Imperial Valley Press
IVC graduates achieve milestone moment
IMPERIAL — Imperial Valley College celebrated its 2026 commencement ceremony this past Saturday, June 13, inside the college’s De Paoli Sports Complex, marking a major milestone in the lives of the graduation class of students and their families. This...
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Remembering the legacy of Emma Jones
EL CENTRO - Longtime educator Emma Jones recently passed away on June 9, leaving behind a legacy of warmth, care, and dedication in a career that spanned over five decades with the Central Union High School District and amongst the many students and...
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FIFA World Cup kicks off locally
EL CENTRO–The Mexican Consulate of Imperial Valley, along with several partner agencies, gathered at the Imperial Valley Mall on Thursday, June 11, kicking off the FIFA World Soccer Cup event this year. An excited crowd gathered at the food court to...
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Republican Steve Hilton to face Becerra in November
Republican Steve Hilton will advance to the November general election in the race for California governor, setting up a longshot contest against Democrat Xavier Becerra in which he’s promised to slash spending and regulations if elected. Hilton, a...
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Adaptive Catechism Program culminates year
CALEXICO—The Our Lady of Guadalupe Church Parish successfully wrapped up its first-ever adaptive catechism program this year with two recent celebrations for the entire Imperial Valley Catholic community. The parish offered the first holy communion...
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Calexico Bulldogs step into the future
CALEXICO — Calexico High School celebrated 580 graduates for its 2026 graduating class at Ward Field this past Thursday evening, June 4, amongst a large crowd of excited parents and family members who came to support their graduates as they crossed the...
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Central Union High School District celebrates graduates
EL CENTRO—The Central Union High School District wrapped up its school year with pomp and circumstance as well as a record number of graduates who walked across the stage to receive their diplomas this year, totaling almost 1,000 within the...
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Imperial Valley stays course as local primary turnout plummets to record lows
EL CENTRO—In a primary election marked by deeply subdued voter turnout, Imperial County voters stuck closely to familiar leadership in federal and state races while setting up several high-stakes local runoffs for the November general...
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Soroptimist Club hosts Lanterns of Hope event
EL CENTRO — The Soroptimist Club of Imperial Valley held a special event called “Lanterns of Hope” at the Old Eucalyptus Schoolhouse this past Sunday, May 31, with the intention of inspiring local women and girls to dream bigger and pursue their...
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Raising Hope Collective holds soft opening
EL CENTRO — The Raising Hope Collective opened its doors on Monday, June 1, ushering in fresh possibilities and new vendors in their artistic and entrepreneurial collective indoor space in downtown El Centro. New owner Dalila Singh-Stevenson decided...
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Man arrested on drug and resisting violations
A man was taken into custody following an encounter with local law enforcement, according to public booking logs from the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office. Daniel Diaz Viloria, 52, was arrested by the El Centro Police Department. Authorities pulled...
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Imperial Regional Detention Facility earns perfect score in National Health Care Audit
CALEXICO — The Imperial Regional Detention Facility has achieved a perfect score during a recent audit by the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC), clearing the path for official accreditation. The comprehensive health care audit,...
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Baja California engineering students headed to Global Underwater Robotics Championship in Canada
Facing freezing waters, heavy waves, and strong currents, a team of engineering students from Baja California is preparing to test their mettle on the global stage. The SeaFox Inventive team, hailing from the CETYS University Campus Mexicali School of...
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Weapons arrest executed
Brawley police officers arrested a self-employed resident for carrying a loaded weapon, according to the sheriff’s department log. Andy Jaimes Sanchez Ojeda, 22, was taken into custody along West Main Street. Sanchez Ojeda faces a felony allegation of...
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Calexico chicken restaurant wins Regional SBA Rural Business of the Year Award
CALEXICO – Twelve years ago, Beatriz and Daniel Serrano opened a small restaurant with plenty of ambition but absolutely zero industry experience. There were grueling days, steep learning curves, and moments when they seriously considered throwing in...
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A frantic 2 hours as police struggled to assess threat before San Diego shooters opened fire
SAN DIEGO — The two hours before Monday’s deadly attack at the San Diego Islamic Center were marked by a series of frantic calls by the mother of one of the attackers as short-staffed police struggled to assess the seriousness of the threat and...
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Older AC and fridge chemicals amp up climate change. Trump just rolled back limits on them
LOS ANGELES — President Donald Trump on Thursday announced that grocery stories and air conditioning companies will be allowed to keep using high-polluting refrigerants for longer than they would have under a law he signed during his first...
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Agricultural worker jailed on misdemeanor warrant
An agricultural worker was arrested following an incident on G Street, authorities said. Pedro Alexis Sandoval Alvarado, 31, was taken into custody by Brawley Police Department officers on G Street. Sandoval Alvarado was booked into the county jail at...
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HAPPY PHOTOGRAPHY MONTH
May is national photography month. Help celebrate by sharing your favorite photograph with the community
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Unemployed man arrested for trespassing
A 22-year-old man was taken into custody after allegedly refusing to leave a property. Jesus Romero was arrested on Main Street by officers with the Brawley Police Department. According to booking records, Romero was arrested for trespassing and...
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Calexico detention facility hosts second annual mental health fair
CALEXICO — In a continued effort to dismantle the stigma surrounding mental wellness, the Imperial Regional Detention Facility (IRDF) hosted its second annual mental health fair this week, bringing together local non-profits, healthcare providers, and...
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Brawley Wildcat Band performs at Disneyland
BRAWLEY – The Brawley Union High School band recently completed a performance at Disneyland this past weekend, creating lasting memories for 56 student band members, their band teacher, and family members. Disneyland’s High School Band Invitational is...
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County approves new veterinarian recruitment and retention program
EL CENTRO — The Imperial County Board of Supervisors approved a Public Benefit Program grant totaling $375,000 for a veterinarian recruitment and retention program on Tuesday, May 12, at their regularly scheduled meeting. The approval of this grant...
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In California governor race, single-payer is a litmus test. There’s still no way to pay for it
When Gavin Newsom ran for California governor in 2018, his support for a state-run single-payer healthcare system was considered a risky move and earned him hefty labor endorsements. Today, leading Democrats in the wide-open race to succeed Newsom...
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Man faces string of allegations including carjacking and kidnapping
A construction worker is facing several felony allegations following a highstakes incident at the Border Patrol building, sheriff’s records indicate. Enrique Ventura Moreno, 45, was arrested by El Centro Police. Moreno faces a litany of violations,...
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Lawmaker pushes for alcohol bans at children’s parties following toddler’s death
Following the tragic death of a 3-year-old boy that has shaken the state of Baja California, a local lawmaker is calling for a crackdown on alcohol consumption at children’s events and family celebrations. State Assemblyman Juan Manuel Molina García...
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READERS’ PHOTOS
Send photos, caption and contact information to [email protected]
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Narcotics arrest made
U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested 72-year-old Richard Martin Sewell near the intersection of Fifth Street and Imperial Avenue. Sewell was booked at 8:19 a.m. on May 5 on suspicion of possession of a narcotic controlled substance, the sheriff’s blotter...
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Self-employed man faces corporal injury violation
El Centro Police arrested 31-year-old Melvin Franklin following an incident on West Brighton Avenue. Franklin was booked into custody at 10:48 p.m. on May 3 and booked on a felony charge of inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant. He is...
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From the edge of the New River to a new beginning: One man’s fight for redemption
On the dusty banks of the Rio Nuevo, one of Mexicali’s busiest thoroughfares, Alfredo Raygoza spent years carving a life out of whatever he could find. Deported from the United States in 2019 and separated from his family in Arizona, Raygoza arrived...
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California billionaire tax proposal attracts 1.5 million signatures. Here’s what happens next
LOS ANGELES — California, home to the ultra-rich in Silicon Valley and Hollywood, is embroiled in a heated fight over whether to tax billionaires to fund healthcare. This week, supporters of the proposed billionaire tax began submitting nearly 1.6...
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Some Tijuana police officers begin wearing body cameras, with a focus on tourist areas
Police officers in Tijuana, Mexico, are now equipped with body cameras in an effort to strengthen transparency and accountability, officials said. Last week in a video posted on social media, Tijuana Mayor Ismael Burgueño announced the initial...
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PROUD OF YOUR GARDEN?
Send us photos of your garden and we will run some in the newspaper. Send photos, caption and contact information to [email protected]
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Landscaper faces multiple drug and DUI violations
Imperial County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 51-year-old Jose Reynaldo Valdez Barraza at the intersection of Stardust and Niles Avenue. Valdez Barraza, a landscaper, faces six violations, including possession of a narcotic controlled substance,...
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From the border to the Riviera: Student filmmakers set their sights on Cannes
A group of young filmmakers from the Autonomous University of Baja California (UABC) is one step away from trading the scorching heat of the desert for the glamour of the French Riviera. Their short film, La Hija del Sol (The Daughter of the Sun), has...
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Baja California lawmakers unanimously back federal reform to standardize femicide laws
The Baja California Assembly voted unanimously to endorse a federal constitutional reform aimed at standardizing how femicide is prosecuted across Mexico, a move designed to eliminate legal loopholes that vary by state. The reform to Article 73 of the...
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Construction worker apprehended on out-of-county warrant
A construction worker was detained on an outstanding warrant from another jurisdiction. According to sheriff’s records, Juan Antonio Brito Jr., 32, was arrested on Second Street. Brito is being held on a $75,000 bail for the out-ofcounty warrant. He...
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Assemblyman Gonzalez named 2026 Veteran of the Year
IMPERIAL — Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez (R-Indio) was named 2026 Veteran of the Year this past weekend by the Calexico Baja Runners, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting veterans, youth, and families across Imperial County. A 21-year combat...
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‘Strong Families, Safe Futures’ celebrated at Bucklin Park Children’s Fair
EL CENTRO – Bucklin Park was overtaken by youth once again this April as Imperial County Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Council co-hosted its 45th Annual Children’s Fair at Bucklin Park on Saturday, April 18, with the Imperial County Office of Education....
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Sherri Kukla debuts new book Riders on the Storm
IMPERIAL — Local writer Sherri Kukla, who is from Ocotillo Wells, held a writer’s presentation of her latest book, “Riders On the Storm,” on Tuesday, April 14, at the PionYeoerusrMnuesweusm, o. ur According to the book’s blurb, Riders on the Storm “is...
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‘Feral,’ chair-throwing Adam Driver also was reportedly rude to NPR’s Terry Gross
Adam Driver is at the center of a fervid news cycle that is reminding him and everyone else that he has a reputation for being a certain type of supposedly serious actor: Temperamental, hot-headed, “spectacularly rude.” That’s because his former...
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Post-Stephen Colbert, CBS still wants an original late-night show
LOS ANGELES — CBS hasn’t given up on producing an original late-night show — despite easing Stephen Colbert out the door. “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” ends next month after CBS canceled the popular program, citing financial pressures. The...
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HAPPENING TOMORROW
April 16 Al-Anon in Spanish WHEN Noon to 2:00 p.m. WHERE ALANO CLUB, 564 Broadway St., El Centro, CA 92243 INFO Fe y Esperanza group meetings are held in Spanish to provide relief to family members and friends of alcoholic individuals. Lunch @ the...
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Hollywood stars line up against Paramount’s Warner Bros. acquisition
LOS ANGELES — A constellation of stars are lining up against Paramount’s proposed takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, expressing fears the blockbuster merger would devastate the industry and shrink production jobs. The letter was signed by nearly...
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Fate of Supervisor Peggy Price’s seat uncertain amid potential recall push
EL CENTRO — The sentiment for a possible recall of at least one county supervisor was triggered Your news, our passion by what some community members perceived as unfair treatment and lack of respect during a recent Board of Supervisors meeting that...
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READERS’ PHOTOS
Send photos, caption and contact information to [email protected]
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El Centro young artists to master visual storytelling at ‘Comic Stars’ workshop
EL CENTRO — Local teenagers looking to transform their sketches into cinematic stories now have a dedicated space to hone their craft. The City of El Centro Parks and Recreation department has launched “Comic Stars: Comic Illustration Fundamentals,” a...
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Blake Lively demands Justin Baldoni say if he’ll testify at trial, with no sign of settlement in case
NEW YORK — Lawyers for Blake Lively on Tuesday asked a judge to compel her “It Ends with Us” co-star Justin Baldoni and others she’s suing for retaliation to disclose whether they will take the stand at the trial starting next month, with talks over a...
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Tortoises and hares bring Easter joy to families
HOLTVILLE — Tortoises and hares joined forces on a bright and sunny spring morning in Holtville to bring joy and laughter to children as families celebrated Easter festivities at Holt Park on Saturday, April 4. The tortoise race is a unique and...
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Chicano Rap veteran Mr. Knightmare breaks barriers, embraces sobriety after 27 years in the game
EL CENTRO — In an industry often characterized by transient trends and sudden viral hits, the artist known as Mr. Knightmare is pursuing a long-term strategy. With 27 years of experience, the Mexicali-born rapper is currently witnessing the fruits of...
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Blake Lively’s sexual harassment claims against Justin Baldoni dismissed by judge
LOS ANGELES — A federal judge has dismissed Blake Lively’s sexual harassment claims against her “It Ends With Us” co-star and director Justin Baldoni, sharply narrowing a case that has become one of Hollywood’s most closely watched legal battles. In a...
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Megan Thee Stallion recovering after hospitalization for ‘extreme exhaustion, dehydration’
LOS ANGELES — Megan Thee Stallion is on the mend after a bout of “concerning symptoms” landed her in the hospital Tuesday evening, cutting her latest “Moulin Rouge” performance short. A spokesperson for the rap star, 31, confirmed to The Times on...
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Brawley tables letter to nImteprermiaeletincgouenrtyurpegtasrding county regarding Northern Horizons project chaos, sparks outrage on both sides Horizons project
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Mariska Hargitay to replace Daniel Radcli e in ‘Every Brilliant Thing’
Mariska Hargitay of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” fame is heading to Broadway to replace Daniel Radcliffe in “Every Brilliant Thing” when he leaves the solo show in May. The Golden Globe and Emmy-winning actress will breathe new life into the...
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A life of kindness: Community honors beloved educator
IMPERIAL - For the family of Lupita Olguin-Rubio, the memory of their beloved daughter, sister, wife, and mother lovingly nicknamed ‘Pita’ can be summarized in one word – kindness. Lupita Olguin was born in Mexicali on December 24, 1970 and came to...
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The Oscars are leaving Hollywood in 2029, ending long run at Dolby Theatre
LOS ANGELES — The Oscars are leaving Hollywood — or at least Hollywood Boulevard. Beginning in 2029, the Academy Awards will move from the Dolby Theatre, their home for nearly a quarter century, to L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles, the Academy of...
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Stephen Colbert goes from late night to ‘Lord of the Rings’: Host set to co-write new movie script
LOS ANGELES — Stephen Colbert, with the end of his late-night series less than two months away, already has a new gig lined up: co-writing the script for an upcoming “Lord of the Rings” movie. Peter Jackson, the visionary filmmaker who adapted author...
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Bob Dylan announces 2026 summer tour. Here are all the dates
SAN DIEGO — Bob Dylan, who turns 85 on May 24, won’t be kicking back after his spring tour concludes on May 1 in Texas. The iconic singer-songwriter is hitting the road again this summer with his band for a tour that will include Dylan’s first-ever...
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READERS’ PHOTOS
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Schools move to minimize Chavez’s role in civil rights movement: ‘We stand with survivors of violence’
César Chávez is woven throughout California’s social studies curriculum—as a labor leader, civil rights hero, and practitioner of nonviolent protest. That’s about to change. State education officials on Wednesday urged teachers to minimize the role...
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Mexicali man arrested in fatal stabbing at Villa Florida mechanic shop
Police arrested a 39-year-old man Wednesday night after he allegedly stood up from a wheelchair and fatally stabbed a mechanic at a shop in the Villa Florida neighborhood. The incident occurred near the intersection of Paseo Florida and De Los...
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Sarah Michelle Gellar says one executive made ‘Bu y’ reboot an ‘uphill battle’ from the start
LOS ANGELES — It turns out the “Buffy” reboot was fighting its own metaphorical monster: an executive who was outspoken about his lack of love for the original series. Sarah Michelle Gellar has addressed Hulu’s decision to kill the much-anticipated...
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Disney’s Dana Walden sets leadership team; Bergman remains film studios chief
LOS ANGELES — Walt Disney Co.’ incoming president and chief creative officer, Dana Walden, has unveiled her leadership team, which includes several familiar faces from the company’s film, television and marketing units. Walden will become Disney’s...
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Imperial parent alleges pattern of abuse, retaliation by middle school administrator
IMPERIAL — A local father is calling for the immediate removal of a Frank Wright Middle School administrator, alleging a years-long pattern of ignored bullying, due process violations, and criminal witness intimidation targeting his son. Jeffrey...
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Diocese of Mexicali to host regional march for ‘Life and Dignity’
The Diocese of Mexicali is calling on the faithful and the general public to take to the streets later this month for a coordinated march aimed at promoting family values and human dignity. The event, titled “Walking Together for Family, Life, and...
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Misty Copeland, ballerina who promoted ‘Marty Supreme,’ reacts to Timothée Chalamet comments
LOS ANGELES — Misty Copeland, the trailblazing ballet star formerly of the American Ballet Theatre, has joined the chorus of fine arts personalities rebuking Timothée Chalamet for his dismissive comments about ballet and opera. During a panel this...
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Desperation or genius? The 49ers go all in on Mike Evans
The San Francisco 49ers’ signing of wide receiver Mike Evans is not just a splashy, big-name transaction to start off NFL free agency. No, it’s a terrifying, exhilarating, high-wire act performed without a safety net, hovering over a pit of hungry...
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SAG-AFTRA extends contract negotiations as WGA finalizes demands before meeting with major studios
LOS ANGELES — As Hollywood writers continue contract negotiations with major studios, one topic remains front and center: the role of AI. On Friday, the Writers Guild of America released a list of contract demands which 97% of the union membership...
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‘Doing more with less’: Imperial County fights federal cost-shifts threatening 100,000 Medi-Cal residents
EL CENTRO — The Imperial County Board of Supervisors approved sending letters regarding the impacts of H.R. 1 and the county’s 2026 state budget priorities on Tuesday, March 3. The board directed the County Executive Office to submit the letters to...
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High School Madness tradition alive and well in 2026
IMPERIAL — High School Madness was alive in an electric sea of noise, with students from all of the seven major high schools in the Valley waving neon sticks and cheering on their schools with their representative school colors, pride, and...
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Tourism slump hits Baja California following death of Cartel Leader ‘El Mencho’
Cross-border tourism in Baja California has plummeted by as much as 30% following a wave of violence triggered by the death of Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” business leaders said this...
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Woman apprehended on narcotics and paraphernalia offenses
A 44-year-old woman was arrested after police allegedly found her in possession of drugs and paraphernalia. Ana Vannessa Rodriguez was arrested on Ross Avenue. El Centro Police booked Rodriguez at 3:37 a.m. on Feb. 28 for possession of a controlled...
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Holtville High Senior nominated for prestigious Presidential Scholars Program
HOLTVILLE — For Kyle Self, the blue corduroy jacket of the FFA is more than just a uniform; it’s a catalyst for a life driven by purpose. The Holtville High School senior was recently named one of only five students in California nominated for the...
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