Category: kesq-local-news

Jesus Reyes

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – Councilmember Lynn Mallotto was sworn in as the new mayor of Rancho Mirage.

Mallotto will serve as Rancho Mirage mayor until Nov. 2026. The city rotates the position between councilmembers every year.

Councilmember Michael O’Keefe was also sworn in as Mayor Pro Tem. He is set to serve as mayor next year.

Mallotto takes over for Councilmember Ted Weill, who received a special gift from the city after completing his third term as mayor.

Mallotto was first elected to the city council in 2022. She has been a Coachella Valley resident since 1980, calling Rancho Mirage home for 30 years.

Lynn entered public service in 1994, serving 18 years with Cathedral City and was part of efforts to revitalise downtown Cathedral City. Lynn retiried from Cathedral City in 2012, and became CEO of the Cathedral City Chamber of Commerce until 2015.

Lynn is a realtor with Keller Williams Real Estate in Rancho Mirage, joining the Brady Sandahl Real Estate Group as a Buyers Specialist. 

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City News Service

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – A woman who caused the death of her newborn child and dumped her in a trash receptacle behind a Riverside business almost four decades ago pleaded guilty today to voluntary manslaughter and was immediately sentenced to four years’ felony probation.

Melissa Jean Allen Avila, 56, of Shelby, North Carolina, admitted the count under a plea agreement with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office. Avila had originally been charged with first-degree murder, but that was reduced to manslaughter under the plea bargain.

During a hearing at the Riverside Hall of Justice Thursday, Superior Court Judge Gary Polk certified the terms of the agreement and imposed the term of probation, which expires in November 2029.

The defendant, who has remained free on her own recognizance, was arrested in August 2024 following a years-long investigation by the Riverside Police Department Homicide Cold Case Unit.

According to police spokesman Officer Ryan Railsback, detectives reopened the baby death case in 2020.

The newborn girl, known only as “Jane Doe,” was discovered on Oct. 13, 1987, by a man looking for bottles and cans in a trash bin behind a business in the 5400 block of La Sierra Avenue.

Investigators at the time had little to go on, pursuing all available leads without success in the weeks following discovery of the dead child, Railsback said.

DNA samples were taken from the tot’s remains and preserved.   

Railsback said the forensic evidence was used to locate and positively identify Avila as the mother of the infant, though he did not elaborate on the details.

“An essential partner in this investigation was Season of Justice, a nonprofit dedicated to providing financial assistance for investigative agencies and families to help solve cold cases through grant funding for advanced DNA analysis solutions and forensic genealogy,” the police spokesman said. “This funding allowed for DNA analysis to be conducted by Othram, Inc., a private lab that specializes in DNA technology.”  

He noted that investigators “have no reason to believe the baby’s father had any criminal culpability in the murder.”

The man wasn’t identified. Avila was 19 when the killing occurred.   

A possible motive was not disclosed, nor was the specific manner of death.   

The defendant was taken into custody without incident by U.S. Marshals in North Carolina on the morning of Aug. 5, 2024.   

She had no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.

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Jesus Reyes

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Robin Thicke’s concert at the Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival has been canceled, as well as Friday programming and the Saturday morning launch due to weather concerns.

Festival organizers said the decision was made out of an abundance of caution for the safety of attendees, balloon pilots,  crews, and performers.

Get Local Weather Updates Here

The concert was scheduled to take place on Friday.

Saturday festival and Sunday events are scheduled to proceed as planned.

According to festival organizers, Palm Springs International Airport issued Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions, which means weather is below safe visual flying minimums due to low cloud ceilings and reduced visibility. The forecast shows substantial rain throughout Friday with overcast skies. Rain is expected to continue through Saturday morning.

Thicke’s concert will be rescheduled to a future date at the Cathedral City Community Amphitheater, which will be announced in the coming weeks. All ticketholders will receive full refunds and will have the opportunity to repurchase tickets for the new date once announced. Ticketholders will receive information directly from the ticket provider.

CANCELED:

• Friday, Nov. 21, 2025: All programming including Agua Caliente Casinos Sunrise Balloon Launch and mini balloon glow

• Saturday morning, Nov. 22, 2025: Balloon launches at The Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa

Balloon ride ticketholders for canceled launches will receive full refunds.

PROCEEDING AS SCHEDULED:Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025:• Festival opens at noon at Cathedral City Festival Lawn & Amphitheater ($10 entry)

• Tribute band concerts: Radio Ready (1:30 PM), So Petty (3:00 PM), Stevie Nicks Illusions (4:30 PM), and Queen Nation (6:15 PM)

• Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival’s Official Balloon Glow (7:45 PM) – the festival’s most popular component, featuring Special Shape balloons, vibrant hot air balloons filling the Festival Lawn, and a signature giant inflatable pirate ship

• Drone light show (pending FAA approval)

Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025:

• Morning balloon launches at The Westin Rancho Mirage – the festival’s only morning launch of the weekend, featuring hot air balloons lifting off from the resort’s championship golf course with spectacular sights of the surrounding desert mountains. Free to attend. Details at https://www.westinranchomirageexperiences.com/#!/e/morning-balloon-launchnovember-23-6144b51b

• “Brunch & Balloons” experience at The Westin Rancho Mirage – an exclusive ticketed event featuring gourmet brunch cuisine with tethered hot air balloons on display. Limited tickets remaining. Details at https://www.westinranchomirageexperiences.com/#!/event/5aed1b69-a29b-43ce-8918-bc4e10e9743d

“This was not an easy decision, but the safety of our community, performers, pilots, and crews  must always come first,” said Ryan Hunt, Communications & Events Manager for the City of Cathedral City. “We’re grateful to Robin Thicke and his team for their professionalism and understanding. Saturday afternoon and Sunday are expected to have much better conditions, and  we’re excited to bring the community together for Saturday’s spectacular balloon glow – our most  popular event – and all the wonderful programming we have planned for the weekend.”

For the latest festival schedule updates and ticket information, please visit our event website  at www.cchotairballoonfest.com or download the official Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival app at cchotairballoonfest.com/#Ap

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City News Service

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) – Stop signs were installed on Airport Boulevard in the Thermal area to improve traffic safety near Coachella Valley High School, it was announced today.

Although there were already stop signs at the intersection on both sides of Calhoun Street, new ones were installed because “Traffic didn’t stop on Airport Boulevard,” especially with the road used for school drop off and pick up, officials said.

The Riverside County Transportation Department installed them last month, making the intersection a four-way stop.   

Albert Keck II, president of Hadley Date Farms, pushed for the project and worked with the county’s transportation department and Fourth District Riverside County Board of Supervisors Manuel Perez.

“I am very grateful and delighted that the county put the stop signs in. This is a busy intersection and, twice a day, it makes it very tenuous to et across the intersection. Something needed to be done about it and I am grateful for Supervisor Perez for staying on it and not letting it go,” Keck said.   

Coachella Valley Unified School District Superintendent Frances Esparza said, “We are deeply grateful for this important safety enhancement for our students, families and staff.”  

“This is a major safety improvement for students and parents, as well as a safety and logistical improvement for the region’s agricultural industry,” Perez said.

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Katie Boer

Get the umbrella back out we’re looking at rain returning for the second half of Thursday into the start of Saturday with total rain accumulation between 0.25-0.75”.

The First Alert Weather Team has issued a Weather Alert from 4pm Thursday to 7pm Friday — this is the time period we’ll likely see the heaviest rainfall possible.

If you’re driving through the mountains at this time watch for travel difficulties. Our Winter Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning and is in place until Saturday morning above 6,500’. We could see snow totals between 2-6” at lower elevations around 6,500, 6-12” between 7,000-8,000’ and potentially 12-18” above 8,000’.

Around the valley our wetter weather begins to taper off heading into our Saturday—though a few lingering showers could remain. We’ll dry out more for the second half of the day and the remainder of the weekend looks nice, mild and dry in the 70s.

Looking ahead, we’ll see more sunshine, drier conditions and a slow warmup back to near normal temperatures heading into next week–including Thanksgiving Day.

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Jesus Reyes

UPDATE 11/24/2025 – Indio Police are reporting that four men have been arrested in connection with the deadly shooting on Quail Avenue in Indio last Thursday.

Police say that a white SUV stopped in front of a home in the 83000 block of Quail Avenue. The victim and another adult male, who were near the driveway, were called over to the SUV by someone inside.

The men were shot at from the SUV as they approached it, and one of the men and three children nearby were able to run for cover. The victim was hit by gunfire and collapsed at the scene.

Police found the 33-year-old victim, whose name has not yet been released, suffering from gunshot wounds. First responders performed life-saving measures, but the man died at the scene.

Witnesses described the suspect SUV, and police detectives were able to identify the make, model, and license plate. The car, a white Honda CR-V, was later found in Palm Springs by Palm Springs Police Department officers.

PSPD Officers detained one man who had entered and exited the SUV, then discarded a backpack as soon as officers approached him. They were able to recover the backpack, which contained two handguns.

The suspect SUV then fled the area but was later identified by Desert Hot Springs Police officers in the city of Desert Hot Springs. A chase ensued but ended when the SUV stalled. DHS police caught two men who tried to flee on foot from the vehicle.

The suspects were identified as:

Zachary Ashton Hamrick, 19, of Thousand Palms (driver)

George Anthony Diaz, 20, of Desert Hot Springs (passenger)

Christian Espinoza, 20, of Palm Springs (detained by Palm Springs Police)

Zachary Ashton Hamrick

George Anthony Diaz

Christian Espinoza

Indio detectives arrested the men, charging Hamrick and Diaz with murder and four counts of attempted murder. Espinoza is facing charges of accessory and two misdemeanor warrants.

On Sunday, November 23, the investigation by Indio Police led them to a fourth suspect, Jonathan Rios Franco, 19, of Banning. They arrested Franco and charged him with murder and attempted murder.

Jonathan Rios Franco

Indio Police are encouraging anyone with information on this incident to contact them at 760-391-4057. Anonymous tips can be given to Crime Stoppers at 760-341-STOP.

Stay with News Channel 3 for updates.

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A man was killed in a shooting Thursday afternoon in Indio.

The shooting was reported before 2:20 p.m. near Quail Avenue and Bluejay Street.

Police said the first responding officers found a man who sustained gunshot wounds. First responders administered life-saving measures; however, the man later succumbed to his injuries. The man’s identity has not been officially released.

Persons of interest have been detained, police confirmed, but additional details were not available.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Indio Police Department at (760) 391-4057. Anonymous tips can be provided to Crime Stoppers at (760) 341-STOP.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.

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Jesus Reyes

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – As Riverside County continues to deal with overcrowded shelters, the Department of Animal Services partnered with Wings of Rescue to send 36 dogs to New York and Maine on a lifesaving flight.

Officials said the plane took off just after midnight Saturday morning despite the rainy weather in Southern California. A total of 109 dogs from other rescue and shelter organizations in the region were on the flight.

“These flights demonstrate our dedication, teamwork and drive to saving more lives in our community and partnering with groups who share our goal is a win for all,” said Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez. “We need to keep the momentum going, and we need the community to open their homes to homeless pets in Riverside County.”

As RCDAS continues to operate in critical overcapacity for dogs, adoption fees are waived at all shelter locations for the month of November to encourage community members to help save lives.

“Whether pets leave the shelter on a cross-country flight or in the back of their new family’s car, our goal is always the same: to help every animal we possibly can,” said RCDAS Manager Daylin Valencia. “Our teams show up every day with compassion and commitment, and we’re hopeful that our community will continue to show up for them too, through adopting, fostering, sharing, or simply spreading the word.”  

All fee-waived adoptions include spay/neuter surgery, microchips, vaccinations, and an engraved ID tag. With almost 1,000 dogs in the shelter there are hundreds of breeds, ages, sizes and personalities to choose from.

“Giving a dog a home for the holidays is the ultimate gift,” said Fifth District Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez. “RivCo pets deserve our best efforts, and this is the season to give a shelter pet a chance.”

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City News Service

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Desert Hot Springs residents will have access to fresh, healthy and affordable food options with the arrival of a farmers market provided by the Palm Springs Cultural Center, slated to debut this weekend, officials announced today.

Opening day will be open to the public and will held from 8 a.m. through 1 p.m. Sunday at 66120 Pierson Boulevard, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9 a.m.

Participating speakers will include Mayor Scott Matas, Executive Director of Palm Springs Cultural Center Michael Green and  Farmers Market Manager Lindsay Jordan.

“This certified farmers market is more than a place to buy produce — it’s an investment in the health and well-being of our community. Families in Desert Hot Springs deserve access to fresh, local and affordable food close to home, and now they’ll have it right here on The BLVD,” Matas said.

The market will offer locally grown produce, including fresh fruit and vegetables, pantry essentials, prepared foods, artisan goods, community resources and nutrition information.

It will take place every Sunday that follows Desert Nights on The BLVD — whether it is a DJ night or a concert.   

The market will accept EBT/SNAP and will offer SNAP incentive programs when available. Officials said the market was designed to bring resources to support households in the community who have historically faced limited access to fresh food options, including low-income families, seniors and SNAP/CalFresh recipients.   

“Thank you to our sponsors, the Barker Foundation and the City of Desert Hot Springs, for recognizing the need and stepping forward to support the project. Their partnership reinforces the power of community-driven solution and ensures that this market takes root where it’s needed most,” Green said.  

The Cultural Center will host a book giveaway featuring “Bite by Bite: Nourishments and Jamborees” by Aimee Nezhukumatathil as part of the opening ceremony, which was funded through the National Endowment for the Arts Big Read program.

“I have deep roots in Desert Hot Springs — I was born and raised here — and opening this market has long been a dream of mine,” Jordan said.

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Jesus Reyes

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – Riverside County reported its first influenza-related death of the 2025-26 flu season.

The person was identified as an individual who was over 65 and from Western Riverside County, and is not believed to have been vaccinated.

“This death is a sad reminder of the dangers that influenza can pose, especially among older adults and those with underlying conditions, and the impact it can then have on families who suffer the loss,” said Riverside County Health Officer Dr. Jennifer Chevinsky. “To protect our loved ones, it is important to make sure those at higher risk don’t delay getting a flu shot.”  

According to Riverside University Health System – Public Health (RUHS – PH), current data, including emergency department statistics, hospitalizations and wastewater testing, show influenza activity is low in Riverside County.

Historic trends show flu season could ramp up through the Thanksgiving and winter holiday travel season.

county-of-riverside-influenza-surveillance-report-2025-26-season-issue-06-week-45Download

Flu season typically runs from October to April. 

Influenza cases can be serious for individuals considered at-risk for severe disease, including adults over 65 years, children under 5 years, pregnant women and those who are immunocompromised or have certain health conditions such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease.  

Even for those who are otherwise healthy, flu can lead to extended illness with uncomfortable symptoms such as cough, fever, sore throat, stuffy nose, muscle aches and fatigue. Flu spread can also lead to missed school days, lost work wages and out of pocket medical costs.  

Vaccines can reduce complications, minimize life interruptions and offer protection for all. 

“Now is the perfect time to protect against influenza. Vaccination is safe and flu vaccines are widely available. It is a simple step we all can do to protect those we care about as the holiday season ramps up,” Dr. Chevinsky said.   

According to the California Department of Public Heath, everyone over 6 months of age should receive the flu vaccine each year. 

In addition to vaccination, the public is encouraged to take the following steps to protect themselves and others against flu, COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses:   

Wash hands thoroughly and frequently. 

Cover coughs and sneezes. 

Stay home from work or school when sick. 

Consider indoor masking in crowded places. 

Improve ventilation by opening windows or moving events outdoors. 

Disinfect frequently used surfaces. 

For those at higher risk who do get sick, county health officials say get tested and talk with your healthcare provider about treatment options. 

Flu vaccines can be accessed at your healthcare provider’s office and many local pharmacies. Public Health vaccination clinics can be found here. 

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Garrett Hottle

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office confirms that Jake Haro is no longer in its custody and has been transferred to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

In an email Wednesday, police said Haro was released from county custody on Nov. 19 and moved into state custody to begin serving his court-ordered sentence.

No additional details about the transfer were provided.

“For the safety and security of this process, no further details will be released,” the sheriff’s office said.

News Channel Three will update you with additonal details as they become available.

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