Category: kesq-local-news

Shay Lawson

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ)  – Months after a string of fights at James Workman Middle School raised concerns about student safety, a parent is speaking out again, saying not much has changed.

Crystal Garcia, whose daughter previously attended the school, said she ultimately transferred her child after she was repeatedly bullied and attacked.

She said the school administration failed to respond adequately and that the situation on campus has worsened.

Garcia also provided a video of a recent altercation she said occurred on campus.

In response, Palm Springs Unified School District Dr. Deanna Keuilian, Director of Secondary Curriculum and Instruction said:

“At Palm Springs Unified School District, the safety and security of our students and staff remain our top priority. We are committed to creating and maintaining a safe learning environment across all campuses, including James Workman Middle School.

The incident reported earlier in the school year was addressed immediately, and appropriate resolutions were implemented in accordance with Ed Code and our District policies. Since that time, we have continued to take proactive and strategic steps to enhance campus safety. Our central office works closely with all of our school sites to ensure the strategic use of resources, including a focus on increased visibility, thoughtful placement of security agents, and use of support staff. In addition to these efforts, we value ongoing communication with families and will continue to offer parent forums as opportunities for open dialogue and shared solutions around school safety.

As part of our proactive approach, we also encourage students, staff, and families to utilize SPRIGEO, our anonymous reporting tool, to share concerns at any time. Early reporting helps us address issues before they escalate and reinforces our collective responsibility for campus safety. We encourage any family with concerns to reach out directly to the school administration in an effort to partner together on solutions.

We remain committed to supporting our students, staff, and families and will continue to monitor and adjust our practices to ensure every student feels safe and supported at school.

We are aware of the recent altercation and are currently conducting a thorough review of the incident. Once all facts are gathered, we will implement appropriate consequences in alignment with district policies. In addition, we are evaluating what measures can be put in place to help prevent similar incidents in the future and ensure a safe environment for all students and staff.”

A PSUSD spokesperson confirmed former principal Dr. Vikki Chavez is currently on leave.

When asked why, they said, “We cannot comment on any personnel or student matters due to confidentiality laws.”

News Channel 3 first reported on safety concerns at James Workman in September 2024 after several on-campus fights sparked concern among parents and staff.

To hear Garcia’s full story, stay with News Channel 3 at 10 and 11 p.m.

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City News Service

INDIO (CNS) – A 32-year-old man accused of gunning down his one-time girlfriend’s lover as he left her Coachella Valley home was inflamed with rage and intended to shoot to kill, prosecutors said today, while the defense argued that the defendant was blinded by passion and also believed the victim was going to pull a gun on him.   

“There’s no excuse for this,” Riverside County Deputy District Attorney Kevin Roeder told jurors in his closing statement in the trial of Jose Ernesto Martinez of Desert Hot Springs.

Testimony in Martinez’s roughly four-day trial concluded Tuesday at the Larson Justice Center in Indio, at which time the prosecution and defense rested. Superior Court Judge James Hawkins directed the two sides to deliver closing arguments Wednesday morning.

Martinez is charged with first-degree murder and sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations for the slaying of 27-year-old Isaac Valles of Rancho Mirage.

The prosecution recounted how Martinez was incensed that his girlfriend, identified only as Dayanira, was seeing another man and staked out her residence in the 31800 block of Neuma Drive, near Ramon Road in Cathedral City, between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. on June 26, 2021, to see who was coming and going.  

There had been a text exchange between the woman and defendant, in which he apparently admitted being close by, prompting her to message him, “(Expletive) leave. (Expletive) you go home,” Roeder said.

Martinez remained in his car, waiting, and shortly before 3 a.m., hespotted Valles exiting the house, according to the prosecution.   

Roeder said the defendant grabbed a self-assembled semiautomatic “ghost gun” from under the driver’s seat of his car, jumped out and opened fire on the victim, who was struck twice in the head, as well as once in the neck and chest.

Valles collapsed in the roadway, dying moments later.

Dayanira witnessed the attack and screamed at Martinez, “You’re not leaving; you just killed him!” according to the prosecution.   

The defendant replied, “I’m sorry. Don’t call the police,” Roeder recalled.

However, witnesses called 911, and the defendant fled.   

“He was emotionally compromised,” Deputy Public Defender Fernanda Oviedo told the jury in her closing. She characterized him as full of anger and pain over Dayanira’s behavior, alleging the woman was not only spending time with the victim, but also cheating with another man, whose identity wasn’t disclosed.   

Martinez did not want to give her up, the attorney said.   

She said the combination of his emotional strain, and the fact that he could not see well on the night of the shooting, led to a fatal outcome.   

“It was dark. He didn’t have his glasses on and believed Valles had a gun,” Oviedo said, referring to statements by the defendant that he had seen the victim reaching into his waistband. “It was a rapid series of events.”

Roeder countered that Valles was simply trying to pull up his shorts. The victim wasn’t armed.  

Oviedo nonetheless asserted that the most her client should be convicted of is voluntary manslaughter in the heat of passion.   

Cathedral City Police Department officers took the defendant into custody without incident at his home two hours after the shooting, based on Dayanira’s and other witnesses’ statements, as well as evidence collected at the scene.

He’s being held on $1 million bail at the Benoit Detention Center in Indio. He has no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.

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Kendall Flynn

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – It’s rattlesnake season in the desert. While it’s not likely to see a rattlesnake daily in the Coachella Valley, hikers and residents are still on the lookout.

“We just made sure that we were looking out for signs, especially of the little rock quarries and shaded areas,” Joseph Wahl said. “And areas where we saw little holes in the dirt.”

The desert has up to six different types of rattlesnakes, each having various levels of toxicity. Wahl said he and his wife are visiting the Valley, but know looking out for rattlesnakes on trails is important.

“We’re from Oregon,” Wahl said. “And when we hike in central Oregon, they also have the same problem with rattlesnakes, and so we’re kind of aware. But yeah, if you’re not used to hiking make sure that you’re reading on…the signs.”

Knowing the signs can be important, especially as the California Poison Control Center says there are 250 to 300 rattlesnake bites reported statewide each year, but the center only records one or two deaths.

Even though they know the risks, locals don’t feel concerned if they haven’t encountered them.

“I’ve never seen a snake,” Trish Hahn said. “We’re in Rancho Mirage, but I’ve never seen one.”

While locals may not see rattlesnakes on a daily basis, one local nurse is warning others that just because they don’t see them, doesn’t mean they aren’t there.

“A year or two ago, when I got to the top of the ‘Bump and Grind,’ there was an older woman that was sitting on a rock,” Jillian Hefferton said. “And she had been feeding the wildlife and a snake came out and bit her on the finger.”

Hefferton said she was able to help the woman and call emergency services, but it stood as a reminder to the community to be on the look out.

“We’re always told don’t feed the wildlife for food reason,” Hefferton said. “But I think it’s important that we just stay on the trail.”

Other hikers shared more tips for staying safe on the trails.

“I did wear higher socks and more supportive shows to avoid if I did accidentally get bit by something,” Joan Eddy said.

“I think you always need to go on the trail with a buddy,” Julie Williams said. “So if something does happen that you can go run for help.”

Local nurse Hefferton said if you are bit by a rattlesnake at any time, the best thing you can do is put pressure on the area to keep it from traveling through your bloodstream. She said to keep drinking water, seek medical attention and remain calm.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear more from visiting and local hikers on advice for rattlesnake season.

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Luis Avila

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The city of Palm Springs is one step closer to addressing ongoing road closures on Gene Autry Trial at the wash as a result of high winds and sand accumulation.

On Wednesday, the city council awarded a nearly $2.2 million construction contract to Deark E&C Inc. for the wind wall project. Additionally, the council will approve task orders for construction management and administration services. This comes after the council approved the plans on February 13, 2025, and authorized staff to bid the project.

The site is located along North Gene Autry Trail, between the Union Pacific Railroad bridge (just south of the I-10 Freeway) at the north and E. Via Escuela at the south.

The concrete wall will stand at 14.5 ft and replace an existing wooden barrier that was put in place temporarily. The design for the barrier takes into account the potential environmental impacts. The project is being funded by Measure A.

The city’s engineering department gave a roughly six-month timeline for the project.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Athena Jreij

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — Low-income families and seniors have a new place to call home at the Monarch Apartments in Palm Springs.

According to developers, Community Housing Opportunities Corporation or CHOC, Monarch is the first affordable living community to come to Palm Springs in 14 years.

For Ray Harkleroad, the new housing has given him a chance to live out his retirement off the streets.

“You don’t have to deal with the pain of waking up everyday and wondering what’s going to go on for the next day. That’s stability. That’s what we all desire. And it’s not easy to achieve. I’ve certainly had it before. I’ve had a wonderful career. I’ve owned two homes. Things change,” Harkleroad said.

For the last decade, he’s struggle to find secure housing after his apartment in Desert Hot Springs was sold by the property owner and he subsequently found himself priced out of the area.

“It’s the fickle finger of fate, you know could really be a problem to deal with. We were to about $750 after a period of time, which was easily affordable with what I had come in with a little bit of budgeting, of course, but when I came back out it was $1,500,” he said.

For him and many others, CHOC housing has been a saving grace.

The community also offers wrap-around services for those in need, with afterschool programs, financial literacy courses, a computer lab and wellness programs available.

“Our goal is to have a multi-generational approach. So whatever message we’re sending to the youth, the parents and the seniors, it’s the same across the board,” Juan Pulido, the Director of Resident Services said.

CHOC says residents who make between 30-60% of their median area income can qualify for the housing.

They’re hoping to keep those living paycheck to paycheck off the streets and break the stigma of affordable housing while doing it.

For Harkleroad, it’s given him back a sense of normalcy.

“I go to doctor’s appointments, spend time with friends and keep active. It’s normal.”

Placita Dolores Huerta in Coachella is also maintained by CHOC. Both housing communities are currently full and have waitlists.

For more information on CHOC housing, visit https://www.chochousing.org/.

For more information on affordable housing in Palm Springs, visit https://www.palmspringsca.gov/government/departments/housing-community-development/affordable-housing/rental-opportunities.

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Gavin Nguyen

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – Check the nutrition label! Your favorite foods likely contain artificial food dyes, which are set to be phased out by the end of next year.

The Food and Drug Administration moved Tuesday to phase out artificial, petroleum-based food dyes, like Red 40, Yellow 6, and Blue 5.

These colorings are frequently added to snacks, drinks, and more.

According to Environmental Working Group, or EWG, sodas are the most common way artificial dyes are consumed. More than 36,000 foods sold in the United States contain Red 40, which is the most used dye in foods.

Testing in animals have shown a possible link between these artificial colorings and increased risk of cancer and tumors.

It was a mixed bag from valley shoppers when asked about their thoughts on the change. Some shoppers, like Palm Desert resident Richard Avila, wasn’t aware of the artificial dyes in his foods, though he doesn’t think the change will do much.

“It hasn’t hurt me yet, you know, and I’m 65 years old and I’m doing fine. I think, you know, I still like them,” Avila says.

Others, like Gavin Arrona, from Joshua Tree, admits that when he chooses his munchies, his eye isn’t on the ingredients list. “I’m not really looking at it like, this is this is bad for me. I see it, I’m like, that’s yellow, that’s lime. I like that flavor. I’m not thinking about what it’s going to do to me in ten years,” Arrona says.

As for alternatives, Arrona says, “But if they came out with, like, just plain ones, without color, yeah, I wouldn’t have a problem with that.”

I showed other shoppers, like Margaret Wallace of Palm Desert, different products that include artificial dyes like red 40 and yellow 5. Wallace was shocked when I revealed one of her favorite snacks was made using the dye.

“I’m going to give you something you might not expect,” I told Wallace.

“Don’t tell me.”

Revealing a jar of Mt. Olive Kosher Dill pickles, I started, “This jar of pickles—”

“It’s not just pickles, it’s my favorite pickle,” Wallace interrupted. “Yellow 5. My God. I had no idea. Uh oh, that’s going to change what I buy.”

The FDA’s decision phases out the dyes by 2026, though last year, California moved to remove them in public schools by 2027. The latest federal move pushes up the public school deadline in the state, but in the meantime, some shoppers say parents should pay special attention to the food they buy for their kids.

“I think parents in particular need to pay attention. My age, I don’t know if it’s it’s going to affect me as much, but I’m still gonna be careful what I buy for my family,” says Wallace, now in search of a new brand of pickles to enjoy.

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