Imperial Valley Press Quick News

IID approves TMDL funding, postpones fallowing rate decision

The Imperial Irrigation District Board of Directors voted unanimously Tuesday to continue funding the total maximum daily load program.

The Water Department administration will fund $35,000 to the Imperial County Farm Bureau for the TMDL program.

The decision to approve the payment rate for the 2010-2011 fallowing program was tabled Tuesday following further consideration of the rate.

Council members will consider lowering the rate to $75 per acre-foot.

The board also voted unanimously to designate General Manager Brian Brady, Chief Financial Officer Greg Broeking and Gary Hatfield Jr. as agents who will represent the IID district before the California Emergency Management Agency following the Sept. 5 thunderstorm. Read Wednesday's print or online editions for further information.

 

By Staff Writer DAVID STEFFEN

 

BREAKING NEWS: Overlay of 760 area code approved

The California Public Utilities unanimously approved an overlay of the 760 area code minutes ago.

With an overlay residents and businesses seeking new numbers will have a 442 area code. Those who currently have a 760 area code will keep it.

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

--ERIC GALVAN, staff writer

One of two homicide defendants sentenced

One of two homicide defendants was sentenced today to two terms of 25 years to life in prison, while another defendant was granted a continuance until Nov. 5 during the sentencing phase of their trial.

Jesus Ramon Gastellum and Richard Armenta had been convicted of murdering 16-year-old Brawley resident, Jesse Garcia in September 2001.

While Gastellum received his prison sentence, co-defendant Armenta was granted the continuance after it was learned that he retained a Riverside based attorney for his motion to seek a new trial.

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

--SILVIO PANTA, staff writer

Hit and Run in Ocotillo

A vehicle struck and killed a pedestrian on Interstate 8, east of In Ko Pah in Ocotillo at 2:58 a.m. today.

The vehicle did not stop after hitting the pedestrian.

California Highway Patrol is currently investigating the accident.

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

--SILVIO PANTA, staff writer

Winds cause closure of Interstate 8

Interstate 8 both east and west bound is closed from Ocotillo to Buckman Springs, Wes Boerner of the California Highway Patrol said.

The interstate is closed due to high winds that are expected to die down around noon.

--BROOKE RUTH, digital media news editor

Man suspected of throwing substance at wife is in custody

Manuel Medina who is suspected of throwing a chemical substance at his wife turned himself in today at 1:14 p.m. at the Brawley police station.

After a heated argument Medina, 39, apparently threw a substance at his wife causing her to have burns on her arms and legs. Medina's wife was taken to a burn center in San Diego following the incident. Her condition was not immediately known. The incident took place at their home on the 300 block of North El Cerrito drive in Brawley.

The couple's 12-year-old son that police believed Medina had taken with him is now in the custody of his grandma.

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

--BROOKE RUTH, digital media news editor

Four arrested after breaking into abandoned home

Four people were arrested early Saturday morning after it was reported that they were breaking into an abandoned home on the 1000 block of Walnut street in Brawley, Lt. Brett Houser said.

During the search one of the four individuals escaped and hid in the bedroom of an occupied home on Birch street in Brawley. Mario Banalos, 19, was arrested after being found in the home on Birch street. He is being held on suspicion of burglary, suspicion of obstruction of justice and suspected of diverting attention away from officers.

The three other suspects names are unknown at this time.

--SILVIO PANTA, staff writer

Drug investigation comes to a close

Law Enforcement officials from federal and local agencies executed 17 search warrants and numerous arrest warrants across Imperial County today culminating an 18-month drug investigation.

The investigation began in March of 2007 and in total resulted in the seizure of $9 million, 370 pounds of methamphetamine, 700 kilograms of cocaine, 1,600 pounds of marijuana, and small quantities of heroin.

"Operation Money Train" was an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation targeting narcotics transportion, and sales throughout Imperial County and Mexico. The investigation targeted drug traffickers connected to the Sinaloa Cartel.

Officials also unsealed federal indictments against 35 defendants who were targeted in the investigation.

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

--NICOLAS TABOREK, staff writer

Rate hikes a possibility

Both the energy and the water departments of the Imperial Irrigation District face rate hikes, said financial consultants at the Imperial Irrigation District board meeting Tuesday.

Greg Broeking, one of the consultants, said energy would need to go up five to 10 percent, and water would need to go up one to three dollars an acre-foot to cover increased costs within the district.

The board will not make a decision on rate hikes until December, when the IID budget is presented to them in full.

Read Thursday's edition of the Imperial Valley Press online or in print for further details.

-- MEGAN BAKKER, Staff Writer

Smuggling attempt initially believed to be a kidnapping

What was initially thought to be a kidnapping in El Centro was determined to be an attempt to smuggle undocumented aliens into the United States, El Centro Police said.

Yesterday at 3 p.m. police responded to a report of a possible kidnapping on the 1200 block of El Centro avenue. A witness said he saw a 7 or 8-year-old male child getting into the trunk of a silver car driven by a hispanic male. A second witness tried to stop the vehicle but was knocked to the ground as the vehicle drove off.

At 5:17 p.m. the vehicle was stopped at the Customs and Border Protection checkpoint on Interstate 8, west of the Buckman Springs exit. "The 9-year-old child and the child's 27-year-old father were undocumented aliens who were willfully being smuggled into the United States," said Sgt. Jeff Mason.