Category: kesq-local-news

Kiera McKinney

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif, (KESQ)- Artificial intelligence is becoming a bigger part of how small businesses operate, helping with tasks like social media, research, customer follow-ups and reports.

That was a major focus Friday at the Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce’s fifth annual Marketing Summit, where local business owners and industry experts discussed how AI can save time — while stressing that it is not a replacement for human intelligence or connection.

Andrew McCauley, Website Analytics and AI Manager for Visit Greater Palm Springs, said AI can take some of the tedious work off employees’ plates.

“What I see AI doing is replacing tasks more than jobs.”

A July QuickBooks survey found four out of five small businesses now use AI regularly, up from less than half two years ago.

Hakob Jibilyan, co-founder of Cheers Coffee, said his business recently started using AI for social media and research. He said it can help identify trends, determine when to post and uncover potential business opportunities.

But Jibilian said technology cannot replace the people who make his business work.

“My employees, they are the best. The human factor is very important. The simple things, communication with each other.”

That balance was a key message at the summit: businesses can use AI to handle routine tasks, but human intelligence, judgment and relationships remain at the center of the work.

Katie Slimko-Tuvell, president and CEO of the Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce, said business owners are excited about AI but also want to use it responsibly.

McCauley encouraged businesses to learn what AI can do rather than be afraid of the technology.

The summit was held at the Rancho Mirage Library & Observatory and featured speakers discussing AI, social media, customer service, storytelling and other ways businesses can adapt to changing technology.

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Tommy Gallegos

MECCA, CA (KESQ)- A 39-year-old Mecca man was killed Thursday evening after being struck by a vehicle on 70th Avenue east of Cleveland Street, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The crash was reported at approximately 7:26 p.m. on September 10, 2026.

The Riverside County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Ramiro Gonzalez Jr., 39, of Mecca.

According to the CHP, a white Honda Accord driven by a male was traveling on 70th Avenue and approaching Gonzalez, who was walking in a westerly direction. The Honda struck Gonzalez, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators are still working to determine which portion of the roadway Gonzalez was walking in at the time of the collision.

CHP said alcohol did not appear to be a factor in the crash.

The collision remains under investigation. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the CHP Indio office.

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Dakota Makinen

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Palm Springs Fire Department held its annual Never Forget 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony to honor the lives lost in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and remember the first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice.

The ceremony began at 8:30 a.m. Friday, September 11, at Palm Springs Fire Station 2, located at 300 North El Cielo Road.

The department welcomed community members to attend the ceremony and reflect on the legacy of those who lost their lives and the bravery of the first responders who ran toward danger that day.

Following the ceremony, attendees gathered for coffee and donuts.

Stay with KESQ News Channel 3 for the latest updates.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A celebration in Palm Springs. On Thursday, Johnny Costa’s Ristorante celebrated 50 years of family, tradition, and Palm Springs history with a “Golden Anniversary” celebration and ribbon-cutting.

The Palm Springs Chamber honored the legacy of late founder, chef Johnny Costa. Costa opened his first

Pictured: Johhny and Vince Costa

“Yeah, my dad, he cooked with love. He always made everything from the heart, like it was from the, from the beginning. We always, it was a quality of the food that he made and to this day we continue that tradition. We cook everything to order, you know, and I think in. The service and everything else that goes along with it is why I think we are who we are and where we are,” said Vince Costa, head chef at the restaurant.

The celebration included the Costa family, Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce, invited dignitaries, and longtime friends and members of the community.

For more on Johnny Costa’s Ristorante, click here.

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Jesus Reyes

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) — It was a tough week for many of our local teams here in Week 4 of the high school football season.

Only two desert programs came away with wins this week. See below for the schedule and scores.

Thursday 9/10

Rancho Mirage 18 at Tahquitz 34 29 Palms 14 at Rubidoux 47

Friday 9/11

Xavier Prep 68 at Cathedral City 0 Colton 57 at Palm Springs 34 Hesperia 29 at La Quinta 22 Yucaipa 13 at Palm Desert 31 Granite Hills 27 at Desert Hot Springs 23 Palo Verde Valley 61 at Coachella Valley 23 Shadow Hills 7 at Bishop Alemany 40 Indio 7 at Western Christian 35

Saturday 9/12

Yucca Valley 7 at Desert Christian Academy 48

Join Blake Arthur and Kendall Flynn for LIVE reports, highlights, scores, interviews and more on Best Local Sports Show every Friday night during the season.

News Channel 3 is your home for high school football in the Coachella Valley.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Local students are being recognized with this month’s “Do the Right Thing Award,” a partnership between the Palm Springs Police Dept. and News Channel 3.

10 students got the honor on Thursday, from elementary to high schools valley-wide.

Henry Maclean Rubin Yanez Jesus Segura Fernando Martinez-Esteban Dayanara barriga-huitron William millan Tyson gainey Hunter Wallace Anthony Valdez Michael Camargo, a preschooler and special addition to our usual 9 winners this month

Do the Right Thing recognizes and rewards school-age youths in the Greater Palm Springs area for their positive attitude, behavior, and accomplishments. Click here to nominate a student

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Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – The Stagecoach Country Music Festival released a video Thursday teasing Florida Georgia Line as headliners for 2027.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Stagecoach (@stagecoach)

The popular pop-country music duo of Tyler Hubbard and Bryan Kelley, dominated the charts with their 2012 hit “Cruise.” They continued to have success in the genre until they went on hiatus in 2022, with Hubbard and Kelley launching solo careers.

Florida Georgia Line reunited at the CMA Fest in June.

FGL headlined Stagecoach in 2018 with a set that included the “Walmart Yodeling Kid” Mason Ramsey.

The three-day festival will take place from April 23-25, 2027 at the Empire Polo Club in Indio. The lineup has not been released.

Tickets went on sale in June, you can still join the waitlist at stagecoachfestival.com/passes/.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage on the Stagecoach and Coachella festival.s

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Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Lieutenant William Hutchinson is retiring from the Palm Springs Police Department after 30 years.

Hutchinson joined PSPD as a Police Explorer at 14, became a Reserve Police Officer at 19, and was hired full-time in 1998. He served in patrol and as a Field Training Officer, then advanced from street-level to major narcotics investigations.

As a member of the Inland Crackdown Allied Task Force (INCA), Hutchinson and his team received the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy’s 2004 HIDTA award for outstanding cooperative effort after dismantling a Guadalajara-based drug trafficking pipeline into the Inland Empire. In another investigation, he helped seize more than $2 million in U.S. currency connected to a large-scale cartel operation.

He also served on PSPD’s SWAT and Crime Suppression teams, seizing multiple pounds of illicit drugs and hundreds of thousands in U.S. currency.

While assigned to patrol, Hutchinson established PSPD’s social media presence. As a sergeant, he continued that work while leading the Public Information Office. He responded to critical incidents, including serving as incident commander during the 2025 fertility clinic bombing.

For more than two decades, Hutchinson served on the Police Officers’ Association and Police Management Association boards in roles including president and vice president. He advocated for members and managed high-profile campaigns.

As a lieutenant, Hutchinson oversaw personnel, training, hiring, and recruiting before commanding the Investigations Bureau. He later founded and built the Coachella Valley Real Time Intelligence Center, developing partnerships with agencies throughout the region. He also helped launch PSPD’s Drone as First Responder program and led its technology governance implementation, creating a blueprint referenced by agencies across California.

In his own words: “I am beyond grateful to the community of Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley. This city has given me a good life and provided for me and my family. The years have brought tremendous experience, pain, joy, and many challenges—and for all of it, I am forever grateful.”

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Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — Greater Palm Springs Pride announced the honorees for the 2026 Pride Honors Awards.

The awards celebrate individuals and organizations whose dedication, advocacy, and leadership have made a lasting impact on the LGBTQ+ community across the Coachella Valley and beyond.

Organizers said this year’s ceremony carries special significance as Palm Springs marks the 40th Anniversary of Pride, a legacy sparked in 1986 when the Desert Business Association helped lay the foundation for the region’s first Pride celebration.

The 2026 Pride Honors Awards will be presented on September 24, 2026, at the Palm Springs Hilton. Tickets on pspride.org.

Spirit of Pride Award: André Chambers

Presented to an individual who enhances the quality of life in the region by raising awareness to advance equality, promote diversity, and celebrate the strength and talent of the LGBTQ+ community.Known affectionately as the “Gay Glitter Mayor of Palm Springs,” André Chambers is an author, artist, advocate, and registered nurse specializing in addiction recovery. A former Eagle LA Mr. Leather titleholder, Chambers brings compassion and visibility to every corner of his work—from mentoring within the leather community to advocating for transgender youth. His story of resilience is featured in the award-winning documentary Merman.

Business of Pride Award: Andy Wysocki & Bill Sanderson (Townie Bagels)

Celebrating LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and inclusive businesses that blend commercial excellence with advocacy and set the standard for economic empowerment, driving innovation, and proving that authenticity and equality are the cornerstones of lasting success.After relocating to Palm Springs in 2007, partners Andy Wysocki and Bill Sanderson turned a quest for an authentic New York-style bagel into a beloved local institution. Founded at the local Farmers’ Market and established in Warm Sands in 2015, Townie Bagels serves as a neighborhood anchor rooted in traditional baking, active community support, and a 35-year partnership.

Spirit of Stonewall Organization of the Year: Desert Business Association (DBA)

Recognizing an outstanding group with a proven commitment to supporting the LGBTQ+ community in the Coachella Valley.Founded in 1979, the DBA is one of the nation’s oldest LGBTQ+ chambers of commerce. Representing over 375 members, the DBA champions small businesses through networking, educational programming, and contract readiness. Notably, the DBA played a foundational role in launching Palm Springs Pride 40 years ago. Before becoming a street parade, Palm Springs Pride began in the mid-1980s as the DBA’s indoor “Sizzle” fundraisers. Early organizers shaped its foundation: Bob Hoven co-founded the 1986 event during the AIDS crisis; Dr. Barry Woods ensured financial survival; Dr. Herb Lazenby unified the community; and Greg Pettis moved Pride into public spaces by 1990.

Spirit of Stonewall Friend of Pride Award: Kristie Dore

Honoring an ally whose unwavering dedication, leadership, and heart have helped build a more inclusive Coachella Valley. This award celebrates an individual who uses their platform to advocate for equality, elevate LGBTQ+ voices, and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our community over time.As Director of Event Services at the Palm Springs Convention Center for 13 years, Kristie Dore has led the execution of major regional events, including the Harvey Milk Breakfast and conferences for the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce and the LGBTQ+ International Travel Association. As a board member for the LGBTQ+ Community Center of the Desert, Dore has dedicated her career to creating inclusive, welcoming spaces across the valley.

Community Service Award: Leslie Barclay

Presented in recognition of an extraordinary individual or organization whose selfless dedication, tireless volunteerism, and visionary leadership uplift our community, creating a lasting legacy of compassion, empowerment, and meaningful progress for all.Serving as the LGBTQ Specialist at Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits, Leslie Barclay has spent four decades championing inclusion and opportunity across the industry. Since 1994, she has leveraged corporate partnerships to fuel vital grassroots initiatives, lending tireless support to civil rights advocates, regional community centers, local health initiatives, and statewide equality organizations.

Spirit of Stonewall Volunteer of the Year: Randy Perrin

Presented in celebration of an exceptional advocate whose hands-on dedication, unwavering spirit, and selfless grassroots service inspire hope, strengthen our community from the ground up, and turn everyday commitment into transformative action.A longtime advocate who began volunteering during the HIV/AIDS epidemic and helped start the Federal GLOBE Southern California Chapter at the IRS, Randy Perrin has dedicated his retirement to community service. As an active leader with Gay For Good (G4G) Palm Springs, Perrin mobilizes volunteers for environmental cleanups, school projects, and local non-profit support

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Luis Avila

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) — The Palm Desert City Council voted unanimously Thursday to table a proposed resolution asking Southern California Edison to minimize planned power outages during the summer.

The proposal comes after concerns over a maintenance outage in July that would have affected 878 customers during a period of extreme heat. The outage was later rescheduled by SCE.

During Thursday’s meeting, residents shared concerns about the impact planned outages can have on local businesses.

City leaders also raised concerns about how much notice the city and residents receive before planned outages.

“I understand for emergency outages, but we have residents saying even when it’s a planned outage they don’t know until it happens,” said Councilmember Karina Quintanilla.

SCE representatives encouraged residents to use the utility’s online resources to stay informed about planned outages.

“That’s probably the most important thing I will tell you, residents out here, be prepared for anything,” the SCE representative said.

SCE said it is following the guidelines currently in place while balancing planned maintenance with the need to maintain a reliable power grid.

The utility also said rescheduling some maintenance could delay projects and create additional reliability and safety risks.

During the discussion, the Mayor Evan Trubee asked whether SCE could commit to avoiding planned outages during the summer months.

The SCE representative responded, “We can do as much as we can — we try to do outages for five hours or at nights.”

City leaders acknowledged the need for regular maintenance but said they also want to limit the impact outages can have on the community.

The resolution will now return to the council in November, giving city leaders and SCE more time to discuss the proposal and address questions about how planned outages are scheduled and communicated.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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