Drama over drag is taking center stage in a valley homeowner’s association after a community drag bingo event dropped the drag queen. The drag bingo event planned for next month was supposed to feature local drag queen Rusty Waters, but the HOA board abruptly sent a memo to community members saying they’d made the decision
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As Stagecoach nears, the campers are filling in. RV sites, car camping areas, and tent camping are being set up by campers starting today. “We only missed one year,” says a frequent festival goer Greg Michie. “We’ve got rigs. I got 30 rigs with me. We’re from Huntington Beach, California, Long Beach, California, to Phoenix,
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The Whitewater River is even more dangerous than in recent years. That’s because rising temperatures are causing snowmelt runoff after the severe winter storms in February. Don’t let the beauty fool you; the Whitewater River is not the place to cool off from the heat. Hiker Dominic Ferraro has been camping at the Whitewater Preserve. Despite the
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A jury was seated today in the trial of an unlicensed driver accused of killing a Tour de Palm Springs bicyclist and severely injuring another when he lost control of his car while high on drugs, speeding to get around the competitors in Indio Hills.  Ronnie Ramon Huerta Jr., 26, of Desert Hot Springs, is
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The family of a man who was fatally shot by a Riverside County sheriff’s sergeant trying to arrest him for attempting to attack people — including the lawman — with a club and baseball bat was awarded $10 million by a federal jury, it was announced today.  The family of 36-year-old Clemente Najera sued the
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Shanna Ocampo and her family are remembering their son Branden Ocampo exactly 3 years after he was killed by a driver who ran a stop sign at the intersection of Pierson Boulvard and Highway 62 in Desert Hot Springs. The mother said that soon after her son’s death, a family friend made a wooden cross
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Four Coachella teens were arrested for fleeing from pursuing deputies and being in possession of multiple firearms, authorities said today. The Thermal Sheriff’s Station Special Investigations Unit conducted a surveillance operation around 2:15 p.m. Wednesday in Coachella in response to recent criminal activity, according to Sgt. David Aldrich of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. Aldrich
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A 40-year-old man was behind bars today for allegedly sending sexually motivated messages to someone he believed was a 14-year-old boy in Palm Desert. The Hemet man was arrested Tuesday night on suspicion of contacting a minor to commit a felony and attempting oral copulation with a person under 16 years of age, according to
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The parents of local Marine Corporal Hunter Lopez are speaking out after the Taliban said they killed the Senior Islamic State group leader behind the August 2021 suicide bombing outside the Kabul airport. Lopez and 12 other service members were killed in the attack. The identity of the Islamic State Leader who was killed has
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More than 70 restaurants are participating in the annual fundraising event “Dining Out for Life,” which looks to raise funds for organizations that help people with HIV. DAP Health helps host the event in the Coachella Valley. This year, there are 72 restaurants and bars that will be taking part, including Townie Bagels, Sherman’s Deli,
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Restaurant owners in Indio are encouraged to apply for a $5,000 grant that can be used for kitchen equipment, technical upgrades, employee training and bonuses, and to address unforeseen hardships. The grants are funded by a $1 million donation from SoCalGas to the California Restaurant Foundation’s Restaurants Care Resilience Fund. Independent restaurants with one to
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Dining Out For Life, an annual fundraising event that has collected more than 100 million dollars for community-based organizations that serve people living with or impacted by HIV since its inception in 1991 — will take place in Palm Springs and across the Coachella Valley on Thursday, April 27, 2023. Every year since 2005 —
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In an I-team investigation, a local wastewater treatment district is backing off plans to raise customer rates dramatically. “On this proposal, we had out, that is completely out,” said Debra Canero who serves as Board President of the Valley Sanitary District. The district’s 400 percent rate hike is postponed indefinitely, according to a release issued Thursday afternoon. That was
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A 22-year-old felon convicted in Riverside County was killed at Soledad State Prison in Salinas, state officials said today. Â Â Jaime Brugada was fatally assaulted sometime between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. Tuesday at the medium-security all-male facility, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The agency said in a statement that Brugada
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Some students from Oasis Elementary School paid a visit to KESQ while learning the importance of community involvement. Mrs. Kay’s third-grade class took a tour of our newsroom and while here, they also presented Animal Samaritans with a donation. For the last few months, the students have been collecting food and other items to donate
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Eight additional transients were arrested during a recent sweep focusing on hot spots in Palm Springs, police said today. Â Â Operation Relentless Sun began Feb. 1, and as of April 1, 418 people have been identified as homeless in Palm Springs, 143 arrests have been made, 17 transients have been reunited with their family and
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A 33-year-old man suspected of breaking into a woman’s apartment in Palm Springs to sexually assault her pleaded not guilty to six felony charges today.  Fernando Javier Hernandez of Coachella was charged with one felony count each of assault with intent to commit rape, attempted rape by force or fear, assault on a person causing
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The heat puts everyone at risk no matter if you’re new to the desert or a seasoned veteran. While emergency room doctors in the valley are expecting to see another busy weekend with festival attendees, they also want you to be prepared. Related: Triple digits return for the weekend The Stagecoach Country Music Festival is
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Eisenhower Health in Rancho Mirage is reporting a surge in pickleball-related injuries among older adults. The rise in injuries is attributed to the game’s growing popularity and the ease of play, which has drawn a significant number of older players to the sport. “People often think they won’t get injured playing pickleball, but when you’re
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Performers from Cirque du Soleil visited the desert this week for a glimpse into the family-friendly show set to take the stage later this year. It’s not your average circus show according to the performers. It’s a story about the life of a clown before he sees his death. “That sounds like oh my god
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