Category: kesq-local-news

Timothy Foster

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – With Thanksgiving just a week away, Coachella Valley shoppers are already filling grocery aisles and making tough choices as holiday food prices continue to pressure family budgets.

The American Farm Bureau Federation reports that the cost of a classic Thanksgiving dinner for 10 people is averaging $55.18 this year, a 5 percent decrease from 2024. The drop is mainly tied to lower retail prices for turkey, often the priciest item on the holiday table.

But even with the slight break, not everything is cheaper. Ingredients like sweet potatoes and frozen vegetables have seen noticeable price increases, creating challenges for families trying to keep their holiday spending under control.

Across the Coachella Valley, residents say they are feeling the mixed impact. Some are shopping earlier, visiting multiple stores for deals, or scaling back menu items. Others are planning potluck-style gatherings to share the cost.

As Thanksgiving approaches, the combination of modest price relief and rising costs for other staples continues to shape how families across the Coachella Valley prepare for the holiday.

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Kendall Flynn

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Infrastructure upgrades are on the way for Desert Hot Springs to prevent flooding and improve road access on Indian Canyon Drive and Mission Lakes Boulevard. The city often deals with flooding during major rain or wind events causing road closures, especially along Indian Canyon Drive.

On Tuesday, the city council unanimously approved a partnership with NV5 Inc. The company will be responsible for designing the Bridges Over Water project for just over $1.1 million. The city originally wanted to work on these improvements before tropical storm Hilary in 2023, but city officials said the damage from that storm has moved this project faster.

Under the proposed plans, the project will divert stormwater from the roads to Mission Creek and the box culvert system from the creek will be improved. There will also be new crossings on Indian Canyon Drive and Mission Lakes Boulevard.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear Desert Hot Springs plans for the improvements and how they are necessary for the safety of residents.

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Isaiah Mora

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – A semi-truck crash shut down two lanes of the interstate 10 in Palm Desert for hours early Friday morning.

Just before 11 p.m. Thursday night, a semi-truck jackknifed and slammed into the center divider near cook street. The California Highway Patrol closed lanes one and two, while heavy duty tow crews worked to remove the vehicle.

A SIG alert was up for several hours, before it was lifted just before 3 a.m. on Friday. There was no reports of an injuries. CHP told News Channel 3 that the weather conditions may have been a factor in the accident.

Stay with us for any updates on this story.

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Cynthia White

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – Many local families will have a happier holiday season this year thanks to the generosity of all those who helped Fill the Bus on Thursday.

News Channel 3 and SunLine Transit Agency teamed together to fill a SunLine Bus with donations of non-perishable food items and hygiene products that will go to local families for the holidays.

Well in the Desert and Lift to Rise are the beneficiaries of the 2025 Fill the Bus event, now in its 18th year.

More than seven tons of food and products were donated at last year’s event, and the total is expected to exceed that weight this year.

More than 460 turkeys were donated on Thursday, along with 64 hams. All monetary donations collected went to purchasing more turkeys.

Lift to Rise will be distributing their received donations on Friday, and Well in the Desert plans to distribute donations on Saturday, in addition to using some for their Thanksgiving Meal.

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Jesus Reyes

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – Councilmember Lynn Mallotto was sworn in as the new mayor of Rancho Mirage.

Mallotto will serve as Rancho Mirage mayor until Nov. 2026. The city rotates the position between councilmembers every year.

Councilmember Michael O’Keefe was also sworn in as Mayor Pro Tem. He is set to serve as mayor next year.

Mallotto takes over for Councilmember Ted Weill, who received a special gift from the city after completing his third term as mayor.

Mallotto was first elected to the city council in 2022. She has been a Coachella Valley resident since 1980, calling Rancho Mirage home for 30 years.

Lynn entered public service in 1994, serving 18 years with Cathedral City and was part of efforts to revitalise downtown Cathedral City. Lynn retiried from Cathedral City in 2012, and became CEO of the Cathedral City Chamber of Commerce until 2015.

Lynn is a realtor with Keller Williams Real Estate in Rancho Mirage, joining the Brady Sandahl Real Estate Group as a Buyers Specialist. 

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City News Service

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – A woman who caused the death of her newborn child and dumped her in a trash receptacle behind a Riverside business almost four decades ago pleaded guilty today to voluntary manslaughter and was immediately sentenced to four years’ felony probation.

Melissa Jean Allen Avila, 56, of Shelby, North Carolina, admitted the count under a plea agreement with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office. Avila had originally been charged with first-degree murder, but that was reduced to manslaughter under the plea bargain.

During a hearing at the Riverside Hall of Justice Thursday, Superior Court Judge Gary Polk certified the terms of the agreement and imposed the term of probation, which expires in November 2029.

The defendant, who has remained free on her own recognizance, was arrested in August 2024 following a years-long investigation by the Riverside Police Department Homicide Cold Case Unit.

According to police spokesman Officer Ryan Railsback, detectives reopened the baby death case in 2020.

The newborn girl, known only as “Jane Doe,” was discovered on Oct. 13, 1987, by a man looking for bottles and cans in a trash bin behind a business in the 5400 block of La Sierra Avenue.

Investigators at the time had little to go on, pursuing all available leads without success in the weeks following discovery of the dead child, Railsback said.

DNA samples were taken from the tot’s remains and preserved.   

Railsback said the forensic evidence was used to locate and positively identify Avila as the mother of the infant, though he did not elaborate on the details.

“An essential partner in this investigation was Season of Justice, a nonprofit dedicated to providing financial assistance for investigative agencies and families to help solve cold cases through grant funding for advanced DNA analysis solutions and forensic genealogy,” the police spokesman said. “This funding allowed for DNA analysis to be conducted by Othram, Inc., a private lab that specializes in DNA technology.”  

He noted that investigators “have no reason to believe the baby’s father had any criminal culpability in the murder.”

The man wasn’t identified. Avila was 19 when the killing occurred.   

A possible motive was not disclosed, nor was the specific manner of death.   

The defendant was taken into custody without incident by U.S. Marshals in North Carolina on the morning of Aug. 5, 2024.   

She had no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.

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Jesus Reyes

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Robin Thicke’s concert at the Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival has been canceled, as well as Friday programming and the Saturday morning launch due to weather concerns.

Festival organizers said the decision was made out of an abundance of caution for the safety of attendees, balloon pilots,  crews, and performers.

Get Local Weather Updates Here

The concert was scheduled to take place on Friday.

Saturday festival and Sunday events are scheduled to proceed as planned.

According to festival organizers, Palm Springs International Airport issued Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions, which means weather is below safe visual flying minimums due to low cloud ceilings and reduced visibility. The forecast shows substantial rain throughout Friday with overcast skies. Rain is expected to continue through Saturday morning.

Thicke’s concert will be rescheduled to a future date at the Cathedral City Community Amphitheater, which will be announced in the coming weeks. All ticketholders will receive full refunds and will have the opportunity to repurchase tickets for the new date once announced. Ticketholders will receive information directly from the ticket provider.

CANCELED:

• Friday, Nov. 21, 2025: All programming including Agua Caliente Casinos Sunrise Balloon Launch and mini balloon glow

• Saturday morning, Nov. 22, 2025: Balloon launches at The Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa

Balloon ride ticketholders for canceled launches will receive full refunds.

PROCEEDING AS SCHEDULED:Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025:• Festival opens at noon at Cathedral City Festival Lawn & Amphitheater ($10 entry)

• Tribute band concerts: Radio Ready (1:30 PM), So Petty (3:00 PM), Stevie Nicks Illusions (4:30 PM), and Queen Nation (6:15 PM)

• Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival’s Official Balloon Glow (7:45 PM) – the festival’s most popular component, featuring Special Shape balloons, vibrant hot air balloons filling the Festival Lawn, and a signature giant inflatable pirate ship

• Drone light show (pending FAA approval)

Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025:

• Morning balloon launches at The Westin Rancho Mirage – the festival’s only morning launch of the weekend, featuring hot air balloons lifting off from the resort’s championship golf course with spectacular sights of the surrounding desert mountains. Free to attend. Details at https://www.westinranchomirageexperiences.com/#!/e/morning-balloon-launchnovember-23-6144b51b

• “Brunch & Balloons” experience at The Westin Rancho Mirage – an exclusive ticketed event featuring gourmet brunch cuisine with tethered hot air balloons on display. Limited tickets remaining. Details at https://www.westinranchomirageexperiences.com/#!/event/5aed1b69-a29b-43ce-8918-bc4e10e9743d

“This was not an easy decision, but the safety of our community, performers, pilots, and crews  must always come first,” said Ryan Hunt, Communications & Events Manager for the City of Cathedral City. “We’re grateful to Robin Thicke and his team for their professionalism and understanding. Saturday afternoon and Sunday are expected to have much better conditions, and  we’re excited to bring the community together for Saturday’s spectacular balloon glow – our most  popular event – and all the wonderful programming we have planned for the weekend.”

For the latest festival schedule updates and ticket information, please visit our event website  at www.cchotairballoonfest.com or download the official Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival app at cchotairballoonfest.com/#Ap

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City News Service

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) – Stop signs were installed on Airport Boulevard in the Thermal area to improve traffic safety near Coachella Valley High School, it was announced today.

Although there were already stop signs at the intersection on both sides of Calhoun Street, new ones were installed because “Traffic didn’t stop on Airport Boulevard,” especially with the road used for school drop off and pick up, officials said.

The Riverside County Transportation Department installed them last month, making the intersection a four-way stop.   

Albert Keck II, president of Hadley Date Farms, pushed for the project and worked with the county’s transportation department and Fourth District Riverside County Board of Supervisors Manuel Perez.

“I am very grateful and delighted that the county put the stop signs in. This is a busy intersection and, twice a day, it makes it very tenuous to et across the intersection. Something needed to be done about it and I am grateful for Supervisor Perez for staying on it and not letting it go,” Keck said.   

Coachella Valley Unified School District Superintendent Frances Esparza said, “We are deeply grateful for this important safety enhancement for our students, families and staff.”  

“This is a major safety improvement for students and parents, as well as a safety and logistical improvement for the region’s agricultural industry,” Perez said.

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Katie Boer

Get the umbrella back out we’re looking at rain returning for the second half of Thursday into the start of Saturday with total rain accumulation between 0.25-0.75”.

The First Alert Weather Team has issued a Weather Alert from 4pm Thursday to 7pm Friday — this is the time period we’ll likely see the heaviest rainfall possible.

If you’re driving through the mountains at this time watch for travel difficulties. Our Winter Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning and is in place until Saturday morning above 6,500’. We could see snow totals between 2-6” at lower elevations around 6,500, 6-12” between 7,000-8,000’ and potentially 12-18” above 8,000’.

Around the valley our wetter weather begins to taper off heading into our Saturday—though a few lingering showers could remain. We’ll dry out more for the second half of the day and the remainder of the weekend looks nice, mild and dry in the 70s.

Looking ahead, we’ll see more sunshine, drier conditions and a slow warmup back to near normal temperatures heading into next week–including Thanksgiving Day.

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Jesus Reyes

UPDATE 11/24/2025 – Indio Police are reporting that four men have been arrested in connection with the deadly shooting on Quail Avenue in Indio last Thursday.

Police say that a white SUV stopped in front of a home in the 83000 block of Quail Avenue. The victim and another adult male, who were near the driveway, were called over to the SUV by someone inside.

The men were shot at from the SUV as they approached it, and one of the men and three children nearby were able to run for cover. The victim was hit by gunfire and collapsed at the scene.

Police found the 33-year-old victim, whose name has not yet been released, suffering from gunshot wounds. First responders performed life-saving measures, but the man died at the scene.

Witnesses described the suspect SUV, and police detectives were able to identify the make, model, and license plate. The car, a white Honda CR-V, was later found in Palm Springs by Palm Springs Police Department officers.

PSPD Officers detained one man who had entered and exited the SUV, then discarded a backpack as soon as officers approached him. They were able to recover the backpack, which contained two handguns.

The suspect SUV then fled the area but was later identified by Desert Hot Springs Police officers in the city of Desert Hot Springs. A chase ensued but ended when the SUV stalled. DHS police caught two men who tried to flee on foot from the vehicle.

The suspects were identified as:

Zachary Ashton Hamrick, 19, of Thousand Palms (driver)

George Anthony Diaz, 20, of Desert Hot Springs (passenger)

Christian Espinoza, 20, of Palm Springs (detained by Palm Springs Police)

Zachary Ashton Hamrick

George Anthony Diaz

Christian Espinoza

Indio detectives arrested the men, charging Hamrick and Diaz with murder and four counts of attempted murder. Espinoza is facing charges of accessory and two misdemeanor warrants.

On Sunday, November 23, the investigation by Indio Police led them to a fourth suspect, Jonathan Rios Franco, 19, of Banning. They arrested Franco and charged him with murder and attempted murder.

Jonathan Rios Franco

Indio Police are encouraging anyone with information on this incident to contact them at 760-391-4057. Anonymous tips can be given to Crime Stoppers at 760-341-STOP.

Stay with News Channel 3 for updates.

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A man was killed in a shooting Thursday afternoon in Indio.

The shooting was reported before 2:20 p.m. near Quail Avenue and Bluejay Street.

Police said the first responding officers found a man who sustained gunshot wounds. First responders administered life-saving measures; however, the man later succumbed to his injuries. The man’s identity has not been officially released.

Persons of interest have been detained, police confirmed, but additional details were not available.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Indio Police Department at (760) 391-4057. Anonymous tips can be provided to Crime Stoppers at (760) 341-STOP.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.

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