RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – A former solar power developer sued by Riverside County and other jurisdictions over deficient business practices settled the legal action in a pretrial agreement requiring the remnants of the enterprise to pay $4.3 million in restitution and penalties, it was announced today. Vivint Solar Inc., previously headquartered in Lehi, Utah, reached
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – From Palm Springs to Indio, a growing number of Coachella Valley residents say aircraft noise is disrupting their daily lives. The complaints follow a change by the FAA to the flight approach path into Palm Springs International Airport, and now, the airport is trying to do something about it. News
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INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A jury was seated today for the trial of a man accused of providing a deadly dose of fentanyl to a 22-year-old Rancho Mirage resident on New Year’s Day 2022. Riley Jacob Hagar, 28, of Cathedral City is charged with second-degree murder for the death of Travis O’Brien. After more
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COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – City leaders are citing safety concerns after several small fires broke out over the past week at homeless encampments. News Channel 3 is getting answers on what’s being done to make sure those experiencing homelessness know resources are available. News Channel 3’s Maria Garcia spoke with the county and one
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BANNING, Calif. (KESQ) – A former Coachella Valley girls soccer coach who molested and propositioned multiple students was sentenced today to 61 years, four months in state prison. A Banning jury in October convicted 30-year-old Juan Manuel Pantoja Troncoso of Salton City of three counts each of forcible lewd acts on a child and contacting
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MECCA, Calif. (KESQ) – A hiker was rescued after suffering a medical emergency on Ladder Canyon Trail, east of Mecca Thursday afternoon. The incident was first reported at around 12:50 p.m. “Due to difficult access, CHP helicopter H60 was utilized to locate and retrieve the patient. The patient was delivered to a waiting ground ambulance
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RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – The Riverside County Department of Animal Services has partnered with Ironwood State Prison to bring people and animals together to help save and change lives through a novel foster program. 31 RivCo dogs started the foster program with incarcerated men at the state prison located in Blythe, where the dogs can
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DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Lifeguards are wanted in the city of Desert Hot Springs. The city is now hiring Lifeguards for Summer 2026 at the Furbee Aquatic Center. City officials said they are looking for motivated, responsible team players ready to make a difference this summer. “This is a great opportunity for students
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WHITEWATER, Calif. (KESQ) – Carley Walton said her sister was her protector. “We grew up in Whitewater together,” Walton said. “She was my best friend.” Her name was Erica Brooke Walton and Carley said she was killed in a hit-and-run crash in October 2024. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) said Erica was in dark clothing
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A Coachella Valley local, Rose King, is competing in the Ms. Senior California of America pageant this Saturday. King has a progressive condition called retinitis pigmentosa and is completely blind. She lost her sight at the age of 40. “I live a normal life. I dance, I go out, I
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PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Students from Xavier College Preparatory High School in Palm Desert won the 21st annual Academic World Quest competition, which challenges students’ knowledge of world affairs, hosted at Cal State San Bernardino Palm Desert, officials announced today. Team members MacKenzie Johnson, Haleigh Liles, Luke Macwan and Trey Morrison won first place
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BANNING, Calif. (KESQ) – Pretrial motions got underway today ahead of jury selection for the trial of an ex-instructional assistant for the Coachella Valley Unified School District accused of perpetrating lewd acts during online contact with a female student. Edward Noel Alvarado Valadez, 31, of Coachella was arrested in 2019 following a Riverside County Sheriff’s
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Palm Springs Fire Department is giving the media a first look before it hosts an Open House event next Monday. News Channel 3’s Shay Lawson reported last night on the push from nearby businesses to stop the fire station due to concerns about parking. Fire Chief Paul Alvarado said
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Palm Springs city leadership is considering a switch back to directly electing a mayor, if approved by voters. Since 2019, the city has rotated mayors every year from 5 elected city council members, after threat of a hefty lawsuit due to a lack of Latino representation. The current mayor is
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COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – Strong overnight winds tore through the Coachella Valley, leaving a trail of damage and debris across several communities by early morning. One of the hardest-hit areas was Parkview Mobile Home Estates, where powerful gusts knocked down fencing, overturned trash cans and furniture, and scattered debris throughout the property. Residents woke
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INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – We continue to get more additions for festival season in the Coachella Valley. On Wednesday, Stagecoach released the lineup for Diplo’s Honkytonk stage. This year, the lineup includes Dillstradamus (Dillon Francis & Flosstradamus) Juicy J, Marshmello, Loud Luxury, DJ Pauly D, Rebecca Black, comedians Theo Von and Caleb Pressley, Dillstradamus, Two
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Update 2/19/26 The man was found safe. He is back with his family. Original Report 2/18/26 PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – A 28-year-old man with medical issues has been missing since Monday in Palm Desert, loved ones told News Channel 3. Grant Yu was last seen Monday at around 6 p.m. along Monterey. According to
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Update 2/18/26 The suspect, Diego Gallardo, 32, was officially charged with attempted murder along with other charges, according to court records. He pleaded not guilty to all charges on Wednesday at the Larson Justice Center. Gallardo is scheduled to return to court on Feb. 27 for a felony settlement conference. Original Report 2/12/26 DESERT HOT
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RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – A Jurupa Valley woman partly responsible for her 1-year-old son’s ingestion of a deadly dose of fentanyl was bound for state prison today to serve a sentence of 12 years, four months behind bars after pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter and another felony. Sandy Alyssa Acuna, 25, admitted the manslaughter count,
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Update 2/23/26 Phone services at the Palm Springs Police Department’s dispatch center were operating normally today following temporary connectivity issues caused by wind-related disruptions last week. Original Report 2/18/26 PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Palm Springs police reported intermittent phone connectivity issues today due to wind-related service disruptions and urged residents to be patient and
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