said this plan affects residents in a major way.

“This affects residents in a way that it allows the city to receive funding from the state and the federal government to implement mitigation projects,” said Porras. “Instead of using local city funds that we use to operate.”

Click here to follow the original article.

Karen Devine

2025 is off to a burning start across the state. 

The Los Angeles wildfires, back in January, are now projected to be one of the costliest natural disasters in U.S. history.

In an I-Team exclusive, CAL FIRE under pressure.

News Channel 3’s Karen Devine watched as wildland-trained firefighters went through grueling exercises, being tested to make sure they are ready for the summer firefight that’s expected.

“Fire is a big threat to the residents of California, and we like to stay 100% ready. And, we like to meet the CAL FIRE State mission of keeping all vegetation fires to 10 acres or less throughout the state,” said Eric Sauerwein, Battalion Chief, CAL FIRE Riverside County

Over the last several years California has had its worst wildfire history. 15 of the top 20 most destructive wildfires have occurred.

Find out what new tools are being implemented this year and if there’s enough help on the front lines to save lives and property.

Click here to follow the original article.

Luis Avila

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Officials at the Transgender Health and Wellness Center told News Channel 3 on Monday that half a million dollars in federal funding was pulled from the ‘Marsha P Johnson LGBTQ Youth Drop-In Center,’ putting it at risk of shutting down.

But those funds go far beyond the center, and help support other local programs like the Gay, Straight, Alliance club at Palm Springs High School.

The club offers a safe space for students, something Elena Song, club advisor, says is the biggest need facing LGBTQ+ students right now.

A community that is facing increasing challenges. According to the Trevor Project, more than one in ten LGBTQ+ youth have seriously considered attempting suicide in 2024.

“I just hope that our politicians would see that great need for our students because the fact that they can’t be who they are, there’s that high risk of suicide and that is something that can be avoided if we have the funding to help support these students.”

Elena Song, GSA club advisor

The club has been receiving funding support from the Transgender Health and Wellness Center, helping pay for shirts, funding scholarships for graduating seniors, and sponsoring trips. But with that funding now pulled, Song is having to look for other ways to keep these initiatives going.

“We need to get together and brainstorm different types of fundraisers. We’ll reach out to community members… Hopefully we’ll get a lot of participation from our community and community members.”

Elena Song, GSA club advisor

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

Click here to follow the original article.

Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Palm Springs Police Department and other law enforcement agencies in the Coachella Valley announced today they will increase patrols to enforce seat belt laws during the statewide Click It or Ticket campaign.

The campaign began Monday and runs until June 1, and focuses on identifying drivers, passengers and children who are not properly restrained in vehicles.

“Wearing a seat belt should be automatic for all drivers and passengers every trip,” Desert Hot Springs Police Chief Steven Shaw said in a statement. “Seat belts save lives, and everyone — front seat to back, child and adult — needs to remember always to buckle up.”

According to the Palm Springs Police Department, 11,302 people nationwide were killed in crashes in 2022 due to not wearing seat belts, including 842 deaths in California.

Under California law, children under age 2 must ride in a rear-facing car seat unless they weigh 40 pounds or more. Children age 8 or older who are at least 4 feet, 9 inches tall must be secured in a booster seat or properly fitted seat belt, police said.

Click here to follow the original article.

Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A second man has been convicted in the murder of a Cathedral City convenience store owner gunned down during a botched robbery.

Joel Ortiz Hidalgo, 23, of Desert Hot Springs, was found guilty in the 2021 slaying of 61-year-old Chris Sgouromitis of Cathedral City.

In addition to a murder charge, Ortiz was found guilty of attempted robbery and other enhancements, including knowing another person is armed with a firearm.

Joel Ortiz Hidalgo

The other person convicted in this case, Charles Lamar Campbell, 23, of Beaumont, was found guilty of murder and other charges last week. Campbell was also convicted of attempted robbery and a special circumstance allegation of killing in the course of a robbery, as well as sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations.

Charles Lamar Campbell

Both men are scheduled to be sentenced on July 7.

According to a trial brief filed by the District Attorney’s Office, on the night of Feb. 21, 2021, Campbell and Hidalgo were driving around the Coachella Valley in the latter’s Acura sedan, seeking to purchase a “plug” of marijuana. When a transaction fell through in Palm Springs, the men headed into Cathedral City, where Campbell directed Hidalgo onto Shifting Sands Trail and, ultimately, the Outpost Market at the intersection of Shifting Sands and Ramon Road, according to court papers.

While Hidalgo sat behind the wheel of his car, Campbell entered the convenience store, long owned and operated by Sgouromitis and his family, prosecutors said.

Although no one else was in the outlet, security surveillance video cameras inside were operating, capturing almost all of the ensuing encounter between the victim and defendant, according to the brief.

“The victim had the cash register open and appeared to be counting or organizing cash in the register as Campbell walked in … holding a semiautomatic handgun,” the narrative stated.

There were words between the men, which the video cameras did not record. The images, however, revealed Campbell allegedly raising the pistol, holding it with both hands and aiming it at the victim. The defendant fired a shot while backing toward the double doors, striking Sgouromitis in the left hip, prosecutors alleged.   

When the store owner tried to run away from the counter, Campbell allegedly fired two more shots, hitting the victim in the chest and lower back, according to the brief.

The gunfire evidently frightened Hidalgo, who sped away from the location as Campbell exited the store, the prosecution said. Campbell was forced to flee on foot through residences lining Shifting Sands, and during his getaway, he accidentally fired his 9mm pistol into a yard, where the homeowner was watching, according to court papers.   

Sgouromitis’ brother, who had been resting in a room at the back of the store when the shots rang out, initiated CPR on his sibling until Cathedral City Police Department officers arrived and took over, followed by paramedics moments later. However, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

He was a beloved member of the community, and CCPD released a statement within a few days of his murder, saying he was a “father of four with strong local ties, who was not involved in criminal activity and died in his longtime place of business.”

Hidalgo’s Acura was soon identified as the vehicle that had parked outside the convenience store, and the license plate was confirmed via Flock law enforcement camera recordings in Palm Springs, leading to his being tracked down and detained for questioning less than a week later.

The defendant provided details regarding what allegedly had transpired, insisting that he was only giving Campbell a ride to get some marijuana and had no foreknowledge of the planned robbery, according to the brief. He was formally arrested at the police station.

Campbell was located staying in a Beaumont motel, where detectives went to serve an arrest warrant, listening through the door as he conversed via speaker phone with his mother, allegedly telling her, “The driver was arrested, and all he has to do is give me up,” according to the prosecution.   

Officers ordered him out of the room, at which point the defendant was taken into custody without incident.   

Neither man has documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.

Click here to follow the original article.

City News Service

MURRIETA, Calif. (KESQ) – Pretrial motions got underway today ahead of jury selection for the trial of a man accused of gunning down a 17-year-old Cathedral City boy in a car-to-car shooting.

Juan Alfredo Landeros Garcia, 24, of Cathedral City is charged with first-degree murder, shooting at an occupied vehicle and sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations for the 2020 slaying of Isaiah Guerra.   

Garcia’s case was transferred Monday from the Larson Justice Center in Indio to the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta, where a courtroom was available for trial proceedings.

On Tuesday, Riverside County Superior Court Judge Johnnetta Anderson received motions from the prosecution and defense regarding evidence, witnesses, scheduling and related matters. Jury selection was expected to start before the end of the week.

Garcia is being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Byrd Detention Center.  

According to the Cathedral City Police Department, shortly before 8 p.m. on April 4, 2020, Guerra was driving in the area of Avenida Alvera and McCallum Way when he was allegedly targeted by the defendant, for reasons that were not disclosed by police.

Garcia fired more than a dozen rounds from a semiautomatic firearm while in another vehicle, investigators alleged.   

The victim was struck 11 times, causing him to crash into palm trees. The defendant allegedly sped away from the location as witnesses called 911.   

Patrol officers and paramedics arrived minutes later and discovered Guerra slumped over the wheel of his car. He was gravely wounded but still showing signs of life, prompting first responders to attempt resuscitative measures that were unsuccessful; he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Detectives procured videotape from security surveillance cameras mounted on several homes near the intersection, enabling them to piece together what happened and identify the vehicle from which the shots were fired, according to the prosecution.

Garcia was identified as the alleged perpetrator, and an arrest warrant was served on him two days later on Modalo Road, where he was taken into custody without incident.

He has no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.

Click here to follow the original article.

Jesus Reyes

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. (KESQ) – The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office honored two deputies who died in separate incidents 20 years apart in the line of duty.

Deputy Bruce K. Lee was killed in La Quinta on May 13, 2003, while responding to a disturbing the peace call. Lee attempted to question and reason with a mentally disturbed man, however, a physical encounter ensued, and the man was able to secure Lee’s police baton. He inflicted severe blows to the deputy’s head and neck, resulting in massive trauma.

A 22-year veteran of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, Lee was assigned to Indio Station. His wife of nine years, mother, father and sister survived him.

In December 2005, the city of La Quinta dedicated a section of Highway 111 that runs through the city and placed the signs named “Deputy Bruce Lee Memorial Highway.”

Deputy Brett Harris, 26, was killed in an on-duty crash in San Jacinto while responding to a call for service. He suffered major injuries, including a catastrophic brain injury, from the crash, Sheriff Chad Bianco said. He was pronounced dead the following day, May 13.

According to Officer Jason Montez of the California Highway Patrol, the deputy was traveling westbound in his marked sheriff’s SUV and entered the intersection at the same time as a Nissan Maxima going north.

 “The two vehicles crashed in the intersection, which is controlled by traffic lights,” Montez said. “After the collision, the sheriff’s patrol vehicle crashed into a light pole.”

Harris was assigned to the Hemet’s Sheriff’s Station. He is survived his wife, mother and father, twin sister, and brother.

Sheriff Chad Bianco said Harris’ organs were donated, “In a final act of Service Above Self,” as per his wishes.

The Hemet Sheriff’s Station held a ceremony on Tuesday.

Click here to follow the original article.

City News Service

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Cyclists in Palm Springs will take part in the annual “Ride of Silence” next week to honor cyclists who lost their lives around the world.   

City officials announced Tuesday that the free event will be held at 7 p.m. on May 21 at Ruth Hardy Park, located at 700 Tamarisk Road.   

The global movement was launched in 2003 after cyclist Larry Schwartz was fatally struck by a bus in Dallas. The movement has since expanded to more than 200 locations across five continents.

“A global tribute. A local statement. A silent ride with powerful purpose,” the city said in a statement.

Bike riders will ride in complete silence, with helmets required and lights encouraged, and will maintain a pace of no more than 12 mph, according to the city.

Non-cyclists are also encouraged to attend and show support by walking around the park.

Click here to follow the original article.

Kendall Flynn

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – DAP Health is ending its annual Health Equity Walk after nearly 40 years of fundraising. The walk, which began in 1987 as the “Desert AIDs Walk” worked to benefit HIV/AIDS care, mental health services and more.

DAP Health CEO David Brinkman emailed an announcement to employees, donors and volunteers on May 7, writing the decision was due to multiple factors, including rising event costs and decreased participation.

On May 13, Palm Springs Pride announced it will have its inaugural Pride Equality Walk Oct. 25. This new fundraiser walk falls around the typically scheduling of the DAP Health Equity Walk, which was last held on Oct. 26, 2024.

Pride organizers said the “walk will ignite action and motivate the community to advocate for justice and foster a more equitable society for everyone,” according to a news release.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from DAP Health and Palm Springs Pride organizers about the events.

 

Click here to follow the original article.

City News Service

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – Local leaders today were celebrating more than $333 million in state funding to expand access to critical mental health and substance use services in Riverside County.

The funding was awarded to the Riverside University Health System’s Behavioral Health Department through California’s Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program. Announced Monday, the investment will support projects, including the Behavioral Health Wellness Center and the Harmony Haven Children and Youth Wellness Center, among other initiatives.

“We are extremely grateful to receive these funds to expand behavioral health in Riverside County as a whole,” Supervisor V. Manuel Perez said in a statement. “We appreciate this incredible support from the State of California. We advocated with Governor Newsom for this measure, knowing the great need we have for high-quality behavioral health services and the continuum of care.”  

The funding is part of Proposition 1, a bond measure passed by California voters in 2024 to improve mental health treatment and substance use services across the state.

Of the total, $184 million will go toward the Behavioral Health Wellness Center in Moreno Valley. The center will include a 100-bed inpatient psychiatric facility to serve both adults and, for the first time, children under age 12. Officials said the project will increase access to mental health care and reduce strain on local emergency rooms.   

The remaining $149.7 million will fund services at the Harmony Haven Children and Youth Wellness Center in Beaumont, according to officials. The center will offer Riverside County’s first 30-bed adolescent residential substance use disorder facility, a 16-bed psychiatric residential treatment facility, a 15-station mental health urgent care unit and an outpatient clinic for ongoing behavioral health and substance use care.   

In addition, officials said the state funding will help serve Riverside County’s growing population of nearly 2.5 million residents, particularly children who often have to seek care outside the county.

“When someone is in crisis, delays can worsen their condition and separate them from their family and support system,” RUHS-BH Director Dr. Matthew Chang said. “These grants are a lifeline. The Wellness Center and Harmony Haven will help us bring timely, compassionate care to the people who need it most — right here in Riverside County.”

Click here to follow the original article.