Imperial Valley Press
New El Centro manufacturer specializes in mining and water recycling systems
EL CENTRO— A steel processing and fabrication operation has quietly hit El Centro with a growing role in water recycling. The company, a family-founded steel fabrication business dating back to the 1970s, specializes in manufacturing largescale...
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Hands-on learning takes center stage at IVROP CTE Showcase
IMPERIAL–Students across Imperial Valley got the chance to showcase their skills during a Career Technical Education (CTE) showcase at the Imperial Valley Fairgrounds on January 22, 2026. Alyssa Tirado, program manager for the Educational Services...
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Newsom touts gains against EBT theft as Trump presses blue states on benefits fraud
Two years after a wave of public benefit thefts that left low-income Californians scrambling to pay rent and afford food each month, Gov. Gavin Newsom is touting a significant decline in the reported amount stolen. The thefts still amounted to more...
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Calexico leaders propose ‘Light-Up-Downtown’ initiative to revitalize historic core
CALEXICO — In a bid to transform the safety and aesthetic appeal of its historic center, the Calexico City Council is considering a major shift in how it spends local transportation tax dollars. During Wednesday’s council meeting, Councilmembers Lisa...
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Imperial Valley observes Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
EL CENTRO — Imperial Valley communities came together on Martin Luther King Day for a Freedom Walk, starting at the MLK Junior Sports Pavilion in El Centro and ending at the steps of the Imperial County Courthouse. King was born on January 15, 1929;...
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Portions of Imperial Valley designated National Defense Area under Navy authority
IMPERIAL COUNTY — Portions of the Imperial Valley near the southern border have been placed under expanded military authority following the designation of National Defense Area 5 (NDA 5), “Southern California-Imperial Valley,” now officially...
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Unwind & Design Creative Studio expands inclusive art programs
EL CENTRO — Unwind & Design Creative Studio in El Centro is expanding its mission, offering inclusive art and music classes designed to bring people of all ages and abilities together. Unwind & Design offers a range of classes and events, including...
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Calexico reopens City Hall on Fridays
CALEXICO — Starting this week and after several years, City Hall will open on Fridays, the city said. In a post made on social media over the weekend, the City of Calexico announced the reopening of City Hall beginning on Jan. 16 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00...
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In Simple Terms Podcast highlights local community concerns in Imperial Valley
EL CENTRO — Ashley Contreras, founder and CEO of Access To Thrive, is taking on a new medium: podcasts, with the recently launched “In Simple Terms.” Contreras said the podcast aims to break down topics like local politics, energy developments, and...
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Congressman Ruiz slams CDC overhaul of childhood vaccine schedule
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz (D-CA) issued a blistering rebuke of the Department of Health and Human Services on Tuesday, following a sweeping overhaul of the U.S. childhood vaccination schedule that scales back routine immunization...
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El Centro bakery o ers vegan and gluten-free Rosca de Reyes options
EL CENTRO—Catholics and Christians in the Imperial Valley and around the world are celebrating Dia de Los Reyes, or Three Kings Day—a holiday commemorating the day the three Wise Men gave gifts to baby Jesus. Traditions include leaving gifts in shoes...
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Abatti pleads not guilty; defense issues statement
EL CENTRO — Michael Abatti, the suspect in the November 20 homicide of Kerri Ann Abatti in Pinetop, Arizona, pleaded not guilty during his first court appearance in Navajo County. According to a press release from the Navajo County Attorney’s Office,...
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Sixth Annual Heber Tamale Festival returns with food, music, and cars
HEBER — The Tamale Festival here is returning for its sixth year. The event promises live music, a car show, a jalapeno contest, a dance contest, and more. The organizers, Wasupwu Productions, spoke to the Imperial Valley Press about what attendees...
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County appoints Bari Bean as Assistant County Executive O cer
EL CENTRO — Imperial County officials announced on Monday night the promotion of Bari Bean to Assistant County Executive Officer, a move intended to centralize leadership over the region’s most ambitious economic and energy initiatives. Bean, a...
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Navajo County Sheri ’s O ce gives update on Abatti murder case
HOLBROOK, Ariz. — The Navajo County Sheriff’s Office held a press conference on December 29, 2025, in Arizona regarding the November 20 murder of Kerri Ann Abatti. Earlier this month, authorities executed several warrants at the properties of Mike...
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Calexico’s Denny’s destroyed in Christmas Day fire
CALEXICO – A fire engulfed the Denny’s restaurant in Calexico on Christmas Day, prompting a multi-agency emergency response, according to Calexico Fire Chief Juan Contreras. The Calexico Fire Department responded to the structure fire and was assisted...
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Simply At Home closing El Centro location after 8 years
EL CENTRO – After eight years in business, Simply At Home Antiques and Collectibles is shutting its doors at its El Centro location, marking the end of a chapter for one of the area’s longtime vintage and collectible shops. Store co-owner Bill...
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Free Book Fridges bring literature – and community spirit – to Bombay Beach and beyond
BOMBAY BEACH – What began as a simple desire to share books in one of California’s most remote desert communities has grown into an unconventional literacy project made from an unlikely material: discarded refrigerators. The Free Book Fridge project,...
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Women in Business network brings connection, strategy and self-care to Imperial Valley entrepreneurs
EL CENTRO – Women entrepreneurs from across Imperial County gathered December 13 for the latest Women in Business Network event, an in-person networking and professional development session designed to foster collaboration, personal growth and...
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Calexico Mayor, council member clash over Friday City Hall closures
CALEXICO — Tensions flared during a recent Calexico City Council meeting as Mayor Diana Nuricumbo and Council Member Lisa Tylenda accused colleagues of intentionally stalling a proposal to restore a five-day workweek at City Hall. The debate centered...
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Public weighs in on land merger tied to proposed data center
EL CENTRO – Following a nearly four-hour public meeting on a proposed land merger tied to a data center project in Imperial, the Imperial County Planning Commission did not pass the vote to approve the agenda item. Despite the vote not passing, a...
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Calexico native Mariano Velez shares childhood stories in debut book
CALEXICO — Mariano Velez III remembers a childhood defined by scraped knees, dusty baseball fields, and riding bicycles until the sun set. That era, long before smartphones, social media, and streaming services, is the heart of his debut book titled...
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Meet the Ruck March Militia
IMPERIAL COUNTY — A local grassroots group in Imperial County called Ruck March Militia is using ruck marching—walking long distances with weighted backpacks—as a way to promote community and fitness. Jose Rodriguez, the founder and a veteran, spoke...
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Mexican Consulate, El Centro team up to bring Juarez artist’s Retrospective to Imperial Valley
EL CENTRO — The Mexican Consulate in Calexico and the City of El Centro are once again partnering to enrich the region’s cultural landscape, this time by bringing the vibrant work of renowned Ciudad Juárez artist Antonio Muñoz to the Imperial...
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City of Imperial sues County to halt massive data center project, City of El Centro responds
EL CENTRO — The City of Imperial has filed a lawsuit against Imperial County and its Board of Supervisors, seeking to block the development of a nearly 1-million-squarefoot data center complex that city officials claim was fast-tracked without proper...
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DOI to transfer public land in Imperial County to the Navy
The measure seeks to establish a National Defense Area WASHINGTON — The Department of the Interior will transfer jurisdiction of roughly 760 acres of public land in San Diego and Imperial Counties, California, to the Department of the Navy for a...
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County solar cap on agricultural land goes into effect
EL CENTRO — The Imperial County Board of Supervisors approved a temporary one-year moratorium to limit the use of agricultural land for solar or battery energy development on Tuesday, December 9, in addition to county staff ’s completion of a...
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Imperial Valley welcomes record class of new teachers in ceremony
EL CENTRO — For Elizabeth Garcia, the road to earning her teaching credential was “very tough,” but as she celebrated her graduation ceremony on Monday, her overwhelming feeling was one of pride and excitement. A lifelong Calexico resident, Garcia has...
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IID’s Festival of Lights shines bright at the Fairgrounds
IMPERIAL — The Imperial Irrigation District (IID) welcomed thousands of Imperial Valley residents on December 6, 2025, as it kicked off its second annual Festival of Lights at the Imperial Valley fairgrounds. Though best known for water and power...
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Imperial Valley event collective celebrates one year, announces venue expansion
EL CENTRO — Todo Para Eventos by IVG Events, a women-led collective of event service providers, marked its first anniversary on Saturday, November 29, reflecting on a year of significant learning, community partnerships, and preparing for an ambitious...
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Saul Alejandro Rodriguez to be extradited to Mexicali to face charges of raping a minor
IMPERIAL COUNTY — Saul Rodriguez is set to be extradited to Mexicali to face charges of rape, as previously reported by the Imperial Valley Press. Rodriguez surfaced in Texas after making a congressional bid in Texas’ District 30. On August 19, 2025,...
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Multiple warrants served at Abatti property as homicide investigation continues
EL CENTRO — The Navajo County Sheriff ’s Office has released new details in the ongoing investigation into the November 20 homicide of 59-year-old Kerri Ann Abatti in Pinetop, Arizona, announcing a series of search warrants executed in El Centro. On...
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Major hyperscale data center proposed near Imperial, awaits agency review
IMPERIAL — Imperial County has initiated the first formal review of a massive, technologically advanced data center campus proposed for unincorporated land near the city of Imperial. The project, which promises to bring significant digital...
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Brawley City Council to honor Jimmy Duran on his retirement
BRAWLEY — The Brawley City Council agenda for Tuesday, December 2, includes a proclamation honoring Police Chief Jimmy Duran on the occasion of his retirement. The proclamation will be presented by outgoing Mayor Gil Rebollar. The council will also...
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Conservation groups urge Feds to block California desert gold mine expansion
IMPERIAL COUNTY — A coalition of tribal and environmental leaders is calling on the federal government to halt the expansion of a gold mine in a biodiverse and culturally significant desert landscape, arguing the project threatens irreplaceable...
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CCV, UCSD release study on economic opportunities in Lithium Valley
Report outlines potential for clean-energy jobs, challenges for local workforce BRAWLEY — The Comité Cívico del Valle (CCV), in partnership with the UC San Diego Labor Center, released a comprehensive report on Tuesday analyzing the economic...
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Brawley Union High School students provide Thanksgiving for a holiday food drive
BRAWLEY — Brawley Union High School students helped make Thanksgiving a little easier for 30 of their fellow students and their families. This year, they collected more than 800 items as part of a two-week Thanksgiving drive, coordinated through the...
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CFDA workshop brings Farm to School partners together
EL CENTRO — School food service directors and culinary staff from across the region met at the Imperial Valley Food Bank on November 12 for a workshop highlighting locally grown fruits and vegetables and how to incorporate them into school menus. The...
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El Centro honors Veterans
EL CENTRO — The morning sun cast a gentle warmth over Bucklin Park on Tuesday as the community of El Centro came together to honor its heroes. At exactly 11 a.m., the crowd fell silent—a moment of reflection for the courage and sacrifice of the men...
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Brawley, partners saddle up for fifth annual Cattle Call horse ride
BRAWLEY — The annual horse ride through Brawley has become a tradition during Cattle Call. “It’s not just a ride, but a tradition,” said Brawley Police Chief Jimmy Duran. “Today is actually the fifth year that we’ve done this horse ride.” Duran also...
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From social media to health care: How Desert Care Clinic is building bridges in the digital age
EL CENTRO – In a short time, the Desert Care Clinic has made its presence known throughout the Imperial Valley, not just as a new specialty clinic, but as a neighbor dedicated to community connection. With a growing team, including Social Media...
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El Centro native nominated by Denver Broncos for Salute to Service Award
DENVER — Luis Barajas has been nominated by the Denver Broncos for the NFL’s Salute to Service Award, presented by USAA, which recognizes individuals who show exceptional support and commitment to military members and veterans. “Each of the 32 teams...
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Light turnout reported in Imperial County for Proposition 50 special election
EL CENTRO — Voter turnout was light across Imperial County on Tuesday as residents cast ballots in the special election on Proposition 50, a controversial statewide measure dealing with the suspension of state legislators without pay. At noon Tuesday,...
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Go Spur 1 Apparel brings Western style on wheels to Brawley
BRAWLEY — Amid the excitement of Cattle Call Week, one vendor is turning heads with a mobile boutique packed full of Western flair. Valerie McGregor, owner of “Go Spur 1 Apparel,” travels across the U.S. bringing a full range of Western wear straight...
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Calipatria Culinary Arts teacher honored as 2026 California Teacher of the Year Finalist
SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced on Thursday five educators as the 2026 California Teachers of the Year, along with a few finalists, including Imperial County’s own Dallana Gomez, a Culinary Arts teacher...
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Imperial County Court workers rally for fair contract, living wages
EL CENTRO — Dozens of workers from the Imperial County Superior Court gathered outside the Main Courthouse early Thursday morning, demanding fair wages, improved working conditions, and a contract that better reflects their crucial role in the local...
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Imperial Valley Housing Authority receives two prestigious national awards
IMPERIAL COUNTY — The Imperial Valley Housing Authority received two national awards for its collaboration with the City of Brawley and the Brawley Police Department on a youth development initiative that has become a model for other communities. “We...
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Holtville’s Pine Elementary earns prestigious California Blue Ribbon School honor
HOLTVILLE — Pine Elementary School in the Holtville Unified School District has been officially recognized as a 2025 California Blue Ribbon School, an honor that celebrates schools for exceptional academic success and effectiveness in closing...
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Toxic Salton Sea dust triggers changes after just one week
RIVERSIDE — Dust from California’s rapidly drying Salton Sea doesn’t just smell bad; new research from UC Riverside (UCR) has found that breathing the airborne particles can quickly reshape the microscopic world inside the lungs. The discovery marks...
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Educators weigh in on the future of public education
IMPERIAL COUNTY— As voters across Imperial Valley weigh in on Proposition 50, which would temporarily redraw legislative districts in California, local educators are speaking about how the measure could affect public schools and students with special...
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Buddy Walk and Inclusion Fair to celebrate community and diversity in El Centro
EL CENTRO – The Down Syndrome Association of Imperial Valley, in partnership with Best S.T.E.P. Forward, is saddling up for a rootin’-tootin’ good time at the 2025 Buddy Walk and Inclusion Fair on Saturday, October 25. The community is invited to dust...
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New seafood restaurant, El Lagunero, brings authentic flavors to Holtville
HOLTVILLE — El Lagunero, a new seafood restaurant in Holtville, is making waves with its authentic, homemade Mexican cuisine. Owner Gabriel Rivas is confident that his establishment, which features a menu inspired by the flavors of Mexicali, will be a...
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Five years in flight: Mercy Air 8 Borrego Springs celebrates milestone
BORREGO SPRINGS — Mercy Air’s Borrego Springs base is marking five years of service, continuing its mission to provide critical air medical transport. Lindsey Emmons, from the Air Methods Mercy Air program in California, noted that the Borrego Springs...
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Imperial celebrates Dia de Muertos
nd IMPERIAL — Downtown Imperial was filled with friends and families on Saturday, October 18, to kick off the city’s Imperial Market Days with its Fiesta De Los Muertos. Children and several pets were dressed in their Halloween costumes as community...
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Holtville residents rally against proposed lithium battery recycling facility
Community leaders voice environmental and safety concerns as public comment deadline looms HOLTVILLE — A proposal to build a lithium battery recycling facility near Holtville High School is facing growing opposition from local residents and officials,...
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Calexico City Council fails to stand against Prop. 50
CALEXICO — The Calexico City Council failed to vote Wednesday to oppose Proposition 50, a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow mid-decade redistricting in California. Council members cited concerns over transparency, cost, and the threat...
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El Centro stands against Prop 50
EL CENTRO — El Centro Mayor Pro-Tem Marty Ellett, along with council members Claudia Camarena and Michael Crankshaw, voted in favor of a resolution that makes the City of El Centro stand against Proposition 50. During a special meeting called for...
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“Don’t flee, stay and fight” DeMaio and Gonzalez rally against Prop 50 and for voter ID reform
EL CENTRO — California Assembly members Carl DeMaio (CA-R) and Jeff Gonzalez (CA-R) held a rally on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at Calvary Chapel in El Centro. Before the event kicked off, DeMaio spoke with Imperial Valley Press about why he is...
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Calexico City Council to take stand against Proposition 50
CALEXICO — The Calexico City Council is poised to formally oppose California Proposition 50, a ballot measure that seeks to move the authority for drawing Congressional district lines from the independent California Citizens Redistricting Commission...
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Seniors Hula into fun, resources at El Centro’s Luau-Themed Appreciation Day
EL CENTRO - Seniors hula’d their way through the Martin Luther King Jr. Sports Pavilion for the 3rd Annual Senior Appreciation Day on Thursday, October 9. The luau-themed event was hosted by the City of El Centro to provide information, resources, and...
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Imperial Valley Agriculture celebrates legacy and leadership at 2025 Farm Bureau Annual Meeting
Ed & Patty McGrew Named Farmers of the Year; IID’s Shields and Pacheco Honored as Friends of the Farmer EL CENTRO – The Imperial County Farm Bureau hosted on Thursday evening its premier event of the year this October, gathering growers, industry...
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County fails to stand against Prop. 50
EL CENTRO — The Imperial County Board of Supervisors voted against a resolution that expressed the County’s opposition to Proposition 50 on Tuesday, October 7. Prop 50 would temporarily rely on a Legislature-drawn congressional map for election years...
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From Baja California to NASA: Local leaders bring Space Apps Challenge to Imperial Valley
EL CENTRO — A chance Instagram ad and a desire to create opportunities for newcomers have culminated in the Imperial Valley hosting its first-ever NASA International Space Apps Challenge, thanks to the determined efforts of local residents Alejandra...
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Kids race hoses and tour engines as El Centro Fire Department hosts safety-focused open house
EL CENTRO — Families and friends joined local firefighters and police men, community leaders, and the City of El Centro at Fire Station #3 near Walmart for the Fire Department’s Open House on Saturday, October 4. Guests visited food vendors and enjoyed...
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IVROP: Preparing Imperial Valley students for the future
IMPERIAL — The Imperial Valley Regional Occupational Program (IVROP) held its annual Career Technical Education (CTE) Advisory Meeting, bringing together teachers, administrators, and workforce experts from across the county. Their mission is to ensure...
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El Centro honors fallen Fire Lieutenant David Gomez with $5.7 million park renovation
EL CENTRO —The Gomez family shared an emotional and historical moment on Wednesday evening with the City of El Centro Parks and Recreation Department, community members, and local dignitaries during a groundbreaking ceremony for the remodel of Gomez...
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County taps IID attorney Geo rey Holbrook for top legal post
EL CENTRO — In a unanimous decision on Tuesday, the Imperial County Board of Supervisors appointed Geoffrey Holbrook, the current legal counsel for the Imperial Irrigation District (IID), to serve as the county’s next County Counsel. The appointment,...
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El Centro moves mobile vendor regulations forward
EL CENTRO – The El Centro City Council held a public hearing, where they approved the first reading of an amendment to the mobile vending regulation on Tuesday, September 16, where Community Development Director, Angel Hernandez, presented the proposed...
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Valley Center Point Plaza demolition project moves forward
EL CENTRO — The El Centro City Council approved the Public Works Department to begin the bid opening for a demolition project of old buildings in the Valley Center Point Plaza on Tuesday, September 16. The plaza is located at 198 N. Imperial Avenue,...
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DEA o ers $5 million reward for Mexicali-based Sinaloa Cartel Leader “El Ruso”
LOS ANGELES — U.S. federal authorities announced Tuesday the unsealing of a superseding indictment and the launch of a $5 million reward program for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Juan José Ponce Félix, also known as “El Ruso,” a...
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El Centro City Council to weigh Valley Center Plaza demolition
EL CENTRO — The El Centro City Council will consider two major land-use items on tonight’s meeting agenda. Those are approving plans for the demolition of Valley Center Point Plaza and voting on a zoning change to allow construction of a new apartment...
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Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month in Imperial Valley
IMPERIAL COUNTY — From September 15 to October 15, communities across the nation observe Hispanic Heritage Month, a celebration of the histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and...
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Two fires ignite in the Valley
HEBER – A hay fire that broke out shortly before 1 p.m. on Wednesday, September 10, is expected to burn for several days, according to officials. “The fire started about 12:45 p.m.,” Cedric Ceseña, Deputy Chief of Operations & Training for the County...
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Pioneers’ Museum brings century-old fashion back to light
IMPERIAL — At the Pioneers’ Museum in Imperial Valley, a century of clothing and cotton history has been brought back to life. For the first time in more than a decade, the museum is showcasing pieces from its textile collection- more than 3,000 items...
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