Riverside County hosts suicide prevention conference focused on postvention support

KESQ on October 2, 2025

Luis Avila

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Riverside County Suicide Prevention Coalition hosted its annual conference on Thursday at the Palm Springs Convention Center. The event had a focus on postvention—providing support after a suicide loss. This year’s theme centers on helping communities, schools, and emergency responders respond with compassion and resilience.

Riverside County reported 266 confirmed suicide deaths in 2024. The Suicide Prevention Coalition, created in 2020, works year-round to raise awareness, offer training, and promote collaboration across health care, education, and public safety to address the ongoing mental health crisis.

The conference will offer breakout sessions, access to local resources, and best practices for handling grief and trauma. Attendees will gain tools to strengthen support systems in both professional and personal settings. Sessions are designed to improve community response and reduce the risk of future suicides through education and connection.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

Click here to follow the original article.

Stagecoach passes now on sale

KESQ on October 2, 2025

City News Service

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Passes for the 2026 Stagecoach Music Festival went on sale today — with Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson and Post Malone headlining.   

Passes went on sale at 11 a.m. Thursday, starting at $579 for general admission.  

The three-day festival will take place April 24-26 at Empire Polo Club, 81-800 51st Ave.

Johnson will headline the festival’s Friday opening night, backed by acts including Bailey Zimmerman, Red Clay Strays, Counting Crows, Ella Langley and Sam Barber.

Wilson will headline Saturday night, with Riley Green, Journey, Little Big Town, Bush Gavin Adcock and Teddy Swims among the performers set to perform that day.

Post Malone will be the wrap-up headliner on Sunday, with the day’s lineup also including Brooks & Dunn, Hootie and the Blowfish, Third Eye Blind and Wyatt Flores.

Also expected to make late-night appearances during the event are Diplo, Pitbull and Ludacris.

For more information, or to buy a pass, visit stagecoachfestival.com/passes/.

Click here to follow the original article.

Palm Springs Animal Shelter in ‘dire need’ of towels, blankets

KESQ on October 2, 2025

Kendall Flynn

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Palm Springs Animal Shelter is reaching out to the community for help as it posted on social media that it’s in “dire need” of towels, blankets, and sheets for the animals. 

“We’re constantly changing them out so that our pets are safe and comfortable and soothed,” Associate Director Jack Hagerman said.

A broken washing machine is causing a crisis for the shelter, as it’s cutting their resources in half. The shelter has two washers and two dryers, allowing them to do 26 to 30 loads per day. With limited resources now, their laundry has piled up.

“Fresh bedding is a really important part of their stay here,” Hagerman said. “So when one of our washers goes down, it makes that process a little bit more challenging.” 

Their biggest concern is pet comfort and preventing the spread of disease. If soiled linens sit in the washing queue for too long, they’re no longer safe to use and must be discarded.

“We have a lot of laundry here and it doesn’t stop,” Foster Coordinator Rosemary Ramsay said. “And we do need to have clean, sanitary environments for our pets. The hallway is backed up, and the longer it does stay, if we can’t do it all us we do, unfortunately, have to throw it away.” 

Blankets, towels, and flat sheets are essential for animals in shelters as they are a source of warmth but also stress relief as they wait for a home. They use hundreds of blankets every day, as some pets use between one and five linens in their home.

“It creates a better environment for them,” Ramsay said. “It helps them feel comfortable. We don’t want them to be sleeping on concrete.”

The Palm Springs Animal Shelter is asking locals to donate towels, flat sheets, and blankets to the shelter. During hours, they can be brought inside or left by the donation bins at the front of the building.

Hagerman said there is no clear timeline on the washing machine repairs, as the industrial parts have to be ordered. They are hoping for a quick recovery and ask for clean linens to help them in the meantime.

Watch News Channel 3 starting at 4 PM to learn about the need and what the shelter is requesting from the community.

Click here to follow the original article.

Five 18-year-olds suspected of weapons offenses taken into custody

KESQ on October 2, 2025

City News Service

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – Five 18-year-old men suspected of weapons violations during a traffic enforcement stop in Coachella were taken into custody, authorities announced today.  

Deputies from the Thermal Sheriff’s Station conducted the traffic stop around 10:35 p.m. Tuesday near Highway 86 and Avenue 50, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.

Five occupants were identified during the investigation — four from Indio, along with a Coachella resident.

Sheriff’s officials said all five suspects were arrested and booked in the John Benoit Detention Center on possession of firearms and conspiracy.   

Further investigation during the arrest led deputies to a handgun, rifle, and ammunition.

The case remains under investigation, with no additional details provided.   

Anyone with additional information was urged to contact Thermal Sheriff’s Station Deputy Beltran at 760-863-8990.

Click here to follow the original article.

Riverside County to test voting system ahead of November election

KESQ on October 2, 2025

Garrett Hottle

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) The Riverside County Registrar of Voters will conduct public testing of its voting system Thursday, Oct. 2, ahead of the Nov. 4 statewide special election.

The “logic and accuracy” test is meant to ensure ballots are properly processed and tallied. Staff will run ballots marked with selections for every measure through the system, then check results for accuracy.

The event begins at 10 a.m. at the Registrar of Voters office, 2724 Gateway Drive in Riverside. Members of the public are invited to observe.

Officials say the testing is part of ongoing efforts to maintain transparency, accuracy and security in county elections.

More information is available from the Registrar of Voters at (951) 486-7200.

Click here to follow the original article.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Desert Care Network bringing back Mammo Mondays

KESQ on October 2, 2025

Allie Anthony

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Desert Care Network is encouraging women across the Coachella Valley to prioritize their health with regular screenings.

Thanks to advances in treatment and early detection, the death rate from breast cancer has dropped by 42% since its peak in 1989. However, breast cancer remains one of the most common cancers among women, and incidence rates are increasing.

Breast cancer affects 1 in 8 women in the U.S., and more than 80% of those diagnosed have no family history. That’s why regular screening is vital for every woman, regardless of risk factors.

To help make screenings more accessible, the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Desert Regional is hosting “Mammo Mondays” throughout October. On Mondays, the center will offer extended hours for mammograms until 6 p.m., making it easier for women to come in after work. The center will also be open on Saturday, October 25, for mammogram appointments.

Scheduling a screening is simple and only takes about 20 minutes. To make an appointment, call 760-416-4700 or visit DesertCareNetwork.com/Mammo.

Click here to follow the original article.

Indio police highlight crime prevention strategies

KESQ on October 2, 2025

Shay Lawson

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ)  – Joel Osmond, Indio Police officer, said preparation goes a long way in keeping families safe.

“You’re aware of your surroundings,” Osmond said. “You take some measures to minimize becoming a victim of crime.”

He said the first step for residents returning to the Coachella Valley is to visually check their homes.

“To see if there’s any signs of break ins, broken glass, forced entry on one of the doors,” Osmond said. “If you see something like that, call 911.”

Once inside, he said simple steps go a long way.

“We want to create that illusion that someone is always home,” he said.

Past numbers show Indio Police have made strides in safety.

According to the 2022 Indio PD Annual Report, between 2017 and 2022 violent crimes fell 45% and property crimes dropped 18%.

Officers say technology, including drones and a mobile app for reporting suspicious activity, have played a key role in keeping the community safe.

“We’re utilizing everything that we can to keep people safe here in Indio,” Osmond said. “It’s a must. We have to keep up with the times. The criminals are getting more advanced. We have to become more advanced.” 

Indio Police hope to share even more advice at next week’s National Night Out on Tuesday, October 7 from 6-8:30 p.m. in Downtown Indio.

Click here to follow the original article.

How Joshua Tree National Park is being affected by government shutdown

KESQ on October 2, 2025

Gavin Nguyen

JOSHUA TREE, Calif. (KESQ) – The government shutdown has arrived.

With the shutdown comes thousands of furloughed national park staff, including those working Joshua Tree National Park. The park’s website shows this alert at the top of its website:

Joshua Tree nonprofits have been concerned by the possibility of the shutdown in recent days.

KESQ crews are heading to Joshua Tree to show you what impacts park visitors are currently feeling. We’ll have full coverage at 4, 5, and 6. Stay with us for the latest.

Click here to follow the original article.

Palm Springs Library Foundation adding poetry lounge to pride book festival

KESQ on October 2, 2025

City News Service

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Palm Springs Public Library Foundation today announced the addition of a “Poetry Lounge” to the fourth annual Pride on the Page book festival next month at the Cultural Center.   

The free festival will be held from 10 a.m through 5 p.m. Nov. 1 at 2300 E. Baristo Road.

“The Poetry Lounge: Poetry Readings from Outstanding LGBTQ+ Poets” will give six poets the opportunity to share their work from noon to 1 p.m. inside the center’s Theatre Two.

Participating poets include:   — Gary Hunter, a poet of more than 20 years.   — Donika Kelly, author of “The Natural Order of Things.”   — Doris Reed, writer, artist and motivational speaker.   — Steven Reigns, a Los Angeles poet and educator.   — Sweet Baby J’ai, an award-winning vocalist, writer and producer.   — Lorenzo Taylor, a novelist, poet, playwright and freelance journalist from Palm Springs.

The festival will feature six panel discussion from LGBTQ+ authors and allies about their books and different topics.   

Following the festival, a fundraiser will commence from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. the same day featuring special guest and author Chris Colfer.   

All proceeds will benefit the foundation.   

More information can be found at prideonthepage.com.

Click here to follow the original article.

Lakers drop preseason opener against Suns at Acrisure Arena

KESQ on October 2, 2025

Allie Anthony

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) — The Los Angeles Lakers’ return to the Coachella Valley was bittersweet for local LA fans.

The Lakers kicked off their preseason Friday against the Phoenix Suns at Acrisure Arena with a 103-81 loss.

Laker stars Lebron James and Luka Dončić did not play in the game.

Suns’ star Devin Booker played 25 minutes, leading the team with 24 points and 7 assists.

Austin Reeves led the way for the Lakers with 20 points.

The Lakers travel to San Francisco for their second preseason game, this time against Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors, who they will also kick off the regular season against on Oct. 21.

Friday marked the third straight year the Lakers played a pre-season game in the Coachella Valley.

.@allie_kesq got to chat with @Lakers guard Gabe Vincent ahead of the team’s preseason opener this Friday at @AcrisureArena against the Suns. This marks the 3rd straight year for the Lakers in the desert. Stay with us for coverage. @KESQ @KenjiitoKESQ @kendallkesq @LakersNation pic.twitter.com/3AE83AJAX2

— Blake Arthur (@BlakeArthur24) October 1, 2025

The organization has a rich history in the Coachella Valley, the former home of Lakers’ training camp in the Showtime era.

In 2023, the Lakers returned to Coachella Valley after a 26-year hiatus, bringing the Purple and Gold back to the desert with a sold-out preseason showing. 

Stay with KESQ News Channel 3 for coverage of the game on Friday.

Click here to follow the original article.