Imperial Valley Press Quick News

Calipatria versus Julian live on Friday Night Football Web site

The Imperial Valley Press is streaming the Game of the Week: Calipatria versus Julian live. It can be watched at: www.ivpressonline.com/fnf/video

-Brooke Ruth, Digital Media News Editor

Excessive heat warning until Saturday

An excessive heat warning is in effect until Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.

Affected areas include the desert areas of southeast California, including Imperial County, and southwest Arizona.

Today's high temperature is 111 degrees in El Centro, while Saturday's high is 112, according to Accuweather.com

The National Weather Service suggests staying in the shade, drinking plenty of water, wearing light colored and loose fitting clothing, and wearing a wide brimmed hat if outside during the afternoon or evening.

-Brooke Ruth, digital media news editor

El Centro area No. 1 for nation's unemployment

The El Centro metropolitan area topped the nation in unemployment with 30.3 percent for July, according to data released from the Bureau of Labor Statistics today.

El Centro, which has been high on the list since it became a metropolitan area a few years ago, is highly agricultural with extreme heat during the summer, which contributes to the high ranking, according to a press release from the bureau. It is also a similar environment in Yuma, which had the second highest rate at 28.7 percent unemployment.

Of the 17 areas with unemployment of at least 15 percent, 12 were in California, according to the data. Bismarck, North Dakota had the lowest rate with 3.1 percent.

The U.S. unemployment rate for July was 9.7 percent, which a little higher than June's 9.5 percent rate.

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

-- Elizabeth Varin, staff writer

 

Imperial County tops state with obesity, rates high on diabetes prevalence

Imperial County has the highest level of obesity in the state, according to a study released today from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.

Imperial County had 39.6 percent of the population obese, according to the study based on data from 2007. Nearly 50,000 residents were obese, with about 40,000 residents overweight.

Imperial County was one of nine counties with obesity rates above 30 percent, according to the study. Others included Merced County at 34.3 percent and Stanislaus County at 31.9 percent obesity.

Included in the study was the overall prevalence of diabetes by county, where Imperial County was the second highest in the state at 11 percent of the population, according to the study. The highest percentage of people with diabetes was in Tulare County at 11.3 percent.

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

-- Elizabeth Varin, staff writer

Autopsy scheduled for man found in All American Canal in Calexico

The body found floating in the All American Canal Sunday morning has been scheduled for an autopsy, according to officials in the Imperial County Coroner's Office.

A Hispanic man was found about 9:15 a.m. in the canal east of Dogwood Road in Calexico, according to a press release. He appeared to be an undocumented immigrant, but he has not been identified yet.

The autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday, and there are no signs of foul play, according to the press release.

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

-- Elizabeth Varin, staff writer

More information released about man shot dead in Winterhaven, though identity still unknown

The man found dead in Winterhaven has yet to be identified, and the Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help, said an official with the Imperial County Sheriff's Office.

The man is either Hispanic or Native American, in his early 20s with a bald head and no tattoos, said Sgt. Anthony Brewer with the Winterhaven substation. He is between 5 foot, 7 inches and 5 foot, 9 inches and weighs about 220 pounds.

The office is hoping someone will come forward with information about the man, who was likely killed by the single gunshot wound to the chest, Brewer said. An autopsy will be scheduled to confirm that.

Information can be given by calling 760-339-6311.

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

-- Elizabeth Varin, staff writer

Opening briefs submitted in California association appeal of redevelopment fund raid; $5.5 million taken from Imperial County

The California Redevelopment Association submitted opening briefs Monday on an appeal to overturn a $2.05 billion statewide raid of redevelopment funds.

Locally, a combined $5.5 million was paid in May to the state from city’s funds that is used to provide affordable housing, improve infrastructure, expand business and improve the quality of life. Another payment of about $1 million is set to go to the state May 2011.

The money was given to the state because of a state law passed in 2009, which called for funding to be redistributed to education.

“Unless overturned, (Sacramento Superior Court) Judge (Lloyd) Connelly’s ruling (in May 2010) gives legislators unlimited discretion to change the definition of redevelopment to suit their purpose for the sole reason of plugging the budget deficit,” said John Shirey, executive director of the California Redevelopment Association, in a press release. “Last year through ABX4-26, legislators took local redevelopment funds under the guise of benefit to schools when all they really did is short-change schools the same amount of money that would normally come from the State."

The association hopes to have the ruling overturned before May 2011, so that the local agencies don’t have to pay again, according to the association’s press release.

-- Elizabeth Varin, staff writer

Man found shot dead near Winterhaven

The body of a man was found in a field near Winterhaven Sunday morning, said officials from the Imperial County Sheriff's Office.

The man, who's identity was not known, died of a gun shot wound, which was not self inflicted, said Sgt. Manuel De Leon with the sheriff's investigation unit. There are signs that he had been dead for a couple of days, but the investigation is still in its preliminary stages.

He was found in a brush area south of Ironwood Drive and San Pasqual School Road, De Leon said.

For more information read Monday's edition online.

-- Elizabeth Varin, staff writer

4.1 magnitude quake hits Sunday morning near Imperial County

A 4.1 magnitude earthquake shook the area around where the April 4 earthquake hit.

The quake, which took place at about 9 a.m. Sunday, could be felt not only near Guadalupe Victoria, where the Easter earthquake took place, but in parts of Imperial County. It was 45 miles south by southeast of El Centro, according to the U.S. Geological Survey Web site.

There were no immediate reports of damage.

For more information read Monday's edition online.

-- Elizabeth Varin, staff writer