Category: kesq-local-news

Gavin Nguyen

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – There are safety concerns after a skateboarder died and another was left seriously hurt in the Coachella Valley on Friday in separate collisions.

News Channel 3 reported that the two incidents happened Friday night, just after 6:00 p.m., with the fatal collision in Desert Hot Springs and the other in La Quinta, which left the skateboarder in critical condition.

Sgt. Cory Carranza, a detective sergeant and member of Desert Hot Springs Police Department’s Major Accident Investigation Team, said traffic collisions involving pedestrians – whether on foot, riding bicycles, or skateboards – happen commonly throughout the Coachella Valley.

“Unfortunately, in Desert Hot Springs, and as in most of the Coachella Valley cities, we do see a high volume of vehicle versus pedestrian traffic collisions,” Carranza said.

The family of the young man killed in Desert Hot Springs has created a GoFundMe, which you can find by clicking here.

We’re speaking with local skateboarders and officials on safety following those two crashes. Stay with KESQ for the latest.

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Timothy Foster

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – As the 2025 holiday season gets underway, shoppers across the Coachella Valley are approaching gift giving with caution and creativity. While national retail forecasts predict a record-breaking holiday season topping $1 trillion in spending, local families are focusing on stretching their budgets, prioritizing experiences, and taking advantage of online shopping.

According to the National Retail Federation, holiday sales are expected to grow between 3 to 4 percent over last year, with mobile devices accounting for more than half of all digital revenue. In the Coachella Valley, households are projected to spend around $800 to $900 on gifts, slightly higher than last year, but significantly more, over $1,400, on travel and experiences. Rising costs and economic uncertainty are influencing shoppers’ choices, prompting many to look for deals, promotions, and alternative gift options.

Local experts say the focus on experiences over physical gifts is a growing trend. Jacqueline “Jack” Perez, founder and CEO of Cool Life, reports that both women and men are seeking meaningful presents that go beyond traditional items, including travel, wellness products, and classes. She explains that people are placing more value on experiences, cooking classes, travel, and wellness items that improve health.

Online shopping continues to dominate, with platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Amazon providing easy ways to compare prices, find affordable gifts, and avoid crowded stores. Meta spokesperson Daniel Roberts says the Facebook Marketplace Holiday Shop has seen an increase in young adults shopping early to secure affordable, curated gifts. The platform also allows shoppers to connect with local sellers to get items faster than waiting for shipping.

Experts also emphasize planning ahead for big-ticket items like travel, tech, and wellness gadgets, while taking advantage of last-minute deals for smaller gifts. According to Placer.ai, foot traffic at malls in the Coachella Valley is down 6 percent from last year, signaling a clear shift toward online shopping and mobile commerce.

Despite tighter budgets, local shoppers are finding creative ways to celebrate the holidays. Many are setting spending limits, comparing prices, and combining gifts with experiences for family and friends.

As the season progresses, economists expect a strong, but different, holiday period. Families in the Coachella Valley are learning that thoughtful gifts, strategic shopping, and embracing experiences over objects can make the most of the 2025 holiday season.

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Athena Jreij

Update 12/8/25

Two additional suspects were arrested in connection with the shooting.

Both suspects are 18-year-olds who were taken into custody on Sunday, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.

No further suspects are believed to be involved or outstanding, the agency confirmed.

Original Report 12/5/25

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) – One person is in custody after Riverside County Sheriff’s say he shot at deputies in Thermal Friday night.

Deputies from the Thermal Sheriff’s Station responded to calls for a shooting at a building in the 88000 block of Avenue 70 in Thermal shortly before 10 p.m. Friday.

While deputies investigated the scene, a car drove by firing several rounds towards deputies, striking one of the patrol cars. No deputies were injured in the shooting or returned fire, according to RSO.

Shortly after, responders located a car matching the suspect’s vehicle description in the 63000 block of Landon Lane and located and an 18-year-old male suspect. The suspect fled on foot but was arrested shortly after.

That suspect was booked into the John J. Benoit Detention Center on two counts of attempted murder of a peace officer and discharging a firearm into an inhabited dwelling.

The Riverside Sheriff’s Force Investigations Detail and Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit have taken over the investigation.

Officials believe there is one unidentified suspect still outstanding who was also involved in the shooting.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact Master Investigator R. Ramirez or Sr. District Attorney Investigator E. Crosson at (951) 955–2777.

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Shay Lawson

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ)  – A 1951 stainless steel train car that once rolled across the country is getting a new life in the Coachella Valley.

Gloria Franz, board trustee for the Coachella Valley History Museum and second vice president, said the Coachella Valley History Museum is turning it into a replica of a Southern Pacific dining lounge car.

“The Coachella Valley was founded by the Southern Pacific Railroad,” said Franz. “Trains like this used to go through here on a regular basis, and it was a very common way to travel.”

She said the entire project has cost about $250,000 so far.

Coachella Valley History Museum

“That includes buying it, transporting it from Indiana, having to go through 3 different train operators, bring it by train into La Mirada to a train station there where it needed some work,” Franz said. “We’ve replaced all of the windows. We’ve done some minor repairs to the outside. The interior has been completely gutted.”

She said the goal is to teach visitors about the railroad’s impact on the region while also making the space available for events.

“We want people to experience and make their own memories in the car,” Franz said.

The project extends beyond the railcar, Franz said it will include an outdoor platform, drought-tolerant garden, a native plant section and a replica of a desert submarine.

Franz said officials are currently working on getting bids for fundraising.

She encouraged anyone interested in getting involved to contact the museum.

“We’d love to talk to anyone who maybe has history about Southern Pacific Railroad,” Franz said. “We want to make sure we tell the story in more than one point of view.”

Stay with News Channel 3 for the full report at 10 p.m. and 11 p.m.

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Daniella Lake

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Palm Springs Vintage market is hosting a holiday food drive today to support the LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert. Organizers say they will be accepting donations all day and are looking for non-perishable food items such as tuna, dry pasta and cereal.

The market is located at 200 N Indian Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262.

If you’re unable to make it today, organizers say you can drop off your donations at the center’s food bank located at 2901 E Alejo Road, Palm Springs, CA 92262.

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Isaiah Mora

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – One person is the hospital with significant injuries after a vehicle vs. pedestrian in Palm Springs Saturday night.

Around 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, the Palm Springs Police Department sent out a road closure alert for a traffic collision on North Indian Canyon Drive, near Mel Avenue and Tachevah Drive.

On Sunday morning, Police confirmed with News Channel 3 the collision involved a vehicle and pedestrian. The pedestrian was taken to a nearby hospital with significant injuries.

Palm Springs Police reported that DUI does not appear to be a factor in this crash. Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates on this story.

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Kendall Flynn

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Thousand of people gathered in Downtown Palm Springs for the 33rd annual Festival of Lights Parade. It’s a highly anticipated event many Coachella Valley locals said they look forward to each year.

“We get here at six in the morning every year, setting up food, everything, and just kind of add people as they come in,” Rebecca Mendez said.

“We’ve been coming to this spot for ten years,” Charlton Quinn said. “And I used to work in this building, so it was just kind of convenient.”

“We bring food with us and about 20 guests, and we just enjoy,” Kevin Bowers said.

For many Valley locals, the parade has become a tradition. They arrive early in the morning to secure their curbside seats, prepare food for the evening and watch the parade go by.

Mendez said the parade has been a special tradition each year for her family. Over 25 years, they’ve expanded their parade attendee group to between 30 to 40 people – bringing in extended family members and coworkers.

“We actually started this 25 years ago. My father started a tradition. He passed away in 2020,” Mendez said. “So we kind of decided to keep the tradition alive for him…It’s meant a lot. Gets emotional sometimes, but it’s a great tradition. We have my nephews and his grandkids, so now we’re just keeping it going as time goes on.”

The parade was also an emotion time for one organizer group with the Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Palm Springs. Officials said they found out they were accepted as a float in the parade on November 25th, just one week in advance.

But as they had to cancel their upcoming Our Lady of Guadalupe Pilgrimage walk due to ongoing immigration enforcement and concerns there would be low participation. Officials say hearing they were able to be a part of the parade was beyond meaningful.

“What does that mean? My heart. Our heart,” Desi Gonzalez said. “[Attendee’s are] going to be happy to see her in the street walking in between us. And I feel happy… I want to cry, but yeah, I feel so happy.”

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear more from organizers and attendees on what the parade means to them.

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Daniella Lake

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Indio’s International Tamale Festival kicks off today at 10 a.m. The event will feature the famous tamale eating contest, carnival rides and games. The event runs until Sunday at 7 p.m. and admission, along with parking, is free.

The festival is held at 82540 Miles Avenue, Indio, in downtown Miles Avenue Park.

Parking is available at he Riverside County Fairgrounds, where a shuttle service will run all day between the fairgrounds and the festival.

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Isaiah Mora

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) – One Skateboarder is in critical condition after they were hit by a car in La Quinta on Friday night.

Around 6 p.m. on Friday, Riverside County sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a crash near Highway 111 and La Quinta Drive. Upon arrival, deputies located a collision involving a vehicle and a person on a skateboard. 

The person on the skateboard was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. The driver of the vehicle remained on scene. 

Riverside County sheriff’s department says no arrests have been made in this incident. The investigation is ongoing, so stay with News Channel 3 for any updates on this story.

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KESQ News Team

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – The City of Coachella continued its welcome to the holiday season with the Enchanted Holiday Parade with Elf and Friends on Friday evening.

The parade was hosted by Coachella Valley Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Frances Esparza. A happy procession of performers, floats, and Grand Marshall Lee Espinoza, founder of the Coachella Valley Boxing Club, traveled through downtown Coachella entertaining the crowds.

Activities for the the whole family included Santa’s Bounce House Village, a scavenger hunt, face painting and balloon twisting, and more.

One parade attendee told News Channel 3 what the celebration was all about: “This is beautiful. This is absolutely beautiful. It’s great for the kids being here, great for the kids decorating the trailer all day. This is, this is for the kids.”

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