Month: March 2018

A Coachella Valley couple was put into a panic when scam artists called the father saying they had kidnapped their son, demanding money for his release. It’s a crime called virtual kidnapping and according to the FBI, this type of scam is on the rise. “If you try to f**k me I am going to

Drivers in the Coachella Valley are getting sticker shock when registering their cars with the DMV. Taxes that went into effect at the first of the year are starting to make a major impact. There is also major pain at the pump, gas prices are the highest they have been since September 2015. “It was

The Riverside County Fair and Date Festival starts Friday. From ride inspections to having mixture of private security and deputies on the grounds, safety is a top priority. For the past two weeks, state inspectors as well as inspectors with the ride company Butler Amusements have been testing the rides to make sure they are

A winter storm brought blistering cold winds and light rain to parts of the Coachella Valley and measurable snow to our local mountains. Snow that fell in Banning stuck to the ground and covered people’s cars. The temperature was not cold enough for the snow on the roads to last, so driving conditions were not

Hundreds of people turned out for the Desert Town Hall series at the Renaissance Indian Wells Resort Friday. The keynote speakers were former congresswoman and mass shooting survivor Gabby Giffords and her husband, NASA astronaut Mark Kelly. Kelly and fellow astronaut Megan McArthur took questions from high school students at the Youth Town Hall before

Two national retailers changing their firearms sales policies in the wake of the mass shooting two weeks ago in a Florida high school which took the lives of 17 people. Shoppers who want to buy a gun or bullets at Walmart or at Dick’s Sporting Goods will now have to be at least 21 years

A new bill proposed by Republican state Sen. Jeff Stone aims to eliminate state income tax for 90 percent of Californians and require wealthy part-time residents to start paying income taxes for the time that they are living in the state. Senate Bill 1352, the Saving Money and Reducing Taxes Act, aims to change the

The Board of Supervisors today authorized the Riverside County Fire Department to accept a donation of rescue gear valued at $14,000 for training on extrication techniques employed during vehicle crashes. In a 5-0 vote without comment, the board signed off on fire Chief Dan Talbot’s request to take possession of the Honda Ex Demo Extrication

Santa Barbara County has canceled all evacuation orders for south coast communities because the storm moving across Southern California has not dropped rain at critical rates. The cancellation late Tuesday morning was effective immediately. The mandatory and recommended evacuation orders had been in effect since late Monday. The move came as the National Weather Service

A local infant born with a rare genetic disorder has taken another major step on his road to recovery. ‘Sweet Baby James’ had his body cast removed today, according to his father, Mike Meredith. “The Super Hero’s armor has been removed,” Meredith said. “The technician said ‘I’m sorry but he’s going to cry, this a

An investigation is underway into the death of a man who suffered ultimately fatal injuries prior to an altercation between family members at a Thermal home, a sheriff’s sergeant said today. Sheriff’s deputies who responded at 7:27 a.m. Monday to a family disturbance call at a home in the 65000 block of Harrison Street found

Work continues to open new businesses in downtown Palm Springs following December’s grand openings of the new Kimpton the Rowan Hotel and Starbucks. Shoppers are already enjoying the new H&M clothing and fashion, MAC cosmetics stores open, also a new Kiehl’s offering high-end skin, hair, scrubs, face masks and moisturizers. In a rare interview opportunity,

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) will hold its annual Out of the Darkness Community Walk on Saturday, March 24 at the Palm Desert Civic Center Park. You can register here . Proceeds benefit local and national suicide prevention and awareness programs for the AFSP. Event organizers say walkers and donors have made it

Three men suspected in a gang-related shooting 17 years ago that killed a driver at an Indio intersection must stand trial on murder and attempted murder charges, a judge ruled today. Enoc Calderon, 39, of La Quinta, and Indio residents Juan Antonio Hernandez, 36, and Frederico Sanchez, 40, are each charged with one count of

Hotel Paseo is now officially open for business. Hotel Paseo kicked off its grand opening Monday afternoon with a bang. Live music, food, a ribbon cutting and of course champagne. Hotel officials told KESQ & CBS Local 2 the 150-room hotel is aimed at bringing in guests across all generations. “I love the fact that

A safe haven for young people in the LGBT community is now open in Palm Springs. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Monday morning cut for Sanctuary Palm Springs. It’s the first of its kind LGBT home, aimed at providing young people coming out of foster care a safe place to live, learn, and grow. “Their

A local community is rallying in support of a 13-year-old autistic boy believed to have been bullied for more than a month. His family and friends gathered at a Yucca Valley bus stop where the middle school boy’s family says he was physically assaulted last week. “His friends asked the kid today, ‘why are you

Two businesses in downtown Palm Springs are recovering after a fire last Wednesday forced them to close. A kitchen fire at Bongo Johnny’s caused smoke damage at neighboring businesses such as Mischief Cards and Gifts and Stacy’s at Palm Springs. For Stacy Louis, owner of the bar that bears his name said he found out

Yucca Valley homeschooling mother Michelle Huelle strongly opposes a bill proposed at the state capitol in Sacramento. AB 2756 calls for requiring fire marshals to inspect every homeschool in the state every year. “Its a public official entering my home to make sure I’m safe enough to have children, and I found that offensive,” said