Category: kesq-local-news

Cynthia White

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – The John F. Kennedy Memorial Foundation is spotlighting the people who give time, resources, or belief to their cause of helping Coachella Valley families.

Foundation officials say those helping area families through the Foundation include donors, tribal partners, businesses, and volunteers. They add that among them is the Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians, whose recent gift to the Ophelia Program goes beyond financial support – It sends the message that investing in young women is an investment in the shared future of the Coachella Valley.

Augustine Chairperson Amanda Augustine and Ophelia Girl Brenda Alvarez Molina

“In our 27 years, the generosity of local partners has supported mentorship for more than 7,000 girls, provided early literacy resources to hundreds of families, and delivered free medical and wellness services to children in need,” said JFK Memorial Foundation President/CEO Peter Sturgeon. “Our community sponsors and partners are the champions our youth can count on.” 

Recent acts of support include a local business hosting a literacy drive for the Healthy Families Clinic, and volunteer mentors giving their time to guide and encourage students.

The JFK Memorial Foundation is inviting the entire community to be part of the circle of impact. They say whether by giving, mentoring, partnering, or sharing the Foundation’s story, every effort builds a brighter future for the valley’s youth. 

To learn more about the Ophelia Program and how you can get involved, visit jfkfoundation.org. 

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Karen Devine

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – Just weeks before the official grand opening of the 40-mile CV Link, some users say confusing or incorrect directional signs along the path could send walkers and cyclists the wrong way or even into danger.

Residents reached out to KESQ after spotting signs that didn’t seem to make sense. I-Team investigator Karen Devine went to check it out.

During a two-mile walk along the CV Link in La Quinta, Devine found several signs that appear to point in the wrong direction.

At the intersection of Adams Street, a sign lists Dune Palms Road and Indio to the east, but also includes Point Happy, which is actually about a mile back in the opposite direction.

Devine reported the issue through La Quinta City Hall’s website, which said it would be forwarded to the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG), the agency overseeing the project.

Frequent CV Link user Greg Snider says he’s been puzzled by the signs for months.

“We walk on it almost nightly,” Snider told the I-Team. “Obviously, Dune Palms Road is not that way. Indio is not that way, it’s behind us.”

Snider, who walks the trail with his family, says it took him about six months to figure out what the signs are trying to say.

“What I finally realized is, they don’t want you to go over Adams Street, they want you to go underneath,” he explained. “So, if you’re heading to Point Happy, go straight. But if you’re going to Indio, take a right and go under the road.”

When Devine checked the official CVAG CV Link map, there was no legend or explanation for how the directional signs are meant to be read.

Devine emailed CVAG for clarification. A spokesperson responded:

“CV Link remains under construction… CVAG has not formally accepted the project from the contractor. If there’s a wrong sign, our team will be having the contractor fix it before we deem the project finished.”

Who approved the signs?

The contractor confirmed they installed the signs but did not create the text or directional verbiage.

The design firm, Alta Design, did not approve the wording either.

La Quinta’s mayor told Devine the city was not involved in the signage decisions.

All roads and signs ultimately point back to CVAG, which is overseeing the multi-city project.

“No, it shouldn’t be this confusing,” Snider said.

Until the signage issues are corrected, trail users may want to rely on the colored paint and lights that mark the CV Link path:

• Blue indicates the eastbound direction• Orange marks the westbound path• After dark, solar-powered lights in matching colors guide the way

Several residents have also raised concerns about lighting gaps, unsafe crossings, and limited guard rails in certain wash areas.

CVAG says a final “punch list” of fixes is still being completed before the CV Link’s official opening.

Devine will continue tracking updates and asking questions to ensure the path connecting seven Coachella Valley cities is safe and clearly marked.

Have you noticed confusing or missing signs on the CV Link?Send photos or tips Share@KESQ.com

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City News Service

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – The Board of Supervisors today formally approved a Riverside County ordinance intended to curb the use of synthetic pain-relieving products that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration may add to the nationwide list of controlled substances.

In a 5-0 vote, the board signed off on the county Executive Office’s implementation of regulations aimed at deterring sales and marketing of kratom derivatives, mainly to minors.

“You have the sheriff’s department and other agencies supporting this,” board Chairman Manuel Perez said after the second reading of Ordinance No. 1004. “It’s the right thing to do.”

During the ordinance’s first reading last week, Chief Executive Officer Jeff Van Wagenen admitted that he had “never heard” of kratom until earlier this year.

“We’ve tried to identify the most dangerous aspect of this,” he said.  

The main emphasis is on so-called “7-OH” products, which contain alkaloids produced using biosynthetic methods. The 7-OH derivatives are based on kratom leaf or kratom leaf extracts originating from a tropical plant native to Southeast Asia, officials said. Their properties have pain-relieving influences similar to morphine and heroin.   

“The 7-OH concentrated synthetic products are often promoted as dietary supplements,” Sacramento-based California Narcotics Officers’ Association Legislative Advocate Ryan Sherman told the board on Oct. 21. “These products come in various forms, like concentrated liquid extract, and can significantly increase adverse potential life-threatening effects, especially when 7-OH is combined with alcohol and sedatives.”

In July, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration requested that the DEA formally review kratom derivatives like 7-OH and consider placing them on the federal list of controlled substances, which would result in stringent regulations. That evaluation is underway.

“Highly concentrated and synthetic kratom-based products — marketed in the form of powders, capsules, gummies and `energy shots’ — have proliferated in the U.S,” the Executive Office said in a statement. “These products are commonly sold online, in smoke shops and at convenience stores, often with no quality control or labeling standards.”   

The California Legislature is sorting out possible statewide restrictions on 7-OH sales, after a similar proposal in the previous legislative session died in the Senate. In the meantime, localities have established their own regulations.   

The Orange County Board of Supervisors approved a measure in August, following related actions in the cities of Jurupa Valley, Newport Beach, Oceanside, San Diego and Solano Beach, all of which now regulate some 7-OH marketing and sales.

The Riverside County regulatory scheme, which applies only to unincorporated communities, bars the sale of 7-OH products that contain more than 2% of alkaloids to anyone under 21 years old and imposes penalties for marketing of the derivatives to youths via advertisements or brand packaging.

Violations may result in potential misdemeanor criminal charges and fines.

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City News Service

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Entrepreneur, community leader and champion for LGBTQ+ visibility Mark Hunter Seymour will be honored with the 481st star on the Walk of the Stars next month, the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce announced today.

The event will be held at 11 a.m. Nov. 7 at 302 E. Arenas Road.   

Seymour will be honored in the categories of entertainment and civic/pioneer for his role in LGBTQ+ night life and community advancement for more than four decades.

He founded Hunters Palms Springs, which opened in 1998 and was one of the city’s first gay-owned and operated full-service nightclubs.   

“For 27 years, Hunters Palm Springs has supported numerous nonprofits, including the LGBTQ Center of the Desert, Desert AIDS Project, AIDS Assistance Program and the Palm Springs Animal Shelter,” officials said.   

Seymour’s impact on the city has earned him several honors, such as the Steve Chase Humanitarian Award in 2002, Businessman of the Year from the Desert Business Association and the Diversity Honors Award in 2004, and he was named one of the Community Grand Marshals for the city’s Pride Parade in 2015.   

More information can be found at walkofthestars@pschamber.org.

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Garrett Hottle

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) The mother of missing seven-month-old Emmanuel Haro appeared in court Tuesday for a felony settlement conference that was pushed to January 21.

KESQ News Channel 3 was in the courtroom as Rebecca Haro briefly appeared before a judge. The delay comes just over a week after the boy’s father, Jake Haro, entered a guilty plea to second-degree murder in connection with Emmanuel’s death. He’s set to be sentenced November 3rd.

Investigators have not said how Emmanuel died or located his body. The seven-month-old has been missing since August.

Both parents were arrested on August 22nd after weeks of searches.

 Prosecutors say the investigation remains active as the case moves forward in Riverside County Superior Court.

KESQ will continue to follow this case and provide updates as new information becomes available.

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Jesus Reyes

BEAUMONT, Calif. (KESQ) – A 19-year-old man from Indio was arrested Tuesday after leading police on a pursuit in a stolen vehicle before crashing in Beaumont Tuesday morning.

The pursuit started on Interstate 10, west of Date Palm, according to the California Highway Patrol. Police attempted an enforcement stop on the suspect vehicle, but the suspect fled at a high rate of speed.

The vehicle traveled at speeds over 100 MPH. Officers lost visual as the vehicle continued westbound. Officers later received calls about a reckless driver matching the description of the suspect vehicle.

The suspect vehicle was involved in a crash at the I-10 exit at Pennsylvania Avenue.

Officers said three occupants ran away from the vehicle. All three suspects were apprehended, including the 19-year-old driver and two minors. The two minors were hospitalized for complaint of pain.

The suspect vehicle was discovered to be stolen, police said.

CHP Indio Area is handling the arrest and the CHP San Gorgonio Pass is investigating the traffic crash.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.

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Jesus Reyes

Update 10/29/25

The motorcyclist was pronounced dead in the hospital, according the Riverside County coroner’s office.

He was identified as Ruben Delgado, 33, of Desert Hot Springs.

Original Report 10/28/25

SKY VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – A motorcyclist was rushed to the hospital in critical condition after a head-on crash with a trash truck Tuesday afternoon in Sky Valley.

The crash was reported at around 1:55 p.m. on Dillon Road near Prospect Road.

Authorities said that the rider was ejected from the motorcycle. They suffered major trauma.

The driver of the trash truck was not hospitalized, but there was no word on whether they were injured.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates.

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Jesus Reyes

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – Coachella Mayor Steven Hernandez was arraigned Thursday morning on perjury and conflict of interest charges for alleged illicit acts connected to his decisions on projects in the city, along with other matters.

A grand jury indicted Hernandez, 42, on nine criminal counts. He pleaded not guilty to all charges and is due back in court on February 23.

If convicted on all counts, Hernandez could face more than 7 years in state prison and be barred for life from holding public office, though given the mayor’s lack of prior criminal history, he’d likely only face a term of probation, according to the DA’s office.

“We recognize the serious nature of these charges and will be working with our client to resolve this matter,” reads a statement from Hernandez’s Attorney, A. Alexander Lowder.

Hernandez is also currently the chief of staff for County Supervisor Manuel Perez. Perez said in a statement on Wednesday that Hernandez has been placed on indefinite paid administrative leave from the County of Riverside. His annual salary is $182,367.

Statement from Riverside County:

In general terms, the length of an administrative leave is unknown at the time the leave begins and is determined on a case-by-case basis, dependent upon facts as they become available.   

As it relates to Mr. Hernandez, please note that it is our understanding that any allegations of misconduct are not related to his role with the County of Riverside.

The DA’s office said the conflict of interest charges center on Hernandez’s vote approving a contract between the city of Coachella and the Coachella Valley Association of Governments Housing First (CVAG) program, as well as his advocacy on downtown development projects.

“The conflict-of-interest charges relate to Hernandez’s vote to approve a contract between … Coachella and the Coachella Valley Association of Governments’ `Housing First Program,’ as well as his votes and advocacy related to downtown Coachella development programs,” according to a District Attorney’s Office statement. “The perjury charges relate to claims made by Hernandez on his `Statement of Economic Interests’ public disclosure forms.”   

Those documents fall under the designation “Form 700” by the California Fair Political Practices Commission, which says they’re necessary for the public to know “about an official’s personal financial interests, to ensure that officials are making decisions in the best interest of the public and not enhancing their personal finances.”   

According to the indictment, the first alleged offense occurred in November 2021 and involved Hernandez’s efforts to direct federal American Rescue Plan Act relief funds toward a rehabilitation project involving the downtown fire station, “in which the defendant knew, or had a reason to know, he had a financial interest.”  

The document leveled the same allegations regarding a January 2022 vote on the Fountainhead Plaza, a May 2022 vote on the Tripoli Mixed-Use Project, the May 2023 vote on CVAG’s Housing First Program and a July 2023 vote on Sunline Transit Agency Hub upgrades.

The perjury allegations were tied to prevarications stemming from “gross income received (from) 52280 Calle Camacho,” according to court papers. That property is a single-story house, in which the defendant was apparently invested.

The direct monetary or other potential benefits Hernandez reaped from the alleged fraudulent activity was not disclosed by prosecutors. However, his bail amount may reflect the specific sum that the D.A.’soffice believes was illegally concealed.

A total 13 people testified before the grand jury, though the dates oftheir appearances were not provided.   

The D.A.’s office said a conviction on all or some of the charges would mean a prohibition from ever holding any public office statewide in the future, as well as a possible seven-year prison sentence, though given the mayor’s lack of prior criminal history, he’d likely only face a term of probation.

Hernandez pleaded not guilty to all charges and is due back in court on February 23.

Hernandez was arrested Tuesday morning by the Riverside County District Attorney’s office and was released hours later after making bail.

Hernandez has been a part of the city’s leadership for nearly 20 years. He was first elected to the city council at the age of 23 in 2006. Hernandez was elected mayor in 2012 and is currently serving his fifth term.

Statement from City of Coachella

The City is aware of allegations made regarding Coachella Mayor Steven A. Hernandez and the City’s administration is fully cooperating with authorities. There is no additional information available to share at this time.

Supervisor Perez Statement:

“The allegations against Steven Hernandez are serious, and he has been placed on indefinite administrative leave from the County of Riverside.  Although we are still waiting on more details, it’s our understanding that the charges are unrelated to his role in our office.”

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.

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Athena Jreij

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – Earlier this week, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a Riverside County Department of Animal Services (RCDAS) request to hike fees charged to cities that contract with the agency over the next three years to cover expenses for personnel, impounds and other necessities.

In a 5-0 vote without comment, the board signed off on the rate adjustments, which are retroactive to the start of the current fiscal year on July 1 and continue until the end of June 2028.

“The … rates are necessary to keep up with the ongoing operational costs associated with providing efficient services and essential programs to county residents and their animals,” according to an agency statement posted to the board’s agenda. 

Today, RCDAS Animal Director Mary Martin spoke out on the rate hikes, which are raising some animal budgets by hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Martin says the hikes are long overdue to keep up with rising costs in the animal world, and life-saving initiatives.

“It has been a number of years since there has been any rate increase, but the cost of services have risen. The cost for staffing, the cost for all of the supplies, veterinary care, all of that. However, on top of that, we really wanted to ensure that we were doing what our communities wanted us to do, which is life saving,” Martin said.

Four Coachella Valley cities have been approved for rate hikes, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio and Palm Desert.

Breaking down the numbers, News Channel 3’s Athena Jreij found the four cities combined are set to pay over $1.8 million in new rates combined, over three years.

The Board of Supervisors approved a 5% field rate hike for three years, which covers animal control services. On top of those, higher shelter charges were also approved for individual cities.

Indian Wells is currently contracted to pay $1,580 through December of this year. By 2028, they’ll pay over $18,000 annually according to the county agenda.

In Palm Desert, they city increased it’s contract by more than 37% for field rates. This year, they’re set to pay over $236,000. By 2028, that number will increase to $588,648, for both field and shelter fees.

Mayor Pro Tem Evan Trubee says the price is worth it when considering the cost of shelter operations in-house.

“If we bring it in house and have our own shelter, our own animal service officers, the salaries, the benefits, the pensions, etc., you get up into the several million dollar per year range,” Trubee said.

Screenshot

The city of La Quinta more than doubled it’s budget, raising rates from more than $185,000 to over $535,000 annually by 2028.

“We’re fortunate as a city to be financially strong and solvent. We can absorb those costs. The last thing we want to do is put our animals at risk in our city because we’re not able or capable or willing to, support those increases,” City Councilmember Steve Sanchez said.

Screenshot

The largest growth is in Indio, which is raising it’s budget from more than $630,000 a year to over $1.7 million by 2028 as well.

Martin says with new funding, the county plans to hire 38 new employees targeting no-kill work.

“We’re inching up slowly in that life saving, but we hope that these positions will really increase that life saving. We asked for the creation of 38 new positions, all of whom are focused on all of the life-saving programs. So adoption, rescue, foster and community pet support. That’s the piece that I am super excited to see, how we’re able to help people keep their pets,” Martin said.

In May, the board approved a “no kill” policy, resolving that the county will make it an objective to preserve the lives of a minimum of 90% of all cats and dogs impounded at the county’s four shelters.  

The policy entails greater emphasis on free or low-cost spay and neuter clinics, enhanced “return-to owner” programs that unite lost pets with their loved ones, adoption campaigns with full fee waivers and expedited “trap-neuter-return-to-field” programs that were inaugurated in March 2024.   

Three Coachella Valley cities – Cathedral City, Coachella, and Rancho Mirage, still need their rate hikes approved.

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Gavin Nguyen

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is providing new details after an officer-involved shooting in Palm Springs on Monday.

On October 27, 2025, at 11:36 a.m., an agent with the California State Parole Office conducted a compliance check of a parolee at a residence in the 2700 block of East Vista Chino, Palm Springs. During the compliance check, the parolee physically assaulted the agent, resulting in an officer-involved shooting.

The suspect was struck by gunfire. Officers from the Palm Springs Police Department responded and rendered medical aid until paramedics arrived. The suspect was transported to a local hospital, where he is expected to recover from his injuries. The suspect’s identity will not be released at this time.

The parole agent also suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was treated at the scene. The name of the involved agent will also not be released. Due to the circumstances, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Force Investigation Detail was requested to respond and assumed the investigation.

The department is asking witnesses to contact Riverside County Sheriff’s Office Master Investigator R. Ramirez at (951) 955-2777 or District Attorney Investigator I. Ostarcevic at (951) 955-5400.

News Channel 3 is digging deeper on the role of state parole agents and how they differ from local law enforcement. Stay with us for the latest.

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