Neighborhood Heroes

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) – Sensei Tamara Canedo-Lifschutz is the founder and CEO of Seiden-Juku, a nonprofit in La Quinta dedicated to the art of Karate-Do and Para-Karate, serving students with cerebral palsy, autism, down syndrome, cerebral palsy, blind athletes and wheelchair users. She also teaches youth impacted by foster care, abuse and bullying. She was

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – March is women’s history month, and News Channel 3 will be spotlighting women throughout the Coachella Valley who’ve made a difference in the community. For our first women’s history month story, we’re spotlighting the Coachella Valley’s female mayors and their journeys as women in politics. Mayor Naomi Soto of Palm

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – For our final Celebrating Black History story, we’re spotlighting local artists who’ve made significant contributions to art and culture. Alvin Taylor, a Palm Springs native, is a world-renowned drummer known for his work with Elton John, George Harrison and Billy Preston. “When you are playing and you’re in the zone,

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A Coachella Valley local, Rose King, is competing in the Ms. Senior California of America pageant this Saturday. King has a progressive condition called retinitis pigmentosa and is completely blind. She lost her sight at the age of 40. “I live a normal life. I dance, I go out, I

PALMS SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Every week during Black history month, News Channel 3 is highlighting the Black trail blazers and community members who’ve helped shape the Coachella Valley. Today, we’re taking a look at Black nonprofit organizations making a difference. The Carolyn Knight Mobile Resource Center provides care kits and meals for the homeless.

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – For Black History Month, News Channel 3 will be spotlighting Black trailblazers and pioneers who’ve had a significant impact on the Coachella Valley. John Nobles was the first African American to own land in the Coachella Valley in the 1930s. Known as “Nobles Ranch,” the plot of land, which sits behind

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – For Black History Month, News Channel 3 will be spotlighting Black trailblazers and pioneers who’ve had a significant impact on the Coachella Valley. James O. Jessie was the director for parks and recreation in Palm Springs, and the manager for the Desert Highland Unity Center for decades. He was known

They say a dog is a man’s best friend, but for this month’s Neighborhood Hero, that goes beyond friendship. News Channel 3’s Allie Anthony introduces us to Ken Aggie, a local hero making an impact through his work with Guide Dogs of the Desert. Ken was diagnosed with two rare forms of cancer. His active

IDYLLWILD, Calif. (KESQ)–A golden retriever named Max. He’s been the town’s official “Mayor Max III” since 2022, and his popularity is undeniable. While most cities have human leaders, Idyllwild’s leadership is a bit more… fluffy. The tradition of electing a dog as mayor began back in 2012. It started with a local animal rescue group

PALM DESERT, Calif. — Mirabelle Lee, a recent graduate of Palm Valley School, has received a prestigious scholarship in recognition of her outstanding work in promoting diversity and literacy in education. Lee, who has worked in the entertainment industry since her childhood, founded the Beatrice Martin Foundation during her sophomore year of high school. The

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) At first glance, it looks like any other thrift store. But step inside and you’ll find a guy who’s been powering this place for nearly a decade. “Life’s great. I have been here almost nine years, so that explains how cool it is here… This place is kind of like a

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) At first glance, Will Rooker might look like just another friendly face behind the counter at Revivals. But to many in Palm Springs, he’s something more: a neighborhood hero quietly powering hope through fashion, compassion, and community. Rooker, is a volunteer at Revivals Palm Springs, and is being recognized for his

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Jared Rogers, an engineer paramedic with Palm Springs Fire Station 2, will be receiving the Medal of Valor on Wednesday for saving a fellow firefighters life. Rogers told News Channel 3, he and his coworker were cutting holes on the roof of the Elk’s Lodge, an abandoned structure that caught

Mitch Battersby is involved in various community service projects around the Coachella Valley. Working as the director of volunteers at Palm Springs Pride, hosting his cooking show called “Neighbors Cooking” and working as a city commissioner for Village Fest are just some of his titles.  But other volunteers and friends of Battersby say his impact

The CEO at Boys and Girls Club of Cathedral City has been creating a positive difference and truly changing the lives of so many throughout the organization for almost twenty years. News Channel 3’s Timothy Foster introduces us to Scott Robinson, CEO of Boys and Girls Club of Cathedral City, who gives back to an

An estimated 10,000 people in the Coachella Valley have Parkinson’s disease. This past year, News Channel 3’s John White has been serving on the board of the “Parkinson’s Resource Organization” and is now the co-chair. He introduces us to Jo Rosen, founder of Parkinson’s Resource Organization and a “Neighborhood Hero” who’s been making a difference