Category: kesq-local-news

Kendall Flynn

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – Skin is the largest organ in the body, and dermatologists are advising locals to take better care of it, especially in the Valley sun.

They say daily sun exposure is a serious concern no matter what activity their engaging in outside. Skin cancer is the most common from of cancer in the United States and the Skin Cancer Foundation reports 1 in 5 Americans will develop it by age 70.

Officials say the risk is even higher for men, and they are more likely to die from melanoma at any age. By age 50, men are also more likely to develop melanoma and by 65 it jumps to two times as likely and by 80, it’s 3 times more likely than women.

The American Academy of Dermatology Association also found in a survey, 23% of men say they always wear sunscreen, and 27% never use it. Officials say many underestimate their risk, especially those with darker skin.

Dermatologists say skin cancer can appear anywhere on the body, and not just in areas exposed to the sun. But they also want people to know, skin cancer is preventable.

The Skin Cancer Foundation reports daily use of SPF 15 sunscreen, when used as directed, can reduce the risk of developing melanoma by 50%.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from a Kaiser Permanente dermatologist and from locals on the importance of sun safety.

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Luis Avila

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif (KESQ) – California drivers should brace for higher fuel costs this summer. Starting July 1, the state’s gas excise taxes will increase, as part of an annual inflation adjustment.

Each year, California adjusts its fuel tax rates based on inflation data from the Department of Finance. This year’s bump means the gasoline excise tax will rise to 61.2 cents per gallon, up from 59.6 cents. According to the California Taxpayers Association website, the gas tax rate has more than doubled in the last 10 years.

But this might not be the only blow to drivers’ pockets.

“What we’re seeing is potentially with what’s going on, the Iran/Israel conflict and the gas tax that will take effect in California, we’re seeing drivers will have to pay a little bit more at the pump than they are used to.”

Gianella Ghiglino, AAA spokesperson

But experts say the increase might not deter drivers away from their summer plans.

“What we’re forecasting for 4th of July travel is we are seeing record breaking travel once again, however we don’t see right now people being discouraged about traveling, taking road trips, despite potential increases in gas prices.” 

Gianella Ghiglino, AAA spokesperson

As California continues to lead the nation with the highest average gas prices, experts encourage drivers to plan ahead and shop around for the best price.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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City News Service

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A 62-year-old man who struck and seriously injured a woman walking through a Palm Springs intersection because he was driving under the influence was sentenced today to three years’ felony probation.   

Mark Gerald Blanchette of Palm Springs pleaded guilty on June 4 to DUI resulting in great bodily injury and felony DUI under a plea agreement with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office.

During a hearing at the Larson Justice Center in Indio Wednesday, Superior Court Judge Susanne Cho imposed the stipulated sentence, which included a jail term of four years, nine months. However, the judge ordered that sentence suspended, while directing Blanchette to enroll in a first-time DUI offender awareness program, according to court minutes.   

According to the Palm Springs Police Department, on the night of Feb. 1, 2023, the defendant was driving through the intersection of Tahquitz Canyon Way and Sunrise Way when he failed to see the victim in a crosswalk.   

Blanchette struck her, inflicting life-threatening injuries, but he did not attempt to flee, police said.

Patrol officers and paramedics reached the location minutes later and found the woman, identified only as 57-year-old “Lorna L.,” unconscious. She was taken to a Coachella Valley hospital, where she underwent treatment and ultimately recovered.

Officers quickly assessed Blanchette, who wasn’t hurt, and determined that he was intoxicated. He was taken into custody without incident.  

The defendant had no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside.

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Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A 23-year-old man arrested in connection with a deadly shooting in La Quinta in 2019 was officially charged with murder.

Jorge Huerta-Arias of Whitewater was charged with murder, along with sentence-enhancing allegations of discharging a firearm causing great bodily injury and engaging in criminal street gang activity. on Wednesday.

He is scheduled to be arraigned today. There is no word on whether that has taken place.

Jorge Huerta-Arias

Huerta-Arias was arrested Friday near Haughen Lehmann in Whitewater.

Law enforcement serve search warrant in neighborhood near Haugen Lehmann in Whitewater (6/13/25)

Authorities said he was identified as the suspect in the murder of Cathedral City resident Anthony Carrillo, 19. Carrillo was found with gunshot wounds inside a residence in the 53000 block of Avenida Madero on Oct. 26, 2019.

Anthony Carrillo

Deputies at the scene of the shooting (10/26/19)

The case went cold after years of investigation. In 2023, Riverside County Sheriff’s investigators put out a call to the community for information on the case. Recently, detectives reviewed the case and found evidence and information that led to the identification of Huerta-Arias, authorities said.

A possible motive has not been disclosed.

The investigation was ongoing and anyone with information was asked to call Master Investigator J. Manjarrez or Master Investigator V. Magana of the Central Homicide Unit at 951-955-2777.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.

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Haley Meberg

BANNING, Calif. (KESQ)- One person hospitalized after a shooting in Banning on Tuesday night.

Police received a call at about 9:39 pm with reports of shots fired at the 700 block of W. Nicolet Street and arrived at the scene shortly after. 

Banning Police Officers stated that once they arrived at the scene, they collected multiple shell casings and discovered that a man fired several rounds of shots from a handgun into an occupied vehicle that was parked in the area. 

One person from the vehicle sustained non-life-threatening injuries and is currently being treated at the hospital

This incident is an ongoing investigation at the Banning Police Department Detectives Bureau. Anyone with additional information about this case is asked to contact the banning Police Department Detectives Bureau at 951-922-3170. 

Stay with News Channel 3 for more updates on this case. 

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Haley Meberg

YUCCA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ)- A naked man was taken into custody after violently resisting arrest and assaulting multiple people over the weekend in Yucca Valley.

Police said the incident happened at around 8:10 p.m. Saturday evening when a naked man was found walking in the middle of the roadway.

26-year-old Eric Chung of Chula Vista was spotted walking naked in the middle of the roadway near La Honda Way on State Route 62 and was commanded to leave the area by a California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer. 

Chung ignored the officers commands to leave the roadway and when attempted to be physically removed by the officer began to further resist causing a violent struggle.

A 34-year-old pedestrian saw this struggle take place and intervened, helping the officer gain control over Chung and get him off of the main road. Throughout this interaction, Chung continued to make violent and sexual threats against the CHP officer. 

A San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputy arrived at the scene shortly after to assist the officer in taking Chung into custody before transporting them both to the hospital for treatments of minor injuries.

While hospitalized, Chung sexually assaulted a nurse that was on duty. Police speculate that Chung’s behavior is influenced by drug use. 

Officers booked him into the West Valley Detention Center that night and he was arraigned on Wednesday.

Chung was charged Wednesday with attempted murder and assault on a peace officer.

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Jesus Reyes

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – An arrest has been made in an overdose death this past January in Cathedral City.

A 55-year-old man from Palm Desert was arrested, the Cathedral City Police Department announced on Wednesday.

Police said that the arrest was in connection with the death of Ricky Heath, 55, on the night of January 18 at the 34100 block of Linda Way, near Dinah Shore Drive.

First responders initially responded to a medical aid call on the 34100 block of Linda Way. Paramedics provided treatment to an unresponsive man, Heath. Despite providing life-saving care, Heath was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police were provided information that Heath possibly died from a fatal overdose of narcotics.

During the investigation, detectives determined that the suspect had injected Heath with narcotics.

“At that time, it was not known if the injected narcotics had caused Heath’s death. Evidence was recovered at the residence and sent for examination and testing,” police said.

After an autopsy, Heath’s cause of death was listed as “Acute Methamphetamine Intoxication” by the Chief Forensic Pathologist.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.

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City News Service

MECCA, Calif. (KESQ) – A positive sample of St. Louis Encephalitis virus was confirmed today from a mosquito collection site in Mecca.   

“St. Louis Encephalitis virus is endemic, which means we’ll detect it every year in our communities,” said Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District General Manager Jeremy Wittie. “As the weather heats up, more mosquitoes emerge and are ready to bite. Everyone should be inspecting and removing stagnant water around their home every week.”   

The sample was collected near Hayes Street and 66th Avenue, officials said.    The agency stated there were no reported human cases of the virus in the Coachella Valley and that it will increase technicians at Mecca as a precaution.

The virus spreads when a female mosquito bites an infected bird, and it can transmit that infection to people. Although no vaccine exists, most people will not exhibit symptoms if infected. In some cases, symptoms include fever, headaches, body aches or even death.

Officials advise residents to prevent bites by staying inside at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active, wear insect repellent, cover up with long-sleeve shirts and long pants, wash and clean pets, inspect swimming pools or ponds, clean drains regularly and inspect any drain water sources.

For additional information about the virus, go to www.cvmosquito.org, or call 760-342-8287.

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Shay Lawson

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KESQ)  – A push for a state audit of the Coachella Valley Unified School District has failed — after a vote in Sacramento today.

It comes after the district’s announcement of its now $60 million budget deficit, which News Channel 3 has been following since it was uncovered.

The vote split 3-3 was just one shy of green lighting an audit Coachella Valley Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez (R-Indio) requested.

“It’s disappointing that our request for an audit of the Coachella Valley Unified School District wasn’t approved,” Gonzalez said. “Especially when it had bipartisan support and the backing of countless parents, educators and concerned community members.”

He said he’s already asked for reconsideration.

“At the end of summer, right around that timeframe, we hope that it will be brought up again to the committee and then we’ll be able to present our case one more time,” Gonzalez said.

The push for an audit follows growing concerns over district spending, layoffs, contract buyouts and leadership turnover.

Superintendent Dr. Esparza stood her ground — pointing to a 90% graduation rate, improving test scores and efforts to stabilize the district’s finances.

“I think it’s good to know that there are assembly people and senators who seem to be able to read through the lines and understand that this was more political than anything,” Dr. Esparza said.

She acknowledged the mass layoffs, saying the decision hasn’t been easy as superintendent.

“We’re trying our best to provide systems of support,” Dr. Esparza said. “We’ve had the unemployment department working with us and giving some people some assistance in how to file for the applications.”

CVUSD’s full statement:

Today, the Coachella Valley Unified School District (VUSD) participated in the Joint Legislative Audit Committee (JLAC) hearing in Sacramento, where Superintendent Dr. Esparza delivered a statement highlighting the district’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and continuous improvement.

Dr. Esparza reported to JLAC on the technical assistance provided by the Fiscal Crisis Management & Assistance Team (FCMAT), along with supporting documentation reflecting the strong fiscal oversight and support received from the Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE). She informed that this oversight has played a crucial role in supporting and guiding CVUSD through its financial and operational improvements.

In addition, Dr. Esparza announced that the most recent Federal Program Monitoring (FPM) Audit conducted by the California Department of Education resulted in zero findings, a clear indication of CVUSD’s adherence to compliance standards and effective governance.

Documentation provided at the hearing informed the public that the cost of a full State Audit of CVUSD would total approximately $650,940, requiring an estimated 3,426 audit hours. Dr. Esparza stressed that spending taxpayer dollars on such a costly audit is unwarranted, as the district is already actively implementing FCMAT’s recommendations and remains under ongoing oversight by RCOE.

“We recognize that we still have work ahead of us,” said Dr. Esparza. “But the steps we’ve taken in making strategic reductions, strengthening our systems, and staying focused on transparency, show we are on the right path. Most importantly, we are doing this with the future of our students and the CVUSD school community at the forefront of every decision.”

CVUSD remains committed to accountability, continuous improvement, and ensuring that every dollar is used wisely to servicing its students.

News Channel 3 has reached out to lawmakers who participated in the vote, and are waiting for answers.

The Joint Legislative Audit Committee (JLAC) is scheduled to meet again in August.

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City News Service

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Low-income children in the Coachella Valley will receive free backpacks and school supplies through a donation drive in Indio hosted by the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission.

The 15th annual Backpack Bonanza drive-thru event is scheduled for 7 a.m. Aug. 14 at 47470 Van Buren Street. Organizers aim to distribute school supply-filled backpacks to at least 2,500 children.

“Being prepared for school is crucial,” said Coachella Valley Rescue Mission executive Amanda Galindo. “After food and shelter, education for children is a critical factor in helping break the cycle of poverty. We are grateful to help the community fill this need.” 

Official said donations of new backpacks, spiral notebooks, lined paper, index cards, rulers and calculators can be dropped off at the event site through Aug. 13.

An Amazon registry has also been set up, where all items bought by residents will be shipped to the rescue mission. The registry can be found at https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest view/32WSH9HGFJWDV.

Organizers said 31% of children in the Coachella Valley live at or below the poverty level, which can affect their academic success.   

Participating donors include Agua Caliente corporate office in Palm Springs, Chase Bank, Augustine Casino, Westin Rancho Mirage, KESQ News Channel 3 and Palm Desert Community Presbyterian Church.

For more information, contact the rescue mission at 760-347-3512, or at www.cvrm.org.

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