Category: kesq-local-news

Daniella Lake

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – A Rancho Mirage nursing home resident is taking matters into her own hands by gathering donations to support other elderly residents. The monthly personal needs allowance for Medi-Cal recipients is $35, making it one of the lowest in the country.

“It’s demoralizing. It’s dehumanizing. It can break someone’s spirit. It can bring someone to tears if they have to cut their hair down to their scalp or above their ears if they don’t have conditioner for their hair,” says Nancy Stevens.

She hopes that by gathering donations from the community, she could help nursing home residents feel seen and supported.

“The way the system is set up, it’s not necessarily to provide the best quality of life for the nursing home residents,” she says. A survey by West Health-Gallup found that in 2022, about one in four adults aged 65 and older, cut back on at least one basic need to pay for healthcare. 

Stevens spends most of her days advocating for the elderly through her work on various steering committees. She serves on the Wellness and Disability Equity Alliance through Riverside county’s Health Systems Behavioral Health department.

She says that nursing home residents feel isolated from society. “My goal is to have some sort of culture shift where old is beautiful,” she says.

Stevens plans on collecting items that are much-needed by nursing home residents all year round. Community members have posted about Stevens’ efforts on social media, which led to even more support. Carol Butler says she saw the post on social media, and has been helping Stevens in her efforts ever since.

“It’s restoring dignity, it’s lifting spirits, and it’s proving that community truly makes a difference,” Butler says.

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Garrett Hottle

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) The Coachella Valley is known for sunshine, palm trees, and postcard-perfect winters. But doctors say even here, the holidays can quietly take a toll on mental health.

Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is a form of depression linked to shorter daylight hours, changes in routine, and heightened emotional expectations during the winter months. According to Carolyn Lopez, PhD with Desert Oasis Healthcare, those effects don’t disappear just because the weather is warm.

“Even in our sunny valley, we can have seasonal depression because we’re still in a winter cycle,” Lopez said. She explained that surprisingly, many people in the desert are also low in vitamin D3, which can contribute to fatigue and mood changes, especially as people age.

Carolyn Lopez, PhD with Desert Oasis Healthcare, explains how seasonal depression can look different depending on who’s experiencing it.(KESQ)

Lopez also says seasonal depression can look different depending on who’s experiencing it. Children may seem withdrawn, irritable, or unmotivated. Adults may struggle with sleep, appetite, or relationships. Couples can feel added strain when holiday expectations don’t match reality.

“For women, depression often shows up as tearfulness or withdrawal,” Lopez said. “Men, on the other hand, may become more irritable or short-tempered and not even realize depression is driving it.”

The impact can be especially strong for seniors, who may already be dealing with grief, limited mobility, or fewer social connections. Mental health experts say loneliness during Christmas and the holidays, can amplify symptoms that are often dismissed

But Lopez emphasizes that action. even small steps, can make a world of a difference. 

“Make a phone call. Take a walk. Listen to music that makes you feel good,” she said. “Volunteering, donating, or serving a meal can shift your focus outward and help break that cycle of isolation.”

The Coachella Valley Rescue Mission, CVRM, will serve a Christmas breakfast and dinner on Christmas day, open to both residents and members of the public.(KESQ)

That sense of connection is on full display this Christmas at the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission, where staff and volunteers are turning the holiday into a shared experience.

The mission will serve a Christmas breakfast from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., followed by a Christmas dinner from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., welcoming both residents and members of the public.

“Working here on Christmas Day is about family,” said Scott Wolf, the mission’s development director. “Whether it’s your immediate family or the family you find here, it’s the same. We value our clients, our volunteers, and our donors all of them.”

Coachella Valley Rescue Mission Development Director Scott Wolf, explains Christmas day at the mission is about one thig – family.(KESQ)

For Jacqueline Marrott, a resident at the mission, coming up on her 1 year anniversary with CVRM says the holidays no longer feel empty.

Jacqueline Marrott is a resident at the mission, coming up on her 1 year anniversary with CVRM. (KESQ)

“You’re homeless, but it doesn’t feel like it,” Marrott said. “They have all the resources here. They’ve changed many lives.”

One recent graduate of the missions program credits the organization with helping her rebuild her future.

“They helped me change my life,” she said. “I got my baby back, housing, a job and I’m sober and living a great life.”

Laura, a recent graduate of CVRM, explains how the work they’re doing at the mission is changing lives.(KESQ)

Doctors say stories like those underscore an important message: connection doesn’t have to be complicated.

“One decision to show up.  to volunteer, to reach out, to ask for help, can change everything,” Lopez said.

If you or someone you know is struggling with depression this holiday season, mental health professionals encourage reaching out to a trusted person or seeking professional support.

For more information on Desert Oasis Healthcare and the services they provide, visit this link.

For more info on CVRM including the services they offer and how to help, visit this link. 

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Shay Lawson

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Paul Stocking said what began 26 years ago with just 4 nutcrackers has now grown into a collection of more than 500.

Stocking and Michael Emig’s indoor Christmas display features nutcrackers spanning various professions, cultures and themes.

Stocking said the nutcrackers range in size from 6 feet in height, down to ¾ of an inch.

The collection also includes doctors, veterinarians and teachers, as well as chefs, bakers and beekeepers.

Sports-themed nutcrackers showcase activities from golf and football to skiing and soccer, while Stocking said their international figures represent countries including France, Germany, Italy and others.

He added some of the most unusual pieces include “ladies who shop and lunch,” Day of the Dead inspired figures and even cowboys and Santas on horseback.

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Isaiah Mora

CHIRIACO SUMMIT, Calif. (KESQ) – A SIG Alert has been issued following an overturned semi-truck on the I-10 heading east towards Blythe, in between Box Canyon road and Chiriaco Summit.

According to California Highway Patrol’s incident page, the alert was issued around 5 a.m. on Sunday and is expected to last 3 to 4 hours. The overturned semi-truck caused the number 2 lane on eastbound I-10 to close, while the number 1 lane has since reopened.

News Channel 3 has reached out to California Highway Patrol for more information. Stay with us for any updates on this story.

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Kendall Flynn

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Saturday marked the first ever “Field Day” event in Indio as organizers look to showcase unique music, shopping and food from local vendors.

The event was created by Adrian Romero, the owner of Rosemary Hi-Fi. He said he created the event because there aren’t enough platforms for artists or creative businesses in the Coachella Valley. He said vendors would often have to travel to other cities, including Los Angeles or San Diego for a subculture event.

“Everything is very franchise and mainstream out here in the desert,” Romero said. “And so we just want to bring more art and more culture and just more niche things.”

For Frank Lemus, a local ceramic artist and owner of Alfarería Lemus, he said “Field Day” is a chance for local businesses like his to grow close to home. He said the event brings together the owners, who have now become a close-knit community.

“This is where I grew up, so it’s it’s cool to see all the, the businesses, local businesses out here and growing,” Lemu said. “There’s sometimes a lot of times we have to go out of town to do kind of events like this. So it’s really cool that they’re putting it together here, and it takes a lot of effort to put an event like this together.”

Residents said they were excited to attend the event after seeing the event on social media. Many said they enjoy having somewhere to listen to music and shop with local vendors. For them, it’s a unique experience that shows how much Indio has grown.

“I think the City of Indio is really stepping up their game,” Grace Escobar said. “They’re bringing out more and more community events so that everybody can come by and have fun.”

“Over the last two years, I’ve seen so much, so much growth in the city, so much more for people who just love to get out and enjoy music, arts, culture, food,” Lucie Gonzalez said. “It just shows that Indio is on the map.”

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from organizers and attendees about how they hope subculture events continue to grow.

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KESQ News Team

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – California Highway Patrol delivered hundreds of toys to families in Thermal, Mecca, Oasis and Santa Rosa Saturday morning as part of the CHiPS for Kids holiday toy drive.

For weeks, News Channel 3 collaborated with CHP to donate hundreds of toys provided by the Coachella Valley community.

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María García

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — Community reaction is pouring in after the delay in the case against former Queer Works CEO Jacob Rostovsky. He faces 53 felony counts stemming from an investigation into a Palm Springs universal basic program.

According to documents from the Riverside County District Attorney’s office, Rostovsky’s defense team filed a motion for mental health diversion, claiming he was mentally ill at the time of the alleged crimes.

CEO and founder of the Transgender Health and Wellness Center, Thomi Clinton says their office was receiving death threats because people kept getting them confused with Queer Works.

“We had to say our names are not even similar, but they don’t hear that,” said Clinton.

She says the delay to the case doesn’t make sense, “All trans people have anxiety that doesn’t excuse you from doing criminal conduct, especially when people are calling you all the time saying, I’m about to lose my place, Clinton said.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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KESQ News Team

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) – New information tonight on Peter Daut’s I-Team investigation on mold at a CVUSD elementary school.

News Channel 3 can confirm with you tonight that black mold was not found at John Kelley Elementary School.

CVUSD has been addressing mold in rooms 52 and 53. Black mold is a fungi called Stachybotrys. School officials have confirmed that it has not been found.

This comes as the school tells News Channel 3 that more mold testing will continue in other areas of the school through the winter break.

District officials said parents should be prepared for some students to be temporarily placed into other classrooms if more remediation work is needed.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any new developments.

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City News Service

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Desert Healthcare District and Foundation awarded more than $1 million in grants to five nonprofit organizations in the Coachella Valley designed for mental and behavioral health services and programs, along with a pair of other unrelated grants.

On Tuesday, the District and Foundation Board approved $1,039,139 to five out the 19 organizations that applied to a request for proposals titled, “Empowering Resilient Youth and Families: Advancing Mental and Behavioral Health Support.”

District officials revealed Thursday the organization’s names and their uses for the grants.

Olive Crest, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing child abuse and offers 24/7 crisis response, was awarded $249,865 to support key Crisis Response Team staff, who provide case management, trauma-informed therapeutic support and coordinated care among young people and families.

Boys and Girls Club of Cathedral City was awarded $140,732 to support partial salaries of five key staff positions, on-site clinical counseling though a subcontract with Jewish Family Services of the Desert, trauma-informed training and essential program infrastructure.

El Sol Neighborhood Educational Center provides bilingual behavioral health services, peer support, housing and other services was awarded $248,565. The funds will be used toward supporting six positions and cover a behavioral health consultant.

Oak Grove Institute Foundation was awarded $248,055, which will be used to support the partial salary of a case manager, items related to medical and mental health expenses and up to 600 sessions with a consultant mental health therapist.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Desert was awarded $151,922. Funding will support staff and essential training and materials, community workshops and peer-to-peer groups among other items.

In addition to the grants, the district and foundation board awarded $326,000 to Desert Cancer Foundation and $200,000 to Vision to Learn.   

The total awarded came out to  $1,565,139. All nonprofit organizations have a project period from Jan.1 to Dec. 31, 2027.   

“In many ways 2025 has been a rewarding year for the Desert Healthcare District and Foundation,” CEO Chris Christensen said in a statement. “It is especially gratifying for the board and staff to respond to the Coachella Valley’s needs through our grants program, whether we’re funding essential mental and behavioral health services or supporting the staffing and programmatic needs of a great organization like the Desert Cancer Foundation.”

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City News Service

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – An ex-cop accused of roughing up two boys while arresting them after they fled an alleged burglary at Desert Hot Springs High School pleaded not guilty today to felony charges.

Johnny Acosta, 30, was arrested last month following a year-long Riverside County Force Investigations Detail Task Force probe into the allegedacts involving excessive use of force.   

Acosta is charged with gun assault, filing a false report and assault by a peace officer.

He was arraigned before Superior Court Judge John Evans, who scheduled a felony settlement conference for Jan. 22 at the Larson Justice Center in Indio.

Acosta is free on a $30,000 bond.   

According to the District Attorney’s Office, shortly before 2 a.m. on Nov. 8, 2024, Desert Hot Springs Police Department patrol units were sent to the high school on Pierson Boulevard to investigate a possible break-in.   

Acosta was among the patrolmen who encountered four male suspects fleeing the location when the officers approached, prosecutors said.   

The defendant pursued one 17-year-old boy, resulting in the first act of alleged excessive force, then went after another 17-year-old, culminating in the second alleged instance of heavy-handedness, according to investigators.   

The youths were ultimately taken into custody without incident, and there was no indication that either suffered injuries that required hospitalization.

The specific actions on the part of the defendant were not disclosed, and there was no word regarding damage to the campus during the reported burglary.

Acosta was placed on administrative leave the same day, after which an internal investigation was initiated that led to his dismissal from the police department last March 27.

Acosta was arrested without incident by District Attorney’s Office investigators on Nov. 7 and quickly posted bail.

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