Category: kesq-local-news

Luis Avila

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) — What is typically a joyful time of year can also bring increased stress—and for some families in the Coachella Valley, that stress is contributing to a troubling rise in domestic violence calls.

Local support organizations report that the holiday season consistently sees an uptick in requests for help, and this year is no exception.

At Shelter From the Storm, phone lines have been especially busy. Executive Director Angelina Coe says the number of calls they’re receiving has already climbed above normal levels.

“In a month, we average anywhere from 189 calls to 319 calls. Right now, we’re averaging about 285 and that’s only November we’re not even talking about December numbers. As December goes — I know we’re only at the 12th of December — we’ve fielded over 100 calls.”

Angelina Coe, Shelter from the Storm Executive Director

Coe says the holidays often bring added financial pressure and emotional strain—factors that can intensify conflict in households already dealing with instability.

For survivors, the effects of abuse can be long-lasting. Maria, who asked not to show her face, shared her experience of enduring years of emotional abuse.

“It’s been psychological and emotional abuse. It was almost five years and it’s difficult to get out of a situation like that on top of people judging you because you keep coming back.”

Maria, Client

Maria says leaving was not something she could do alone—it took support and reaching a breaking point.

Despite the growing need, Coe says stigma remains one of the biggest obstacles preventing people from seeking help. She encourages friends and family members to speak up when they notice warning signs.

“We need to identify and not be scared to have those conversations. So if your friend or family member is experiencing abuse and you’re seeing signs and you’re concerned, follow that concern, follow that gut, talk to them about it.”

Angelina Coe, Shelter from the Storm Executive Director

Shelter From the Storm operates a 24/7 hotline for anyone in need of help or resources. For more information, click here.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

Click here to follow the original article.

City News Service

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A 33-year-old man died today from his injuries after his motorcycle and a big rig truck collided in Indio.   

The crash was reported about 11:15 p.m. Thursday in front of a business on the 43400 block of Monroe Street, south of Interstate 10, according to the Indio Police Department.   

Upon arrival, officers found a man in the roadway with significant injuries. Paramedics initiated lifesaving measures and he was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead Friday morning, the department said.

The coroner’s office identified as a Roberto Rodriguez, 33, of Indio.

The driver of the big rig was not injured and cooperated with investigators.

Monroe Street was temporarily closed between Oleander Avenue and Interstate 10, and was reopened at 2:54 a.m. Friday.   

The cause of the collision was under investigation.   

Anyone with information about the crash was asked to call 760-391-4057.

Click here to follow the original article.

Cynthia White

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) – Coachella Valley Unified School District officials say a full remediation is being performed after testing confirmed positive mold findings in two classrooms at John Kelley Elementary School in Thermal.

News Channel 3 asked the District about reports of the mold at John Kelley after a viewer reached out.

The District responded that it “remains steadfast in its commitment to the health and safety of all students, staff, and families,” and that once the mold was reported, students and staff from the two classrooms were immediately relocated.

Environmental testing firm Safeguard EnviroGroup conducted testing of the affected area and created a report of findings which served as a guide for the next steps. The District hired SERVPRO to carry out the remediation in the affected area following strict safety standards.

 CVUSD says a final report will be made public once the cleanup is complete, and another round of testing will verify if the area is safe before any students and staff return.

The District calls this a top priority and says, “We are acting with urgency, responsibility, and transparency to address this issue and ensure a safe learning environment. The CVUSD school community can be assured that certified experts are overseeing every step and that we will continue to communicate openly throughout the process.

Click here to follow the original article.

Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – White Party is teasing a return to Palm Springs in 2026.

The White Party website has been updated with various famous logos, all rebranded as White Party Palm Springs. The bottom of the page reads “Coming In 2026.” The same message is visible on the event’s social media pages.

Little facts are known about the return, we have attempted to contact the White Party directly, and city officials tell us they have not been made aware of the event’s return.

The White Party was one of the largest LGBTQ+ dance music festivals in the country. It has taken place in downtown Palm Springs since 1989. The 2025 edition of the event was canceled, and at the time, its future was uncertain.

Statement from White Party on 2025 Cancelation (1/14/25)

“Thank you for your energy, support, love and commitment to the longest running gay destination event in the country. White Party Palm Springs started in 1989 as a safe space to gather, meet new life long friends, dance and celebrate our uniqueness, diversity and beautiful community. We feel that Jeffrey Sanker’s original idea for starting White Party Palm Springs has been accomplished. Today, there are multiple safe spaces across the globe and a younger community that no longer hides in the shadows with the need for events like White Party Palm Springs to feel safe. We have made the hard decision to take 2025 off and not produce White Party Palm Springs. The legacy of White Party Palm Springs will continue to grow and evolve as we look forward to 2026 and beyond.”

– Jack Ketsoyan, White Party

White Party founder Jeffrey Sanker died in 2021 after a battle with liver cancer. He was honored with a star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars in 2023.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any new developments.

Click here to follow the original article.

Jesus Reyes

MECCA, Calif. (KESQ) – Firefighters contained a fire that involved multiple greenhouses in Mecca, according to CAL FIRE.

The fire was first reported just before 6 p.m. on Lincoln Street and Avenue 64.

Viewers shared dramatic images from a distance. As the flames broke out on reservation land, News Channel 3 crews were unable to get close to the fire area. 

The fire was contained by 6:45 p.m. Firefighters will remain on scene for four to six hours performing mop-up.

Authorities said there were no injuries or evacuations reported. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates.

Click here to follow the original article.

KESQ News Team

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – You can make a difference in a child’s life at this year’s CHiPS for Kids Toy Drive.

Today, News Channel 3 and the California Highway Patrol will be out at Mathis Home in Indio from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., collecting new, unwrapped toys including sports gear, board games, dolls, and toy cars.

Mathis Home is located at 81410 Highway 111, west of Clinton Street.

All items collected will be distributed to local families in need this holiday season.

CHP Officer David Torres says, “Throughout the toy drive, our officers are going out to the places we serve, and we’re going to give out toys in patrol cars as well.”

If you can’t make it Friday, unwrapped toy donations are being accepted through December 20th at any Coachella Valley Walgreen’s location.

Click here to follow the original article.

City News Service

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Palm Springs International Airport announced today it has implemented a new program aimed to deliver airport news and information without constant audio interruptions and frequent announcements.   

“Quiet by Design” is a redesigned audio environment that streamlines essential information through visual displays that provides what officials call a seamless and easy-to-navigate experience.

“Our terminal has always been known for its sense of calm — open air spaces, natural light and a relaxed desert aesthetic, said Harry Barrett Jr., executive director of Aviation. “Quiet by Design enhances that feeling. Guests now enjoy a more peaceful terminal without sacrificing clarity or access to information.”

Click here to follow the original article.

Shay Lawson

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ)  – Riverside County leaders gathered Thursday night at Acrisure Arena for the 2025 County of Riverside State of the County event.

The event drew over 1,000, as Riverside County officials outlined the county’s accomplishments over the past year and priorities for 2026.

Each of the 5 Riverside County Supervisors laid out the achievements within their districts.

Fourth District Supervisor and Board Chair V. Manuel Perez highlighting the growth in the Coachella Valley from the revitalization of Lake Cahuilla to green lighting new power substations.

He also pointed out a decrease in homelessness county wide.

The presentation continuing with more of the county’s big wins including population increase and RivCoOne — a countywide initiative aimed at delivering public services through a people centric approach.

Supervisor Perez said looking ahead the focus remains on the Salton Sea, CV Rail and College of the Desert Expansions.

Click here to follow the original article.

City News Service

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Singer and “American Idol” alum David Archuleta will headline the 10th annual Cathedral City LGBT+ Days, slated for next year, it was announced today.

“For our 10th anniversary, we knew we needed a headliner who not only possesses incredible talent but also embodies the spirit of resilience and authenticity,” Michael Westman, producer of the event, said in a statement. “David’s journey reminds us that true strength comes from embracing who you are, even when it’s difficult. His voice, his story and his spirit perfectly align with our mission to celebrate the unbreakable bond of our `commUNITY.'”  

Archuleta will take the main stage in the downtown area on March 7. With this year’s theme, “CommUNITY Strong,” the event, presented by Agua Caliente Casino, will feature a drag race competition, a drone show, a bed race, parade, vendor marketplace, a pride flag raisining at City Hall and a festival inside the Community Amphitheatre.   

More information can be found at CathedralCityLGBTdays.com.

Click here to follow the original article.

City News Service

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – A death sentence was handed down today for a Banning gang member involved in five killings — sometimes just for sport — over multiple years.

During a hearing at the Riverside Hall of Justice Friday, Riverside County Superior Court Judge Matthew Perantoni affirmed the jury’s recommendation, imposing the death sentence on Armendariz, who will be bound for California’s Death Row at San Quentin State Prison after the death warrant

Armendariz had pleaded guilty in July to five counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder, as well as a special circumstance allegation of killing for the benefit of a criminal street gang and numerous sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations, according to court records.  

The jury was convened at the Riverside Hall of Justice expressly to determine whether he should receive life in prison without the possibility of parole, or the death penalty. After roughly three weeks of testimony, jurors recommended the latter. Riverside County Superior Court Judge Matthew Perantoni is slated to follow the panel’s recommendation during the sentencing hearing Friday.  

The defendant is being held without bail at the Robert Presley Jail. Several of his co-defendants were convicted in prior years.   

“Taking these criminals off the streets has been a long process but has made the city of Banning a safer place for all residents and visitors,” Banning Police Capt. Brandon Smith said in October. “Although the recent convictions do not bring loved ones back to their families, the Banning Police Department hopes to have provided some justice and closure to the families.”  

Armendariz, a documented gang member, was directly involved in the slayings of 21-year-old Bradley Cunningham, 53-year-old James Lara Jr., 48-year-old Felicia McCafferty, 51-year-old Charles Neazer and 42-year-old Theresa Sanchez.

The first murder occurred in the predawn hours of Nov. 7, 2015, near Fifth and Williams streets, where Neazer was gunned down by the defendant, according to investigators.   

On the night of July 1, 2018, he targeted Cunningham and the victim’s friend in the area of Lincoln Street and Navajo Road, killing Cunningham in the street. The victim’s friend narrowly escaped death, police said.   

On the afternoon of Aug. 30, 2020, Lara, McCafferty and Sanchez were gunned down while gathered at San Gorgonio Memorial Park Cemetery.

“It came out at trial that the gang had a game, where they’d get points for killing people,” Supervising Deputy District Attorney Kevin Beechem told City News Service.

The prosecutor said the cemetery slayings stemmed from a perceived gang-related rivalry between Lara and Armendariz’s affiliates. When hostilities erupted at the site, McCafferty and Sanchez attempted to intervene on Lara’s behalf and were killed along with him.   

The cases were cold until detectives gathered sufficient forensic and eyewitness evidence to tie them together, ultimately identifying Armendariz as the principal conspirator. His younger brother, Christopher Armendariz, and several other gang members were implicated as well.

Initially, there were multiple cases in which William Armendariz was a named defendant, though they were eventually consolidated. He was arrested without incident on a fugitive warrant in September 2020 in St. Louis, Missouri, and extradited to California.

While proceedings were pending in his case, most of his co-conspirators’ cases were resolved. Samuel Vasquez, who was involved in the Neazer killing and that of another man, Henry Waters Jr., in February 2017, was convicted of two counts of murder and other offenses and sentenced in 2023 to life in prison without the possibility of parole.   

Christopher Armendariz admitted voluntary manslaughter and criminal street gang activity charges and was sentenced in 2022 to 11 years in prison.   

Brandon Hylkema pleaded guilty in 2023 to manslaughter and gang activity counts in connection with Cunningham’s death. He’s slated for sentencing on Feb. 13 at the Riverside Hall of Justice.

Another conspirator, Jovanny Daniel Martinez, is set to go on trial in late January at the downtown courthouse for murder, also stemming from the Cunningham killing.

Both he and Hylkema are being held without bail at county correctional facilities.

Click here to follow the original article.