Imperial Valley Press Quick News

Trash service in the dunes to end

Bureau of Land Management will no longer provide trash service in the Imperial Sand Dunes starting at the end of January.

Visitors will be asked to take their trash home, and not dump it in surrounding communities.

BLM said they are unable to provide trash service at the dunes because of rising costs and decreases in funding.

Read Saturday's edition online or in print for further details.

--BROOKE RUTH, digital media news editor

Former pastor convicted

CALEXICO-- A jury convicted a former pastor on a single account of sexual battery today for inappropriately touching a woman at his home last June.

The sentencing is pending in the case involving the convicted former pastor, Armando Barrientos.

Read Friday's edition online or in print for further details.

--BROOKE RUTH, digital media news editor

Suspicious activity around schools

There have been seven incidents reported to the El Centro Police Department of adult males trying to get school-aged children into their vehicles since August 29.

The most recent incident occurred Wednesday morning when two students walking to Kennedy Middle School were approached by an adult male trying to lure the students into his van. The man was described as a Hispanic male in his forties with a large bushy mustache, and he was driving a white panel van. "This incident differs from the others in that the suspect actually parked and exited his van after making initial contact with the children," Sgt. Jeff Mason said.

Mason said the police department has added patrols around the schools in the mornings and afternoons.

To report past incidents call 352-2113. Suspicious activity can be reported to 911 if it is an emergency.

Read Friday's edition online or in print for further details.

--BROOKE RUTH, digital media news editor

Body found in Palo Verde mountain area

A body was discovered in the Palo Verde mountain area on Monday, said Lt. George Moreno from Imperial County Sheriff's Department.

The Palo Verde mountain area is 60 miles northeast of Brawley.

Authorities have not confirmed if the body is that of missing mixed martial arts fighter, Evan Tanner, who had fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Tanner, 37, has been missing since last weekend.

Tanner's friends from Oceanside, where Tanner resides, had been texting him without reply since Wednesday before they reported him missing on Friday.

On Sunday, a campsite was discovered in the Clapp Springs area of the Palo Verde mountains. Tanner's motorcycle was found at the campsite. A body was found today when a sheriffs deputy was flying around the general location of the campsite.

The Imperial County deputy coroner is being flown in to retrieve and identify body.

Read Tuesday's edition online or in print for further details.

--BROOKE RUTH, digital media news editor

Stabbing victim died

A man stabbed in the head on Friday in Calexico died on Saturday.

The deceased, Kevin James Rodriguez, 21, was stabbed at a friend's house party on the 300 block of Camacho road.

The motive for the stabbing is unknown but the stabbing appears to be gang related, Sgt. Gonzalo Gerardo said.

It is unknown who the person responsible for the stabbing is and it is believed that this unknown suspect is in another city or county.

After police spoke to witnesses, Carlos Osuna, 33, was arrested on suspicion of aiding and abetting. Sgt. Gerardo declined to say how Osuna was believed to be aiding and abetting because it is still under investigation.

--BROOKE RUTH, digital media news editor

Teens arrested in Brawley

Three teenagers were arrested Monday night in Brawley on suspicion of burglary, grand theft and possession of stolen property.

Police received a call about a burglary at a home on the 800 block of West Legion road at about the same time there were reports of suspicious activity at the medical buildings nearby. Police discovered through help of witnesses that the three teens were involved with both incidents.

Residents also called to report those involved running around the area with bags. "Citizens input on this was greatly appreciated," Lt. Brett Houser said.

--BROOKE RUTH, digital media news editor

Imperial pastor injured in wreck

A local pastor was seriously injured Monday after colliding into a car on his motorcycle.

Pastor Wayne Mudge of Imperial Community Church was riding his motorcycle east on Barioni Blvd Monday when a car allegedly pulled out of the Imperial High School parking lot directly in front of them, witnesses said.

Mudge sustained a broken shoulder, a broken nose and several deep lacerations to the face.

Staff Writer Jonathan Dale

Mudge was taken to El Centro Regional Medical Center before being airlifted to a San Diego area hospital.

5.0 quake hits valley Monday night

A magnitude 5.0 earthquake shook the Imperial Valley at 8:32 p.m. Monday night.

The quake originated 16 miles southeast of Mexicali and was listed at 4.3 miles deep, according to the United State Geological Survey.

Monday night's quake follows a 5.1 earthquake that hit at 10:29 a.m. Monday morning and a 5.1 quake at 11:12 p.m. Friday. An estimated 30 aftershocks have hit the area since Friday's quake, with a magnitude of 2.0 and higher.