News

Riverside County Sheriff’s detectives were continuing their probe into Lindsay Lohan’s alleged tiff with an employee at the Betty Ford Center, even though an attorney for the now-fired employee said his client does not want to pursue an assault charge. Dawn Holland, a technician at the world-famous addiction treatment center, told law enforcement officers that

Colin Firth and Natalie Portman will receive the Desert Palm Achievement Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival in January, it was announced today. “We are honoring two of the finest actors to grace the screen, both of whom deliver Oscar-quality performances in their most recent films,” said Harold Matzner, the festival’s chairman. Firth

Two men were arrested at a Desert Hot Springs home where police found several weapons, including a shotgun allegedly brandished in a fight Dec. 18, authorities said today. Jason Weidman, 38, and Blaine Bates, 41, were arrested on suspicion of illegally possessing firearms, Desert Hot Springs police Sgt. Gus Paiz said. Police found a .223-caliber

Riverside County residents with curbside trash service can recycle their Christmas trees by leaving them at the curb for the next two weeks, the county Waste Management Department announced today. Those without curbside pickup can recycle their trees at nine collection sites throughout the county. Residents can drop off up to three trees for free

A driver and passenger were injured on Monday afternoon when the wheel of a BMW snapped off, sending the car into several other cars, landing under an SUV. The accident happened around 1:20 p.m. near the intersection of Palm Canyon Drive and Andreas, according to Palm Springs Spokesperson Rhonda Long. Officers on the scene told

For the time ever during the Christmas holiday, the average price for a gallon of gas has exceeded $3. “Nothing surprises me anymore,” said Mark Cardinal, of Indio. “It goes up. It goes down. It goes up. It goes down.” At the AM/PM Gas station in Thousand Palms, regular unleaded was $3.19. Although it is

Part-time Palm Springs resident and renowned actor Michael Douglas will be honored during the run of the Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards The Academy Award winner will be awarded the Icon Award on Thursday, January 13 followed by a screening of his 2009 movie “Solitary Man.” Click here for extensive coverage of the Palm

The number of people arrested on suspicion of drunken driving in the Coachella Valley over the Christmas holiday weekend reached its highest point in four years, according to figures released today by the California Highway Patrol. There were 17 DUI arrests in the Coachella Valley during the weekend’s “maximum enforcement period,” according to the CHP.

A man who ran from authorities following a domestic dispute was behind bars today. Joseph Salazar, 38, of Coachella, was arrested Sunday, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. On Dec. 12, Salazar allegedly brandished a firearm during a domestic dispute. Deputies followed Salazar and pulled him over, but he put his Chevy Cobalt into

Authorities today released the name of a motorcyclist who was fatally injured in a collision when he failed to stop at a traffic signal in Palm Desert. Michael John Barrett, 43, of Cathedral City died at a hospital following the Sunday night collision at the intersection of Country Club Drive and Portola Avenue, according to

The rains and snows that socked California for a week have eased for now but another storm is on its way. The National Weather Service said Monday that temperatures have risen slightly across Riverside, Los Angeles and San Diego counties and showers have eased in the San Francisco Bay area. A fast-moving storm approaching from

Some holiday travelers are stranded at Southern California airports on Monday because of a blizzard on the East Coast that is causing flight delays and cancellations, and the temporary closure of some airports in the Northeast. Delta, American, Alaska and Jet Blue are among the airlines with flights from Los Angeles International Airport that were

Motorists were urged to avoid the intersection of Gerald Ford and Bob Hope drives this week due to work on a natural gas pipeline. The intersection will be shut down between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. through Thursday, according to the Southern California Gas Co., which began the closures on Sunday night. Gas Co. spokeswoman

Roads are closed around the valley due to the wet weather. Below is a list of roads currently closed and heavily flooded. Stay with KESQ.com as we learn about new closures. Here are the latest updates provided at 9:40 a.m. Saturday. DESERT HOT SPRINGS AND UNINCORPORATED AREAS Cholla and La Mesa Drive THOUSAND PALMS Ramon

Beginning tonight, the California Highway Patrol will be ramping up patrols for a two-day “maximum enforcement period,” during which all available officers hit the streets looking people driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. “This holiday season is all about having good times with family and friends, and about sharing and giving,” CHP Commissioner

The North American Aerospace Command has a challenging, yet gratifying, mission — tracking Santa Claus’ location for millions of children. NORAD is in charge of the annual Christmas mission to keep children informed of Santa’s worldwide journey. Last year, NORAD’s Santa tracking center answered 94,000 calls and responded to 10,000 e-mails. About 10.6 million visitors

‘Twas the day before Christmas and all through the airport: No fuss and no troubles as passengers made the last minute dash across country. “We have to do the Santa thing tonight back home in Seattle,” said Latonya Evans. “So, the kids are excited about heading home for Christmas.” AAA of Southern California estimates more

The Coachella Valley Economic Partnership announced Thursday that Indio Councilwoman Elaine Holmes joined its board of directors. Holmes was elected to the Indio City Council last month and, as a business owner in Indio, has extensive local business experience. “We are delighted to welcome Councilwoman Holmes,” said Thomas Flavin, the partnership’s president and chief executive

Dozens of Riverside County roads flooded or damaged in the series of rain storms remained closed today, but the county’s transportation chief said many will be reopened by day’s end. “We’re trying to open all of them as quickly as possible,” county Department of Transportation Director Juan Perez told City News Service. “Some will have

A man was killed today in a hit-and-run crash in Coachella, according to the sheriff’s department. The man, in his 30s or 40s, was killed around 6 a.m. on the northbound Highway 86 Expressway, just south of Airport Boulevard, said sheriff’s spokeswoman Melissa Nieburger. The man was involved in a car accident with another driver,