Category: kesq-local-news

Luis Avila

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – The Riverside County Fair and Date Festival is officially underway in Indio — but for some Coachella Valley families, celebration is colliding with concern.

As tens of thousands are expected to attend the annual event, recent immigration enforcement activity across the valley is causing some residents to think twice about going.

“I’m not sure if I’m going to go,” one local woman told News Channel 3, saying she has personally witnessed ICE activity in the area — and was even stopped herself despite being a U.S. citizen.

So, should fairgoers be worried?

News Channel 3 spoke with local police, fair officials, and state and federal leaders about what’s planned — and what families should know before heading out.

Indio Police say they do not participate in immigration enforcement and are not aware of any planned federal activity at the fairgrounds. Meanwhile, Congressman Raul Ruiz says fear in immigrant communities is very real.

We break down the concerns, the official response, and what fairgoers should know.

Watch the full report tonight at 6 on News Channel 3.

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María García

BANNING, Calif. (KESQ) — A Banning High School student is under arrest after police say they brought a weapon to campus and threatened another student Tuesday morning.

According to the Banning Police Department, officers responded just after 9 a.m. to reports of a student in possession of metal knuckles.

When officers attempted to make contact, police say the student ran off campus by jumping a fence. A search of the area followed, and the student was later detained near San Gorgonio Avenue and Lincoln Street.

The student was not injured during the incident. However, one officer was hurt and transported to a hospital for treatment. The extent of the officer’s injuries has not been released.

The juvenile was booked on several charges, including possession of a weapon on school grounds, making criminal threats, and resisting an officer.

Anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Banning Police Department.

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Timothy Foster

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – Rancho Mirage High School welcomed a special guest speaker on Thursday as Michele Gold, a second-generation Holocaust survivor, shared her family’s powerful story with students.

Gold recounted her mother’s journey beginning with her childhood in Leipzig, Germany, her escape to safety through the Kindertransport program, and her life after World War II.

The Kindertransport, a rescue effort that brought thousands of Jewish children to safety in Great Britain before the outbreak of the war, remains one of the most significant humanitarian efforts of the era.

The assemblies are designed for sophomores who are currently studying World War II in their World History classes and reading Night by Elie Wiesel in English.

Gold’s presentation provided students with a deeply personal perspective that complements their classroom learning and brings historical events into a human context.

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Garrett Hottle

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Palm Springs city leaders are taking a closer look at last week’s Prescott Preserve fire.

The blaze broke out Sunday, Feb. 1, burning about three and a half acres and nearly 100 palm trees before firefighters stopped its advance.

At Wednesday night’s City Council meeting, Fire Chief Paul Alvarado presented an after‑action report detailing how crews contained the fire despite several challenges.

According to the report, heavy natural fuels in the preserve and limited access to water made the initial attack more difficult. Alvarado said a rapid response from Palm Springs firefighters along with mutual‑aid support prevented the flames from spreading to nearby homes.

City officials also outlined ongoing work by Code Compliance teams, who are overseeing vegetation removal and defensible‑space improvements throughout the preserve as part of long‑term mitigation efforts.

Several residents have called for stronger prevention measures, including more frequent inspections of an aging clubhouse located on the property.

City leaders said they plan to meet with members of the Mesquite Country Club next week to discuss next steps. A full follow‑up report is expected as officials evaluate long‑term safety and fire‑prevention strategies for the area.

At the meeting, Fire Chief Paul Alvarado told council members, “The cause of the fire is undetermined, although human caused in origin could not be ruled out.”

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Shay Lawson

Update 2/22/26

Tim Parker said Francisco Torres-Osanaya is now receiving his medicine after repeated visits.

“They finally started giving Frank his medicine,” Parker said. “But he went more than 2 weeks without it, which is not good.”

He describes the Adelanto Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility conditions.

“They don’t let them go outside very often,” Parker said. “The place is overcrowded.”

Parker said 2 major hurdles remain, money for legal fees and finding Osanaya’s children.

Osanaya’s deportation hearing is scheduled for March 10th.

You can support Osanaya at this link.

Update 2/12/26

Statement from Consulate of Mexico in San Bernardino

In response to the report by News Channel 3 concerning a Mexican national currently held at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center, the Consulate of Mexico  in San Bernardino confirms that it is aware of the case and is actively providing  consular follow-up.

The Consulate has formally requested that facility authorities ensure the  individual receives appropriate and timely attention. Additionally, a  representative from the Consular Protection Department will conduct a visit at  the earliest opportunity to verify his condition, review his legal situation, and  confirm that his rights are fully respected in accordance with applicable laws and standards.

The Consulate remains committed to safeguarding the rights and well-being of Mexican nationals within its jurisdiction and will continue to monitor  the case closely.

Press OfficeConsulate of Mexico in San BernardinoFebruary 12, 2026

Original Report 2/11/26

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Tim Parker, a Desert Hot Springs resident, said he fears his best friend could die inside the Adelanto Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility claiming the longtime Coachella Valley gardener has not received critical HIV medication while in custody.

“We’ve known each other maybe 15 years,” Parker said. “He’s my best friend in the world. I’ve never met a more selfless, more helpful person.”

He said Francisco Torres-Osanaya, known to friends as “Paco,” was detained last week.

“They had been pulled over by multiple White SUVs with the capital ICE emblem on them,” Parker said. “Francisco was taken away, and no information was provided as to where he was taken.”

Parker said it took him days of driving across Southern California and repeated calls to immigration authorities before he finally located him after 3 days in Adelanto.

“I drove blindly to Adelanto and discovered that he was being held there,” Parker said.

He said he doesn’t know Torres-Osanaya immigration status, but that he has lived in the U.S. for 35 years with no criminal record.

“He had his paperwork in order as recently as a couple of years ago,” Parker said. “I think he must have let it slip.”

Parker said his greatest concern is Torres-Osanaya’s health.

“I brought his HIV medication‘s, but was told he would not be allowed to receive them,” Parker said. “I informed them of his condition and they said that he would have received these medication‘s from a doctor at ICE upon his processing.”

He said he has not been given his prescribed daily medication.

“He’s told never skip a dose,” Parker said. “Well, now he’s missed 7 days and if it comes back, it’s going to be a mutated or a version that probably is not responsive to the drugs. It’s a death sentence for him.”

Parker said when he visited Torres-Osanaya, he told him he had received no medication.

News Channel 3’s Shay Lawson contacted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement seeking confirmation of Torres-Osanaya’s immigration status and whether he is receiving necessary medical care.

We’re still waiting for answers.

The station also contacted the office of Congressman Raul Ruiz, who sent Parker instructions to submit a signed privacy release form so the office can open a case and request information from federal authorities.

Ruiz’s office said it cannot influence enforcement decisions but may be able to help obtain answers.

Parker said he plans to return to the Adelanto facility on Thursday.

“They better take that medicine,” Parker said.

Stay with News Channel 3 for the full report at 10 p.m. and 11 p.m.

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Kade Atwood

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) Nathan “Mason” Alger was sentenced Tuesday to 21 years in state prison after pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter in a 2020 burglary that left his accomplice dead.

The 25-year-old entered the plea at the Larson Justice Center under an agreement with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office. The deal avoids a retrial on a second-degree murder charge.

A Riverside County jury last June convicted Alger of assault with a firearm, shooting at an inhabited dwelling and enhancements for aiding and abetting first-degree burglary and using a gun during a felony. Jurors hung on the murder charge and acquitted him of attempted murder.

Under the plea agreement, Alger admitted voluntary manslaughter and related counts. Superior Court Judge Kristi Hester dismissed the murder charge and imposed the agreed-upon 21-year sentence. Court minutes show one count was designated the principal term, another will run concurrently and sentencing on two counts was stayed.

The case stems from a Nov. 18, 2020 burglary in the 13700 block of Hacienda Heights Drive.

Prosecutors said Alger and a man identified in court documents as “Presley B.” planned to break into the home of an acquaintance who Presley believed owed him money. They thought the homeowner would be away.

They did not know a tenant, identified as “R.R.,” was inside playing video games.

Authorities said the pair kicked in the front door and went to the homeowner’s bedroom to search for money and valuables. R.R. armed himself with a semiautomatic handgun and confronted the masked intruders.

According to court documents, Presley turned and pointed a handgun at R.R., who then fired twice. After briefly retreating, R.R. saw Presley near the front door and fired once more. Presley was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy found he was shot twice in the chest and suffered a superficial wound to his back.

Authorities said Alger retrieved a pump shotgun from a getaway vehicle and fired two rounds toward the house before fleeing. He was arrested several days later.

Court records show Alger had a prior burglary conviction.

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Bruno Lopez-Vega

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Coachella Valley Unified School District migrant student-athletes were given the unique and exclusive opportunity Wednesday, to meet with LA Galaxy soccer club players, amid the ongoing 2026 Coachella Valley Invitational preseason Major League Soccer tournament at Empire Polo Club in Indio.

Students attended the LA Galaxy vs. St. Louis City SC match, followed by a “fireside chat” with LA Galaxy players, moderated by broadcast announcer Joe Tutino.

The district says the unique experience was designed to inspire and motivate students through athletics, mentorship, and direct engagement with professional athletes.

The Coachella Valley Invitational, featuring MLS and NWSL teams, is being held at the Empire Polo Club from February 7th thru the 21st.

The CVI will host 12 Major League Soccer (MLS) and 9 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) teams, making it CVI’s largest event ever. 

Participating clubs will be Austin FC, Bay FC, San Jose Earthquakes, D.C. United, LA Galaxy, LAFC, Chicago Fire FC, New York City FC, Sporting Kansas City, Kansas City Current, San Diego Wave FC, Denver Summit, St. Louis City SC, Angel City FC, Portland Timbers, Portland Thorns, Minnesota United FC, Charlotte FC, Houston Dash, Utah Royals FC and Seattle Reign FC.

The complete tournament schedule can be found here.

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Gavin Nguyen

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A change for students at Palm Springs Unified School District is on the way.

The Board considered a new policy Tuesday night that would keep students from using cell phones in the classroom. It wrote in its policy that the Board “recognizes that the use of personal smartphones and other mobile communication devices during school hours may be disruptive of the instructional program and negatively impact school culture and climate in some circumstances.”

Mark Arnold, the Executive Director of Student Learning at PSUSD, said phones “can have an impact to self esteem and student anxiety. It also can impact their academic performance because it is a distraction when it’s sitting there on their desk.”

He continued, “Just as an adult, if it beeps on my desktop, it draws my attention away. And so that’s what we’re seeing happening a lot with our kids.”

Students from TK to 5th grade must put away and turn off their technology during the school day, while students from 6th to 12th grade will be permitted to use them during lunch.

The district said this policy is the bare minimum requirement for schools to enforce. There is room for schools to enforce the policy more strictly if they want to. 

There are some exceptions: teachers can allow students to use it for instructional purposes, and in the event of emergencies, students are allowed to contact their parents.

The change will go into effect next school year.

But some questions remain between now and then. Karen Johnson, the President of the Palm Springs Teachers Association, said she’s heard concerns from teachers over the restriction.

“The concern that has come to me from some of our teachers is, ‘Great, we have no cell phones during class time. … how can we enforce that when the student then tells the teacher, no, I’m not putting it away,'” she explained. She said teachers are worried about confiscating phones, which can often value hundreds of dollars.

“It’s still that computer that kids have that nobody else really wants to lay hands on.”

The district said it will continue refining its communication to parents and the community before next school year.

District leaders say the policy isn’t a shock to most, especially as many of its secondary schools already had some form of phone restriction in place. This policy creates a district-wide requirements that gets all schools on the same page, though leaders give specific school sites the freedom to enforce the policy more strictly if they choose.

All school districts in California will be required to have some form of phone restriction policy in place by July 1, 2026.

CORRECTION, 6:26 p.m. 02/11/26: Previous versions of this article called the policy a “phone ban,” but the district clarified it is “restricting” phone usage.

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Timothy Foster

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – The Guthrie case is putting a spotlight on the importance of having a working home alarm system.

While alarms may not stop every intruder, experts say they can make a critical difference. Studies show many older adults still do not use home security systems, raising concerns in communities with large retirement populations.

Coming up tonight on News Channel 3, why security experts say effective home protection is often more affordable than expected and why proper maintenance matters.

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Daniella Lake

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – Bath & Body Works at The River in Rancho Mirage is closing on February 21st. Despite the upcoming close, remaining business owners are still optimistic about customers flowing into The River.

Stay with News Channel 3 with more on Bath & Body Works’ closure.

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