Category: kesq-local-news

Garrett Hottle

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) San Diego City Councilmember Marni von Wilpert is kicking off her districtwide listening tour in Palm Springs today, appearing with U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer as she campaigns for California’s 48th Congressional District.

Von Wilpert, a Democrat and former labor lawyer, is holding a media availability at 12:45 p.m. at Lulu California Bistro following a fundraiser and a grassroots listening session with local activists. Her Palm Springs stop marks the first major campaign event in the district since incumbent Republican Rep. Darrell Issa abandoned a brief effort to run for Congress in Texas and announced he would instead seek reelection in CA-48.

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City News Service

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – Between today and Monday, fee waivers are in effect at all Riverside County animal shelters, where visitors can find a wide variety of homeless pets to take home for the Holidays.

“When you adopt a pet, you are also helping us make space in our kennels for the next animals that continue to come in and need our help, because we always have to have space for them,” Department of Animal Services Deputy Director Jaclyn Schart said. “We want as many pets as possible to leave our shelters with a new family, and our staff looks forward to making these connections happen across our shelters.”  

The nonprofit BISSELL Pet Foundation is sponsoring the county’s “Empty the Shelters — Holiday Hope” campaign until Dec. 15, during which all spay/neuter, vaccination and microchipping fees will be waived. Adopters will only need to pay state-mandated licensing fees for dogs, which for fixed canines generally run around $25 or less.   

The largest strain on the county’s four shelters is the number of impounded dogs, numbering close to 1,000 currently, officials said.   

“This year has placed enormous pressure on shelters across the country, as more families face financial hardship and housing changes that force them to surrender beloved pets,” BISSELL Pet Foundation founder Cathy Bissell said. “If you’re considering adding a pet to your family, adoption has so many benefits. Shelters have desirable pets of every size and age — many who have lived in homes, are house trained, already spayed or neutered, vaccinated and ready to become part of your family — all for a fraction of the cost of buying from a breeder or pet store.”

In May, the county Board of Supervisors approved a “no kill” policy, resolving that the county will make it an objective to preserve the lives of a minimum of 90% of all cats and dogs impounded at the county’s shelters.   

The policy entails greater emphasis on free or low-cost spay and neuter clinics, enhanced “return-to-owner” programs that unite lost pets with their loved ones, adoption campaigns with full fee waivers, expedited “trap-neuter-return-to-field” programs that were inaugurated in March 2024 and pet fostering. The latter provides opportunities for Inland Empire residents to take a dog or cat home for set or open periods, without the obligation to adopt. Fostered pets receive free veterinary care from the county and can be returned to a shelter anytime.

The no-kill effort dovetails with a reformation initiated last year by the board, when one organization alleged that the county had the highest pet “kill rate” in the nation.

Last year, the board hired Austin, Texas-based Outcomes for Pets LLC Principal Adviser Kristen Hassen to rectify problems within the agency, and last February the supervisors approved the Executive Office’s selection of Mary Martin to head the department following a nationwide executive recruitment drive. She took the helm at the end of March.   

Information about shelters’ hours of operation and the current adoption campaign can be found at www.rcdas.org/adoptable-pets.

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Kendall Flynn

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Senate on Thursday failed to pass competing Democratic and Republican bills to address health care costs. The failed advancement comes with a 51-48 divide on each measure, leaving many concerned of what’s to come to in the new year for health insurance.

Without a decision, significant price hikes lie ahead for nearly 22 million Americans in the new year. If there isn’t a last-minute deal in Congress, the tens of millions of people could see tripled monthly premiums.

For the Affordable Care Act, Democrats have been seeking an extension of enhanced tax credits, which has been their main demand since the government shutdown. Republicans did offer their own plan of sending funds directly to consumers instead of extending current subsides. Four Republicans did join the Democrats to support an extension, but both plans did not pass with a vote of 51-48 each – 60 votes are needed to pass.

News Channel 3 starting at 4 p.m. to hear local reaction and what this means for residents.

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Tauli Anderson

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – As the stretch from Thanksgiving through New Year’s gets underway, highways across the country — including right here in the Coachella Valley — are entering one of the most dangerous travel periods of the year.

National statistics show a continuing rise in holiday driving fatalities, with alcohol, drugs, and drowsy driving among the leading causes.

Local law enforcement agencies here in the Coachella Valley say they’re already seeing early signs of trouble: heavier traffic, more impaired drivers, and an uptick in fatigue-related incidents. For officers across the valley, this season isn’t just busy — it can be deadly.

Departments have increased DUI checkpoints and saturation patrols during this time.

They report that many of the crashes they respond to during the holidays are entirely preventable with a bit of planning and personal responsibility.

With celebrations ramping up and more people on the road, safety advocates are echoing the same advice: slow down, stay alert, and make smart choices before getting behind the wheel.

 

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Luis Avila

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – Leadership concerns in the City of Coachella are mounting after Mayor Steven Hernandez was again absent from Wednesday night’s city council meeting — an absence that forced key agenda items to be postponed.

Three items, including the selection of a new mayor pro tem and appointments to council subcommittees, were pushed to a future date due to Hernandez’s no-show.

Since being arraigned in October on perjury and conflict-of-interest charges, Hernandez has noticeably reduced his public appearances, raising frustration among residents and community advocates.

One of them is Alan Carvalho, a local social advocate and frequent speaker at Coachella City Council meetings. He says the mayor’s continued absences amount to a failure in leadership and a disservice to constituents.

“This doesn’t serve the public. The distractions don’t serve the public. Not attending — you’re paid to be there to serve the public. For whatever reason, you don’t show up — out of fear, the inability to address the situation…”

Alan Carvalho, Social Advocate

Carvalho insists that the mayor’s absence should not prevent the city from conducting its business. He says the remaining council members must confront the issue directly and continue moving the city forward.

“They really need to spend more time reassuring the public that there’s four — there’s still four members of council and those four are more than qualified to move the city forward without a mayor.”

Alan Carvalho, Social Advocate

In an effort to obtain clarification on how the council plans to proceed, News Channel 3 reached out multiple times to Mayor Pro Tem Denise Delgado and the city. Delgado was ultimately unavailable for comment.

As questions remain about the city’s next steps, residents hope action comes sooner rather than later.

Last month, the city council stated they were discussing the possibility of censuring the mayor.

Stay with New Channel 3 for more.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Timothée Chalamet will be honored at the Palm Springs International Film Awards next month.

Chalamet will receive the Spotlight Actor of the Year Award for his performance in Marty Supreme.

The Film Awards will take place on January 3, 2026, at the Palm Springs Convention Center, with the festival running January 2-12, 2026. The event will be presented by Kering and sponsored by Entertainment Tonight. 

We’ll be live from the awards gala red carpet on Jan. 3, coverage starts at 5 p.m. on CBS Local 2.

“In Marty Supreme, Timothée Chalamet delivers a performance which marks a true milestone in his career,” said Festival Chairman Nachhattar Singh Chandi. “Within a dynamic struggle for glory, Chalamet’s portrayal of Marty Mauser transforms this narrative into a deeply human story of ambition and longing. This is one of his finest roles to date—and one of the best standout performances of the year, sure to be celebrated throughout the awards season. We are honored to present Timothée Chalamet with the Spotlight Actor of the Year Award, recognizing a remarkable artist at the height of his craft.” 

Chalamet stars in Marty Supreme, a bold, kinetic portrait of a fast-talking New York City dreamer, hellbent on turning an overlooked sport into his personal springboard to glory. The ensemble cast includes Gwyneth Paltrow, Tyler Okonma (Tyler, the Creator in his feature-film debut), Kevin O’Leary, Abel Ferrara, Fran Drescher, Emory Cohen and a breakout turn by Odessa A’zion.

The A24 film is directed by Josh Safdie, who co-wrote it with his longtime collaborator Ronald Bronstein. The film was included on AFI’s and the National Board of Review’s Top 10 Movies of 2025. He has received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy and a Critics Choice Award nomination for Best Actor. 

Two-time Academy Award nominee and five-time Golden Globe Award nominee Timothée Chalamet has collaborated with esteemed filmmakers Luca Guadagnino, Greta Gerwig, Denis Villeneuve, Adam McKay, Wes Anderson, Martin Scorsese and Christopher Nolan. Chalamet was the youngest “Best Actor” Oscar nominee since 1939 for his breakout role in Call Me by Your Name. He has starred in six “Best Picture” Oscar nominees: Call Me By Your Name, Lady Bird, Little Women, Dune, Don’t Look Up and A Complete Unknown, for which he also received his second Best Actor Oscar nomination and received a Best Actor SAG Award. Additional credits include Dune: Part Two, Wonka, Bones and All, The French Dispatch, Beautiful Boy, The King and Interstellar. His next project is Paramount’s High Side, directed by James Mangold. Behind the camera, Chalamet served as a producer on Bones and All, A Complete Unknown and Marty Supreme.  

Chalamet joins this year’s previously announced honorees Michael B. Jordan (Icon Award), Leonardo DiCaprio (Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actor), Ethan Hawke (Career Achievement Award), Kate Hudson (Icon Award), Adam Sandler (Chairman’s Award), Amanda Seyfried (Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actress), Rose Byrne (Breakthrough Performance Award) Frankenstein director Guillermo del Toro and actors Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi and Mia Goth (Visionary Award), Hamnet director Chloé Zhao as well as actors Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal (Vanguard Award) and Sentimental Value cast members Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, and Elle Fanning (International Star Award). 

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Athena Jreij

UNINCORPORATED RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. (KESQ) – The family of 20-year-old Juan Mejia is sharing his memory after he was killed in a crash while riding his skateboard in unincorporated Riverside County.

Mejia was riding on Mountain View and Dillon Road when he was hit by a car the night of December 5th. California Highway Patrol says the driver decided to ‘unsafely’ pass a slower-moving vehicle over the solid double yellow lines and struck Mejia.  

News Channel 3 spoke exclusively with Mejia’s sister, Jacquelyn, who set up a memorial at the scene of the crash.

“He was always giving out candy. His favorite chips are right there. This is his favorite type of beer,” she said of the memorial adorned with pieces from his life, including the skateboard he died while riding.

His sister says Mejia loved watching cartoons, playing video games, and was beloved among community members as he rode across Desert Hot Springs.

“He was always on his skateboard riding around DHS. You know, I’m pretty sure, like, literally the whole city knows him because he was always on his skateboard,” Jacquelyn said.

Now, as the family works to process the news of his death, they say drivers and pedestrians in the area need to move forward with caution.

“I wouldn’t say this is the safest road to be walking by. It needs some light. It’s very dark here at night,” she said.

The family claims deaths on Mountain View Road are all too common with low visibility and narrow lanes.

News Channel 3 has covered several crashes in the area, including a motorcycle accident earlier this week. We reached out to CHP for more information on the total number of incidents in recent years but have yet to hear back.

Now, Jacquelyn hopes others will learn their lesson before more lives are lost.

“My aunt was just driving, you know, we’re coming from church, and they crossed her on a double yellow on this road. I’m like dude there’s just an accident not even a mile away from here,” she said.

If you’d like to support Mejia’s family as they work to cover funeral expenses, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-juan-mejia

The family is hosting a food fundraiser at the Casa Del Sol Mobile Home Park Saturday December 20th at 4 p.m. to also support the funeral expenses.

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María García

Update 12/12/25

The pedestrian was identified as Marc Nolasco, 51, of Desert Hot Springs.

Original Report 12/11/25

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A pedestrian was killed in a crash in Desert Hot Springs early Thursday morning.

According to police, the crash happened at around 12:15 a.m. at the intersection of Pierson Boulevard and Western Avenue. Emergency crews responded to the scene, where the pedestrian was pronounced dead.

Police said the involved driver stopped at the scene, attempted to render aid, and contacted the police.

The Desert Hot Springs Police Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) responded to the scene and assumed the investigation.

Based on information at the scene, investigators determined the pedestrian was in the travel lane of the roadway when he was struck. The driver is cooperating with police, and alcohol and driving actions do not appear to be factors in the collision. 

Pierson Boulevard was shut down for several hours, but the roadway has since reopened.

Stay with News Channel 3 for updates.

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KESQ News Team

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – The Coachella City Council had a lot on their agenda Wednesday evening, from selecting a new Mayor Pro Tem to other appointments, but a no-show from Mayor Steven Hernandez delayed some of those votes.

The meeting addressed a key public health issue in a resolution authorizing an application to the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund for the city’s Chromium-6 Treatment Project, and another resolution authorizing reimbursement for that application.

Drinking water in this part of the valley has been flagged for containing levels of naturally occurring chromium-6 that are above the state’s drinking water standard. Chromium-6 is a mineral known to potentially cause cancer if consumed in excess.

The Council also voted to move three items to its next meeting due to Mayor Hernandez’s absence.

This included the vote for Mayor Pro Tem, and the other two items were appointments to subcommittees.

Hernandez has made fewer appearances since being arraigned on perjury and conflict of interest charges in October.

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Cynthia White

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Palm Springs City Council agreed unanimously at its meeting on Wednesday to maintain the current resident golf rates and stay the implementation of increases at Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort, retroactive to December 1.

The decision to keep the current rates came after hearing residents’ concerns last month over the adopted green fee hikes of up to 73% at the resort.

Councilmember deHarte said, “Many thanks to the community members who spoke up and pled their case very eloquently. And appreciation again to the Parks and Rec[reation] team for going through the process and making a difference for those people who are active golfers at Tahquitz.”

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