KESQ News Team
As work continues for an agreement to end the shutdown, many are asking questions.
Congressman Raul Ruiz sat down for an exclusive interview with News Channel 3’s Peter Daut for a live at 4PM about what this closure means for our nation and especially right here in our desert.
Timothy Foster
INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Graduation day at the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission marked more than a ceremony—it represented a fresh start for residents who completed the program and are ready to step into new chapters of their lives.
For graduate Natasha Wolff, the program provided a safe and supportive place to restart and rebuild. She said it gave her the chance to get her life back on track after facing challenges. Instead of going to prison, she entered the program, which she described as a godsend. Today, she is working and planning to move into her own place, crediting the mission for giving her a true second chance.
Graduate John Slaughter IV shared that the program allowed him to build a new foundation of principles and stability. He explained that while the process was not easy, it gave him valuable lessons in patience, gratitude, and perseverance. He said the skills he learned, such as gardening and landscaping, along with the discipline of common courtesy and mutual respect, will help carry him forward. Slaughter believes the program showed him that with effort and support, lasting change is possible.
Executive Director Amanda Galindo explained that the Rescue Mission’s first priority is meeting people where they are whether on the streets, in shelters, or in need of emergency services. The mission offers grace bags, housing, recovery programs, and mentorship, with specialized programs for men, women, and children. She said graduation day represents restoration, hope, and the knowledge that participants have a second chance to do things the right way.
Galindo added that many graduates are already employed, saving money, and reuniting with family members they had lost touch with for years. She described the work as life-changing, both for residents and for those who help them on their journey.
While about 20% of residents in the program do not make it to graduation due to setbacks like relapse, those who succeed leave with the tools to rebuild their lives. The central message of the day emphasized perseverance, teamwork, and faith that with support, belief in oneself, and commitment, lasting transformation is possible.
City News Service
CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – The Cathedral City Council will gather during Monday’s special council meeting to vote on having singer-songwriter Robin Thicke headline this year’s balloon festival in November.
Upon council approval, staff will made a public announcement Tuesday, according to the council agenda.
The son of former actor and talk-shot host Alan Thicke is best known for his 2013 hit “Blurred Lines” and its racy video featuring model and actress Emily Ratajkowski.
The 11th annual Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival will take place on Nov. 21-23, featuring more than 20 colorful hot air balloons, food trucks, family activities, a drone light show, games and live entertainment.
The festival will be produced by SoundSkilz, and Agua Caliente Casinos will return as a presenting sponsor, officials said.
Athena Jreij
CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – A 37-year-old Cathedral City woman is expected to return home this week, after she was detained by Israeli Naval Forces on a humanitarian aid boat headed for Gaza.
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News Channel 3 first brought viewers this story Thursday night, after sitting down with Ramirez’s mother, Angie Torres. She says her daughter joined the Global Sumud Flotilla to bring medical aid and food to Gaza, following a months-long humanitarian crisis.
Her family believes she was detained earlier this week when nearly all of the flotilla’s boats were intercepted by the Israeli Navy.
Our exclusive story caught the attention of Representative Ruiz, who reached out to the Israeli Embassy and State Department. Ruiz says after his phone calls with officials, they informed him Ramirez would be heading home within the next few days.
“Thanks to the reporting by KESQ we got the story and my staff got to work immediately. We spoke to the embassy, and I said that I wanted to know about Geraldine’s whereabouts, whether she’s okay, and I want her to return home immediately. They called us back and said that she’s okay, that she’s cared for and that as soon as tomorrow she would be on a flight back home …
As a parent, I empathize and wanted to make sure that we provided her mother the answer, and fought to bring her daughter back as soon as possible,” Representative Ruiz said.
While it’s unclear where Ramirez will land in the U.S. and the exact day she’ll return, her family says she’s expected home in the next week.
“I believe within the next couple days, she’s going to be boarding a plane and getting back into the U.S. I feel very happy and so grateful with him [Ruiz] and with the community. I didn’t know so many people watch the news because so many people contacted us,” Torres, Ramirez’s mother, said.
Stick with News Channel 3 as we continue to follow this story.
Garrett Hottle
CABAZON, Calif. (KESQ) Prosecutors say the case involving baby Emmanuel Haro remains active, but they are not releasing new details as they prepare for upcoming court hearings.
The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office confirmed this week its investigators are “actively involved” but emphasized their focus is on building a case for court, not for public disclosure.
The update comes as Riverside County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call of trespassing at Haro’s memorial site in Cabazon on Oct. 1. The call came in just after 8 p.m. Deputies searched the area but said they found no one and reported no items missing or disturbed.
Community members told News Channel 3 they’ve seen people removing objects from the memorial. One visitor said, “They took like four big buckets and six trash bags full of stuff and left with it.”
Despite the concerns, the memorial has continued to grow. Visitors added new tents, tarps and seasonal Halloween decorations this week, alongside rows of teddy bears and candles. For many, the site has become both a grieving space and a call for justice.
The case is now moving forward in court. A felony settlement conference is scheduled for Oct. 16, followed by a preliminary hearing set for Oct. 28.
Jesus Reyes
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – You may notice more police in the Palm Springs area this weekend. There will be more police from multiple agencies in town as the Mongols Motorcycle Club comes in for their annual meeting this weekend.
“THERE WILL BE HEIGHTENED POLICE ACTIVITY, INVOLVING MULTIPLE AGENCIES IN THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS THIS WEEKEND. THIS IS DUE TO THE MONGOL NATIONAL RUN. MULTIPLE MOTORCYCLES MAY BE SEEN IN THE AREA. PALM SPRINGS CITY AREA”- Community Message from Palm Springs Police Department
Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills wrote on social media Friday that police expect more than 1,000 bikers in town, many convicted criminals.
Mills added that in the first few hours, police have seized three guns, among other contraband.
The Mongols National Run has taken place every year in Palm Springs for over a decade. No major incidents have taken place in that time, however, the club has a history of criminal activity over the 50+ years of the gang’s existence.
In July, 28 members of the Mongols were arrested and charged with “aggravated rioting” after a brawl that escalated to a shooting earlier this year during a motorcycle event in Florida.
Social Media Post by PSPD Chief Andy Mills:
“The outlaw motorcycle gang, the Mongols, hold their national gathering in Palm Springs each fall. More than 1,000 bikers, many convicted criminals, attend to hold “church” or a business meeting where they elect a President. Palm Springs Police Department, CA bolstered by the Riverside Sheriffs Department, CHP, Riv DA and others meet the threat head on. Mongols roll deep, the cops roll deeper. So far, in the first few hours we took three guns off criminals among other contraband. You might also see drones and hear helicopters as part of the Operation. ICE and HSI are not part of the detail.”
Stay with News Channel 3 for any new developments.
City News Service
RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – Veterans of foreign wars who didn’t graduate from high school have exactly two weeks left to apply for graduation certificates issued through a Riverside County program that awards diplomas to former airmen, soldiers, sailors and Marines who gave up school to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces.
The county Office of Education is conducting its 19th Operation Recognition program for the benefit of veterans of World War II, the Korean and Vietnam wars. The program provides an opportunity for qualifying vets to receive certificates even though they never finished school. The application deadline this year is Oct. 17.
County Superintendent of Schools Edwin Gomez said that 380 veterans have received diplomas under Operation Recognition since it was initiated in 2007. Some of the county residents awarded diplomas have been over 90 years old.
“Foregoing the life-changing potential of an education in order to protect and serve their country was an honorable and courageous decision,” Gomez said. “Now it’s time to recognize that sacrifice with the educational acknowledgement of a high school diploma. It’s never too late to pursue a diploma. We encourage friends and family members to reach out to veterans who may be eligible for this long-overdue recognition.”
The 2025 ceremonies are tentatively planned for Nov. 5 in the county Office of Education’s Conference Center, located at 4280 Brockton Ave. in Riverside.
Operation Recognition is based on California Education Code 51440, which permits retroactive granting of graduation certificates to honorably discharged or retired veterans who served while the U.S. was on a war footing. All they have to do is sign up.
Forms can be downloaded at www.rcoe.us/operation-recognition, or requested via telephone through Yadira Chavelas at 951-826-6570, or by emailing her at ychavelas@rcoe.us.
Paperwork must be submitted by the Oct. 17 deadline. No applications had been received as of Oct. 3.
City News Service
BANNING, Calif. (KESQ) – A 32-year-old man suspected of attacking a woman in Banning was in custody today.
The suspect was booked into Smith Correctional Facility in Banning on Friday on suspicion of attempted murder, robbery, assault with a deadly weapon and felony evading. His city of residence was not disclosed.
His bail was set at $1 million.
Police officers responded to a report shortly after 6:40 p.m. Thursday in the 1200 block of Butterfly Way regarding an assault with a deadly weapon, according to the Banning Police Department.
A woman told authorities that after entering the residence, she was attacked by a man inside the residential structure. She said she was visiting what was supposed to be a vacant property while working as a real estate agent, police said.
The victim, whose name was not revealed, sustained serious injuries and was taken to a hospital.
Officers received information that a possible suspect vehicle, a Hyundai Elantra, fled the scene.
Officers located a vehicle matching the description and attempted to conduct a traffic stop but the vehicle failed to yield, prompting a pursuit.
The vehicle traveled Interstate 10 and State Route 60 before the chase ended near Frederick Street and Atlantic Circle in Moreno Valley when a Riverside County sheriff’s vehicle implemented a maneuver to stop the vehicle.
The suspect was identified by authorities and was the sole occupant of the vehicle, police said.
He was taken into custody without incident Thursday and later transported back to Banning.
The motive behind the alleged attack was not immediately clear.
Anyone with additional information about the assault was urged to call 951-922-3170.
City News Service
PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Travis Barker, drummer for Blink-182, invited people to participate in his annual 5k run this weekend in Palm Desert.
“Run Travis Run” will start at 8:30 a.m. Sunday at Civic Center Park, 43900 San Pablo Ave.
Palm Desert officials said several street closures will be in effect from 5:30 a.m. through 11 a.m. on San Pablo Avenue between Fred Waring and Magnesia Falls drives, and Magnesia Falls from San Pablo to Monterey Avenue.
The 5k run will take place the morning after Blink-182’s show at Acrisure Arena.
In 2008, Barker was involved in a private plane crash that burned more than 70% of his body and killed four other passengers.
“I was told by doctors that I may never be able to walk or play drums the same again,” Barker said in a statement.
He attributed running as a motivator during his recovery and was inspired to create the event that was launched in 2024.
“The running community is massive and it really inspired me to create `Run Travis Run’ as a way to bring likeminded people together. I want to motivate people to get outside and walk or run for a few hours, as well as make healthy decisions and create healthy habits,” Barker said.
Anyone interested in registering or purchasing tickets was asked to go to www.runtravisrun.com/palm-desert.
Haleemon Anderson
NEW YORK (KESQ) – Sean “P Diddy” Combs, the influential music mogul and founder of Bad Boy Records, was sentenced today to four years and two months in federal prison following his conviction on two prostitution-related charges. The sentence, handed down by U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian, marks a dramatic fall for one of the most prominent figures in hip hop and entertainment.
Combs was convicted in July of transporting women for purposes of prostitution, also known as violating the Mann Act. He was acquitted of the more serious racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking by force charges, which could have resulted in a life sentence. The conviction followed a high-profile trial that delved into disturbing testimony about violent, drug-fueled parties and years of reported abuse.
Federal prosecutors initially argued for a sentence of at least 11 years, citing the gravity of the offenses and the lasting impact on his victims, while Combs’ legal team sought a more lenient sentence of just over one year and credit for time already served.
During the sentencing hearing, Combs’ legal team tried to present him as a changed man and an exemplary prisoner over the past year he’s spent in custody. Judge Subramanian, however, was not swayed, emphasizing the need for accountability. Addressing Combs directly, the judge stated, “The court must take into account your entire history,” and referenced the ways Combs misused his power and influence. The judge also acknowledged the courage of victims who testified, noting the “incalculable” number of people reached by their statements.
Before the sentence was read, a visibly emotional Combs apologized in court, saying, “I’ve been humbled and broken to my core.” He will receive credit for the 12 months already served at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. In addition to the prison sentence, Combs was hit with the maximum allowable fine of $500,000 and will remain under supervised release for five years following his release from prison.
