Imperial Valley Press Quick News

El Centro's Fourth Street reopens for traffic

Fourth Street will be fully open to traffic by about 2 p.m., said Wastewater Supervisor Randy Hines.

Construction finished earlier than the anticipated schedule as the 8-foot-deep sinkhole located five feet below the surface wasn't as wide as originally thought, he said. Traffic is open in most lanes as of 1 p.m., and cones are being taken down to fully reopen the road.

Traffic had been closed since Tuesday, when the sinkhole was discovered near the intersection of Main Street. Construction was put on hold until Dogwood Road reopened to traffic Thursday, but work didn't start until Friday.

For more information read Sunday's edition online or in print.

-- Elizabeth Varin, staff writer

Thunderstorms hit Valley, cause minor power outages

A thunderstorm rolled into Imperial Valley about 4:15 p.m. today, bringing lightning, rain and hail to the area. Several local streets have developed large puddles. The storm also knocked down some power lines near Seeley and Westmorland, but outages are scattered.

Read tomorrow's edition of Imperial Valley Press online and in print for more information.

-DAVID STEFFEN, Staff Writer

Only one heat-related death reported in Imperial Valley by coroners office, official says

There has been one confirmed heat-related death this summer in the Imperial Valley which represents a sharp decline compared to past years, according to the Imperial County Coroner's Office.

The person was a 25-year-old undocumented immigrant whose body was found July 25 in the open desert near Ocotillo, said Imperial County Supervising Coroner Charles Lucas on Friday.

Last year there were eight heat related deaths while in 2008 the tally was placed at six, Lucas said. In 2007 there were 10 heat-related deaths, Lucas added.

The reports are done during months when temperatues reach 100 degrees or when there is low humidity, Lucas said.

By SILVIO J. PANTA, staff writer

Truck carrying eight people overturned off Highway 115, Highway Patrol sergeant says

HOLTVILLE --- A motorist was arrested today and faces charges of unsafe driving resulting in injury after the pickup carrying eight undocument immigrants in the bed overturned on Highway 115, a California Highway Patrol sergeant said.

Three people were taken to El Centro Regional Medical Center, one person was flown to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs and four other occupants of the bed in the truck suffered minor injuries during the incident that was reported at 11:21 a.m., said Highway Patrol Sgt. Terry Brollini.

The driver whose name was not available was turning onto northbond Highway 115 from the westbound lane of Interstate 8, traveling at about 70 mph, Brollini said. The driver lost control of his truck and flipped over, Brollini said. The incident is under investigation.

By SILVIO J. PANTA, staff writer 

Part of El Centro's Fourth Street to be shut down as sinkhole set for repair Friday

Repair work should begin Friday to repair a sinkhole beneath a portion of Fourth Street, according to an e-mail from Public Works Director and City Engineer Terry Hagen.

Work will continue around the clock and last for two to four days, he wrote. The two southbound lanes will be closed, leaving the two northbound lanes to be used as one north and south lane each.

The intersection of Fourth Street with Main, State and Broadway streets will be shut down, he wrote.

For more information read Friday's edition online or in print.

-- Elizabeth Varin, staff writer

Crash victims identified

HOLTVILLE --- Imperial County Coroner officials said today that the two young Holtville men who died in a collision at Highway 115 and Worthington Road were brothers en route to Imperial Valley College.

Armando Martinez, 22, was behind the wheel of a 1994 Honda Accord with his 18-year-old brother Alfonso beside him during the 10:07 a.m. collision, Imperial County Supervising Coroner Charles Lucas said. Martinez was heading west on Worthington Road.

The California Highway Patrol authorities report that Martinez failed to yield, or had pulled in front of a moving tow truck that was going south on Highway 115. Lucas who had notified relatives said the brothers were on their way to IVC.

By SILVIO J. PANTA, staff writer

Two Holtville residents die in collision at Highway 115 and Worthington Road, officials say

HOLTVILLE ---- A 22-year-old Holtville man and his passenger died today when the motorist pulled in front of a moving tow truck that struck the side of his vehicle at the intersection of Highway 115 and Worthington Road, California Highway Patrol authorities reported.

Highway Patrol officers received a 10:07 a.m. call of the fatal wreck and learned the tow truck that was already hauling a damaged vehicle on its flatbed had slammed into a 1994 Honda Accord, Highway Patrol Officer Pablo Torrez said. The sedan was heading west on Worthington Road, Torrez said.

Both the driver of the Honda Accord and his 18-year-old passenger, who was also from Holtville, died at the scene of the crash. The names of the crash victims were not released pending notification of relatives.

The driver of the Honda Accord appeared to have stopped at the posted stop sign but continued moving forward into the path of the tow truck that was traveling south on Highway 115, Torrez said. The tow truck driver, Pablo Virgen, 61, of Calexico, braked but could not avoid striking the smaller vehicle at 65 mph, Torrez said. Virgen's passenger Ramon Jimenez, 69, also of Calexico, was not hurt.

Highway Patrol Officer DeeAnn Goudie said Virgen, who was not injured, was driving at the posted speed limit.

By SILVIO J. PANTA, staff writer

Highway Patrol responding to possible fatal car wreck in Holtville

HOLTVILLE --- California Highway Patrol officials are responding to the scene of a wreck that may left two people dead at Worthington Road and Highway 115.

No other information was available about the 10:08 a.m. incident.

Check Quick News for updates.

By SILVIO J. PANTA, staff writer

Kevin Rachford due back in jail court Sept. 2

The man who an Imperial Police officer shot three times at a residential street corner in El Centro following a high speed chase last month is due back in jail court Sept. 2 following a hearing Wednesday, records show.

Kevin Michael Rachford was placed on temporary release on his own recognizance and is expected show up for the bail review hearing and arraignment for his alleged role in the July 30 incident.

Rachford's attorney Donald Levine made a motion to reduce the $75,000 arrest warrant that was issued for Rachford in the case, as well as a $2,500 warrant for a pending impaired driving case out of Calexico. Rachford, records show, failed to show up for his arraignment in the driving under the influence case.

Rachford had been hospitalized for his injuries after he allegedly pointed a loaded shotgun at the Imperial Police officer following the chase that ended at an Imperial Irrigation District substation at La Brucherie Road and Ross Avenue. Rachford faces two felony charges: assault with a firearm on a peace officer and evading a peace officer.

By SILVIO J. PANTA, staff writer

Niland solar project approved at county Planning Commission

The Imperial County Planning Commission gave unanimous approval for a solar project near Niland.

The Chocolate Mountain Solar Farm will produce about 49.9 megawatts of power, according to the conditional use permit approved 9-0 today. The 320-acre site will house a photovoltaic solar power plant that will generate power into the IID's grid.

For more information read Thursday's edition online or in print.

-- Elizabeth Varin, staff writer