Athena Jreij

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. (KESQ) – It’s been over a year since Mary Martin took over the Riverside County Department of Animal Services. Martin came into the role as the county recorded high euthanasia rates across four shelters, with a live-release rate of 71.6% in 2024. Data from the county shows the live-release rate has increased

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A weekend of Juneteenth celebrations is kicking off in Palm Springs, hosted by the Palm Springs Black History Committee. The holiday celebrates independence day for African Americans from slavery. Juneteenth Freedom Weekend began Thursday evening at Villagefest in Downtown Palm Springs and continues through Saturday with a youth pageant at

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – The city of Palm Desert is looking to extend it’s guidelines for outdoor dining patios, after public outcry to keep the additions. Local restaurants have feared changes to the city’s regulations on the covid-era patios, as they neared a June 30th deadline. “It makes a big impact on sales, on

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Three hikers were rescued Saturday evening near the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, according to Cal Fire and Riverside County Sheriff’s. Cal Fire conducted a remote area rescue on Willow Creek Trail in the Mount San Jacinto wilderness area, around 9 p.m. Saturday. A Riverside Sheriff’s helicopter was contacted during the

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Residents of the Verano neighborhood say blowing sand from a nearby undeveloped property is still a persistent concern, leaving them vulnerable to health troubles and property damage.  News Channel 3 first reported on the issue last May, when Cathedral City officials said the sand was the responsibility of the developer, Northlight

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — Another warehouse is coming to Desert Hot Springs, despite some residents concerns.  Desert Hot Springs Planning Commission unanimously approved the ‘Snider Logistic Center’ development permit and a preparation of an environmental impact report Tuesday evening. That means the project only has to get city permits approved, then can begin

MOUNTAIN CENTER, Calif. (KESQ) – A Rancho Mirage man was killed in a crash on Highway 74 and Carrizo Road Saturday evening, according to the Riverside County Coroner’s Office. Eric Boettcher, 38, was pronounced dead in a crash while riding his motorcycle shortly after 3 p.m. Saturday. According to the California Highway Patrol, a La

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – The Coachella City Council unanimously approved a 45-day temporary moratorium on data centers as the city moves closer towards a permanent ban. The move came after months of public pushback on a data center project at Avenue 52 and Filmore Street. Council members also approved terminating the agreement with Stronghold Power

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – Coachella City Council will hear an urgency ordinance this Wednesday, after several council members called for a moratorium and a potential ban on data centers. The call came during the May 27th meeting, after nearly 6 hours of public comment against the proposed data center. City Council entered into a municipal

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – A multimillion dollar project tracking windblown dust hopes to target the Coachella Valley’s poor air quality. The South Coast Air Quality Management District and CVAG showcased the new tool, PI-SWERL, or Portable In-Situ Wind Laboratory, at UC Riverside’s Palm Desert campus Friday. Officials say the equipment will sample Coachella Valley

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – After five hours of public comment against a proposed data center in Wednesday’s Coachella’s City Council meeting, leaders are now discussing a possible moratorium. It comes after months-long pushback from the community against the Coachella Valley Technology Campus, a 450 acre lot containing 6 data centers. Late into the heated meeting,

Update 6/2/26 – 2:20 p.m. The city of Coachella has scheduled its next council meeting for Thursday, June 4. Councilmembers will discuss matters related to a proposed urgency ordinance to initiate a moratorium process, as well as an agreement with Stronghold Power Systems Inc, the city confirmed. The meeting will begin with a closed session at

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – Local immigrant advocate group, TODEC, is hosting an emergency information session for DACA-recipients. News Channel 3 has followed concerns from recipients about long renewal wait times impacting their status, including the story of William Villa, a Palm Springs man who was detained on May 15th after his status expired. Villa had

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The family of 26-year-old William Villa is speaking out after he was detained by immigration enforcement agents in Palm Springs last week. Villa’s sister says he was detained on Ramon Road the morning of May 15th and transferred to the Adelanto ICE Processing Center. “He did tell us how he

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Online videos showing Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers detaining people Friday morning in Palm Springs, is leaving some residents scared. Immigrant rights group, ‘IC4IJ,’ or the Inland Coalition 4 Immigration Justice, posted several videos of officers in ‘ICE’ vests taking people into custody. They now say 30 operations have taken