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INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Indio police officers cited 21 drivers for using their cell phones during a distracted driving enforcement operation, authorities announced today. “Despite repeated efforts to warn drivers about the hands-free cell phone law, some drivers continue to use their phones while operating a vehicle,” the Indio Police Department said in a statement.
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Coachella Valley is no stranger to high temperatures as the summer months approach. But as Southern California experiences above-normal warmth this week, the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued some heat advisories for other portions of the region. A Heat Advisory issued for the Los Angeles area Wednesday through
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A neighbor of Guy Edward Bartkus — the 25-year-old man identified by the FBI as the suspect in the deadly Palm Springs fertility clinic bombing — says they are “shocked” to learn explosives may have been assembled next door. “He had an explosives laboratory in there, and although he built a pretty big bomb that
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THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) — The Coachella Valley Unified School District board voted Tuesday night to approve layoffs for 82 employees and reduce hours for 17 others, as part of a sweeping effort to address a multimillion-dollar budget shortfall. The decision follows a recommendation from an administrative law judge, who reviewed the district’s proposed reduction in force
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A lot of people in Palm Springs my be wondering how to go back to their normal lives after witnessing Saturday’s bombing that target an IVF clinic downtown. If you are having those thoughts, you aren’t alone. Most people have never experienced a terror attack in their hometown, so dealing with
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – In the wake of Saturday’s bomb in Palm Springs, local businesses are stepping up to give back to first responders and those impacted by the bomb. Among those is Cafe La Jefa, offering free food and drinks to first responders. “People are happy that we’re able to do what we
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RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. (KESQ) – Riverside County released updated data from this year’s Homeless Point-in-Time Count. As we reported last week, the data shows that homelessness in Riverside County continues to grow, but the rate is slowing. This week, the county provided a breakdown on unsheltered and sheltered homeless in Coachella Valley cities. The report
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Update 5/20/25 The missing woman was found dead off of Highway 247 in Johnson Valley Monday afternoon, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department announced. Authorities said Bird was found dead near a large group of boulders. “We still don’t have all the details, but grandma’s body was found shoved in between the graffiti rocks up
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – After Saturday’s deadly bombing in Palm Springs, medical professionals are highlighting those who run towards danger to save others. Desert Care Network planned its National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week ceremony well before the blast rocked the Palm Springs community. Hospital leaders, though, used the opportunity to honor first responders
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INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – The Indio Police Department is heightening its focus on the dangers of distracted driving with an enforcement operation on May 20. Under the hands-free cell phone law, California drivers are not allowed to hold a phone or electronic communication device while operating a vehicle. Indio PD traffic officers will be focuses on
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RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – The Board of Supervisors today unanimously approved a resolution declaring that Riverside County’s animal shelters will promote “no-kill” polices and practices that seek to ensure 90% of canines and felines who are impounded leave alive. “It took us a while to get here with this resolution,” board Chairman Manuel Perez
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AGUANGA, Calif. (KESQ) – Fire crews worked through the night hitting hotspots and improving control lines to contain 85% of a brush fire south of Highway 371 in Aguanga that has scorched 126 acres and destroyed one structure. The Crossing Fire was reported at 1:38 p.m. Tuesday in the area of Petes Crossing and Janell
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RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – The Board of Supervisors today authorized Riverside County Fire Department Chief Bill Weiser to close access to multiple outdoor recreational locations for the duration of Southern California’s wildfire season to minimize public safety risks. Since 2007, the agency has sought and received authorization to close designated grounds — located mainly in
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Indian Canyon and Gene Autry Trail are now open at the Whitewater wash in Palm Springs. The important traffic arteries had been closed for days due to strong winds, which caused low visibility and covered the roads with drifting sand. Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates. Get the
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BANNING, Calif. (KESQ) – Opening statements began in the trial of a real estate developer accused of providing six-figure bribes to former Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet, who pleaded guilty last week to a slate of felony charges connected to his support for the defendant’s projects. John Elroy Wessman, 86, is charged with nine counts
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – We’re hearing directly from some of the first responders who arrived at the scene of Saturday’s explosion in Palm Springs. Fire crews found themselves at the site of the largest bombing in Southern California history on Saturday, but that didn’t stop them from going beyond the call of duty. The
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Remains found at the scene of Saturday’s Palm Springs explosion were a positive match for the suspect after DNA testing, the FBI confirmed. FBI officials have said they are “fairly confident” that 25-year-old Guy Edward Bartkus of Twentynine Palms was responsible for Saturday’s bombing. Bartkus was killed in the blast,
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — A powerful explosion rocked downtown Palm Springs Saturday, leaving damage scattered over a 100-yard radius according to investigators. The blast shattered windows, rattled nerves and left local businesses like The Velvet Rope reeling. Owner David Rios said he’s spent days sweeping up debris and repairing broken windows — without the help
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A miracle in more ways than one. News Channel 3 is learning more about the patients of American Reproductive Centers, the target of Saturday’s bombing. Officials confirming while the facility’s office space was damaged, the lab was untouched and no embryos were were injured. A relief for patient Emery Baucas.
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Palm Springs Mayor Ron deHarte spoke live with News Channel 3’s Shay Lawson to share his message to the community after a bomb explosion rocked the city on Saturday. “It’s going to take time to heal the wounds that have been caused and the emotions and the incredible stress, not
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