Category: kesq-local-news

Shay Lawson

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ)  – One year after 26-year-old Lorenzo Segoviano was fatally shot outside a Food 4 Less in Indio, his family said they are still waiting for justice as the man accused in the killing remains out on supervised bail.

“My son Lorenzo was a very happy person,” mother Veronica Segoviano said. “He was always happy, never angry, just happy living his life.”

Lorenzo Segoviano

She described him as a hard worker who loved his family, animals, helping people experiencing homelessness and a kind person.

News Channel 3 was first on scene when the deadly shooting happened in February 2025.

Gideon Gonzalez Jr. of Indio is accused of killing Segoviano. He faces charges including: murder, 2 counts of assault with a gun, and 2 counts of child cruelty, as well as sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations.

Segoviano’s family said their grief has turned into anger as the case drags on.

“It’s taking too long,” Veronica said. “They have everything they need. It’s not fair for the other guy to be at home. They caught him with evidence… I want justice for my son.”

A Riverside County District Attorney’s Office spokesperson said Gonzalez Jr.’s bail was originally set at $1 million. Prosecutors opposed the defense’s request to lower bail, but the court later ordered Supervised Conditional Bail set at $250,000 with specific conditions.

When she learned bail had been reduced, Lorenzo’s mother said she was angry.

“I’m not satisfied with the justice system at all,” Veronica said.

The family also points to court delays.

The DA’s Office confirmed the defendant’s preliminary hearing was continued from Dec. 19 to Feb. 20, 2026, at the defense’s request, with the court finding good cause.

“We don’t like it,” Veronica said. “We want it to hurry up.”

Ricardo Jimenez III, Lorenzo’s uncle, said the family feels the system has failed them.

“When you lose a child, it’s traumatic,” Jimenez said. “We’re still hurting. We’re grieving.”

Family members gathered Sunday for a remembrance honoring Lorenzo, drawing dozens of friends and relatives.

“The parking lot was filled,” Jimenez said. “That’s how much he was loved.”

Despite their anger and frustration, the family said they will continue pushing for accountability.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Reaction continues after a fundraising event in Palm Desert. U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was the guest speaker of the event and News Channel 3 didn’t shy away from hard questions.

It was all part of the Starry Starry Night Gala for breast cancer awareness Sunday at the Chapperel Country Club.

Kennedy attended with his wife, actress Cheryl Hines.

He told News Channel 3 the United States continues to lead in the fight against cancer. He said it’s important that research institutions have the needed funding to continue reducing cancer deaths.

We asked Kennedy about his controversial positions.

“What do you say to the critics when you’re here at an event like this, obviously in support of cancer research and, and the betterment of cancer patients?” News Channel 3 asked Kennedy.

Kennedy answered, “Like critics. I mean, I don’t know what, I, you know, we’re on the research agenda at NIH is stronger than it’s ever been. We’ve never cut any research jobs. We did a lot of administrative cuts to make the agency more efficient and more effective and allow us to spend less money on the bureaucracy and more on research.“

Kennedy’s visit didn’t come without protest. Dozens of people were out holding up signs along Portola Avenue with signs in support of science and vaccines.

More than $100,000 was raised at the event. It all went to the Moore Cancer Center at UC San Diego.

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Luis Avila

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A fire at Prescott Preserve in Palm Springs has prompted nearby residents to call for stronger fire prevention efforts, saying the damage could have been avoided.

The blaze broke out Sunday, scorching 3.5 acres and destroying nearly 100 trees, according to officials. Residents say the most alarming part is how close the flames came to nearby homes.

One resident criticized Oswit Land Trust, which owns the preserve, saying more should be done to protect surrounding neighborhoods. While supportive of the preserve, the resident said maintaining natural land comes with responsibility, including fire guards, irrigation, defensible space around the property, and access to fire hydrants.

Oswit Land Trust says the fire is being investigated as a potential case of arson and is asking the community to help with habitat restoration. The organization also says it has measures in place to mitigate risks.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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City News Service

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – Sunnylands Center and Gardens will host “Family Day,” a free, family-friendly day of nature-related activities later this month in Rancho Mirage.  

The event will be held from 9 a.m. through 2 p.m. Feb. 15 at 37977 Bob Hope Drive.  

An assortment of activities will be during the day, including:   — one-hour guided bird walks with expert birder Kurt Leuschner;   — a collaborative cardboard Aleppo pine tree sculpture with the S.C.R.A.P Gallery;   — creating Epsom salt bath mixtures with essential oils inspired by Sunnylands trees;   — using origami-like techniques to transform a palm tree frond into a roadrunner;   — learning to count rings on a real tree slice to solve mysteries;   — creating canopy-themed lino prints on canvas totes;   — wood art display by Desert Dude Woodworks, and   — color in prints on wood rounds cut from eucalyptusm mesquite and olive tree found on the estate.  

“We will be planting seeds of knowledge through fun, community-led activities,” Rhoda Coscetti, Sunnylands community programs specialist, said in a statement.

In addition, guests will be able to view the exhibit, “Curating Canopy: Trees at Sunnylands,” which showcases photographer David Loftus’ work focused on the thousands of trees that shape the Annenberg estate. The exhibit will be on display through June 6, 2027.

Admission and parking are free.   

More information can be found at education@sunnylands.org, or call 760-202-2255.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Cal State San Bernardino has extended the application deadline for undergraduate admission for the Fall 2026 term to Tuesday, March 31, for both the San Bernardino and Palm Desert campuses, officials announced on Monday.

The extension applies to first-time freshmen, lower-division transfer students and upper-division transfer students across most academic programs.

Students are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible to secure their place for fall.

The priority deadline for pre-nursing majors has passed. All other majors remain open through March 31. Applications are submitted through the Cal State Apply website.

CSUSB offers a wide range of academic pathways with more than 70 baccalaureate and master’s degree programs, as well as credential, certificate and doctoral programs, across five colleges and the Palm Desert Campus. Programs span disciplines in the arts and humanities, business, education, science, social sciences and professional studies, providing students with flexible options aligned with their academic and career goals.

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Daniella Lake

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Democrats of Sun City Shadow Hills, a political organization based in Indio, have several members from Minnesota who are speaking out against the Trump administration and recent ICE operations nationwide. This weekend, the group held their first “signs of fascism,” protest, which they say they plan to hold weekly until they see a change.

Dan Larkin recently moved to the Coachella Valley from Minnesota. He says friends and family back home are in a constant state of hyper vigilance.

“They’re all worried about when is the next murder going to take place? Who is it going to be? When are they going to kidnap a child from my school or from my neighborhood?,” he says.

Dan Larkin and his wife Mary Larkin say the with shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, along with ICE activity throughout the city, Minnesotans feel “terrorized.”

“It’s perpetually feeling as if you could be assaulted at any time,” says Mary Larkin.

The Larkins are encouraging others to support Minnesotans from wherever you are.

“Right now it’s a Minnesota problem. But tomorrow it’s coming to another city and it may be ours,” says Dan Larkin.

The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits has put together a list of ways to support the Minnesota community.

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Timothy Foster

PALM DESERT, Calif. — The red carpet was rolled out Saturday night for a celebration centered on inclusion, joy, and community.

The GALA Special Stars Come Out Tonight welcomed adults with intellectual, developmental, and neurodiverse disabilities to Palm Valley Country Club for an evening designed to make every guest feel celebrated and valued.

Participants arrived in limousines and specialty vehicles before walking the red carpet in formal attire. Guests posed for professional photographs and spent the evening enjoying dinner, dancing, and live music.

Earlier in the day, professional hair and makeup services were provided by local salons, helping participants prepare for the special night. Organizers emphasized the event was not a fundraiser, but a dignified and meaningful experience created exclusively for individuals with special needs and their families.

More than 300 guests attended the gala, which was hosted by Lisa Valerio of the Fenixia Foundation and Renée Griffin of Building Bridges for Special Needs. Organizers say the goal is to continue bringing the community together and creating memorable opportunities that promote inclusion and connection for people with disabilities.

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Shay Lawson

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ)  – A new public mural celebrating Indio’s history, culture and festival legacy is now complete at the corner of Avenue 45 and Jackson Street, marking a milestone for local artist Adam Enrique Rodriguez.

“This is my first large-scale public mural in the city of Indio,” Rodriguez said. “I wanted to tell the story of where I come from. This is where I was born and raised, and I have a lot of pride in where I come from.”

He said the mural moves from day to night across the wall, weaving together Indio’s history.

Rodriguez said he incorporated recognizable imagery from the Date Festival to the Coachella Music and Arts Festival.

“I wanted it to be something that everyone in the Valley could kind of see themselves in,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said he was selected from about 30 artists who applied from around the world.

He said his local roots helped shape his vision.

“I grew up here,” Rodriguez said. “I know exactly what my community would want to see and what they would respond to.”

He said the mural took about 3 months to complete, beginning in early November.

“Contributing to where I come from has been paramount for me as an artist,” Rodriguez said. “If I can reach even the students where I grew up and they can drive by and see this and this becomes part of their history too, it’s very important to me.”

A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the mural is scheduled for Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. at the site.

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Timothy Foster

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – Patrick Warburton is instantly recognizable for his unmistakable voice, bringing life to some of Disney’s most iconic characters, from The Emperor’s New Groove to the billion-dollar hit Zootopia 2. But beyond Hollywood and the big screen, Warburton says his most meaningful work happens far from the recording booth, right here in the Coachella Valley.

For nearly two decades, Warburton has been a passionate supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, hosting the annual Warburton Celebrity Golf Tournament to raise money for children fighting cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. This year marks the tournament’s 16th year, an effort that has grown into one of St. Jude’s top fundraisers nationwide.

The inspiration began in 2010, when Warburton and his wife, Cathy, visited St. Jude and met young patients and the medical teams caring for them. With four children of his own, the experience left a lasting impact.

Warburton says seeing the work being done, and the families supported without ever receiving a bill, motivated him to get involved and help make a difference.

What started as an idea has since become a major philanthropic force. Last year alone, the tournament raised a record $6.5 million, pushing the event’s total fundraising impact to more than $38 million. Warburton credits the success not to himself, but to the generosity of the Coachella Valley community, the tournament’s leadership team, and longtime chairman Clark Rainey.

The event has drawn support from Hollywood actors, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame artists, and donors from across the country, all united by St. Jude’s mission to ensure families never have to worry about the cost of treatment, travel, housing, or food.

While his philanthropic work continues to grow, so does Warburton’s on-screen presence. He recently joined the cast of Disney’s Zootopia 2, voicing Mayor Wind Dancer, a character fans quickly recognized as quintessentially Warburton. The film became the highest-grossing animated movie of all time, surpassing $1 billion worldwide in just 17 days.

Warburton says joining an already beloved Disney universe made the experience especially meaningful, praising the filmmakers and creative team behind the project.

Looking back on his long relationship with Disney, Warburton reflects on how deeply the company shaped his childhood, from family movie nights to his first visit to a Disney park, memories that still resonate decades later.

At 61, Warburton is also expanding into stand-up comedy, recently wrapping his first nationwide tour and releasing his debut comedy special, Still Catholic, now streaming on the Angel app.

Despite a busy schedule, Warburton says St. Jude remains front and center.

For him, the goal is simple. Continue raising as much as possible to support the hospital’s lifesaving work and rely on a community that has proven, year after year, it is willing to show up for children who need it most.

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Bruno Lopez-Vega

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A fire that burned 3.5 acres and nearly 100 palm trees Sunday, is now being investigated as a potential case of arson, according to Oswit Land Trust.

The trust owns Prescott Preserve, where the fire ignited around 2 p.m. Sunday. City officials say no firefighters were injured and no structures were damaged.

Now, Oswit is speaking out on the fire, which they’ve called devastating.

“What makes this loss even more painful is that we can say with a high degree of certainty that this fire was human-caused. An arson investigation will be taking place this week. The trails on the east side of Farrell will be closed until further notice,” Executive Director Jane Garrison said.

Garrison went on to say there is still much unknown, but they are clarifying the fire was not caused by dry conditions.

She said in a statement:

“* It is important to be clear that this fire was NOT caused by dry conditions. The preserve is healthy and green. 

* We have not yet been able to assess how the turtle population fared ( or the owls, bats, coots, etc). 

Because the palm oasis was so well-established and thriving, it was not included in our restoration grant. As a result, all immediate response, recovery and replanting efforts will need to come from donations. 

We need help ASAP to cover the costs of:

1. Hiring people to immediately to clear burned vegetation and assess the damage. 

2.Removing damaged or hazardous trees

3.Replacing and expanding security camera coverage

4.Potentially replacing equipment that may have been damaged in the fire.

5. Ultimately, restoring and replanting this critical habitat.”

If you’d like to help Oswit’s rebuilding efforts, visit: http://www.oswitlandtrust.org/donate

Update 5:15 p.m. :

The fire has been extinguished as fire crews continue to mop up the area.

A cause of that fire has not been confirmed.

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Palm Springs firefighters are on the scene of a large brush fire burning on the Prescott Preserve, in the area of Ramon Road and Farrell Drive.

That fire was first reported just past 2:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon, and quickly grew in intensity.

Firefighters have closed roads closer to the fire as they work to extinguish it.

Stay withy News Channel 3 for updates.

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