Category: Deserts

Wrestling is a winter sport but these star student-athletes on the mat at Shadow Hills High School don’t believe in an off-season. Three Lady Knight wrestlers have qualified for The 2023 Girls Fargo National Tournament; Kaylin Montano, Yocelyn Sandoval, and Isabel Navarro. “It’s a really huge tournament like only top four get to go so it was really awesome just qualifying,” said Junior standout Montano. And even in the off-season they’re making sure to stay sharp on the mat. “I haven’t stopped wrestling like that’s what I’ve been doing constantly like going to practice after school even though season’s over and I’ve had like wrestling tournaments every weekend,” says first-year wrestler Yocelyn Sandoval. The Lady Knights Wrestling team is already a well decorated team under Head Coach Jody Davis, undefeated in the Valley this season. But their focus day in and day out is hard work and growth across the roster. Sandoval says wrestling has taught here a lot of things, especially discipline. “There’s a lot of discipline with wrestling — and there’s a lot of like mentality. That’s like one of the toughest things

MURRIETA (CNS) – A Temecula couple who allegedly permitted their 10- month-old daughter to ingest fentanyl, nearly killing the baby, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to child cruelty. David Matthew Carmona, 33, and Alicia Leann Rubio, 30, were arrested in March following a Riverside County Sheriff’s Department investigation. Along with two counts of child cruelty, both are charged with a sentence-enhancing great bodily injury allegation. They were jointly arraigned before Superior Court Judge Elaine Kiefer, who scheduled a felony settlement conference for July 19 at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta. Each defendant is free on a $75,000 bond. According to sheriff’s Sgt. Sean Liebrand, on the afternoon of last Oct. 11, patrol deputies were sent to a trauma center in the Murrieta area to investigate reports of an infant in medical distress due to exposure to unknown substances. Liebrand said doctors administered Narcan on the belief the 10-month- old girl, identified in court documents only as “K.C.,” had ingested the synthetic opioid fentanyl. Narcan acts to halt the effects of an overdose. According to Liebrand, the opioid antagonist was successful, and K.C. was stabilized. The

INDIO (CNS) – A man who was involved in an armed robbery that included use of multiple AK-47s inside the gated community that houses the Arnold Palmer PGA West Golf Course in La Quinta was sentenced to four years in prison, officials said Tuesday. Noe Millan Mora, 31, along with Luis Jose Leyva Jr., 34, of Desert Hot Springs and Fernando Leal Jr., 42, of Indio, pleaded guilty Friday at the Larson Justice Center in Indio to four felony counts of robbery and two misdemeanor counts of assault with a gun, and admitted to sentence-enhancing firearm allegations, according to court records. Leyva and Leal additionally pleaded guilty to one felony count of being a convicted felon and narcotic addict in possession of a firearm, according to court records. Mora was immediately sentenced to four years in state prison, Riverside County District Attorney’s office spokeswoman Amy McKenzie told City News Service on Tuesday. The minutes for Mora were not immediately available Friday. Leyva was sentenced to eight years in state prison and Leal was granted formal probation for three years. Garrett Basich, 33, of Desert Hot

INDIO (CNS) – A San Bernardino man fatally shot a man outside a Cathedral City home in 2019 and left him screaming in pain in the street over stolen property, a prosecutor told jurors Tuesday, but a defense attorney insisted that his client was wrongly accused and, in a haze of chaos, shot the decedent to avoid getting shot himself. Christian Isaiah Jimenez, 24, is charged with one felony count of murder in the Aug. 19, 2019, shooting death of 21-year-old Alberto Rafael Sosa Alvarez. He additionally faces a sentence-enhancing allegation of discharging a firearm causing great bodily injury. Deputy District Attorney Jenna Barsamian told jurors during opening statements Tuesday morning at the Larson Justice Center that on the night of Aug. 18, 2019, the defendant went to a small party in Cathedral City with around six people unknown to the girl who was hosting the gathering. At some point, Jimenez excused himself to go to the bathroom and when the girl saw the light on in her parents’ room she went to check on him, Barsamian said. She saw the defendant and one his

BANNING (CNS) – A 68-year-old woman accused of shooting two female relatives, killing one, during a confrontation at their San Jacinto home must stand trial on charges of murder and attempted murder, a judge ruled Tuesday. Nancy Susan Wischmeyer of San Jacinto allegedly gunned down Patricia Jean Crowe and wounded Mary Alice Crowe during the attack last August. Following a preliminary hearing at the Banning Justice Center, Riverside County Superior Court Judge Jorge Hernandez found there was sufficient evidence to warrant a trial on charges of murder, attempted murder and sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations. The judge scheduled a post-preliminary hearing arraignment for June 13 and left Wischmeyer held without bail at the nearby Smith Correctional Facility. According to sheriff’s Sgt. Richard Carroll, about 9:30 p.m. Aug. 2, the defendant was involved in an undisclosed dispute with the victims at their residence in the 1900 block of Meridian Street, near Beringer Drive. Carroll alleged the defendant pulled a handgun and fired several rounds at the women, wounding both. Witnesses called 911, and patrol deputies and paramedics reached the residence minutes later. Patricia Crowe

A child’s face was seriously injured in one of the accidents, according to the Palm Springs Police Department.       

The accident was reported at 2:42 p.m. on Avenue 48, near Caleo Bay.       

Good news for Firebirds fans, the Seattle Kraken have assigned John Hayden back to the AHL team in their quest for the Calder Cup. NEWS: The @SeattleKraken have assigned forward John Hayden to the #CVFirebirds.⁰⁰Welcome back, Hayds! #FiredUp pic.twitter.com/csF0Xa3F5z — x – Coachella Valley Firebirds (@Firebirds) May 30, 2023 The veteran forward cleared waivers Tuesday and is able to join the Firebirds in the Western Conference Final series against the Milwaukee Admirals. Game 4 is slated for Thursday. The move comes after Jesper Froden and Tye Kartye were both assigned back to the team earlier this month after the Kraken was eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs, while Hayden still kept a roster spot — making him unable to play in the AHL. In the 47 games he played suited up with the Firebirds during the 2022-2023 season, he notched 17 goals and recorded 16 assists. And now he finds himself back with Coachella Valley in their historic Calder Cup Playoff run.  

(CNN) — House Speaker Kevin McCarthy helped secure a debt limit deal – now he has to secure its passage in the House, with little room for error and a looming threat to his speakership. In a win for McCarthy, a key Republican said he expects to support a rule to set parameters for debate. The powerful House Rules Committee must still vote to adopt the rule, but with that anticipated support, it is now on track to do so — a hurdle that must be cleared before the bill can come to the House floor for a final vote. “I want to see the rule (first) it’s not printed yet, it’s not been read, but I anticipate voting for this rule,” GOP Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky said as the committee met to consider the debt limit bill. The timeframe to get the bill passed through both chambers of Congress and signed into law is extremely tight. Lawmakers are racing the clock to avert a catastrophic default ahead of June 5, the day the Treasury Department has said it will no longer be able to pay all of

PALM SPRINGS (CNS) – A boy was seriously injured Tuesday after his father allegedly drove under the influence through road closure barricades in Palm Springs and crashed into a large sand berm. Pablo Garcia Montealegre, 31, was arrested Tuesday morning on suspicion of driving under the influence and child endangerment, according to the Palm Springs Police Department. Police said that just before 2 a.m. Tuesday, an officer saw two vehicles drive past him at a high rate of speed and crash through the south closure barricades on North Indian Canyon Drive. One of the vehicles collided into a large sand berm that covered the entire roadway, rolled over and became engulfed in flames, according to police. Michael Hernandez, 18, was hospitalized with major injuries and is expected to be charged with driving under the influence. “While at the scene, another vehicle was found rolled over, but no occupants were found,” Palm Springs police said in a statement. “It was unknown if this vehicle was abandoned and involved with the current traffic collision, until PSPD became aware that the driver of that vehicle did not report

Few students in the class of 2023 embody resilience like Natalie Araujo.       

Rex Orton of Desert Hot Springs was driving a 1994 Toyota pickup westbound on I-10 at around 70 mph.       

COACHELLA (CNS) – A man was fatally injured after being ejected from his vehicle when he drove up a dirt embankment and overturned down the hillside into a dirt wash area east of Coachella, authorities said Tuesday. Fire crews responded at 6:13 p.m. Monday to westbound Interstate 10 near Milepost 63 to a report of a fatal traffic collision, according to the Riverside County Fire Department. A man, identified by the Riverside County coroner’s office as 32-year- old Rex Orton of Desert Hot Springs, was driving a 1994 Toyota pickup westbound on I-10 at around 70 mph, according to Officer David Torres of the California Highway Patrol. “For reasons still under investigation, the pickup made an unsafe turn to the right and drove off the roadway in a northwesterly direction, up a dirt embankment, then overturned down a steep hillside into a dry dirt wash area,” Torres said in a statement. “The driver did not appear to be wearing his seat belt and as a result of the crash, the driver was ejected from the Toyota.” Orton was declared deceased when fire personnel arrived at

RIVERSIDE (CNS) – The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Riverside County rose Tuesday for the 12th time in 13 days, increasing nine-tenths of a cent to $4.835, its highest amount since April 26. The average price has risen 8.3 cents over the past 13 days, including four-tenths of a cent Monday, according to figures from the AAA and the Oil Price Information Service. It rose five consecutive days, dropped a half-cent last Tuesday and resumed increasing Wednesday. The average price is 6.3 cents more than one week ago and 1.5 cents higher than one month ago but $1.196 less than one year ago. It has dropped $1.538 since rising to a record $6.373 on Oct. 5. The increases are expected to continue because of refinery issues, according to Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, which provides real-time gas price information from more than 150,000 stations. The national average price dropped three-tenths of a cent to $3.579 after rising 3.9 cents over the previous six days, including four-tenths of a cent Monday. It is 3.6 cents more than

One of the biggest rivalries of all time here in the Desert Valley League is between Coachella Valley High School and Indio High School. From every sport to every season, including softball. Two freshmen who made immediate impacts on both teams got the high nod from coaches across the DVL. Coachella Valley’s Victoria Guzman and Indio’s Jaeda Diaz both hit the ground running for their teams this year to end up on the first-team all league. Guzman was also voted Offensive MVP for the Desert Valley League. In her first year suiting up for the Lady Arabs, she immediately  turned heads on all levels and ended the year leading the Golden State in Runs (63). Her impact was evident in helping the Lady Arabs secure the DVL Title this time around. “It feels good, knowing that I came out on top as a Freshman. And it also feels good because when we’re at the games and people supporting me and those who look up to me… it just makes me want to be better and continue progressing as an athlete and be the best I can

A day dedicated to remember but to never forget. As hundreds gathered at the Palm Springs Air Museum to enjoy what it has to offer, it was also a time to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Especially the 31 local fallen heroes. Nearly every person in attendance had a story. “Every time we come out here, it’s such a beautiful blessing to see everybody in support of all the fallen and active members,” Gold Star Family Member Albert Villa shared. “We just want to say thank you. It’s an honor.” “My brother was in the Vietnam War, my father-in-law was in the Korean War and my father landed at Iwo Jima in World War II,” Palm Springs American Legion Owen Coffman Post 519 Commander Kent Fort said. “Though I never served, it’s what drew me to the American Legion and to become a son…they have passed so I just feel like they were pulling me towards that.” “I had to attend funerals for two of my former students (Suresh Krause and Ming Sun),” Cathedral City High School Teacher Lee Wilson Jr. shared. “During

The museum hosted its annual Memorial Day Air Fair and Flower Drop Monday, which included a rememberance ceremony and several family activites.       

COACHELLA (CNS) – A fire at an apartment building in Coachella Monday displaced 11 adults and six children, authorities said. The fire was reported at 1:05 p.m. Monday in the 50600 block of Cesar Chavez Street, on the second floor of a two-story apartment building, according to the Riverside County Fire Department. It was contained at 1:46 p.m. The RCFD said it destroyed one apartment unit and caused heavy water damage to two other units. The American Red Cross was requested to assist the 17 people displaced by the fire. One person suffered minor injuries, but declined further treatment. The cause of the fire was not immediately available. Copyright 2023, City News Service, Inc.

RIVERSIDE (CNS) – A celebrated motorcycle ride through Riverside and surrounding locations intended to honor members of the U.S. Armed Services returned Monday for a Memorial Day salute that went on hiatus for three years, beginning with the COVID public health lockdowns. West Coast Thunder began at 9 a.m. Riverside Harley-Davidson hosted the event, which began in 2000 when the dealership belonged to Skip Fordyce and operated under that banner. More than 75,000 motorcycle enthusiasts were expected to take part in Monday’s ride, according to event coordinator Jackson Dodd. “A lot of the riders are excited to be back,” Dodd told City News Service. “Everyone has expressed positive feelings. We missed not doing it those three years.” The 2020 ride was nixed due to Riverside County’s and the state’s COVID-driven prohibitions on mass public gatherings, and ongoing concerns about exposure risks led to cancellations in 2021 and 2022. This year’s event occurred at Riverside Harley-Davidson on Indiana Avenue, with motorcyclists bearing American flags leaving the dealership at 9:11 a.m. and proceeding up Alessandro Boulevard to south Riverside, transitioning to Van Buren Boulevard, where some participants

Scenes from the annual Memorial Day Air Fair and Flower Drop at the Palm Springs Air Museum in Palm Springs, Calif., Monday, May 29, 2023.       

The Firebirds are looking to continue their perfect streak against the Milwaukee Admirals on the road in the Western Conference Finals. Here in the Valley, The Firebirds are holding free viewing parties at Spotlight 29 Casino for Games 3 through 6, if a Game 6 is necessary. Puck Drop is at 4pm PT but the doors open at 3pm! watch party alert cheer on your birds at @29casino as they take on the Admirals this week #FiredUp pic.twitter.com/q8m0xgPB72 — x – Coachella Valley Firebirds (@Firebirds) May 29, 2023