Category: kesq-local-news

Jesus Reyes

Update 4/30/25

Jeff Sperbeck has died, according to the coroner’s office.

Sperbeck was pronounced dead Tuesday just after 1 a.m. at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs.

Elway was reportedly driving the golf cart at the time of the accident, witnesses told News Channel 3 Sports Director Blake Arthur.

Elway released a statement after Sperbeck’s death Wednesday afternoon, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

“I am absolutely devastated and heartbroken by the passing of my close friend, business partner and agent Jeff Sperbeck. There are no words to truly express the profound sadness I feel with the sudden loss of someone who has meant so much to me. My heart and deepest sympathies go out to Jeff’s wife, Cori; his children Carly, Sam and Jackson; and everyone who knew and loved him. Jeff will be deeply missed for the loyalty, wisdom, friendship and love he brought into my life and the lives of so many others.”

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office told News Channel 3 that they launched an investigation into the accident on Monday.

“The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office is committed to conducting a thorough investigation into the death of Sperbeck and will take appropriate action based on the outcome,” reads an RSO press release.

Original Report 4/29/25

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) – Jeff Sperbeck, longtime agent for NFL legend John Elway, is reportedly on life support after a golf cart accident involving the Hall of Fame quarterback at the Madison Club in La Quinta.

News Channel 3 Sports Director Blake Arthur spoke exclusively with a witness to the aftermath of the incident.

EXCLUSIVE: Eyewitness details events of golf cart accident over the weekend in La Quinta involving NFL legend John Elway and longtime agent/business partner Jeff Sperbeck who is in critical care at this time. @KESQ pic.twitter.com/iU17lX18Md

— Blake Arthur (@BlakeArthur24) April 30, 2025

CAL FIRE confirmed its crews responded to a golf cart collision on Saturday at the 53200 block of Humboldt Boulevard.

“It was a reported fall from a golf cart and the patient was transported to a local area trauma center in unknown condition,” a CAL FIRE spokesperson told News Channel 3.

TMZ reports that Sperbeck was rushed to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, where he is being kept on life support.

“Although Jeff’s not clinically dead, we’re told doctors have informed his family there’s no hope he will recover … and he’s being kept on life support while docs prepare to harvest his organs for donation,” reads the TMZ report.

TMZ also reports, citing unnamed law enforcement sources, that Elway was on the golf cart during the accident. Elway immediately called 911. They are also reporting that Elway may have been the driver, but were unable to fully confirm it.

John Elway

We reached out to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office for information on this incident, however, a spokesperson said the agency did not receive any calls for service in that area on Saturday.

The Sheriff’s Office confirmed to News Channel 3 that they were made aware of the accident on Monday and have launched an investigation.

Sperbeck has represented over 100 NFL players throughout his 30-year career as a football agent and business advisor. He became John Elway’s manager in 1990.

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Jesus Reyes

Update – 4/30/25

Police announced that a shooting that left a woman and her five-year-old son in critical condition stemmed from an altercation between two men.

The victims were in a pickup truck driven by Jesus Delarosa, 25, police said. Delarosa stopped at the residence of Ricardo Mercado, 29. During the meeting, Delarosa got into an altercation with an unidentified man. Delarosa then allegedly shot the unidentified man, leaving him with non-life-threatening injuries.

During the altercation, Mercado fired multiple rounds at Delarosa’s pickup truck, critically injuring the woman and her child.

Delarosa fled the scene and stopped on Deglet Noor Street to seek help, where officers located them.

Mercado and Delarosa have been arrested and are being held on $1 million bail.

Original Report – 4/29/25

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A woman and her five-year-old son are in critical but stable condition after being shot in Indio Tuesday afternoon.

Indio Police detectives quickly located a suspect involved in the shooting, who was arrested without incident at a home in Indio after a search warrant was served. The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office Gang Impact Team (G.I.T.) and East Post-Release Accountability Compliance Team (P.A.C.T.) assisted with locating the suspect.

Police report the shooting happened just before 1:00 p.m. in the area of Deglet Noor and Avenue 44. Due to the injury of the boy, officers made an emergency transport to JFK Hospital in Indio, and the child was flown to Loma Linda Medical Center in Murrieta from there.

The mother was taken to Desert Regional Medical Center, where she underwent surgery.

Police say this is still an active investigation, although there are no outstanding suspects and there is no threat to the community.

They ask that if anyone has any further information regarding this case, please contact the Indio Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit at (760) 391-4051 or call anonymous information through Valley Crime Stoppers at (760) 341- STOP(7867).

Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates.

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City News Service

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – A public forum was held Thursday night for students and staff at College of the Desert Palm Desert campus involving the four semi-finalists competing for the role of superintendent/president.

“College of the Desert is seeking an individual with the right combination of experience, knowledge, skill and abilities to lead the district and stakeholders towards increased student success and overall institutional effectiveness,” according to a statement on the college’s website.

The candidates appeared in the following order:   — Kimberlee S. Messina, president of Spokane Falls Community College;   — Don Moya-Miller, vice president and assistant superintendent of Rio Hondo College;   — Val Martinez Garcia, acting superintendent and president of College of the Desert;   — Monica Chahal, interim president of Clovis Community College.   

They were asked a series of questions submitted by the public from a prior event.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/_8zaNo4h3co?si=PDlJ88DTMbm_JkSI

The forum was broadcast at youtube.com/live/_8zaNo4h3co.

According to the college, the board will name the new President/Superintendent on either May 16 or June 12.

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Jesus Reyes

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – A woman was taken into custody after an ambulance was stolen Monday night in Coachella.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department confirmed the woman is facing charges of grand theft and vehicle theft involving an ambulance.

The theft was reported at around 10:20 p.m. on the 49600 block of Cesar Chavez Street, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies searched the area but did not locate the ambulance.

Authorities said the ambulance was found just before 12:30 p.m. on the 72000 block of Varner Road in Thousand Palms. A person told authorities that they saw a women in an ambulance in a parking lot.

Deputies arrived and determined it was the stolen ambulance and took the woman into custody.

Lieutenant Stephen Davis with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department credited the tipster who spotted the ambulance.

“The public definitely aided in this endeavor for sure,” Davis said.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any new developments.

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Jesus Reyes

Update – 5/1/25

After numerous years of delays, the bribery case involving former Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet and developer John Wessman will go to trial.

Jury selection is set to get underway on May 6 at the Banning Justice Center.

News Channel 3’s Garrett Hottle spoke with Pougnet. We’ll have the latest on the case live at Noon.

Original – 4/29/25

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Former Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet and local developer John Wessman are set to return to court Thursday in a bribery case that dates back nearly a decade.

Pougnet and Wessman are scheduled to learn whether their trial will begin. The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office confirmed to News Channel 3 that after many delays, they are ready to go to trial on Thursday.

Wessman and developer Richard Meaney were accused of paying Pougnet at least $375,000 to buy votes and influence projects in Palm Springs between 2012 and 2014. Projects include the Kimpton hotel and the surrounding downtown re-development project.

Steve Pougnet and John Wessman (2012)

The case drew national attention after the FBI raided Palm Springs City Hall in 2015.

Charges were officially filed in 2017. The trio were indicted on Aug. 2019 after the case was presented to a grand jury by the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office.

The case went through several years of delays.

Check Out Our ‘Scandal at City Hall’ Section for More Coverage on this Case

10 of 11 charges were eventually dropped against Meaney in 2023. He pled guilty to a misdemeanor charge of Conflict of Interest and is set to be sentenced on June 9, according to court records.

Wessman is charged with numerous counts of bribery.

Pougnet was charged with 9 counts of Bribery and 8 counts of Contract w/Financial Intent, three counts of Perjury and one count of Conspiracy to Commit Crime. If convicted as charged, Pougnet could face more than 19 years in prison and would be barred from ever holding public office again. Meaney could face 12 years behind bars.

Pougnet and Meaney pleaded not guilty to all charges in Sept. 2019.

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Kendall Flynn

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – The Coachella Valley Rescue Mission is opening the doors to the Women’s and Children’s Shelter II, an expansion of its current shelter program.

With 60 new beds, organizers and clients say the shelter brings survivors more opportunities and support on their journey to stability and independence.

“We have a lot of moms being displaced,” Darla Burkett, Executive Director of the CVRM said. “A lot of moms that do experience domestic violence and, they just can’t afford to live anymore.”

The $2.5 million expansion will help women and children facing homelessness, as well as a new kitchen, laundry facilities, common areas and a playground. Many organizers from cities throughout the Coachella Valley and other community donors contributed to the expansion and the Mission’s vision.

CVRM was founded in 1971 and is a “beacon of hope” for people in crisis, and in need of food, clothing, safe shelter and comprehensive services. Officials say this expansion will be a new era of support for women and children in need.

And for one client, she hopes to join the new women’s and children’s expansion once she reconnects with her daughter.

“I’m excited to be a part of it and being able to live here for up to year, and just get my life back together,” Bobbie Reynolds said. “I’ve never had support like this.”

Reynolds is sharing her story and motivating others that they are capable of being good mothers, and the program at CVRM will only help them do so.

“I lost my daughter,” Reynolds said. “I was homeless for six months and they actually helped me get back on my feet. I work a full-time job now. I’ve just been promoted. I’m grateful for the things that they’ve done for me and helping me fight to get my daughter back.”

Stay with us at News Channel 3 to hear Reynold’s story and the importance of the CVRM expansion.

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Tori King

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ)– The Palm Springs Police Department is urging seniors in the Coachella Valley to look out for current online scams. According to the PSPD, scammers are increasingly targeting older adults with sophisticated and deceptive tactics designed to steal personal and financial information.

“All they need is a little bait to try to hook the right person, and before you know it, now you’re giving your personal information or bank information,” said Lieutenant Mike Villegas, a Public Information Officer with the PSPD. “Then you become a victim.”

The department says staying informed is the first line of defense against these scams. Scammers frequently impersonate trusted sources through phone calls, emails, text messages, or even QR codes to gain access to sensitive information. The PSPD says seniors are often targeted due to their trusting nature and unfamiliarity with newer forms of digital fraud.

“Emails, text messages, phone calls, voice mails and so forth, where specifically they’re targeting the senior community is what we’re seeing,” said Villegas. “Our seniors are very trusting, and they’re not too familiar with technology and or who is sending this information, requesting information.”

The Joslyn Center, a senior center in Palm Desert, is working to prevent scams from affecting local residents. According to the Alexandro Garcia, the center’s Program Director, the center is hosting weekly classes to its members to help seniors learn how to use technology like cell phones, TV’s, and computers. These classes also informs seniors about common scams and signs to identify them.

“The scammers are getting very smart,” said Garcia. “They’re attacking the emails, and phone calls as well. You do have to be a member to attend these classes and some of the programs. It costs $35 for the whole year just to join the center, but it gives you access to all the programs that we offer including these ‘Teach Tech’ classes.”

These classes have helped prevent several residents from being scammed, simply by raising awareness.

“In our classes, they tell them what to open, not to open, who to answer and who to watch out for,” explained Garcia. “You know, the area code on the phone numbers si important too, because sometimes if it looks a little sketchy, like getting a call from New York, that’s a sign that you shouldn’t be answering those.”

The Joslyn Center is also looking for volunteers to help expand these lectures, to teach mroe seniors about potential dangers and scams.

“We are always accepting volunteers for either programs that we don’t have programs or we already have,” said Garcia. “We do have one person for our ‘Teach Tech’ class every Monday from 1:30 to 4:00 p.m. but we are open to have more volunteers to come help us out. We have a waiting list of seniors that want to have that one-on-one with our teacher. It’d be helpful to get people to help us out, volunteer to help our seniors out with technology.”

“You don’t have to be senior to be a victim of these types of crimes,” explained Villegas. “You said the key word “These are sophisticated. Whether it’s cell phones, text messages, social media, platforms, anything where the scammer can remain anonymous, those scams are on the rise, just be aware. You don’t have to be a senior to be a victim.”

The PSPD also released these guidelines to help protect yourself:

• Never share personal details (Social Security number, banking information, or passwords) over the phone or via email unless you initiated the contact with a known, trusted source.

• Don’t let urgency rush you. Scammers use fear and pressure, claiming a grandchild is in trouble or your account is at risk. Always verify first.

• Listen to your gut. If something feels off, hang up or delete the message.

• Remember: The police, fire department, or other government agencies will never ask you for money or gift cards. Such requests are a strong indicator of a scam.

Protect Your Money:

• Regularly check your bank and credit card statements for any unusual activity.

• Use strong, unique passwords and consider a password manager.

• Never send money or gift cards to strangers. Legitimate companies do not request these forms of payment.

• If you think your information has been stolen, consider freezing your credit with the three major bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

If You Think You’ve Been Targeted – Quick action can help prevent further harm:

• Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or call 1-877-FTC-HELP.

• Contact your bank or credit card provider immediately.

• Talk to a trusted friend or family member.

• Call AARP’s Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 1-877-908-3360 for free, confidential guidance.

News Chanel Three’s Tori King is working with the PSPD to get more information on how to protect yourself. See her coverage at 4, 5, and 6 pm.

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Gavin Nguyen

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A restored B-29 Superfortress, known as Doc, is visiting Palm Springs. Doc is one of just two airworthy Superfortresses in the world.

The bomber landed just after 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

This visit is a part of the aircraft’s annual cross-country tour, aimed at honoring and preserving the legacy of the airmen who served aboard these planes.

“Being able to bring one of only two B-29 super fortresses here to share in the story and the living legacies that are these airplanes is something remarkable,” says Josh Wells, the Executive Director of B-29 Doc.

Wells says that the bomber represents the impact the people who built aircraft during the war, too.

In Wichita, where Doc is based, 100-year-old Connie Palacios still volunteers with the group that maintains the Superfortress. Palacios was 17 years old when she worked for the Boeing Company to rivet B-29s like Doc.

“She came back in 2000 to help restore the airplane. And she continues to volunteer today at 100 years old,” Wells recalls. “Every time we fly it, we think about those men and women who designed, built and flew the airplanes and to tell their stories and carry on Connie’s legacy and the Rosie the Riveter legacy.”

The museum will offer ground and cockpit tours starting Wednesday, April 30th through Sunday, May 4th.

Tickets for flights aboard Doc are also being sold for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Information on that opportunity is available here.

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