Category: kesq-local-news

Gavin Nguyen

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Ground has officially been broken on the Eagles Sports Park in Desert Hot Springs!

The new sports park, located on the corner of Hacienda Avenue and Cholla Drive, will be the new home of the Desert Hot Springs youth football/cheerleading and senior baseball programs.

Local leaders gathered on Saturday morning for the groundbreaking ceremony to a crowd of young athletes and their families. Desert Hot Springs Mayor Scott Matas said the park is a much-needed amenity as the city continues to grow.

Renderings of the new football and baseball fields at Eagles Sports Park

“Part of our quality of life is building parks. And as our city grows, you know, more kids, more working families – it’s time for us to get another park built and be able to have our youth sports have a home,” he affirmed.

The mayor said the youth football team currently has to share space with other youth sports programs, like the AYSO soccer league. They often had to rent facilities at nearby schools to play their sport. The same is true for the city’s senior baseball league for kids 13 years old and up. Once the park is open, though, the mayor said both teams will be able to have their own space.

A map of the new Eagles Sports Park

When asked about the feedback he’s received from the youth athletes and their families, Matas said, “They’re excited. We’ve been planning this for a couple of years and they keep pushing: ‘When are we breaking ground, when are we breaking ground?’ And we’re finally here. Today’s the day we get to break the ground. And in about a year from now, they’ll have their own facility.”

Speakers at the ceremony said talk of the park began nearly a decade ago. While the process to get to this point has been lengthy, Matas said he anticipates it will open in about a year.

Stay with us for the latest on the progress of this new park in Desert Hot Springs.

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Daniella Lake

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is hosting their fourth annual Women in STEAM career day today. Students K-12 will have the chance to talk with women accounting, animal care, conservation, education, engineering and more.

The event is free with membership or paid park admission. It will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Living Legacy Garden located right inside of the main entrance.

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Athena Jreij

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Thousands of cyclists descended on Palm Springs Friday evening for the 28th annual Tour de Palm Springs bike ride.

The ride kicks off Saturday morning, taking riders from downtown all the way to Coachella and back.

A big part of Friday’s celebration was highlighting the charitable causes behind the ride, something cyclists and vendors say keeps them coming back.

“I think just to be able to support other people should help everybody pick up their own internal soul kind of stuff. It’s nice to be able to do that while doing something for yourself,” Joe Martin from Homer, Alaska said.

“I represent the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 78, and we’ve been riding for the tour for about 25 years, and I do the Pledge of Allegiance at the kickoff every year,” Bob Solomon said.

Many said they also ride for a deeper purpose, like Frank Platt.

“I just recently lost my husband to cancer last year, and he bought me my first bike 10 years ago. I decorated all in purple for a memory on my husband, his favorite color was purple,” Platt said.

Founder Tim Esser says the tour has raised over $5 million since it’s inception for local charities.

“These are all the charities that can use the money. It’s a lot of high school groups, a lot of them being that we benefit, first responders, and veterans, we do a lot of the ROTC is in these high schools. It’s not just about the money, it’s about volunteering as well. We want these kids to learn what it’s like to give back to the community,” Esser said.

Stick with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage of Saturday’s ride.

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Jesus Reyes

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) – Coachella Valley High School alumni who graduated in the 1950s returned to campus for a 90th birthday celebration.

Jim Nichols, Class of 1954, and Lovell Smith, Class of 1957, returned to their alma mater to celebrate Jim’s 90th birthday and reconnect with the school that helped shape their early years, the Coachella Valley Unified School District announced.

During their visit, the longtime friends, both former baseball players, had the opportunity to return to the CVHS baseball field, revisiting the place where their love for the game began.

“The visit was a meaningful celebration of CVHS’s enduring legacy and history,” the district wrote.

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Blake Arthur

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) — There are plenty of Seahawks’ fans in the desert, but finding Patriots’ fans is a different story. Unless it’s your neighbor, a 91-year-old man from Massachusetts.

“Arthur Fargnoli from New England. I’m a Patriots fan since 1985,” said Arthur Fargnoli.

Arthur Fargnoli is from Haverhill, Massachusetts. He’s spent his winters here in the Coachella Valley for the last 20 years, and he’s been a Patriots season ticket holder for the last 25 years.

Aside from having an awesome first name, the 91-year-old is full of charm, life experience, and stories of Patriots football.

“I remember a time when I [bought] first my tickets in 1985, when I went to the game [laughs], we didn’t expect to win. I’m talking about Schaefer Stadium. It was a stadium built with brick that Schaefer Beer gave Sullivan a million dollars to build it. I got to give Sullivan credit for starting the team but that’s about all the credit I’ll give him. The credit comes with Mr. Kraft. When he took over, it was a different team,” said Fargnoli.

Since Robert Kraft bought the Patriots in 1994, New England has played in 11 Super Bowls, winning 6 of them, which is tied with the Steelers for the most all time. This Sunday, the Patriots can make it seven.

“We’re not supposed to win this game, but I got a feeling, because of the coaches. I think the only advantage we have is the coaching advantage,” said Fargnoli.

Have you ever been to a Super Bowl and seen the Patriots win?

“No. I’ve been to a Super Bowl when we lost,” said Fargnoli.

New England is 3,000 miles away from the desert. The Bay Area is much closer, only 460 miles. So is Art going to the game?

“No. No, it’s an expense problem. A room, tickets to the game, food for that day and a half, 28,000 and 28,000. I’ll see you later. Give me a break, will you? I can sit home where it’s very comfortable,” said Fargnoli.

“I want to watch it, don’t get me wrong, but being at the game isn’t the most important thing to me anymore,” said Fargnoli.

So what is the most important thing?

For Art, you can argue it’s his three daughters who love football, along with his 3 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

“It would mean that I would feel good about the people back home,” said Fargnoli.

“You know, I’ve gone through it. How many guys go through 20 years of winning football games on Sunday? We won 6. My time has come and gone, but they got an opportunity now. My kids, my buddies’ children, they got a good opportunity to have what we experienced,” said Fargnoli.

Stay with KESQ News Channel 3 for continuing coverage of Super Bowl LX.

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Jesus Reyes

Update: 02/07

Palm Springs Police Department says one person was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after a multi-vehicle crash along Gene Autry Trail in Palm Springs Friday night.

Around 5:54 p.m., police officers responded to a crash involving six vehicles. Palm Springs police says five people were take to a local hospital with their injuries ranging from minor to moderate.

Original Report: 02/06

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Gene Autry was briefly closed in both directions between Via Escuela and Interstate 10 after a traffic collision.

The road was closed for about two hours. Police announced the road was open at around 8:15 p.m.

Details on the crash are not available. We’ve reached out to the Palm Springs Police Department for information.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.

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Jesus Reyes

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) – FBI agents are searching a Thermal home, possibly in connection to a missing persons case Friday afternoon.

Law enforcement is on Harlequin Court, just off the 86 Expressway.

Details remain limited, however, the FBI confirmed to News Channel 3 that agents are at the scene.

“The FBI is assisting local authorities with a warrant in relation to an ongoing investigation,” writes Laura Eimiller, spokesperson for the FBI Los Angeles office.

News Channel 3 crew at the scene saw law enforcement with tools heading into the property.

The address has been mentioned as a possible connection with the disappearance of 17-year-old T’Neya Tovar, according to a flyer by her family. Tovar is a Hemet resident who was last seen heading to Thermal on Dec. 1.

News Channel 3’s Garrett Hottle is at the scene working on gathering more information. We’ll have the latest live starting at 4 p.m. on News Channel 3.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The city of Palm Springs will attempt to break the record for the largest gathering of people dressed as Marilyn Monroe in history to celebrate her 100th birthday.

The city is home to the “Forever Marilyn” statue, which is located in Palm Springs Downtown Park.

Palm Springs Pride will host “Marilyn 100,” a high-glamour centennial fan festival honoring Marilyn’s 100th birthday. From May 29 through June 1, the city will transform into a living tribute culminating in an official Guinness World Record attempt to assemble the largest gathering of people dressed as Marilyn Monroe in history.

On Saturday, May 30, organizers aim to shatter the current record of 254 “Marilyns” by rallying 500 participants in downtown Palm Springs.

To ensure the record is met with style, every registered participant receives a Marilyn Icon Kit, featuring the signature pleated white halter dress, the iconic platinum blonde wig, and a ticket to the official record-setting event and celebration. The $75 registration kit assures our look-alike status. Visit pspride.org to register.

Organizers said Marilyn 100 isn’t just about the look; it’s about the legacy. Proceeds from the event will benefit Palm Springs Pride.

“Marilyn was a trailblazing ally who championed authenticity long before it was fashionable,” said Jasmine Sulivan Waits of Palm Springs Pride. “By stepping into her shoes, our participants are supporting the values of visibility and inclusion that define Palm Springs.”

A massive Marilyn Glam pop-up dressing room and boutique will be set up near Forever Marilyn in Downtown Palm Springs (May 28–30) will also host registration and costume kit pickup.

The festival is also currently extending an Open Call to local restaurants, galleries, and hotels. Businesses are encouraged to host their own Monroe-themed programming and be featured in the Marilyn 100 Online Schedule. Click here to register events.

Marilyn’s connection to Palm Springs dated back to 1949, when she was discovered at the Racquet Club. She frequently visited the area throughout the 1950s, often accompanied by her then-husband, baseball legend Joe DiMaggio.

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Timothy Foster

INDIO, Calif. — Hundreds of families lined up early Friday morning as FIND Food Bank hosted its Community Mobile Market, providing fresh food and essential household items to residents across the eastern Coachella Valley.

The distribution served an estimated 600 to 900 households in just a few hours, offering fresh produce, dairy products, and staple groceries. FIND officials say the mobile market plays a critical role in addressing food insecurity, particularly in areas where reliable access to nutritious food is limited.

Leaders with FIND say the Indio distribution site has become an important resource for families in the area, allowing residents to access healthy food closer to home. Despite long lines, the event was efficiently organized, with staff and volunteers processing hundreds of vehicles in about two hours.

The mobile market is now hosted directly at FIND’s expanded food security campus, following the recent opening of its new facility. The expansion added 40,000 square feet of space, allowing the organization to store and distribute larger quantities of food, including fresh produce.

In addition to food assistance, FIND also provided CalFresh outreach services during the event. Caseworkers were available to help residents apply for public benefits, offering long-term support beyond immediate food needs.

For many families, the distribution offers essential relief. Residents say the program helps stretch household budgets and provides much-needed support for working families and single parents.

Approximately 25 volunteers helped run the event, assisting with traffic flow, food distribution, and outreach services. FIND officials say volunteers are a key part of ensuring the mobile markets run smoothly and continue to serve large numbers of families.

Looking ahead, FIND says its free Community Mobile Markets will continue every first Friday of the month, offering consistent access to food and resources for residents throughout the Coachella Valley.

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City News Service

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – An ex-Riverside County sheriff’s deputy who perpetrated felony and misdemeanor crimes involving his former fiancée and a female volunteer was sentenced today to six years in state prison.   

Alexander Ravy Vanny, 35, of Hemet, was convicted in December of stalking, possession of child pornography, unauthorized use of protected electronic data, maliciously destroying a wireless device, witness intimidation, illicit eavesdropping, using a concealed camera to invade privacy, illegal use of a tracking device, interference with a traffic control device and possession of a firearm in violation of a protective order, with a sentence-enhancing allegation of perpetrating a felony while on bail.

The Indio jury assigned the case hung 10-2 in favor of convicting Vanny of kidnapping. Prosecutors initially considered retrying Vanny on that count but ultimately decided against it and allowed sentencing proceedings to move forward before Superior Court James Hawkins at the Larson Justice Center Friday.

Deputy District Attorney Jess Walsh told jurors that Vanny was unquestionably guilty, engaging in criminal conduct before being fired by the sheriff’s department.

At the outset of the trial, Walsh recounted the offenses involving the two principal victims, a former sheriff’s Explorer scout, an 18-year-old, and the defendant’s one-time fiancée, a mother of two.

In the latter case, Vanny became obsessive, unable to cope with their split in the summer of 2024.  

After she went out on a date, the then-lawman secretly followed her and the man, whose identity wasn’t disclosed, waiting until they were inside her Menifee residence, then setting up an audio device outside the bedroom window to record the sounds of her and the other man engaging in sex. After waiting a moment or two, Vanny forced his way into the apartment and challenged the man to a fight, according to the prosecution.   

Court papers said when his ex-fiancée attempted to use her mobile phone to call 911, the defendant damaged it.   

Among the most serious allegations was Vanny’s following his ex-fiancee to Chappies Bar in Hemet and demanding that she “leave and come home with him,” the prosecution said. When the woman rejected him, Vanny “forcibly threw her into his truck,” according to court documents.

“The defendant then drove her, without her consent, to his home … some 17 miles and 30 minutes,” the prosecution stated.   

Defense attorney Quintin Swanson presented a different picture, describing his client as the gallant type, rushing to “save” her from drinking and driving after the two of them had a spat.

She filed a restraining order against him, but in defiance of that order, Vanny continued to carry around his personal firearm.   

Walsh said the deputy stuck “tracking devices” onto her car so he could monitor her travels at all times.

The defendant became sexually involved with an 18-year-old, who looked upon him as a mentor, regularly exchanging texts with him, according to the prosecution.

Vanny procured video images of two teenagers engaging in sexual activity during a visit to an Orange County theme park and kept the matter, which was part of an investigation, on his personal mobile phone, intending to share it with the 18-year-old, Walsh said.

He said detectives documented the laundry list of offenses perpetrated by the defendant, including threats against his ex-fiancee, whom he tried to intimidate by telling her, “If you call the police, you go to jail.”

Swanson acknowledged his client “started a stupid relationship with the cadet, who was an adult,” while engaged. The two were living together at the time, and the cheating led to their breakup.   

Despite the separation, the attorney told the jury his client continued to pay some of his ex-fiancee’s expenses, including rent for her apartment.

Vanny was first arrested on June 22, 2024, and booked into the Banning jail but posted a $1 million bond and was released. He was placed on paid administrative leave, but within a few months, he was fired from the department.

While on bail, Vanny was separately charged with a slate of new offenses. He had been a sworn peace officer since he was hired by the sheriff’s department in 2016.

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