Category: kesq-local-news

City News Service

RIVERSIDE (CNS) – The Board of Supervisors today approved the final budget for an upgraded dispatch center focused on Riverside County Sheriff’s Department operations in the Coachella Valley.

In a 5-0 vote without comment Tuesday, the board authorized the department to use $3.3 million in redevelopment agency funds to total out the spending blueprint for the Palm Desert Station Expansion Project at $17.81 million.

“Dispatch communication centers are staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year,” according to a sheriff’s statement posted to the board’s agenda.“The sheriff has two communication centers: Central Dispatch in Riverside, and the Coachella Valley Dispatch Center, located in Palm Desert.”

In 2023, supervisors approved $8.5 million in countywide development impact fee revenue for the expansion project, followed by an additional $4.5 million in DIF money appropriated in October 2025.

The remodeled dispatch center will create sufficient space to accommodate 911 personnel and east county patrol teams at 73705 Gerald Ford Drive, where a sheriff’s facility has existed since February 1991.

They’re conducting operations out of a rented building on Fred Waring Drive for now.

The expansion is slated for completion in the current fiscal year.

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Tommy Gallegos

PALM DESERT, CA (KESQ) – The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will temporarily close its Palm Desert office at 74-740 Technology Drive for interior painting.

The office will close at 5 p.m. Friday, September 18, and is expected to reopen at 8 a.m. Monday, September 28.

During the closure, customers can visit nearby DMV offices in:

Indio: 44480 Jackson St. — 11 miles away Palm Springs: 950 N. Farrell Drive — 13 miles away Hemet: 1200 S. State St. — 56 miles away Twentynine Palms: 3668 Adobe Road, Suite G-J — 64 miles away; open Tuesdays and Thursdays only

The DMV encourages customers to use its online services whenever possible. Many transactions, including eligible driver’s license and vehicle registration renewals, can be completed online.

Customers can also use the DMV’s Service Advisor to find the best way to complete their transaction without visiting an office.

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City News Service

INDIO (CNS) – Set times were announced for Head Trip, a two-day electronic music festival scheduled for next month in Indio.

The festival will run from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. Oct. 10-11 at the Empire Polo Club, 81-800 51st Ave.

Saturday’s lineup will include Calvin Harris, Peggy Gou back-to-back with Four Tet, Seth Troxler back-to-back with Ben Sterling, Fisher and Chris Lake.

Sunday’s lineup will feature Skrillex, DJ Harvey, the Blessed Madonna, Dom Dolla back-to-back with Kettama and Swedish House Mafia.

The festival is being produced by Goldenvoice, the organizer behind Coachella and Stagecoach.

More information, including set times and passes, is available at headtripindio.com.

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Tommy Gallegos

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ)— The Riverside Sheriffs’ Association (RSA) has named former Palm Springs Police Lieutenant William Hutchinson as its new executive director, bringing 28 years of law enforcement, labor representation and organizational leadership experience to the role.

He joins RSA after a 28-year career with the Palm Springs Police Department, where he most recently founded and led the Coachella Valley Real Time Intelligence Center, a regional law enforcement intelligence-sharing program. His career also included patrol, narcotics investigations, supervisory positions and command of the department’s Investigations Bureau.

Hutchinson will oversee RSA’s day-to-day operations and a staff of 20 while reporting to the association’s Board of Directors.

Hutchinson has also held leadership positions with the Palm Springs Police Officers’ Association and Police Management Association, gaining experience in labor negotiations, advocacy and organizational governance.

“I’m honored to bring what I’ve learned over 28 years in law enforcement to support this membership and build on that legacy,” Hutchinson said.

RSA President Jose Santos said Hutchinson’s combination of law enforcement, labor and administrative experience will support the association’s continued work on behalf of its members.

Hutchinson began his new role Sept. 14. Founded in 1943, RSA represents thousands of Riverside County public safety professionals across three bargaining units.

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Tommy Gallegos

INDIO, CA (KESQ) — A murder charge has been refiled against former Palm Springs advertising agency CEO William “Billy” Rodriguez, who is accused in the hit-and-run death of a woman riding a scooter in Cathedral City two years ago.

Rodriguez appeared in court Tuesday as prosecutors renewed their effort to pursue a murder case against him in connection with the death of 60-year-old Christina Barrington.

Last month, a judge dismissed the murder charge following a preliminary hearing, but ordered Rodriguez to stand trial on charges of felony hit-and-run causing death and driving with a suspended license.

The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office has now filed the murder charge again, saying prosecutors remain confident in their case and believe the evidence presented during the preliminary hearing is sufficient to move forward with the charge.

The defense disputes the allegations and plans to challenge the renewed murder charge, asking the judge to review the evidence.

“(The District Attorney’s Office) elected to still file a murder charge even though the judge disagreed with that. We as his defense team absolutely assert his innocence,” said Molly Tucker, Rodriguez’s defense attorney.

Rodriguez has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

He was released from custody on $2 million bail and is required to wear a GPS monitor and an alcohol-monitoring device.

Barrington was killed in Cathedral City after the collision involving the scooter. Prosecutors allege Rodriguez was involved in the hit-and-run.

Tuesday’s hearing was continued until October 15.

The renewed murder charge is expected to be challenged by the defense as the case moves forward.

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Raymond Kalra

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – September 15th marks National Voter Registration Day, a nationwide nonpartisan effort encouraging eligible Americans to register to vote, check their registration status and prepare for upcoming elections.

But with the November midterm elections just weeks away, some Coachella Valley voters told News Channel 3 their concerns go beyond simply registering.

Questions about the voting process, political division and confidence in mail-in voting are all weighing differently on voters as Election Day approaches.

For Coachella Valley resident Kim Bechtel, the frustration begins with the country’s political divide.

“Everything’s so messed up in the air,” Bechtel said. “Each side’s blaming the other side and neither side can get back together and vote to improve this country. They’re out for themselves.”

That political divide is now colliding with another national legal fight over how Americans cast their ballots.

On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to allow the Trump administration to enforce new U.S. Postal Service requirements for mail ballots before the November midterms.

The proposed rule would have required states to provide certain voter information to the Postal Service and use USPS-approved, uniquely barcoded envelopes for mail ballots. The Trump administration argued the requirements would strengthen election integrity. States and voting-rights groups challenging the rule argued the changes could disrupt legitimate mail voting and exceeded the federal government’s authority over elections.

The Supreme Court’s action leaves lower-court orders blocking the requirements in place while the broader legal challenge continues.

For California voters, that means the existing process remains in place for the November 3 election.

Every active registered voter in California will automatically be mailed a ballot. Voters can return that ballot through the mail, take it to an official drop box or voting location, or choose to vote in person instead.

Coachella Valley resident Dan Arguien said he still plans to vote by mail.

“We’re going to vote by mail. It’s easier for us,” Arguien said. “We don’t have to worry about going out or going anywhere.”

When asked about confidence that a mailed ballot would be counted, Arguien acknowledged the debate but said it has not changed his plans.

“I’m hoping it is,” Arguien said. “Mail-in voting has been going on for a long time, so I don’t see an issue really, not as far as that’s concerned.”

For Donovan Knott, he said that he is still looking into registering to vote. If he does cast a ballot this November, he said he would be more comfortable doing it in person.

“I don’t know, I think I’d have to go in person,” Knott said. “I’m an in-person kind of guy.”

Those different preferences are part of the range of options California voters have heading into November.

Veronica Triano said she prefers to personally drop off her ballot, in part because a drop-off location is convenient to where she lives. But she said the national debate surrounding mail voting does not change what she considers most important.

“I think you just have to do what feels best for you,” Triano said. “There’s no right or wrong so long as you vote.”

National Voter Registration Day is intended to bring attention to that first step in the process. The annual effort began in 2012 and brings together election officials, nonprofits, schools, businesses and other organizations to help eligible voters register or update their information.

In California, the regular deadline to register online or have a registration application postmarked for the November 3 general election is October 19. People who miss that deadline can still use California’s conditional voter registration process through Election Day.

Counties must begin mailing ballots to active registered voters no later than October 5. Secure ballot drop-off locations begin opening October 6, with additional early and in-person voting options becoming available as Election Day approaches.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3.

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Dakota Makinen

PALM SPRINGS, Calif.(KESQ) — Palm Springs Unified School District is observing PSUSD Stands Up to Hate: Districtwide Week of Action and Belonging Sept. 14-18.

The week gives schools across the district an opportunity to highlight efforts focused on creating safe, inclusive and welcoming environments where every student feels a sense of belonging.

At Cathedral City High School, students are watching PSUSD’s “Stands Up to Hate” video and taking part in classroom activities focused on inclusion, belonging and standing up to hate.

Students will also have the opportunity to sign a pledge committing to be hate-free.

Equity Ambassadors at Cathedral City High School are helping lead the conversation with their peers and encouraging students to think about how they can support one another.

PSUSD Director of Title IX and Compliance Dr. Antonia Hunt said the district’s goal is to ensure students feel “safe and secure and welcome” on campus.

Schools throughout the district are participating in activities during the week, with individual campuses incorporating the initiative into their own school communities.

Stay with News Channel 3 for the latest updates.

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KESQ News Team

PALM DESERT, CA (KESQ) – California regulators are considering new standards aimed at improving wireless service and keeping communication networks operating during emergencies, including access to 911.

Hope Chistman, a local government liaison for the California Public Utilities Commission, updated Coachella Valley leaders on the efforts Monday morning during a meeting of the Coachella Valley Association of Governments.

The CPUC currently has two separate proceedings underway involving telecommunications.

The first, R.26-02-017, focuses on everyday wireless service. The CPUC is considering whether service quality standards should apply to wireless carriers, including standards involving outages, reliability and how quickly service is restored.

Deadline for public comments is Sept. 15 as regulators move closer to developing proposed standards. However, the public is still encouraged to give feedback.

The second proceeding, R.25-07-014, focuses on keeping communication networks working during emergencies.

Current California resiliency requirements include backup power provisions for certain communications facilities in high-fire-threat areas. The CPUC is now considering whether those requirements should be changed or expanded, including how networks prepare for emergencies beyond wildfires.

That could be particularly relevant in the Coachella Valley, where extreme heat, flooding, power outages and other emergencies can threaten communications.

The CPUC will hold a workshop on R.25-07-014 on Oct. 30 focused on network resiliency data and reporting. Public participation hearings are also expected before the end of the year.

No final decisions have been made in either proceeding.

Comments on proceedings can be submitted anytime on the CPUC Docket Card: www.CPUC.CA.GOV.

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Gavin Nguyen

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The deaths of a number of icons within the LGBTQ+ community have been difficult for many in Palm Springs. There have been two in the past two days: Bob Mackie and James “Gypsy” Haake.

Bob Mackie’s death was announced on Monday. The iconic costume and fashion designer reportedly visited the Coachella Valley for decades before moving here in 2019. He died in Palm Springs at the age of 87 from pneumonia.

James “Gypsy” Haake was known as a larger-than-life figure in the world of drag entertainment and had strong ties to Palm Springs. His death was announced Sunday, at the age of 94.

Haake was honored on the Palm Springs Walk of the Stars. His star, located just in front of Oscar’s Palm Springs, was the site of a growing memorial on Monday. Flowers, candles, and more have been placed in his honor, showing the impact he had on the local community.

The deaths of the two prominent figures within Palm Springs’s gay community came after legendary singer-songwriter Dolly Parton passed just a couple of weeks ago. Parton was herself a champion for gay rights.

Back at Oscar’s, owner Dan Gore could be seen tidying up the memorial early Monday evening. Gore had a special connection with Gypsy, especially since Gore said it was their dynamic partnership that ultimately led to Gypsy becoming a staple of Palm Springs.

He said he had gone looking for Gypsy just before the turn of the century, unsure if he was still around.

“At age 68 years old, I was able to bring Gypsy out of retirement,” Gore remembered. He flew him from the East Coast to Lake Tahoe, where Gypsy spent 11 years, becoming a long-running drag show in the area. When that show closed, Gore moved to Palm Springs. He opened a show at Oscar’s, before he took over as the owner, and of course, a familiar face was part of it.

“At that point he was 82 years old,” Gore explained. “Gypsy was a hit here. And that led for me, you know, basically taking over Oscar’s in 2016.”

Gypsy lived with Gore for some time. Part of the memorial in front of Oscar’s were some of the knick-knacks that Gore remembered Gypsy purchasing on a whim at Revivals – as he would often do each time he’d come home. It’s those small moments that Gore hopes Gypsy’s fans remember – as well as the connection he forged with so many as an icon for Palm Springs’s LGBTQ+ community.

“He just loved every minute of it. He just loved, loved to be the center of attention, like any entertainer like that. But he was a true, true pioneer of this art form,” Gore said.

“I hope they remember him for his wits, for his humor, for his improv. You know, he was … he made people happy.”

Another example of the reach these icons had lies in Dee Calmett. A local reverend and entertainer herself, she shared connections with not just Gypsy, but also Mackie and Parton.

“It comes in threes,” Calmett said matter-of-factly. “First, we lost the lovely Dolly, who I met 50 years ago when I was an evangelical minister. … then we lost Bob Mackie, whose gowns I wore about 40 years ago. And I met Gypsy along that same time.”

Calmett told us of the many memories she shared with each one. From conversations with Dolly Parton seven or so years ago, to more recent run-ins with both Gypsy and Mackie, there was a common thread that she could see that grouped them together.

“Kindness was their superpower,” she said. “Doesn’t that make you want to be a kind person?”

She recounted the articles of clothing Bob Mackie donated to DAP Health, where Calmett works. She went on to explain how Gypsy taught her that she could do anything she set her mind to, and how Parton was a living, breathing example of kindness.

“Each one of these individuals gave financially behind the scenes, not wanting recognition. I mean kindness, true kindness.”

Honoring and celebrating these kinds of people is important to Calmett. She affirmed, “I think celebrating people like this, celebrating Mackie, celebrating anybody in the transgender community, in the drag community and the fashion community and the LGBTQ [community] period. It helps people that are new in this community to understand we can be superstars.”

And as memorials like the one surrounding Gypsy’s star continue to grow, Dan Gore said it serves as a reminder to celebrate those we’ve lost – but to remember to celebrate the icons and trailblazers who still walk among us.

“it reminds us that we’re not immortal. It reminds us that so many people that are here with us today are such valuable people in our lives that it’s important to recognize them now when they’re here living with us, then before they move on,” he said. “We see so much attention to Bob Mackie and to Gypsy today, when in fact, when they were here, a lot more attention should have been brought to both of them.”

A memorial service is planned for James “Gypsy” Haake in a little more than a month’s time. Gore said it is planned at Oscar’s on October 24th at 2:00 p.m. Stay with News Channel 3 for more details.

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KESQ News Team

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) — The Coachella Valley Rescue Mission (CVRM) is urgently asking the Coachella Valley community for food donations as pantry supplies reach critically low levels.

CVRM provides more than 1,000 meals each day to residents in its emergency shelter, recovery programs and Women and Children’s Shelter. The organization also distributes approximately 600 food boxes each week to food-insecure families throughout the valley.

CVRM is accepting shelf-stable and non-perishable foods, including:

Pasta, rice and beans Canned vegetables, fruits and proteins Dry goods Potatoes and other shelf-stable produce Other non-perishable foods

If you like to help, you can make a financial donation online at www.cvrm.org — monetary gifts allow CVRM to purchase high-priority items immediately.

If you’d like to help, you can drop off food: 47-470 Van Buren Street, Indio, CA 92201, Monday through Friday during business hours.

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