Category: kesq-local-news

Shay Lawson

ANZA, Calif. (KESQ) – CAL FIRE has mapped the Rosa Fire at over 1,500 acres.

Teresa Turner, an evacuee from Pinyon Pines, said she’s staying in Palm Springs.

“I just started grabbing stuff in garbage bags, anything I could get,” Turner said. “All my animals I got them in the car.”

She said before she evacuated on Monday, her power went out.

“I immediately called Anza Electric,” Turner said. “We lost about $1,700 in food just in meat alone.”

In a statement to social media Anza Electric Cooperative (AEC), Inc provided an update:

“The electric service remains off in the Rosa fire area. AEC is working with CalFire to gain access to our system to assess damage and begin repairs. Due to the difficult terrain in many locations, these repairs may take a considerable amount of time. We intend to install temporary generation in the Pinyon area to feed the system, where and when it is safe to do so.”

“We thank you for your patience and will keep you updated with new info as it comes in.”

Kevin Short, AEC general manager, said about 30 pole structures need to be replaced.

“They’re damaged beyond usability,” Short said.

Stay with News Channel 3 to learn more about the plan for temporary generation in the full report at 10 and 11 p.m.

Click here to follow the original article.

Haley Meberg

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ)–The James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center received a big tech upgrade thanks to a grant from the California Public Utilities Commission. 

The center, located on 480 W. Tramview Road, received a grant over $56,000 from the California Public Utilities Commission to upgrade their facility. 

With 16 brand-new computer workstations and full Wi-Fi coverage the building has been transformed into a tech hub accessible to the community. Wi-Fi coverage spans throughout the entire building including the gym and meeting rooms, ensuring residents have tech access in any space of the facility. 

From homework to job searches, residents of all ages now have access to tools that help them better connect, learn and thrive.

For more information about the tech upgrade visit https://www.palmspringsca.gov/government/departments/parks-recreation/james-o-jessie-desert-highland-unity-center

Click here to follow the original article.

Haley Meberg

HESPERIA, Calif. (KESQ)– A San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputy was arrested in connection to engaging in criminal acts while on duty early Tuesday morning. 

According to the Sheriff’s Department in June 2024, they received a call alleging on-duty criminal acts by Cameron Romo, 27, a Rialto resident. 

Romo was employed by the Sheriff’s Department as a Deputy Sheriff in 2020 and was assigned to the Hesperia Station in August 2021. Following the allegation, the deputy was placed on administrative leave while an investigation into the claim was conducted by the Specialized Investigations Division.

Once the investigation was completed the station submitted the completed version to the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office for a decision to be made. 

The District Attorney’s Office reports that on August 4, 2025, following an extensive investigation, felony charges and an arrest warrant were filed against the accused in violation of Extortion and Soliciting a Bribe. 

On Tuesday, at approximately 8:00 a.m., Romo was placed on compulsory leave and was arrested and booked into the Central Detention Center with a $90,000 bail.   

“This is unfortunate that a Deputy Sheriff would engage in this type of behavior. I am proud of all the investigators involved in bringing this case to the District Attorney’s Office so he can be held accountable.” Sheriff Shannon Dicus. 

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Detective Antonio Alcala, Specialized Investigations Division at (909) 890-4904, as the investigation is still ongoing.

For more updates stay with News Channel 3

Click here to follow the original article.

City News Service

   PALM SPRINGS (CNS) – The first “Fix-it Fair” will be held later thismonth in Palm Springs, where residents may bring in broken items to befixed or learn new repair skills as part of an effort to keep items out oflandfills and reduce waste.

The free event will be held from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Aug. 23 atMizell Center, located at 480 S. Sunrise Way.

  It will be hosted by the Palm Springs Sustainability Department inpartnership with Repeat Reuse, a Riverside-based nonprofit founded byenvironmental activist Lynda Koskela, who also volunteers for the RiversideCounty Department of Waste Resources, “to help our low-income community bemore resilient in the face of the climate crisis.”   “By bringing together skilled volunteers and neighbors, we extend thelifespan of products, reduce waste and contribute to a more circulareconomy in the Coachella Valley,” organizers said.   Various local businesses will be available for repairs and “repaircoaches” will be on hand to teach residents on how to repair certain items.   All businesses and fixers at the fair will be volunteers, and repairswill be limited to two items per person, organizers said.   More information can be found at https://fixitps.org/

Click here to follow the original article.

Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – The city of Indio celebrated the return of the iconic Burger Box with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday.

Burger Box is located at 81201 Indio Boulevard.

Becky & Mike from Indio were the first customers at the reopening on Monday

The restaurant closed its doors after 70 years in business late last year.

“When you lose a staple in the valley it kind of sucks because you shouldn’t fix something that is not broken,” said Amber Hepler, a customer, told News Channel 3 in October.

It is now under the ownership of Yolanda Ruiz and her family. Yolanda worked at Burger Box for 24 years.

“Burger Box has long been more than a restaurant as it quickly became a landmark for locals and travelers alike,” said Mayor Glenn Miller. “We are thrilled to have Burger Box reopen in Indio, especially under the leadership of someone as committed to the community as Yolanda Ruiz.”

Click here to follow the original article.

Haley Meberg

Many students are slated to return back to school, with an opportunity for high school and college students across the valley to get to class for free.

The opportunity is part of a program offered by the Sunline Transit Agency called “Haul Pass.”

The agency says all students have to do is fill out an application online.

Once it is approved, students will be able to receive a pass to show their bus driver before hitting the road.

The program has been around for several years, but officials say to this day a lot of people don’t know about it. 

“We love to make sure that students can get around without having to worry about needing a vehicle or maybe having their parents take them. They can be completely independent and actually go to where they need to go.” said Edit Hernandez, Sunline Transit Agency’s Director of Board and Legislative Affairs

Sunline says that it has noticed a steady increase of students using “haul pass” in recent years.

For more information visit https://www.sunline.org/fares-passes/haul-pass 

Stay with News Channel 3 for more updates.

Click here to follow the original article.

Haley Meberg

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ)– Eisenhower Health achieves another regional medical milestone by being the first hospital in the Coachella Valley to successfully perform a groundbreaking procedure, the TriClip. 

The TriClip procedure is a minimally invasive treatment to help patients with tricuspid valve regurgitation. This condition occurs when the valve between the right atrium and the right ventricle fails to close properly allowing blood to leak backward. 

Prior to the TriClip procedure patients not eligible for open heart surgery were left with limited options to fix the issue, leading to symptoms that include fatigue, swelling, and shortness of breath. 

“This is a game changer for patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation who have been suffering without viable solutions,” says Dr. Panguluri. “With the TriClip, we can now offer relief through a minimally invasive procedure that shortens recovery time and dramatically improves quality of life.”

The procedure at Eisenhower Health was led by Board Certified interventional cardiologist Praveen Panguluri, MD, with the help of Andrew Frutkin, MD, who is also a Board Certified in interventional cardiology. 

“Bringing this level of innovation to our community is part of our mission to improve health through excellence, compassion, and state-of-the-art care,” says Scott Strech, RN, BSN, MBA, Chief Administrative Officer/Administrator, Cardiovascular Services, Eisenhower Health.

The success of the TriClip procedure underscored Eisenhower Health’s commitment to providing the most up to date leading-edge care to patients in the valley. 

Stay with News Channel 3 for more updates.

Click here to follow the original article.

Gavin Nguyen

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – We all dread it: energy bills skyrocketing during the hot summer months as we rely on our air conditioners to cool off.

One program throughout Southern California is offering a way for homeowners to ensure their air conditioning & climate control is working as efficiently as possible.

Synergy Companies partners with local utilities, like Southern California Edison, to provide the no-cost upkeep and energy efficiency services. They check ducting for leaks, maintain air conditioning units, and install smart thermostats – all ways to help you save on energy.

Edison customers already pay a certain amount on their bill for a “Public Purpose Program Charge.” This money is used to fund services like the one Synergy provides.

Southern California Edison customers can find the webpage to check their eligibility or schedule their appointment here.

Imperial Irrigation District customers can check their eligibility on IID’s website, as well.

Stay with News Channel 3 to see a full breakdown of the program tonight.

Click here to follow the original article.

Luis Avila

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – Evacuation orders remain for areas around the Rosa Fire, displacing people and animals. The Riverside County Department of Animal Services is assisting and taking in impacted animals at its Coachella Valley and San Jacinto shelters.

“Our field team is out. They are able to go and rescue the pets that are up in houses past the barricades on 74. They prioritize ones closest to the fire first and then work from there.”

Marlo Clingman, Coachella Valley Animal Campus animal services manager

As of Tuesday, officials say eight dogs are being housed at the Coachella Valley Animal Campus while twelve horse, twelve dogs, seven goats, and five turkeys are being cared for at the San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus.

Western Riverside County/City Animal Shelter

6851 Van Buren Blvd

Jurupa Valley, CA 92509

San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus

581 S. Grand Ave.

San Jacinto, CA 92582

Coachella Valley Animal Campus

72-050 Pet Land Place

Thousand Palms, CA 92276

But the effort is facing a challenge: overcapacity.

“Basically our staff reshuffles everyone. Plenty of our staff are also fosters… We’ll do a pop up kennel if we need to but that tends to mean more dogs in a kennel together. Might be three instead of two, four instead of three.”

Marlo Clingman, Coachella Valley Animal Campus animal services manager

With the Coachella Valley Animal Campus shelter at 216% capacity and San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus at 232% capacity for dogs, they’re seeking the public’s help to foster un-owned shelter pets.

Still, officials say the shelter will continue to rescue as many animals as they can

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

Click here to follow the original article.

Cynthia White

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Three people were injured in a crash on Interstate 10 between a car and a CAL FIRE ambulance Monday night, causing traffic and prompting a SIG Alert from California Highway Patrol.

The crash was reported just before 9:15 p.m. on eastbound Interstate 10 west of Jackson Street in Indio, and CHP issued a SIG Alert in the area shortly thereafter. Traffic was moving again and the SIG Alert was lifted by 10:45 p.m.

CHP reports that the crash happened as a CAL FIRE ambulance was leaving the site of an earlier traffic accident with one patient on board. The ambulance was hit by a car while it was merging from the center median into the lanes of traffic.

The driver of the car sustained major injuries. Two CAL FIRE employees riding in the ambulance sustained minor injuries, and the patient inside the ambulance had minor injuries that were from the earlier, original crash. 

Click here to follow the original article.