BANNING, Calif. (CNS) – A felon accused of gunning down a 50-year-old man in a drive-by attack on the edge of the Morongo Indian Reservation northeast of Banning was charged on Wednesday with first-degree murder and other offenses. Robert Eugene Leonard, 43, of Beaumont, was arrested over the weekend following a Riverside County Sheriff’s Department
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PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ)– The Fourth of July is just days away, and several cities around the Coachella Valley, the Hi-Desert, and the mountain areas are gearing up for city-led fireworks displays. Here at News Channel 3, several concerned viewers have sent in e-mails, worried about wildlife, and more specifically the Big Bear Eagles, on
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — The American Reproductive Centers, the fertility clinic targeted in the Palm Springs terrorist attack, are now demolishing their old office and preparing for a new beginning. Dr. Maher Abdallah, the clinic’s founder and chief doctor, says the rebuild will cost $17 million, not including the cost of new equipment. While
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THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Fourth of July is the busiest weekend for lost pets entering shelters, primarily due to the loud noises and flashing lights from fireworks, which can frighten pets and cause them to run away. Many animal shelters and animal control facilities report a 30% to 60% increase in lost pets, according
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CABAZON, Calif. (KESQ) – New technology in the Banning Pass is giving firefighters an advantage to fight wildfires in our region. There are two heli-hydrant systems currently installed and operational in the Cabazon area on both the northern and southern sides of the I-10. The tanks were installed in mid-June. These water tanks allow helicopters
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YUCCA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – A Yucca Valley High School teacher was arrested Wednesday morning for embezzlement from the school’s Parent Teacher Organization. The Morongo Basin Sheriff’s Department reports that on June 18, a member of the Parent Teacher Organization called law enforcement to report the unauthorized withdrawal of funds from the PTO account. The
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Updated 7/2/25 1:17 p.m. BANNING, Calif. (KESQ)- Earlier today, former Palm Springs Mayor Pougent who admitted accepting six-figure bribes was sentenced to two years of probation with a $325k fine for his counts of bribery. In court the judge read statements from former council members Christopher Mills and Ginny Float requesting leniency on the sentencing
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PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – A Riverside County Sheriff’s Office deputy was involved in a traffic collision in Palm Desert early Wednesday morning. It was reported that at approximately 8:10 a.m. Wednesday morning an on-duty deputy of Riverside County Sheriff’s office was involved in a crash off of Cook Street and Gerald Ford on his
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PALMS SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Desert Regional Medical Center said every year they expect to see an increased number of people in the trauma center. Not only are people dehydrated from the Valley heat, but they get injured from fireworks, despite it being illegal in Palm Springs. Last year Desert Regional only saw one patient with
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Calif. (KESQ) – This Fourth of July weekend marks the first of two free fishing days for California residents presented by the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW). This program is set to run July 5 and August 30 and is designed so California residents can enjoy the outdoor fun without having to spend a
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INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) Â – The Indio Police Department (IPD) is cracking down on illegal fireworks this Fourth of July, and this year enforcement is taking flight. Officer Felipe Escalante said the department is deploying several drones to help identify and respond to firework violations. “The entire city,” Escalante said. “When people are calling in illegal
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CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Californians will now pay more for legal cannabis products after a new state excise tax took effect July 1. The 19% tax represents a 4% increase from the previous 15% rate. Double Eye Dispensary in Cathedral City said it has been preparing customers for the tax increase, by letting them know
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Last week, we learned about the National Weather Service and how the meteorologists there work day and night to keep Americans safe across every inch of the country. First Alert Meteorologist Spencer Blum is taking an in-depth look at how recent government staffing cuts and proposed budget cuts could impact the agency monitoring the land,
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29 PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) Another national retailer is shutting down locations across our valley. rite aid is closing all of its stores in the coachella valley and that’s leaving customers scrambling to fill prescriptions and workers uncertain about their futures. The doors are still open but not for long. rite aid’s 29 palms location is
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Leaders in the Coachella Valley met Tuesday to discuss how policy changes could affect immigrant communities. Representatives from UnidosUS, the nation’s largest Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization, hosted the discussion on Tuesday at the Mizell Center in Palm Springs. Several different organizations, ranging from healthcare companies to local advocacy groups
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CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ)–The Cathedral City Fire Department just commissioned a brand new ambulance, making it the department’s fourth in it’s fleet. The ambulance, along with six newly-hired firefighters and paramedics, were introduced to the community in a ceremony on Tuesday. The celebration took place at CCFD’s Fire Station #2. Cathedral City Fire Chief Michael
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INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A mother and her son were charged in connection with the death of a 24-year-old Indio woman who was found last week near the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission campus. Mario Morales Jr., 25, of Coachella, faces multiple charges, including murder, for the death of his girlfriend, Alexis Cano. He pleaded not
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BANNING, Calif. (KESQ) – Firefighters are getting the upper hand on the Wolf Fire burning south of Banning. The brushfire is at 35 percent contained and has burned more than 2,400 acres. This progress, in large part, thanks to retardant lines. Retardant, or PHOS-CHEK, is made of a salt mixture that helps to slow the
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RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. (KESQ) – Riverside County Department of Animal Services is calling out for immediate help from fosters and adopters as they continue to push capacity numbers to the highest levels all year. RCDAS announced on Tuesday they are operating at 125% capacity for cats with a population of over 300 cats in their
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RIVERSIDE (KESQ) – The Board of Supervisors today approved a new three-year contract with the union representing upper-level Riverside County sheriff’s personnel, District Attorney’s Office investigators and other county peace officers, guaranteeing pay increases to members totaling 19% over the duration of the compact.  In a 5-0 vote without comment, the board authorized implementation of
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