PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Memorial Day is a busy travel day across the country, honoring U.S. military members who died in service. In the Valley, the weekend also marks one of the last busy foot-traffic days for downtown businesses before a quiet summer. With the heat in the Valley, tourism declines and residents look
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PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Some local families are voicing concerns to Desert Sands Unified School District regarding an altercation on a bus ride for a field trip on Wednesday. They say it temporarily stranded some third graders and chaperone parents as they returned from a trip to Legoland. A video from a parent shows
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — A fire at a home broke out Thursday night in the 2000 block of Racquet Club Road, just east of Sunrise Way, according to authorities. News Channel 3’s Shay Lawson reported live, where fire crews were working the scene. No injuries have been reported at this time. This is a developing
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YUCCA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – Days after Saturday’s bombing in Palm Springs, News Channel 3 is sitting down with the father of the suspect, Richard Bartkus. In disbelief, he says his son, Guy Edward Bartkus, was a good and smart kid. Despite the bombing, he believes his son meant no harm to anyone. “I know
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MECCA, Calif. (KESQ) – Riverside County Office of Education announced on Thursday that Mecca Elementary teacher Marisa Gaytan is one of four teachers chosen as a 2026 Riverside County Teacher of the Year. Gaytan, a fourth grade dual-language teacher, was met by more than 100 students, along with family, colleagues, a drum line, cheerleaders, and
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — For the first time since a targeted terrorist attack destroyed parts of the American Reproductive Center over the weekend, News Channel 3 is speaking with the clinic’s doctors.You can watch the full news conference below: “Our clinic, where hope is nurtured and futures begin, was the target of a senseless
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SAN DIEGO, Calif. (KESQ) – Everyone aboard a plane that crashed into a San Diego military housing community died in the wreck, a National Transportation Safety Board investigator said today, adding that both the runway lights and an automated weather-notification system at the destination airport were inoperable at the time. The investigation was continuing
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Palm Springs is moving forward with its first VillageFest since Saturday’s bombing targeting American Reproductive Centers, a local fertility clinic. Organizers said the weekly Thursday night event continues amid heightened concern — and with extra security in place. Mike Villegas, a Lieutenant at the Palm Springs Police Department, said the goal
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SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (KESQ) – The man who started the devastating Line Fire in San Bernardino County faces life in prison after being found guilty of multiple charges. Justin Wayne Halstenberg, 34, of Norco was found guilty of seven counts related to the Line Fire, and two counts related to a subsequent fire, including aggravated
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The suspect in Saturday’s bombing in Palm Springs had access to a large quantity of commercially available chemical products. The products could be used to create a homemade explosive device, the FBI announced on Thursday. Today at 4 p.m., News Channel 3’s Peter Daut speaks with a spokesperson for the
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CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Firefighters were able to contain a fire at a home in Cathedral City late Thursday morning. The fire was at a home along Rancho Vista Drive, near Ramon Road and Date Palm Drive. Viewers have reported seeing a large plume of smoke in the area. We have a crew on
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CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – “Esperanza” means hope in Spanish, and residents of the Dream Home neighborhood in Cathedral City have been hoping for a park close to home. Esperanza Park is 11 years in the making. Officials said it’s been a long process for getting grants, council approval and to even break ground on
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A nonprofit group that recognizes youth for positive accomplishments, behavior and good deeds awarded $60,000 in scholarships to 47 graduating seniors across three Coachella Valley school districts. The Do the Right Thing program presented scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $1,500 to 47 students representing all 14 high schools in
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The Denny’s on Palm Canyon Drive reopened Thursday morning after sustaining damage in Saturday’s bombing. The bomb shattered windows at many storefronts and businesses. Denny’s managed a quick recovery, but some business owners say their insurance won’t cover repair costs, leaving them to pay out of pocket. In response, the “Rebuild Palm Springs” initiative launched
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — After Saturday’s bombing at a Palm Springs IVF clinic left dozens of buildings damaged, residents and business owners are shaken — but already looking ahead to recovery. City leaders are assuring the community that Palm Springs is safe and will rebuild. Local businesses have begun repairing broken windows and clearing
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — In the aftermath of the Palm Springs fertility clinic terrorist attack, News Channel 3 is holding officials accountable to see how this attack will change enforcement. Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills is no stranger to domestic terrorism. Before Palm Springs, Mills worked in counter-terrorism measures in the San Diego
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PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – The College of the Desert Board of Trustees has chosen Val Martinez Garcia as its new superintendent/president. The board approved the hire with a 3-2 vote during a special meeting on May 14. School officials said contract details are finalized and Martinez Garcia was presented for approval during a meeting on
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INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – In Washington D.C., some proposed changes to the way SNAP benefits are delivered is raising concerns at FIND Food Bank in Indio. SNAP is the government’s supplemental nutrition assistance program, known as CalFresh here in California. Lawmakers are looking at shifting SNPAP’s administrative and benefits to the states. The change could
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Small business owners in Palm Springs are rallying to support businesses devastated by Saturday’s deadly explosion through a fundraiser. The initiative, called “Rebuild Palm Springs,” is being led by: Bob Smiland, Desert Hand Car Wash Liz Ostoich, FARM, Tac/Quila and Clandestino Willie Rhine, 849 Restaurant & Lounge Bill Sanderson, Townie
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IDYLLWILD, Calif. (KESQ) – The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office released bodycam video of a dramatic hoist rescue after a climber fell 30 feet over the weekend in Idyllwild. The rescue happened Saturday near Lily Rock. The climber sustained a limb injury and needed to be hoisted off the cliff, according to RSO. “Shout out to
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