Top Stories Archives

Job seekers and employers connect at 29th Valley-Wide Employment Expo in Indio

September 18, 2024 3:12 PM Allie Anthony, City News Service

Government agencies, hotels, big box retailers, restaurants, insurance companies and other prospective employers were out accepting applications and interfacing with job seekers Thursday during the 29th Valley-Wide Employment Expo in Indio. “The expo will feature hundreds of job openings across various industries, including education, healthcare, hospitality and more,” according to an expo statement. “Local employers

Cathedral City High School briefly placed on lockout due to nearby police activity

September 19, 2024 11:49 AM Jesus Reyes

Cathedral City High School was placed on a brief lockout Thursday morning due to police activity in the area. The school was placed on a 10-minute lockout starting at 10:55 a.m. after school officials were notified by police, according to a text message sent out to parents. Police quickly detained a suspect nearby. The lockout

Importance of proper child car seat use this Child Passenger Safety Week

September 19, 2024 10:10 AM Luis Avila

Motor vehicle injuries are a leading cause of death among children in the U.S., but many of these deaths can be prevented. To reduce the risk of serious injury and death, properly buckle children in car seats, booster seats, or seat belts appropriate for their age and size. In 2021, 711 child passengers ages 12

Palm Desert residents voice concerns over Hovley Soccer Park’s lighting and security

September 19, 2024 2:13 AM Bianca Ventura

Palm Desert neighbors are raising concerns after 3 teenagers were taken to the hospital from Hovely Soccer after they had shown up there with stab wounds. The stabbings occurred near Palm Desert’s Aquatic Center Friday evening. Authorities say a group of eight teenagers assaulted two others, and one of the victims then stabbed three of them in self-defense. From there

Xavier Prep quarterback King Pellum and father Roman discuss status, concern for safety protocols going forward

September 18, 2024 6:40 PM Blake Arthur

Xavier Prep sophomore quarterback King Pellum and his father Roman visited the KESQ studio on Wednesday to discuss King’s status and concern for safety protocols going forward. NEW: We're hearing from King Pellum and his father Roman for the first time since the Xavier Prep QB had to be airlifted from a football game back

Worker hospitalized with ‘severe fire burns’ after fire in electrical room area in Palm Springs

September 18, 2024 4:50 PM Jesus Reyes

A worker was rushed to the hospital with “severe fire burns” following a fire at a building in the northern part of Palm Springs. The fire was reported at around 4:00 p.m. by the 3500 N Indian Canyon Drive, between W Radio Road and Oasis Road. A Palm Springs Fire crew told News Channel 3

Man accused of stabbing Sheriff’s deputy in Palm Desert ordered to stand trial

September 18, 2024 6:02 PM City News Service, KESQ News Team

A La Quinta man accused of stabbing a Riverside County sheriff’s deputy in a leg during a scuffle in Palm Desert must stand trial on several felony counts, including attempted murder on a peace officer, a judge ruled today. Christian Matthew Choi, 50, was arrested in March 2020 in the area of El Paseo and

Man believed to be high on mushrooms arrested for murder after unprovoked attack on High Desert family

September 18, 2024 5:48 PM Jesus Reyes

An Ontario man was arrested on suspicion of murder after an unprovoked attack on a family while he was high on mushrooms near Twentynine Palms, authorities announced on Wednesday. The incident was first reported on Tuesday just before 8:00 p.m. on the 3300 block of Bluegrass Avenue in Desert Heights, an unincorporated area of the

4Shayj Foundation provides helmets to students in Palm Desert

September 18, 2024 4:10 PM KESQ News Team

The 4Shayj Foundation visited Abraham Lincoln Elementary School in Palm Desert on Wednesday to give out free helmets and provide an important lesson in helmet safety. 94 students in the 2nd and 3rd grades were given free helmets by the non-profit. The 4ShayJ Foundation was established in memory of 19-year-old Shaun Clark Jr, also known

Desert Regional Medical Center installs new generation surgical robot ‘Da Vinci 5’

September 18, 2024 3:44 PM Jesus Reyes

Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs became the first hospital in the county to install one of the newest generations of surgical robots. The hospital welcomed the “Da Vinci 5 robot” on Wednesday. It will be one of only eight to date to be installed in Southern California. “We’re excited to bring this brand-new

Trial Date Confirmed for Trio Accused in Cathedral City Murder

September 18, 2024 1:45 PM City News Service

An Oct. 15 trial date was confirmed today for a woman, her parolee father and a third defendant accused of murdering a 29-year-old man in a Cathedral City park four years ago. Rena Lizette Alaniz, 24, of Thousand Palms, Carlos Antonio Ruiz, 44, of La Quinta and Andres Moreno, 22, of Cathedral City are charged

Board hires consultant to provide strategic plan for Departement of Animal Services

September 18, 2024 1:34 PM Jesus Reyes

The Riverside County Board of Supervisors voted to hire a consultant who will conduct “a thorough, outside evaluation and provide a strategic plan for the Department of Animal Services.” The Department of Animal Services has faced issues with overcrowding at its animal shelters. The issues led to a lawsuit being filed against the county by

Out-of-state firefighters part of massive collaborative response to the Line Fire

September 18, 2024 1:24 PM Gavin Nguyen

For many people driving by the Line Fire Incident Command Post, or ICP, what they see looks like a miniature city. Tents, trailers, and more essentials fill Beaumont’s Noble Creek Regional Park, which has been repurposed as the base camp for nearly 3,500 personnel currently working on the fire. 17 different agencies from outside of California

Coachella Valley leaders discuss possible joint ordinance to address homelessness

September 18, 2024 1:23 PM Luis Avila

Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG), public safety and homeless committees came together Wednesday at the Palm Desert City Council Chambers to discuss a possible joint ordinance that would be adopted by cities in the valley to address homelessness. Some leaders are for a standard ordinance that would apply to all nine cities; but some

Banning man charged with sexually abusing a child

September 18, 2024 11:02 AM Jesus Reyes

A 20-year-old Banning man was arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing a child. John Edward Lario was charged with oral copulation and sexual penetration of a child under 10 as well as lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Sept. 19 at the Banning Justice Center.

Coachella Valley strengthening school safety efforts amid growing nationwide threats

September 18, 2024 10:39 AM Shay Lawson

With increasing school shooting threats across the nation — Coachella Valley schools, law enforcement agencies and other organizations are ramping up security measures and mental health support to ensure student safety. Recently, Riverside County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 17-year-old from Cathedral City accused of a school violence threat posted online. In a statement to News

Palm Springs Unified School District celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

September 18, 2024 5:58 AM Allie Anthony

The Palm Springs Unified School District is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month by honoring the cultures and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities. To commemorate this occasion, the district is organizing assemblies that will showcase the colorful fashion, music, and art of these cultures. On Wednesday, Vista Del Monte Elementary School hosted assemblies for students in

Red Cross assists residents after home catches fire

September 17, 2024 10:34 PM Kristen Outlaw

There was no word on the cause of a house fire that broke out overnight. Cal Fire reported crews were called out Tuesday around 2:40 a.m., to a home located off Calle Avila in Coachella. Firefighters reported seeing flames coming from the back of the main structure, as well as downed power lines. The fire

Firefighting helicopters hindered by unauthorized drones over the Line Fire

September 17, 2024 11:53 AM Gavin Nguyen

Firefighting helicopters based at Redlands Municipal Airport have been hindered throughout the day after unauthorized drones were spotted flying over the fire. Drones pose a safety risk to helicopter crews. Fire officials are asking the public to not fly their drones as crews continue to work to contain the wildfire. Following two drone intrusions that

Search for critical missing adult

September 17, 2024 10:22 PM KESQ News Team

Banning Police Department announced a critical missing adult search was underway Tuesday night. Officers were looking for Jose Guichard, 70, who was described as 5’8” and 165 pounds. He had white hair and blue eyes. He was believed to be driving a KIA Soul, which was seen in a photo released by Banning Police Department. Members