Category: kesq-local-news

Athena Jreij

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – President Trump signed an executive order Thursday to reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I to Schedule III drug, a move experts say would open new financial and research opportunities for the drug.

Currently, the Schedule I classifier for marijuana is the Drug Enforcement Administration’s most restricted category, and puts marijuana on the same level as heroin, LSD and ecstasy.

The DEA classifies Schedule III substances as having a “moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence” along with Tylenol with codeine, testosterone and ketamine.

Experts say the move would ease financial restrictions on weed and specifically in California, lower harsh federal taxes on the recreational drug, open banking services, and expand research opportunities. 

The order does not legalize marijuana federally.

Looking for answers on how this impacts local dispensaries, News Channel 3 checked in with Atomic Budz and Double Eye Dispensary & Lounge in Cathedral City.

Kevin Lopez with Double Eye Dispensary & Lounge said he’s cautiously optimistic and looks forward to new medicinal research.

“I mean being federally restricted, we can’t do credit cards and that convenience for folks just to get better access to their medicine. I’m hoping it’ll help people with anxiety, you know, people with more serious medical issues,” Lopez said.

Others have their doubts, like the owner of Atomic Budz John Chaisson, who questions ‘big Pharma’ interference in the industry.

“It’s great research can be done, but what it really does is open the door for ‘big Pharma’ to come in and take control of a grassroots industry that has existed since time began. It will take away their livelihoods, take away their businesses, because ‘big Pharma’ has a lot of money and they will do the research and they will be able to dominate the industry. That pushes the little guy out,” Chaisson said.

It’s unclear how long the President’s order will take to go into effect.

Stick with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage on this story.

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Tauli Anderson

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – One in three parents say they plan to skip the flu shot for their child this season, according to research from the Lurie Children’s Hospital.

The study shows parents often believe their child doesn’t need it or prefer home remedies.

News Channel 3’s Tauli Anderson talks with local doctors and why they say many don’t realize the effects of not getting vaccinated as flu season ramps up. 

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Shay Lawson

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – A power problem in a local neighborhood is causing dangerous surges through homes and businesses. News Channel 3’s I-Team investigates, taking a closer look at why power surges are happening and how SCE is responding.

Watch the special report, Power Problem, Thursday at 6:00 p.m. on News Channel 3.

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Daniella Lake

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Hours of testimony and debate after a proposal for the city to not recognize Pride Month, including the display of a Pride banner at City Hall.

Councilmembers ultimately voted 4-1 to reject the proposal, introduced by Mayor Pro Tem Joe Pradetto.

A day after the meeting, the dust continues to settle. Tonight, questions remain on how city leaders will move forward and once again unify the city. Councilmember Jan Harnick made a motion to not change city policy.

News Channel 3’s Daniella Lake sat down with Harnick to discuss the aftermath of the proposal, that debate, and all the responses from residents.

“It was awful. We have a lot of work to do now. We have to make sure that people understand and are reassured they are safe, they are welcome. And that is not who Palm Desert is,” Harnik said.

Daniella asked Harnik, “You chose to pick a fight with a pride flag. When this proposal first came up, did it seem out of the blue to you?”

Harnik answered, “I was stunned. Frankly, I was stunned. I didn’t know where it came from, why it happened. What, what was the goal? What, what were, what was somebody trying to achieve? And it was one of my colleagues on the council. I don’t know what he wanted to achieve and I don’t know how he thought it would make our community better.”

Harnik led the charge for councilmembers in striking down the proposal.

“This one is so easy in my mind and what I said last night is, the pride banner, the LGBTQ+ banner, is an American success story. There are places in the world you can’t put that up. We can because we recognize that our community members, no matter who they are, are important and we must acknowledge them,” Harnik said.

Harnick says that the city is working to make sure residents know that everyone is welcome in Palm Desert.

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Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Several people, including a 15-year-old boy, were arrested after search warrants related to a shooting and robbery last month in Indio.

The search warrants were related to a shooting and robbery on Nov. 24 near the area of Avenue 44 and King Street. The shooting left an 18-year-old man hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

The warrants were served Tuesday at 7 a.m. in the 47000 block of Jefferson Street and the 82000 block of El Paseo Avenue in Indio.

Police said during the service of the search warrant in the 47000 block of Jefferson Street, one of the suspects, a 23-year-old man, attempted to discard a firearm from a second-story window before being taken into custody. The firearm was recovered. The man faces charges of felon in possession of a firearm and for being an accessory to robbery and assault with a deadly weapon.

Officers also located a 15-year-old boy who was wanted in connection with a separate armed robbery that occurred on Oct. 28. The boy was found lying on top of a loaded firearm.

During the service of the second search warrant in the 82000 block of El Paseo Avenue, a 24-year-old man, was seen attempting to conceal a firearm inside an abandoned vehicle, police said. He was arrested for weapons violations. Additional ammunition and two Glock full-auto conversion switches were recovered.

A 21-year-old man was also arrested for a Post-Release Community Supervision (PRCS) violation.

Police said two male suspects remain outstanding. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Indio Police Department at (760) 391-4057 or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at (760) 341-STOP

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Jesus Reyes

YUCCA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department released video and photos of a vehicle wanted in connection with a deadly hit-and-run crash last month in Yucca Valley.

Detectives are looking for a beige, tan, or gold-colored Toyota Corolla that was seen leaving the scene of the crash, which was reported on Nov. 6, at around 2 p.m. on Airway Avenue and Primrose Drive.

An elderly woman was struck by a vehicle while crossing the roadway on her motorized mobility scooter at the intersection. The vehicle fled the scene westbound on Yucca Trail from Airway Avenue.

The woman was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Following the incident, deputies from the Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) initiated an investigation into the fatal hit-and-run.

Investigators are requesting the public’s assistance in locating the suspect and the suspect vehicle.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to contact Deputy R. Quiroz Falcon at (760) 366-4175.  Callers wishing to remain anonymous may contact the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or submit information online at www.wetip.com.

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City News Service

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A convicted felon who shot a Riverside County sheriff’s deputy when the lawman attempted to arrest him at the end of a pursuit in Coachella was convicted today of firearm assault on a peace officer and other charges, though jurors were unable to reach a unanimous verdict on the most serious allegation.

An Indio jury deliberated two days before finding Gildardo Davila Jr., 35, guilty of the assault count, along with two counts of being a felon in possession of a gun and one count of possession of controlled substances, with sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations.

However, the panel was unable to overcome an impasse on the charge of attempted murder of a peace officer, leading Superior Court Judge Ronald Toff to declare a mistrial on that count.  

Jurors acquitted Davila of a felony evading charge.   

It was unclear whether the District Attorney’s Office intends to retry the attempted murder charge.

A sentencing hearing is tentatively scheduled for Jan. 6 at the Larson Justice Center. Davila is being held in lieu of $5 million bail at the Benoit Detention Center.

According to a sheriff’s arrest warrant declaration, shortly before 8 p.m. on May 25, 2017, Deputy David Solis was in his patrol unit, passing the intersection of First and Harrison streets in Coachella, when he spotted a yellow Ford Mustang with paper plates commit an unspecified traffic violation.

Deputy David Solis (2017)

Solis signaled the driver — later identified as Davila — to pull over, but he floored the sports car instead, triggering a chase, according to the affidavit.

“During the pursuit, the deputy witnessed the suspect throw a handgun from the vehicle,” the document stated. “The deputy witnessed the driver of the vehicle commit numerous vehicle code violations and drive without due regard for the public.”

Because of the escalating dangers to other drivers, a sheriff’s sergeant directed Solis to end the pursuit, which he did, allowing the Mustang to drive out of sight. However, within a couple of minutes, Solis came upon the Mustang again, parked in the area of Calle Mendoza and Las Flores Avenue, according to court papers.   

When the deputy pulled near the Mustang, Davila allegedly fled from the vehicle on foot, carrying a duffel bag. Solis remained in his patrol unit and followed the fleeing man until he ran out of viable roadway in a field, at which point the deputy ran after the defendant, according to the prosecution.

“As the deputy closed the gap on Davila, the suspect turned toward the deputy,” the declaration said. “At this point, the deputy positively identified Davila as a person he has had multiple past contacts with. Davila had a gun and began shooting in the deputy’s direction, striking him multiple times.”  

Solis was hit in the left hand, resulting in damage to his fingers. His protective vest prevented one bullet from the 9mm pistol from penetrating his stomach, but another round hit him just above the collar bone, court papers alleged.

The gunfire knocked Solis to the ground, giving Davila time to get away before other patrol units converged on the location, investigators said.   

The defendant allegedly ran to a familiar area, changed clothes and dumped some of his belongings, then headed to Mexico, according to prosecutors.   

Solis underwent surgery at a regional trauma center and ultimately recovered from his wounds, returning to duty weeks later.   

Investigators seized 200 grams of methamphetamine and 30 grams of heroin, along with an AR-15 rifle, among the items left behind by Davila, court papers alleged. The 9mm handgun was found in the field, near from where the shooting occurred.

Davila was tracked to Mexicali, Mexico, where Mexican state police took him into custody without incident a week later. He was immediately extradited to the U.S. and jailed in Riverside County.

He has documented prior convictions for auto theft and felony possession of controlled substances, for which he served time in prison.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Kimberly Barraza was appointed the new president of the Desert Healthcare District & Foundation Board.

“It is an exciting time for the Healthcare District, as we enter 2026 and continue our strategic planning process which will help determine our Board and staff priorities for the next several years,” Christensen said. “We look forward to supporting President Barraza and the entire Board as we work together to advance community wellness in the Coachella Valley.”

Barraza joined the Board in November 2022, elected to a four-year term by Coachella Valley voters. She is a resident of the District’s zone six, which encompasses a majority of Indio and Coachella.

She currently serves on the Program Committee, Strategic Planning Committee, and as chairperson of the Legislative Policy Committee. One of her first duties as president will be to appoint fellow Board Directors to various committees.

“I am honored to serve as Board President of the Desert Healthcare District and Foundation,” President Barraza said in a written statement. “Our region continues to face significant health challenges, and this role comes with a responsibility to lead with transparency, collaboration, and a deep commitment to equity. I look forward to working alongside my fellow Board members, staff, and community partners to strengthen access to care, invest in prevention, and ensure our resources are used in ways that truly improve health outcomes for the residents of the Coachella Valley.”

Completing the Board leadership for 2026, Directors Greg Rodriguez (zone one) and Dr. Daniel Logsdon (zone three) will continue as vice-president and treasurer, respectively. Director Leticia DeLara (zone seven), a former Board president, will serve as secretary.

The seven-member Board also includes Carole Rogers (zone two) and Evett PerezGil (zone four).

Following the resignation of Director Arthur Shorr on November 30, the Board’s zone five seat is currently vacant. However, applicants are being accepted until 5 p.m. Jan. 5. (See the zone boundaries by visiting our interactive Hummingbird map.)

Interested residents are asked to submit a cover letter and résumé to Desert Healthcare District & Foundation CEO Chris Christensen to be considered for the Board seat. Applications may be submitted by email to info@dhcd.org. Interviews will be conducted by the Board at a special public meeting with the possible appointment of a new Director on Jan. 8.

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City News Service

BANNING, Calif. (KESQ) – A 37-year-old transient accused of holding up two businesses in Banning using a fake gun pleaded not guilty today to second- degree robbery and other offenses.  

Codi Jay Shelton was arrested last week following a Banning Police Department investigation.

Along with robbery, Shelton is charged with sentence-enhancing allegations of using a weapon during the commission of a felony and being a prior-strike felon.

He was arraigned Monday before Riverside County Superior Court Judge Mark Singerton, who scheduled a felony settlement conference for Jan. 2 at the Banning Justice Center.

The defendant is being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Smith Correctional Facility.  

According to police, at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Shelton allegedly approached the counter of a Jack-in-the-Box restaurant at 6350 W. Ramsey St. and flashed what appeared to be a handgun, prompting staff to back away.   

“The subject stole cash from one of the registers and fled on foot,” police Capt. Brandon Smith said.

He said patrol officers responded to restaurant employees’ 911 calls and initiated a search of the area, based on descriptions, which indicated the perpetrator had “tattoos on his face.” However, the bandit couldn’t be located.   

Officers reviewed security surveillance video from inside the eatery and confirmed the alleged robber’s identity — Shelton, Smith said.   

The defendant was located less than three hours later and taken into custody without incident on West Beaumont Avenue.   

Smith said a replica pistol and cash from the robbery were allegedly seized from Shelton.  

During the investigation, officers also tied him to a hold-up that occurred early Sunday morning at a Walgreens on North Highland Avenue, where a man matching the defendant’s description threatened a clerk with what appeared to be a handgun, grabbing money from a register and running away, according to the captain.

Shelton was positively identified as the alleged robber.   

No one was injured in either hold-up.   

Court records indicated that Shelton has at least two documented prior felony convictions, but they weren’t listed.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation provided a donation to AAP – Food Samaritans for a special one-time grocery voucher program to provide immediate relief to low-income community members.

AAP’s long-standing nutritional support program provides monthly food vouchers to low-income individuals living with chronic illnesses. The program has been at capacity for years, even as requests for help continue to rise sharply.

“The need is heartbreaking and growing by the week,” said Mark Anton, Executive Director of AAP – Food Samaritans. “Our phones ring constantly with people who are struggling to buy basic groceries. While our core program is full, we couldn’t ignore the overwhelming number of calls from those in crisis.”

AAP officials said the Berger Foundation stepped forward with a donation that allows AAP to distribute one-time emergency grocery vouchers to individuals experiencing food insecurity but who do not currently receive monthly assistance from AAP.

“The Berger Foundation has always been committed to uplifting our community, especially in moments when people feel forgotten or overwhelmed,” said Catherine Reed, Executive Vice President of Charitable Programs. “No one should go hungry—especially during the holidays.”

Those in need of these one-time vouchers must call AAP – Food Samaritans directly at 760-325-8481. Supplies are limited and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis to qualified individuals.

Anton emphasized that while the Berger Foundation’s gift is transformative, the need extends far beyond this emergency effort.

“We hope the community will join the Berger Foundation in the true spirit of Christmas,” he said. “Every contribution helps someone facing an empty cupboard during what should be a season of warmth and togetherness.”

To donate or learn more, visit www.aapfoodsamaritans.org or call 760-325-8481.

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