Imperial Valley Press
Finish Line owner voices parking concerns for downtown El Centro
EL CENTRO — The Finish Line Bicycle Shop owner Alex Quintero shared some of his frustrations at this week’s annual town hall meeting, which focused on the downtown area and took place on August 11. His main concerns are with homeless vagrants, the...
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CUHSD welcomes back students and sta
EL CENTRO — Central Union High School District welcomed students and staff back to campus Monday, August 10, marking the beginning of a new school year filled with excitement, opportunity, and a renewed commitment to student success. Across the...
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Best STEP Forward expands to Brawley, bringing inclusive services closer to North County Families
BRAWLEY — Best STEP Forward is preparing to expand its services in the Imperial Valley with a new Brawley facility aimed at bringing adaptive and inclusive programs closer to families throughout the northern part of the county. The nonprofit...
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City of Imperial honors late public servant Betty Sampson, a driving force behind regional growth
IMPERIAL — The Imperial City Council paid an emotional tribute Wednesday evening to the late Betty Sampson, honoring the former mayor and long-serving councilwoman whose nearly three-decade career in local government helped guide the municipality’s...
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Band-Aid, not a cure: federal Colorado River plan leaves states guessing every two years
Dire water conditions, missed deadlines and uncertainty on the Colorado River are complicating critical water decisions in California. No single state, water agency or federal official has shown the power, or the will, to break the deadlock among...
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COLAB hosts political candidate training workshop
IMPERIAL — The Coalition of Labor, Agriculture and Business of Imperial County (COLAB), in partnership with the Imperial County Registrar of Voters, hosted an informational and free political candidate training workshop on Monday, August 3. The...
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Pioneers Museum introduces maintenance Mondays
IMPERIAL — The Pioneers Museum in Imperial has initiated a volunteer maintenance program that invites residents and history enthusiasts to assist with the upkeep of the museum and the care of its historic archives on Mondays during August. The museum,...
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The long awaited Dutch Bros. co ee spot arrives in Calexico
CALEXICO — The city of Calexico welcomed the famed national coffee chain Dutch Bros. to the border city’s business landscape at their grand opening on a hot summer day on Thursday, July 30. The long-awaited opening occurred early in the morning, as...
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Imperial County Library wraps up successful summer program
IMPERIAL COUNTY — The Imperial County Library system is getting ready to wrap up the free summer library community programs, literacy services, and educational events it presented this year for residents of all ages under the theme “Plant a Seed.” The...
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Judge Anderholt to rule on data center’s future
EL CENTRO — Imperial County Superior Court Judge Anderholt presided over a hearing on Wednesday, July 29, regarding the controversial AI hyperscale data center proposed for the city of Imperial, next to a residential neighborhood but within a mixed-use...
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The Humane Society of Imperial County needs help keeping pets cool this summer
EL CENTRO — The Humane Society of Imperial County recently capped off National Pet Adoption Week with their usual weekend adoption event at PetSmart, allowing residents to take home a “fur-ever friend” and companion. The month of July has been...
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IVHRA Community celebrates excellence
IMPERIAL COUNTY The Imperial Valley Human Resources Association recently recognized two of their members for completing their doctorate degrees and for inspiring excellence and lifelong learning in other members during the process. “Having two...
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Co ee Bean Factory hosts small business mixer
HEBER – A business mixer was held at the Prestige Event Center on Thursday, July 23, hosted by the owner of The Coffee Bean Factory in collaboration with several other local businesses. Salgado recently opened a coffee shop, The Coffee Bean Factory,...
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Seeley School District hosts community resource fair and college night
SEELEY – The Seeley Unified School District hosted a resource fair and college night for students, their parents, and the entire community on Wednesday, July 22, inside the school gymnasium. The gymnasium buzzed with activity, as over 25 organizations...
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Art lover, business champion
CALEXICO – The border city of Calexico is mourning the loss of its ultimate champion, Hildy Carrillo, a legendary civic leader and arts advocate famous for her love of her hometown and the people in it. Affectionately known to generations of residents...
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Project SEARCH Internship program to launch in Imperial County
IMPERIAL VALLEY – A new work experience partnership program is on the horizon in the region thanks to Project SEARCH, which seeks to expand work training opportunities and advance inclusion for individuals with disabilities. Project SEARCH, in...
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Calexico trash wars culminate in potential commissioner removals
CALEXICO – Calexico residents have long expressed concerns about the cleanliness and maintenance of city property, including parks, streets, and the downtown area. However, city commissioners have recently been at odds over allegations of misconduct...
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California sues five cities, including Calexico, for missing deadlines for new housing
State officials escalated their campaign to build affordable housing in California on Thursday, filing lawsuits that accused five cities of flouting legal deadlines for submitting plans to meet housing shortages. The cities, each sued in their...
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IVC inaugurates state-ofthe-art automotive tech complex
IMPERIAL – The brand new state-of-theart Automotive Technology Facilities Complex at Imperial Valley College was inaugurated on Wednesday, July 15, during a soft opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony. Members of the public and the IVC community were...
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Imperial County moves to seat data center panel while weighing moratorium extension
EL CENTRO — Facing an unprecedented wave of technological development, the Imperial County Board of Supervisors moved forward Tuesday with plans to shape the region’s digital future, advancing a diverse new advisory panel even as officials weigh a...
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Calexico native Alejandra Najera pens children’s book
CALEXICO — Calexico native and newly published author Alejandra Najera gave a reading and book talk introducing her children’s book, Sophie and Our Friends, at the Camarena Library this past Monday, July 13. She is a proud Calexico High School Bulldog...
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Ammunition explosions and 115-degree heat force tactical retreat as fire crews battle fourth-alarm blaze in Ocotillo
OCOTILLO — Under the oppressive weight of 115-degree desert heat and howling winds, local firefighters faced a dual threat of exploding ammunition and fast-moving flames during a massive fourth-alarm structure fire here Thursday afternoon. The...
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Readers choose the best of the Valley
IMPERIAL VALLEY - The Readers’ Choice Awards recently awarded several top business and organization certificates for excellence in service and products here in the Imperial Valley, decided by readers themselves. “The Imperial Valley Press Readers’...
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George’s Pizza is still the best in the Valley
HOLTVILLE – The allure and the mystique of the hometown pizzeria is still going strong after 30 years, as George’s Pizza tops the Reader’s Choice Favorites once again for the past 11 years in a row, achieving an almost cult status in the...
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Supervisors boost community funding, awarding over $17K to nonprofits and cooling centers
EL CENTRO — The Imperial County Board of Supervisors approved the utilization of $17,850 from the Community Benefit Fund on Tuesday, July 7, exceeding the amounts requested by various community nonprofits and programs. The four big-ticket items...
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Valley local attends FIFA World Cup
IMPERIAL VALLEY — For Imperial Valley native Santiago Palacios, soccer was always a part of life and a sport that brought families and friends together, creating community and memories that would last a lifetime. He recently had the opportunity to...
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Holtville celebrates America’s 250th birthday with small town charm
HOLTVILLE — The city of Holtville celebrated the 4th of July early and in style this year, with an afternoon of celebration that included the unveiling of a time capsule and family-friendly festivities all at Holt Park this past Friday, July 3. The...
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Calexico celebrates nation’s 250th anniversary
CALEXICO — The city of Calexico celebrated the nation’s 250th anniversary with a small recognition ceremony during the intermission of its regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, July 1. The celebration was held in the lobby of the Calexico City...
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West Shores Chamber disappears without a trace
SALTON CITY Grassroots community organizers in the Salton City area have made a public inquiry into the disbursement of funds that non-profit organizations were invited to apply for upon the sale of the old West Shores Chamber of Commerce...
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Calexico Volunteer Alliance Group is making a di erence, one volunteer at a time
CALEXICO — The Calexico Volunteer Alliance Group comprises individuals who dedicate countless hours to helping others, organizing community events, supporting local causes, and stepping up whenever the city needs volunteers. They do this quietly,...
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Poise Studio o ers new fitness options for the valley
IMPERIAL - Fitness enthusiasts now have a new boutique studio in the Imperial Valley, with Poise Studio having officially opened its doors at their grand opening celebration this past Friday, June 26. Poise Studio offers yoga, pilates, and even pole...
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Supervisors approve letter supporting SB 420 to tighten detention facility tax rules
EL CENTRO — The Imperial County Board of Supervisors approved a letter of support for Senate Bill (SB) 420 on Tuesday, June 23, as requested by Chairwoman Peggy Price regarding property tax welfare exemptions for detention facilities. Existing law...
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Calexico gets tough on public safety
CALEXICO – The city of Calexico recently held a series of informational summer meetings and public forums designed to inform residents about public safety concerns shared by both the city’s residents and public officials. The first public forum, held...
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Supervisors approve $797.3 million budget
EL CENTRO — The Imperial County Board of Supervisors approved the recommended budget for the 20262027 fiscal year on Tuesday, June 23, and it will move forward with formal budget hearings beginning on August 18 before the official adoption of the...
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Senator Steve Padilla visits valley, seeks support for legislation
EL CENTRO — State Senator Steve Padilla held an informational town hall meeting on Thursday, June 18, at the El Centro Community Center to discuss his upcoming legislative bills, including a couple of them concerning data centers and broader...
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Brawley Lions Center pool reopens to the public
BRAWLEY — The Lions Center held its grand reopening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the debut of its renovated pool after a three-year process on Saturday, June 20. “Welcome to the reopening of the Lion’s Center Pool! After three years, we are excited...
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Calexico doubles down on community clean-up efforts; invites the public to park cleanup
CALEXICO — Community clean-up efforts in the city of Calexico have intensified among both business owners and residents, who say they are tired of a decades-long cleanliness problem that continues to make the city an eyesore. Calexico residents say...
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Calipatria breaks ground on new community park
Staff Writer CALIPATRIA—The official groundbreaking ceremony for Calipatria’s new Community Center and Park took place this past Tuesday, June 16, and featured a unifying celebration to which the entire community was invited. As a small city with a...
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IVC ag students showcase research at UC Desert Research Center
HOLTVILLE — Twelve Imperial Valley College agriculture students recently presented the results of hands-on field research conducted through a partnership between Imperial Valley College and the University of California Desert Research and Extension...
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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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