Category: kesq-local-news

Daniella Lake

WHITEWATER, Calif. (KESQ) – This afternoon, Guide Dogs of the Desert hosted a graduation ceremony for participants who’ve completed their guide dog training program. The organization says guide dogs bring independence, confidence, and mobility for those who are visually impaired.

Guide Dogs of the Desert says they are always in need of volunteer puppy raisers, who help raise future guide dogs. To learn more, visit their website.

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KESQ News Team

COACHELL VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – Our St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway is coming up in March, and it’s time now to get your tickets and to show you how your support helps.

Tonight, we are introducing you to Reagan. We’re sharing her story and how her family says St. Jude offers them hope. 

Reagan’s journey to St. Jude began suddenly in October 2023. Doctors diagnosed Reagan with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare childhood cancer. 

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Jesus Reyes

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) – More budget cuts are coming to the Coachella Valley Unified School District.

On Thursday, the CVUSD Board of Education approved a fiscal stabilization plan. The plan includes multiyear reductions of $25.4 million — $9.4 million in 2026–27, $8 million in 2027–28, and $8 million in 2028–29

The Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE) required CVUSD to submit an updated, Board-approved Fiscal Stabilization Plan by March 17. According to the board agenda, the plan must incorporate salary and benefit cost projections and address the previously identified $20 million in budget reductions. The projections must include unrestricted funds, along with the detailed assumptions used in developing the plan.

According to the district, the reductions are designed to align spending with enrollment trends and available revenues, while keeping cuts as far from the classroom as possible.

Board Final 2025_26 Fiscal Stabilization – Update (Option 4)Download

In 2024, the district approved $57 million in budget reductions, which included staffing layoffs and program adjustments. CVUSD officials said in the December that the district was facing up to $20 million in additional budget cuts over the next two years

CVUSD officials added that the Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) presented from their findings an independent review of the District’s 2025–26 adopted General Fund budget. The review included the development of a multiyear financial projection (MYFP) and cash flow analysis for the current year and two subsequent fiscal years.

FCMAT Presentation_2.12.26Download

Coachella Valley USD final report (1)Download

While FCMAT reported no immediate cash flow concerns, the agency recommended continued monthly monitoring and emphasized that declining fund reserves weaken a district’s overall cash position. FCMAT also commended the District’s efforts to take necessary steps toward long-term fiscal stability.

Through the approved Fiscal Stabilization Plan, the District continues to address its structural deficit, maintain required reserve levels, and strengthen its long-term financial health.

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Athena Jreij

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The 26th Annual Modernism Show is welcoming over 100,000 attendees and dozens of designers to the Palm Springs Convention Center for an inside look at the hottest mid-century modern designs.

The event kicks off a week of tours, lively celebrations and curated events for visitors and locals.

Show producer Rosemary Krieger says it’s the biggest show yet, with 144 exhibitors.

“We’re heavily featuring mid-century this year, which is the origin of the show back when we first started it. We introduced 21st century, but now there’s a passion for mid-century modern designing, and especially in Palm Springs,” Krieger said.

A number of those exhibits are local, like Rubine Red Gallery in Palm Springs.

“Modernism is a tourist hot spot here in Palm Springs, but the people that live here and own homes here, like ultra contemporary things. They like the modernist ’40s to ’60s, ’70s art as well. So, it’s fun to be able to do both,” owner of Rubine Red, Jason Howard said.

Local fashion designer Trina Turk will also play a large role in the week’s celebrations, as the featured designer of Soleil House.

Turk says much of her fashion inspiration comes from the desert.

“Well, a lot of it is from the desert. I love vintage clothing. I love vintage textiles. So a lot of the inspiration comes from that,” Turk said.

For some, the show is more than just a shopping experience.

“It’s the community that is so rich and just so lovely, inviting and warm. There’s also so much going on for adults in Palm Springs. You can’t leave when you’re here,” Juli Cavnar said.

For more information on Modernism Week’s events, visit: https://modernismweek.com/2026/

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Jesus Reyes

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – The Palm Desert Half Marathon and 5K scheduled for this Sunday will prompt numerous road closures, it was announced today.   

Full road closures will take place from 5 a.m. to noon at San Pablo Avenue from Fred Waring Drive to Magnesia Falls Drive. Magnesia Falls Drive from Portola Avenue to Monterey Avenue will also be fully closed, city officials said.

Lane closures will be held across the following locations:  

— Northbound Monterey Avenue from Magnesia Falls Drive to Gerald Ford Drive;   — Eastbound Gerald Ford Drive to Gateway Drive;   — Northbound Gateway Drive to Dinah Shore Drive;   — Eastbound Dinah Shore Drive to Portola Avenue;   — Southbound Portola Avenue to Frank Sinatra Drive;   — Eastbound Frank Sinatra Drive to Cook Street;   — Southbound Cook Street to Hovley Lane East;   — Westbound Hovley East to Portola Avenue, and   — Southbound Portola Avenue to Magnesia Falls Drive.  

Officials said these lane closures will occur on the lane nearest the curb, and encourage motorist to all extra travel time or use alternate routes.

The 13-mile course will start at 7 a.m. for the half marathon at Civic Center Park, 43900 San Pablo Avenue, and at 7:30 a.m. for the 5K.   

A course map can be found at palmdeserthalfmarathon.com/course-map/.

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City News Service

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – Riverside County residents hoping to tie the knot in civil ceremonies at county offices tomorrow for Valentine’s Day will have to postpone their plans until after the Presidents Day holiday weekend because county facilities will be closed to the public.   

“Valentine’s Day is on a Saturday this year, and we’re giving our staff the time off,” county Assessor-Clerk-Recorder spokeswoman Emma Miller told City News Service. “There won’t be any ceremonies conducted by our office on Saturday.”

While county clerks in neighboring Orange and San Diego counties are making accommodations despite the weekend time frame, civil ceremonies at Riverside County offices will have to wait until at least Tuesday, Feb. 17. Monday is Presidents Day, which county government will observe, as it did for Lincoln’s Birthday on Thursday, suspending most non-public safety operations.   

Miller said the county has “exciting” plans for celebrity-hosted civil ceremonies on an undisclosed date at the landmark 14th Street Chapel in downtown Riverside. Announcements were pending.

During past Valentine’s Days, civil ceremonies officiated by certified wedding commissioners from the clerk’s office were available at the Riverside Gateway office, as well as offices in Hemet, Palm Desert and Temecula. The numbers have varied, ranging from a few dozen to several hundred couples.   

Additional details and answers to a slew of routine questions, as well as applications, can be found at www.rivcoacr.org/CivilMarriageCeremony.

In San Bernardino County, Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk Josie Gonzales will open the Hall of Records to perform marriage services on Saturday, Feb. 14, to help those wishing to unite in matrimony.

The services at the San Bernardino County Recorder-County Clerk’s office on Feb. 14 will be limited to those wishing to have marriage ceremonies performed. Couples must complete the marriage license application beforehand online at https://bit.ly/4pYe8Zr, then call 909-387-8306 to secure their appointment for Saturday, Feb. 14. Appointments will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and all Saturday appointments must be made by phone.

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Peter Daut

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – With AI on the rise in education, art and entertainment, it was only a matter of time before it also affected the dating world.

And with Valentine’s Day almost here, dating apps are now jumping on the AI trend.

The apps now have services that include AI matchmakers and AI feedback on dating profiles.

It’s even giving people advice on what to say next in a direct message conversation with a match.

But local dating experts say people should not become over-reliant on AI.

“While AI does improve efficiency, here’s the distinction: efficiency isn’t intimacy, and that’s where this disconnect is coming in and people need to kind of raise an eyebrow over that,” Julie Spira of cyberdatingexpert.com

Dating apps are also using AI to detect fake profiles and flag suspicious behavior.

But experts say real-time communication remains essential.

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Rich Tarpening

RIVERSIDE, CA- County health officials are alerting residents of a measles outbreak connected with an earlier case in Western Riverside County.

According to Riverside County Public Health officials, an additional Western Riverside County adult and child with possible links to the first case have tested positive for measles. This marks a localized outbreak of three total confirmed cases of measles in Riverside County for 2026. 

According to the news bulletin sent out Friday morning, the adult provided a verbal report of vaccination for measles; the child was not vaccinated. Both are recovering in their respective homes.  

“These additional cases of measles underscore the disease’s highly contagious nature,” said Riverside County Public Health Officer Dr. Jennifer Chevinsky. 

Measles is a highly contagious virus that lives in the nose and throat mucus of an infected person. It can spread to others through coughing and sneezing. 

“Now is the perfect time to make sure you and your family are vaccinated against measles,” said Dr. Chevinsky. 

To get vaccinated, talk to your healthcare provider or visit one of Public Health’s upcoming vaccine clinics. All clinics accept walk-in appointments. Cost and eligibility vary. For questions and clinic locations, please call (951) 358-7125

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City News Service

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A convicted felon accused of slashing a Palm Springs man with a box cutter, then fleeing the scene and almost making it out of the city until he was apprehended, was charged today with attempted murder and other offenses.

James Jeremiah Fuller, 41, of Palmdale was arrested Tuesday following an investigation by the Palm Springs Police Department.   

Along with attempted murder, Fuller was charged with assault with a deadly weapon, probation violations and sentence-enhancing allegations of using a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony and inflicting great bodily injury.

The probationer, who was being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Benoit Detention Center, was slated to make his initial court appearance Friday afternoon at the Larson Justice Center in Indio.

According to police, shortly before 4 a.m. Tuesday, Fuller was involved in an unspecified confrontation with the victim, whose identity was not disclosed, in the 600 block of South Palm Canyon Drive, near Indian Canyon Drive, on the western edge of Palm Springs.

During the encounter, Fuller allegedly pulled a box cutter and attacked the man, inflicting a gash across his head, police alleged.   

The victim called 911, and patrol officers converged on the location within minutes, discovering the man bleeding and in need of immediate medical attention.

“He provided limited information, stating he had been attacked by … a male who had fled northbound in a white pickup truck,” the police department stated.

The victim was taken to a regional trauma center for treatment, and officers initiated a search, netting results less than a half-hour later when they spotted a Ford F-150 matching the description of the alleged getaway vehicle nearly four miles north of where the alleged attack happened, in the area of North Indian Canyon Drive and West Tramview Road, according to authorities. The location is a mile south of Interstate 10.   

The pickup was stopped by patrol units. Fuller was in the driver’s seat and taken into custody without incident. A woman was with him in the passenger seat. She wasn’t identified, and she wasn’t taken into custody.   

A witness back at the scene of the alleged attack corroborated the victim’s statement and positively identified Fuller as the alleged assailant, police said.

Court records show he has documented prior convictions for assault with a deadly weapon, robbery and witness intimidation.

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María García

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – The TODEC Legal Center hosted a Valentine’s Day food drive Friday morning aimed at helping immigrant families in need.

The event provided free groceries and essential items that may assist impacted families. The suggested items include: corn tortillas, beans, rice, canned chicken, baby wipes, and hygiene products.

“We had two full car loads, I backed up 50 pounds of rice and beans, and hundreds of hundreds of canned foods,” said Leah Aguayo, co-founder of Indivisible Morongo Basin.

Aguayo says the food drive is another way to give back while organizing more protests. “We protest every Sunday at the entrance to Joshua Tree park, we can have anywhere from one-hundred to four-hundred people. We got the word out that this Valentine day food drive was happening,” said Aguayo.

Todec organizers say around 3,000 families each month seek help due to immigration enforcement concerns.

“We’re very thankful and we’re very honored and very proud of our Coachella Valley. How people continue to step up for those that are very vulnerable at these times, that are suffering and having so much trauma,” said Luz Gallegos, Todec executive director.

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