Category: kesq-local-news

Luis Avila

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – As the holiday season ramps up, local authorities are reminding drivers to stay alert and keep their vehicles secure, warning that car thefts tend to rise during this time of year.

Crowded shopping centers and busy parking lots create an environment where thefts can happen quickly and often go unnoticed.

Despite these risks, Indio has seen a significant reduction in vehicle thefts compared to last year. Between January and October 2024, the city reported 208 stolen vehicles. This year, the number dropped to 107.

During a ride-along with Sergeant Abe Plata, he highlighted how quickly a car can become a target.

“There’s no one back here. Popping a window to smash and grab is not going to be heard all the way in the front, so it only takes a few seconds to smash a window and steal a purse or any other valuables. You want to avoid leaving valuables in your car.”

Sgt. Abraham Plata, Indio Police Department

To combat potential thefts, Indio Police are increasing patrols around busy shopping areas.

“We try to be more visible in shopping centers where there’s more activity right now during the season.”

Sgt. Abraham Plata, Indio Police Department

If your vehicle is stolen, police recommend reporting it immediately and having a recent photo of your car and license plate ready.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Daniella Lake

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – A Cathedral City resident set up a makeshift food pantry outside her home in hopes of supporting the community during the holidays. After posting about it on the Nextdoor app, it received 14,000 views.

“People shouldn’t be going hungry,” Kristina Bruno says. She’s seen people of all ages stop by her pantry, “and to see people with small kids coming by, it was heartbreaking.”

The community has stepped up to help out, with complete strangers, like Cyndie Barone, stopping by with donations. She says that she was inspired to donate because she knows what it’s like to not have the essentials. 

“I didn’t have a job and I had, you know, you have rent and it’s cold in Massachusetts, so your heating bill is high. I just didn’t have the money.And you have to find where you can cut things. So I thought being hungry at the time was better than freezing,” Barone says. 

Kristina’s pantry is set up near Cathedral City’s Century Park. She says she hopes she can keep it going as long as possible. 

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Timothy Foster

WHITEWATER, Calif. (KESQ) – Millions of Americans are hitting the road to head home after the Thanksgiving holiday, and this year’s travel rush is proving to be the busiest on record. According to AAA, more than 73 million people nationwide are expected to drive during the holiday travel period, part of a record 81.8 million Americans traveling at least 50 miles for Thanksgiving.

Traffic congestion was clearly visible across Southern California on Sunday, especially along Interstate 10 near Whitewater in the Coachella Valley, where drivers experienced slow, heavy traffic as the holiday weekend came to a close.

At a rest stop along I-10 West, travelers described long delays and the need for patience on the road.

Lottie Henry, who was traveling back to Orange County after spending Thanksgiving in the desert, said she anticipated traffic but came prepared. Henry and her family drove their electric vehicle and took advantage of hands-free driving technology to ease the stress of stop-and-go traffic. She encouraged other drivers to remain patient as everyone works their way home.

Other drivers faced longer-than-expected delays. Olive Martinez, returning to Los Angeles after a multi-state road trip that included the Grand Canyon, Phoenix, and Monument Valley, said her estimated arrival time had been pushed back by more than an hour and a half. Martinez said while she expected congestion, the extent of the slowdown was surprising. She urged drivers to stay calm and look out for one another, noting how dangerous impatience on the road can be.

Joshua Lee, who was traveling back to Corona after spending time in the desert with friends, said heavy traffic is simply part of life in Southern California, especially during holidays. Lee encouraged drivers not to rush and to follow the rules of the road, stressing that arriving safely is far more important than arriving quickly.

AAA reports that overall Thanksgiving travel is up more than 1.6 million people compared to last year, making this the busiest holiday travel period on record. Sunday is expected to remain the most congested travel day, with heavy traffic continuing into the evening.

Drivers are urged to allow extra time, stay patient, and use caution as they make their way home from the holiday weekend.

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Daniella Lake

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Today is the final day of the Cabazon Band of Cahuilla Indians’ 42nd annual Powwow. The three day event kicked off on Friday with bird singing and dancing. The celebration features all kinds of activities focused on keeping Native American tradition alive.

This morning, the gates open at 11 a.m. at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio. The grand entry starts at noon. The event is free.

Fantasy Springs Resort Casino is located at 84-245 Indio Springs Pkwy, Indio, CA 92203.

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Athena Jreij

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – One person is in critical condition after a traffic collision Saturday evening in Coachella.

Riverside County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to the area of Ninth St. and Grapefruit Blvd. for reports of a traffic collision. When they arrived on scene they found a pedestrian down in the roadway.

That pedestrian was transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition.

The driver remained on scene and is cooperating with the investigation.

No further details on the cause of the crash were available.

Stick with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage.

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KESQ News Team

STOCKTON, Calif. (CBS News) – Four people were killed, and 11 others were wounded in a shooting during a family gathering in the Northern California city of Stockton Saturday night, authorities said. The suspect, or possibly suspects, remains at large.  

Heather Brent, a spokesperson for the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office, told reporters in a briefing that the shooting occurred around 6 p.m. Pacific Time at a banquet hall along the 1900 block of Lucile Avenue. On Sunday, Brent confirmed three children were among the four people killed. The victims were 8, 9, 14 and 21 years old.

“In this community, in San Joaquin County, violence of this nature has absolutely no place at any time, shape or form, and children should not be harmed by gun and gang violence,” said Ron Freitas, San Joaquin County district attorney.

Brent also provided an updated number of victims, saying that in total, 15 people were shot. Officials had initially reported there were 14 victims. 

Stockton Vice Mayor Jason Lee wrote in a social media post that “the mass shooting” occurred “at a child’s birthday party,” but Brent could not confirm the details of the event, only calling it a “family gathering.” She added that when the shooting started, there were between 100 and 150 people at the event.

“[A] birthday party should never be a place where families fear for their lives,” Lee added.

No arrests have been made, Brent said. And there were no immediate details about the suspect or a possible motive, though Brent said early indications suggest it was targeted. The circumstances that led up to the shooting were unclear. 

“And let us call this what it is,” Mayor Christina Fugazi said in a Facebook post Sunday. “Gang violence exists in cities across the country, but this act was a pure act of terrorism. A complete, cowardly Terrorist Act!”

On Sunday, Fugazi said she would be matching Crimestoppers’ $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those involved, and that Councilwoman Mariela Ponce would be contributing $5,000, for a total of $25,000.

“Let me be very clear to anyone who hides, shields, or harbors these terrorists. You are putting yourself at risk of having your door kicked in, your home raided, and being arrested for aiding and abetting. If you protect them, you become part of this. And you will face the consequences,” Fugazi said.

Nonprofit Youth Peace & Justice Foundation also said it is offering a “reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads directly to the arrest and conviction of the suspect(s) responsible for the shooting.”  

The office of California Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a social media post that Newsom had been briefed on the shooting. 

“We are urging anyone with information, video footage, or who may have witnessed any part of this incident to contact the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office immediately,” the sheriff’s office said in a news release.  

Investigators were still at the scene Sunday, and the area remained closed. 

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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Gavin Nguyen

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) – Firefighters contained a house fire just before 4:00 p.m. in La Quinta on Saturday.

CAL FIRE confirmed the fire was first reported roughly two hours prior on the 81000 block of Kingston Heath, within the Greg Norman Course at PGA West. News Channel 3 crews were on scene and saw heavy police and fire presence at the entrance of the community.

Multiple engines are on scene of a 3,000 ft. single-story family dwelling with smoke and fire showing from the roof. The Incident Commander has requested additional engines and utilities.

CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Dept. (@CALFIRERRU on X)

[UPDATE 3:50PM] The fire was contained at 3:48PM. Crews will remain on scene conducting salvage and overhaul operations for approximately three hours. American Red Cross assistance was declined by the residents.

CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Dept. (@CALFIRERRU on X)

A CalFire spokesperson told News Channel 3 everyone inside the home was safely evacuated.

It’s unknown if the fire spread to any nearby structures and the cause is under investigation.

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Luis Avila

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Downtown retailers are seeing a welcome boost this weekend as shoppers turned out in strong numbers for Small Business Saturday, an annual event encouraging people to support locally owned shops and restaurants.

Store owners along Palm Canyon Drive said the day brought steady foot traffic, enthusiastic customers, and a noticeable uptick in sales.

Shoppers browsing holiday gifts said they made a point to buy local this year.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Daniella Lake

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Shared Plate, a weekly meal program run in partnership with the Palm Springs United Methodist Church, will become its own nonprofit starting in January.

The organization started out as the feeding ministry for the church. After becoming its own entity, organizers say that having nonprofit status will help them make a larger impact on the community.

Breakfast is served Fridays and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. Lunch is served Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

You can learn more on ways to support The Shared Plate by visiting their website.

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KESQ News Team

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – The Desert Art Festival is back at The River in Rancho Mirage over Thanksgiving weekend, from Friday through Sunday.

The festival, by West Coast Artists, features creations by hundreds of artists presenting their work in paintings, photography, pottery, wood, sculptures, jewelry, and more – All of which are available to buy and a perfect opportunity to shop for unique holiday gifts.

The event is free and open to the public, and runs from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day.

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