Corrections and clarifications: This story was updated to reflect the correct name of the Pueblo Mountain Park Construction taking place around the El Centro del Quinto Sol campus this summer into the end of 2025 is being funded by an initiative approved by Pueblo County voters in 2016 The Eastside Streetscape Project was one of 20 improvement projects in the original list of 2016 Ballot Question 1A Capital Improvement Projects funded by about $66 million in Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) funds Pueblo City Council approved an intergovernmental agreement with Pueblo County to allocate $810,145 in remaining funds for the Eastside Streetscape Project's construction on April 28 "El Centro is a community center that's very important for our residents that live there.. These improvements are going to make the entire site more accessible and improve quality of life for our residents there in the East Side," Pueblo Director of Public Works Andrew Hayes told the Chieftain the El Centro del Quinto Sol campus will receive new angled parking spaces gutter and sidewalk improvements and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant curb ramps turf replacement and tree relocations will also be included as part of the project Initial plans for the project included a gateway sign to the East Side neighborhood and other improvements near East Fourth Street but those improvements are not part of the project due to budget constraints An exact date for the start of the construction has not been determined as of May 1 Hayes told the Chieftain individuals will still be able to visit El Centro del Quinto Sol and may only experience minor closures or traffic interruptions during construction "It is not going to close entire roads or anything like that for long periods," Hayes said "There may be sidewalk closed and somebody may have to go to the other side of the street.. Additional projects benefitting from voter-approved 1A funding include improvements to the Pueblo Memorial Airport A list of 1A projects is available online at county.pueblo.org/capital-projects-department/1a-projects For additional information on the Eastside Streetscape Project individuals may contact 719-533-2295 to speak with Pueblo Public Works 'Lightning Thief' musical: Pueblo County High School presenting 'The Lightning Thief', a 100% student-directed show Pueblo Chieftain reporter James Bartolo can be reached at JBartolo@gannett.com. Support local news, subscribe to the Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws the Cal State Monterey Bay provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities The Cal State Monterey Bay complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 the California Equity in Higher Education Act Section 31 of the California Constitution) other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment segregation based on race or any other protected status and retaliation in all university programs Cal State Monterey Bay is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives and belonging to support educational excellence and student success we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development CSUMB is dedicated to returning Native American human remains and cultural items within its possession back to the Native American Tribes The Office of the Ombuds is an independent neutral resource for informal problem-solving The Office serves all members of the campus community Monterey Bay (CSUMB) resides on the indigenous homeland of the Amah Mutsun where CSUMB not only thrives as an institution of higher education but also provides an education abundant with service and experience to a diverse community of learners and community members explore the university’s campus remember to respect the land and take note of the natural beauty Remember that Ancestors rest below pathways and in other less traveled areas on campus For more information, please visit the CSUMB NAGPRA  homepage This Land Acknowledgement was originally developed by Dr Miranda Ramirez (Tribal Chairwoman of the Ohlone/Costanoan-Esselen Nation) This statement was revised to include all of our campus sites the Marine Science collaboration with Moss Landing Marine Laboratories a dual program between Hartnell and CSUMB in King City As the boundaries of our university may shift and along with it new information about the people and territories in our region we will continue to review the Land Acknowledgement at our annual Tribal-University Convenings in collaboration with tribal leaders The revised statement was updated in consultation with Monterey County Tribal leaders and CSUMB’s Native American Council The statement was confirmed at the February 2024 University-Tribal Convening and signed by CSUMB President Quinones on March 11 Covering stories that matter to the community Council Will Interview Eight Finalists on April 16 to Fill the Seat Vacated by Tomas Oliva EL CENTRO — Following the March 4 resignation of councilmember Tomas Oliva the El Centro City Council held a special meeting on Tuesday to continue the appointment process for his replacement The council ultimately selected eight finalists from a pool of 16 applicants to be interviewed next week “The first step was to advertise the vacancy application,” Interim City Manager Daniel Paramo said “That step has been completed and 16 applicants were received The council has reviewed those applications and will rank them … to determine the ending applicants to be interviewed.” Paramo explained that the vacancy was posted publicly and the application period closed at midnight on Sunday All 16 applicants met the legal requirements of being at least 18 years old registered to vote in El Centro and a resident of the city “I think there was a question also that was brought up as to why the appointment versus a special election,” Paramo said “And I think the consensus was the cost involved and actually paying for a special election was the reason behind that it could be up to about $120,000,” he added Paramo was corrected that the cost was between $30,000 and $40,000 Each councilmember was asked to review and rank the applicants individually The original plan was to interview the top five applicants but councilmember Claudia Camarena proposed expanding the number we didn’t really know the number of applicants that were gonna come in,” Camarena said “And my opinion is that with the number that was submitted being 16 I would recommend that we interview the top half — eight.” Councilmembers Marty Ellet and Sylvia Marroquin agreed with Camarena’s suggestion The council voted unanimously to adopt the ranking and proceed with eight interviews The eight candidates selected for interviews are:Edgard Garcia The interviews are scheduled for Wednesday and will be called in for interviews one at a time “There are some questions that we’ll be asking,” Paramo said “It appears that there may be one question per City Council member for the applicants when they come in for their interview the way we had proposed is that each individual will have three minutes to respond to each of your questions.” Each candidate will also be allowed to make their own three-minute statement the council will discuss the applicants and rank them The top-ranked individual will be offered the appointment The selected candidate will need to be present at the reorganizational meeting on Monday at which time they will be sworn in and officially join the council (This story was updated with the addition of Carlos Ramirez and the removal of Ashley Bertussi who resides outside the city of El Centro.) and website in this browser for the next time I comment For advertising and submission of legal notices or inquiries email: info@calexicochronicle.com EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - The City of El Centro is hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the grand opening of Buena Vista Park next month "is the latest addition to El Centro's growing park system and was made possible through Measure P funding and a grant from the California Climate Investments Urban Greening Program." This neighborhood has about 250 households and there wasn't a park within a one mile radius it is really important to have parks nearby any neighborhood in El Centro," said Adriana Lima Community Services Director for the City of El Centro reach out to him at dillon.fuhrman@kecytv.com Jailene Aguilera joined KYMA in April 2023 She is the anchor/producer for CBS at 6 and 10 pm contact Jailene at jailene.aguilera@kecytv.com KYMA KECY is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Community Guidelines | FCC Applications | Jobs/Internships | Do Not Sell My Personal Information Constituents Voice Concern Over President Donald Trump’s Policies EL CENTRO — During the third of three town hall meetings in U.S several constituents in attendance pressed the Congressman about what he’s doing to counter President Donald Trump’s recent policy changes reduction in federal spending and his alliance with Elon Musk the seeming head of the Department of Government Efficiency Ruiz held the in-person town hall at the Jimmie Cannon Theatre at Southwest High School on Monday The town hall was attended by about 350 individuals who had to register beforehand to find out the location of the meeting The town hall commenced with Southwest High School Principal Joe Derma introducing the presentation of colors ceremony and leading the pledge of allegiance Ruiz started his presentation by outlining accomplishments he said he is most proud of delivering for the Imperial Valley he pointed to securing $250 million for the Salton Sea Management Program to address ongoing environmental and public health challenges in the region He also cited his role in passing the PACT Act — the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 — which expanded Veterans Administration healthcare benefits for those exposed to burn pits “(The PACT Act) gave presumptive benefits with over 300 different illnesses … into law,” Ruiz stated Ruiz emphasized the availability of his office to help individuals through constituent casework “If you’re having trouble with federal agencies like Social Security claims immigration paperwork or delayed late tax refunds my team is here to help you navigate the bureaucracy and get the answers you deserve.” Ruiz answered the most frequently asked questions submitted in advance by Imperial Valley constituents with audience members chosen at random to ask their questions Constituents questioned how cuts to federal programs Medicare and VA Services would trickle down and impact Imperial County “Imperial Valley has a ton to lose,” Congressman Ruiz said in response to a question from El Centro City Council member Sylvia Marroquin who asked how federal spending cuts would impact funds received by local cities for economic development research and funding for grants that address any issue within Latino Black and Native American (communities),” Ruiz said Ruiz stated he was working to pass legislation to undo President Trump’s executive orders These bills include legislation that would restrict the President’s power to implement tariffs prevent Social Security office closures and reinstate United States Agency for International Development (USAID).  he acknowledged the difficulty for any of these efforts by the Democratic Party to pass under a Republican-controlled House and Senate he is supporting active lawsuits against the Trump administration’s policies through amicus briefs Healthcare access was another pressing topic among attendees Pointing to the maternity ward closure at El Centro Regional Medical Center and outdated medical equipment former Central Union High School board member “(The small and large healthcare issues) can make or break us Ruiz advocated for the expansion and maintenance of Medicare as a way to prevent further strain on the Valley’s healthcare infrastructure Other attendees asked about increasing veteran services and improving economic development in the Valley The Congressman reiterated how his office can help veterans individuals and businesses navigate the federal red tape to address these issues The evening concluded with a few constituents heckling Ruiz for accepting campaign donations from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee These few audience members formed a small demonstration outside the town hall following the event and if they agree with my vision or my values that I hold then they contribute to my campaign,” Ruiz stated confirming that he has received donations from AIPAC KECY) - The Kidisthenics Fitness Company will be hosting a grand opening for their indoor gym in El Centro The company has a fitness program specifically for individuals with autism Partnering with the Imperial Valley chamber of Commerce The event itself will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony early access to the facility and remarks from local officials The indoor gym will include various activities "The opening of our first physical location is a groundbreaking milestone for Kidisthenics Creating this facility allows us to provide a consistent It's a dedicated space where we can further enhance our programs and offer a more tailored experience to every individual," said COO Ryan Bigelow Kidisthenics helped individuals across San Diego through fitness programs and began offering services in the Imperial Valley in March Reach out to Marcos with your story ideas at marcos.icahuate@kecytv.com ECESD Showcases Its Youths’ Creativity Through Surrealism and Live Musical Performances EL CENTRO — Bringing dreams to life through art appeared to come naturally to the students of El Centro Elementary School District The kindergarten through eighth-grade students showcased different media Students had been hard at work on their artworks throughout the school year and were able to see them on display on Wednesday This year’s theme for the annual Arts Festival was surrealism an art form originating in the 20th century with its emphasis on free form creativity and can often be described as trying to capture the irrationality of dreams through art Students had the chance to showcase their talents by following the surrealism theme or expressing their own creativity.  At the end of an art maze in Kennedy Middle School’s gymnasium was a meet and greet table for Kennedy teacher Stacy Blackmer-Blomquist’s talented group of eighth-grade students happy to teach them techniques and see them bring their own twists I am super proud of my students,” she said explained his artworks reflect what he is thinking in that very moment and that if he waits too long to draw an idea His use of bright colors with alcohol markers and paint pens makes his artworks vibrant and sure to catch your eye and I used it as competition artwork,” said Diaz I was looking at graffiti art when I went to LA captured the essence of surrealism with her art work by using her dreams as inspiration director of Educational Technology and Innovation at ECESD explained the importance of the art festival but for the family and friends that went to support “When we see our kids so excited about showing us their art or showing us what they’re doing or even dancing out there Everyone here is doing this event for the kids and everyone’s excited about it,” said Arrellano “And I think it’s just one of those things that art is something that should be included at every school This is the culminating event where we can bring in everything we do in our schools with music senior digital media production specialist at El Centro Elementary School District also explained the educational importance for the art festival and sharing the importance of historical art movements such as surrealism the main idea was to include this educational component into the festival and not make it only into an arts and crafts kind of thing Some parents commented that while the students were doing their homework at home they kept mentioning Picasso and surrealism So they take what they know here to their houses and then people that attend actually learn about cubism or surrealism,” he said.  an after school education and safety tutor at McKinley Elementary and performing in a group as part of an after school club Bardin explained that during the casting process and took the creative liberty to rename the group Since they are only girls they wanted to have an original name and they changed it for the Backstreet Girls,” said Bardin it is their first time learning how to play music and instruments and have excelled their craft to the point of doing live performances.  working with the kids; it’s been amazing It’s a new fabulous experience,” he said Mike Crankshaw Was Chosen From A Field of 7 Candidates to Replace City Council Vacancy Left By Tomas Oliva EL CENTRO — Former Brawley and Imperial Police Chief Mike Crankshaw was appointed to fill the vacant El Centro City Council seat left open by Tomas Oliva Following interviews with seven candidates and a round of deliberation on Wednesday evening the council ultimately reached a consensus and voted unanimously to appoint Crankshaw The 2.5-hour special meeting marked the conclusion of a public application and interview process to select a new council member who worked for the El Centro Police Department for 26 years before serving in leadership roles in Brawley and Imperial was the first to be interviewed during the meeting Candidates were asked four predetermined questions and given three minutes each to respond followed by a three-minute personal statement council members discussed their preferred candidates Councilmember Marty Ellet and Mayor Pro Tem Sonia Carter both identified Crankshaw as their top choice Councilmember Sylvia Marroquin backed former Sheriff Raymond Loera while Councilmember Claudia Camarena initially voiced support for Richard Lopez before changing her vote during discussion “I have to say that we’ve been just chatting and that there are a lot of good candidates in the room,” Ellet said during the council’s deliberation “I personally really appreciate that … Mike is a family man I can just tell you that from the years and years that I’ve been around his family and at work situations who disclosed he had met Crankshaw decades ago while working at El Centro Regional Medical Center said he knew of Crankshaw’s professional background through mutual friends and associates including a colleague who works with Crankshaw at Imperial Valley College Crankshaw teaches there in addition to his law enforcement experience “He couldn’t say enough good things about Mike,” Ellet said would be the best fit for our board at this time.” noting that her final decision was based on a point system she used while listening to each of the candidates “I’m going to agree with one of my colleagues,” Carter said “And it’s because of the points I tallied the different remarks I tallied going back and forth in my head.” who had previously named Richard Lopez as her top pick acknowledged the difficulty of the decision and said she appreciated the detailed responses offered by several candidates “Though I understand that we’re new on the council and so forth I think right now it’s important also to the questions that we asked … being able to identify what the problems are and how to find a solution to them,” Camarena said citing his prior experience with city government and department leadership as critical qualities needed during a time of transition at City Hall “At this point in time we really need stability on the council,” Marroquin said “Sheriff Loera would offer that … not only in law enforcement and public safety but also because he has actually sat in that seat and he has worked directly with the City Council … he would understand the dynamics of what it is to work in a municipality and also with the department heads.” referencing the current leadership turnover at the city “Please keep in mind … we have an interim city manager that will be leaving us soon,” she said “We have a new city manager that will be coming in soon We also have an interim finance director … and a consultant who’s helping us until we can fill that seat with the permanent position … we need stability as well.” Camarena expressed a willingness to shift her position in the interest of reaching consensus but I also believe that given opportunity and the right support — and especially supporting one another and believing that we all have each other’s best interests at heart — not just for us individually to fulfill the duties that we were elected to fill but also for the city as well,” Camarena said “Seeing that no one’s willing to sway the other way The motion to appoint Crankshaw was made by Ellet and seconded by Camarena Carter and Marroquin joined in voting “yes,” bringing the final tally to 4-0 Marroquin acknowledged that while Loera had been her first choice “I think that we have come to a consensus,” Marroquin said “I’ve voiced what I feel would have been the best fit but ultimately it’s the consensus between this body.” and his approach to disagreement and public service In response to a question about the most pressing issues facing the city Crankshaw highlighted youth unemployment and the need for more community activities “We’ve always had … high teen pregnancy,” he said “One of the things that the city has done really well is create areas such as the … skate park But I think that’s always the biggest issue in the Valley — to continue to have activities When asked about how he would make difficult decisions Crankshaw described a collaborative and analytical process reasonable and consistent during my decisions,” he said gather all the information that you possibly can on a certain subject and then move forward … when we can put more minds on it … we can come up with a really good decision.” Crankshaw also cited a decision-making model he called “the ring of decisions,” describing it as a framework where “decisions that affect the community In response to a question about the council-manager form of government Crankshaw pointed to his decades of administrative and leadership experience in municipal settings “I’ve dealt with a lot of councils,” he said “And I’ve also been in these meetings with department heads … watching the give and take that occurs.” Asked how he would handle disagreements with staff Crankshaw said he would focus on understanding the issue and seeking common ground “I would basically really dive deep into whatever that subject matter is try to understand all the dynamics of it,” he said “Then I can speak intelligently on that … what is the outcome we’re looking for What is the end game that we’re trying to accomplish?” Crankshaw reflected on his ties to the community and his desire to serve El Centro with integrity “I’m all about representing the community in a fair manner — not just from one particular group or area,” he said I’ve culminated a great deal of relationships I have relationships with a lot of the current staff on board as well as some of the other outside agencies — state “I truly want to do the right thing for the right reason I am a true stakeholder in the performance of the city.” Public comment during the meeting included support for Raymond Loera from an El Centro resident who praised his experience as El Centro’s former police chief and four-term sheriff of Imperial County “I truly believe his knowledge and experience far exceeds that of the other candidates,” said the resident The meeting concluded shortly after the council’s final vote with Carter thanking the candidates and staff for their efforts “It was a very difficult decision,” she said The appointment fills the vacancy left by Oliva’s departure and restores the council to five members Crankshaw is expected to be sworn in at the reorganizational meeting at El Centro City Hall on Monday Council Member Claudia Camarena Called for An Investigation into Former Mayor Tomas Oliva Accusing Him of Withholding Financial Details; Interim City Manager Says El Centro Has No Financial Responsibility for ECRMC — Official Reports Tell a Different Story EL CENTRO — When El Centro Mayor Tomas Oliva abruptly resigned last week he framed his departure as a principled stand on the future of healthcare in El Centro But newly surfaced documents suggest another factor may have been at play — a looming censure threat from fellow council member Claudia Camarena The El Centro City Council will hold a special meeting Tuesday in the City Council chambers to discuss the city’s ongoing negotiations with the Imperial Valley Healthcare District over the transfer of El Centro Regional Medical Center alleges that the former mayor exceeded his authority in negotiations and withheld key financial details from the council Camarena called for an investigation and censure of Oliva citing “serious possible violations of city of El Centro policy and law.” She accused Oliva of acting independently in negotiations with IVHD and failing to provide other council members with necessary financial documentation regarding the proposed transfer “The mayor has independently determined the terms of the negotiation by presenting what the offer will be without an opportunity for discussion,” Camarena wrote “Mayor Oliva has repeatedly given assurance that politicians at the Senate and/or Assembly level have given their word that they will ‘fight to have the hospital distress loan written off as a grant’ or that ‘the city will receive some sort of compensation for the payout being given (to IVHD).’ However when I have pressed the Mayor for a written guarantee/confirmation of said bargaining tools either I have been ignored or none have come to fruition.” made no mention of the censure threat in his resignation letter published in the Calexico Chronicle he presented his departure as a way to sound an alarm about the direction of the new council particularly regarding the hospital merger “My resignation is the loudest alarm I could ring to make residents aware of the concerning direction this new council is taking particularly when it comes to the future of our healthcare system,” Oliva wrote “Their decisions are placing the merger of ECRMC into the countywide healthcare district at serious risk be part of an effort that threatens the future of accessible While Oliva framed his decision as a matter of principle Camarena’s complaint raises questions about whether the former mayor left to avoid public scrutiny over his handling of negotiations Oliva repeatedly withheld financial details from council members discouraged public input and overstepped his authority by privately negotiating with IVHD board members Interim City Manager Daniel Paramo’s report for Tuesday’s meeting provides further insight into the city’s financial position and the ongoing dispute over the hospital transfer “The city of El Centro has never provided funding to the hospital,” Paramo wrote “At the time the Municipal Hospital District was formed the city of El Centro did not provide a separate source of revenue for the district but intended for it to rely on revenues to operate.” the city’s 2022 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) — the most recent report available — contradicts this claim stating that El Centro is financially accountable for ECRMC and reports the hospital’s financial activity within its proprietary fund statements “The city of El Centro also is financially accountable for the El Centro Regional Medical Center (Hospital) which is reported within the Proprietary Funds of the City’s financial statements,” the ACFR states While Paramo asserts that the city has never contributed funds to ECRMC “The city’s general fund reserves and financial position have been impacted by obligations related to ECRMC including discussions regarding reserve allocations and potential subsidies,” the ACFR states Paramo’s report further claims that ECRMC’s financial struggles are independent of city operations yet the ACFR directly states that the hospital’s financial health affects the city’s credit rating and overall fiscal stability “ECRMC’s financial health directly affects the city of El Centro’s credit rating and overall fiscal stability,” the ACFR notes Despite Paramo’s framing of the hospital’s financial independence the city’s financial obligations to ECRMC remain a reality particularly in its bond disclosure requirements With Oliva’s resignation and Camarena’s allegations now public Tuesday’s special meeting will serve as a forum for both city leaders and residents to weigh in on the future of ECRMC and the city’s role in healthcare Acting Mayor Sonia Carter has urged residents to attend Tuesday’s meeting positioning it as an opportunity for transparency and public involvement in the decision-making process “The people spoke and we listened,” Carter wrote in a Facebook post “My colleagues and I feel that it’s very important to inform the public about what’s going on and how we move forward as the great city of El Centro that we are.” Carter’s post also acknowledged concerns about whether city leaders had provided enough information to residents about the hospital negotiations “Our job as elected officials is to make sure that we’re not hiding anything we keep the community informed and give you an opportunity to speak on what’s needed,” Carter wrote With the merger still unsettled and questions remaining about Oliva’s departure the meeting is expected to draw strong public interest Residents will have the chance to voice their opinions on both the financial aspects of the hospital transfer and the allegations that city leaders have mishandled negotiations While Oliva’s resignation letter suggests he left due to disagreements over healthcare policy just days before Camarena’s censure request became public raises questions about whether he stepped down to avoid a public rebuke Camarena’s complaint described a pattern of unilateral decision-making and a refusal to share critical information with fellow council members “The mayor refuses to allow the public an opportunity to review and provide input regarding said negotiations,” Camarena wrote “The mayor has provided information to others outside of the city and not to council members.” At the heart of the debate is the city’s role in healthcare Oliva has portrayed the new council as hostile to the IVHD merger while Camarena and Paramo’s documents suggest the council was simply seeking transparency and financial accountability “The city of El Centro does not belong in the healthcare business,” Paramo wrote in his report “It supports healthcare within the city of El Centro and within the Imperial Valley but it would be nonsensical for IVHD to walk away from the transaction when the clear purpose of the legislation forming it is to create a Countywide Healthcare District.” With Oliva out of office and the city now taking a more collective approach to negotiations Tuesday’s meeting will likely be a defining moment for the future of healthcare in El Centro Whether the council moves forward with the transfer or pushes back against IVHD’s financial demands “It’s disappointing to see distractions complicating our efforts to unify hospital systems in the Imperial Valley Open and transparent discussions between elected officials are essential to reaching agreements that benefit our community and healthcare Collaboration is not only appropriate — it’s necessary to find solutions “I remain hopeful that Tuesday’s meetings will bring us closer to a clear and concrete resolution ensuring financial stability and unifying healthcare for our Valley,” she said “Our patients and community deserve the best care possible which remains our top priority at Imperial Valley Healthcare District.” A 45-day Moratorium on New Smoke Shops Passed Unanimously Amid Concerns Over Crime EL CENTRO — Citing concerns over public health an interim urgency ordinance halting the expansion of tobacco retailers in El Centro city limits was unanimously approved by the City Council on Tuesday “The item before you is an urgency ordinance produced by staff regarding tobacco retail shops in the city of El Centro,” Community Development Director Angel Hernandez said at the start of the presentation “There’s been concern from staff and residents regarding the over-concentration and proliferation of tobacco shops Particularly the concentration of those in our downtown area and some of the apparent connections that they have with general deterioration of the neighborhood and drug use.” Hernandez outlined specific problems reported in the vicinity of tobacco retailers and what he described as “a general decline of community character.” “The findings in support of the ordinance are that tobacco retail shops constitute an immediate threat to public health “The approval of new tobacco retail shops and relocation or physical expansion of existing tobacco retail shops and renewal or issuance of any new business licenses for tobacco retail shops within the city will further threaten the public health and welfare and the adoption of the urgency ordinance is therefore necessary for the immediate protection of public health City Attorney Elizabeth Martyn clarified that the ordinance is temporary and serves to maintain the current situation while city staff explore long-term zoning solutions “This is a 45-day interim urgency ordinance,” Martyn said you’d be presented with another ordinance that was more tailored perhaps than this one The goal being to develop a specific zoning ordinance to deal with these within the city.” a point reiterated by council member Marty Ellet “This is not about shutting any shops down,” Ellet said “This is simply preventing new ones from springing up The discussion drew public comment from Robert Rodriguez who expressed concern that his business — which he described as “100 percent tobacco free” — might be unfairly grouped with smoke shops that do sell tobacco and drug paraphernalia “I own and operate Deluxe Vapes and I’ve been in business for 12 years that being at the current location on Main Street which is on the corner of Seventh and Main,” Rodriguez said “We pride ourselves in being 100 percent tobacco free and do not carry what a typical smoke shop does Rodriguez described Deluxe Vapes as a long-standing compliant business with a proactive approach to public safety “We’ve been fully licensed and never had a citation or complaint from the state or local in 12 years,” he said “We currently have eight cameras recording 24/7 and cooperate with local law enforcement when footage is requested … and leave lights on overnight to help with crime prevention and street illumination.” He asked the council not to group Deluxe Vapes with other stores that may contribute to downtown issues “I hope that what I’ve shared with you today is taken into consideration and that Deluxe is not grouped together with other businesses that may not share the same missions as we do,” Rodriguez said “I’ve put my heart and soul into the business for over 12 years now and it’s how I make a living for my family Council members did not respond directly to Rodriguez’s comments but Martyn noted that future iterations of the ordinance could take into account concerns raised by the public “To the extent you wish to respond to his remarks it could be done at the time of looking at the year-long ordinance,” she said “So sometimes you begin with a broad brush Heated Exchanges and Financial Concerns Mark Public Meeting That Followed Months of Closed-door Negotiations EL CENTRO — After months of closed-door negotiations under nondisclosure agreements the El Centro City Council voted Tuesday night to approve the term sheet transferring ownership of El Centro Regional Medical Center to the Imperial Valley Healthcare District the city of El Centro will contribute $5 million in funding to IVHD in addition to $1.5 million in closing costs which will come from the city’s general fund reserves The city will transfer ownership of the hospital’s real property including its main facility at 1415 Ross Ave as well as the hospital’s operating license.  The agreement ensures that IVHD will assume control of ECRMC’s operations with the goal of stabilizing the hospital’s finances and maintaining healthcare services This includes the taking on of nearly $201 million in bond debt obligations largely due to state-mandated seismic retrofitting costs The deal also stipulates that IVHD must integrate ECRMC into its regional healthcare system and outlines a process for financial oversight reporting and compliance with state and federal regulations The decision followed an emotional and contentious meeting healthcare workers and legal representatives weighed in on the transfer’s financial impact and accusations of secret negotiations sharp disagreements played out — both between council members themselves and between the public and city leadership Councilmember Marty Ellet set the tone early urging collaboration between El Centro and Brawley for a sustainable healthcare model putting on his Brawley Union High School letterman jacket to address residents of the Northend who have felt slighted by the transfer of Pioneers Memorial Hospital to the IVHD “I know that you feel like you’ve been run over and abused and that you didn’t want this “I feel like this transition has been mishandled in many ways Rural hospitals all over the country are closing “If El Centro wasn’t absorbed in this … that’s the very reason for the creation of the IVHD — to have both hospitals working together and not fighting and competing So El Centro would surely falter if it’s not absorbed into the healthcare district Pioneers would be overwhelmed like a hill of ants.” Councilmember Claudia Camarena said the special meeting was necessary for public input it’s important to make sure that everybody has an opportunity to provide input and review information that’s going to affect you City financial consultant Andy Heath gave a detailed breakdown of the fiscal impact of the transfer stating that while the city’s general fund reserves stood at approximately $26.8 million the transaction would deplete those reserves “This transaction is going to require a financial commitment from the city and it’s going to impact our reserves,” Heath said “We’re talking about a $5 million contribution to IVHD That is going to come directly from the city’s general fund.” Heath also directly addressed misinformation about Measure P funds “Measure P was never designed to supplement operational costs in this manner The idea that it can be used to cover this deficit is simply incorrect.” some council members and audience members continued to insist that Measure P could be used — a debate that would reignite later in the meeting Public comments reflected deep-seated concerns over job security urged the council to consider the hospital’s role as both an employer and a healthcare provider approximately 200 have been with ECRMC over 15 years,” she said “The decisions you make now will either make or break this vital institution.” called the merger an unfair burden on certain taxpayers “We have a piece of property that we paid for dearly that has been stolen from us,” she stated “The tax bond that you will be asked to do is not fair to both the north end and the south end Resident Pete Rodriguez stressed the potential consequences of hospital closures “Imagine a school shooting and not a second hospital to send those people to Imagine another accident on Highway 111 with six seven cars and no hospital capacity,” he said IVHD Chief Executive Officer Chris Bjornberg called for unity in the decision-making process “We need to come together as a community We’re looking at taking care of all of the people in this county and we have to work together to be able to do that The future of healthcare in this region depends on collaboration Bjornberg also defended the district’s financial request “The city has never put a dime into the hospital And that’s not fair to turn over the keys to an asset that is in the negative $20 million to $34 million,” he said IVHD attorney Josh Schneiderman echoed this point “The appraisal shows a fair market value of between negative $20.6 million and negative $34.4 million The hospital is drastically underwater,” he explained This negative value is due to the center’s outstanding debt obligations which outweigh the hospital’s assets by these amounts The meeting’s tension reached its highest when IVHD attorney Adriana Ochoa attempted to respond to Camarena’s accusations that IVHD board President Katie Burnworth and former El Centro Mayor Tomas Oliva engaged in improper negotiations “There have been accusations that IVHD Chair Burnworth and former Mayor Oliva were engaging in ‘backroom deals’ — but that is simply not true,” Ochoa said Mayor Pro Tem Sonia Carter abruptly cut her off that’s out of order,” Carter said “We said we were only going to talk about the matter at hand it’s out of order,” Carter repeated “So either you can be quiet or we can have you escorted out.” Burnworth took to the microphone and directly addressed allegations of improper dealings “No single individual on the IVHD board has the authority to make deals on their own,” Burnworth said If people think one board member can single-handedly dictate the outcome of a negotiation they fundamentally misunderstand the process Everything that has been done was done in full accordance with legal requirements.” Former El Centro City Councilmember Cheryl Walker spoke on the financial implications of the deal “Five million dollars with a reserve like that This should be over and done with,” Walker said “You have an unallocated $8 million in Measure P money every year You are spending over $450,000 a year on legal fees and tens of thousands more on a lobbyist Maybe we should be looking at these expenses before questioning the necessity of saving a hospital.”During council deliberations councilmember Ellet voiced his frustration that El Centro was shouldering the financial burden of the transfer Why is it El Centro that has to take this hit alone And Calexico has had a district they’ve been paying into Brawley has a district they’ve been paying into,” Ellet said “I’d like to propose that we double whatever Imperial would offer Why is this on our shoulders and no one else’s “The hospital costs should be spread out across the entire county And it’s not going to be a burden to anyone,” Ellet replied Members of the audience countered that once the IVHD merger is complete a tax measure would be up for a vote in next year’s election which would create the funding mechanism for the IVHD spread across tax revenues for the entire county In response to councilmember Sylvia Marroquin’s comments about Measure P funds as a potential boost to the city’s future financial health Camarena raised concerns about the budget and the general fund implying that the practices used in creating the budget were not sound.  “I think Measure P has already been taken out and put into the budget And so that’s what my concern is … And then the budget also contained Measure P monies that was put in to balance it.” “We didn’t use Measure P to balance the budget Measure P will help us to cover expenses that we may incur in the future “I just think that I know that it’s a habit but it’s not a good one to be able to count salary vacancies and savings as part of the budget,” Camarena replied “One thing is that to be able to use that as a foundation of a good budget is not the right way to do it.” Mayor Pro Tem Carter made one last plea to the council The doctor told my parents I wouldn’t make it ‘She’s not going to make it past six months.’ They kept reviving me There is no way we can go without healthcare I make a motion for this term to be approved and I need a second.”“And I will second,” said Marroquin.Following over two hours of discussion the council finally approved the term sheet with a 3-0 vote The terms will be reviewed once more by the IVHD board at its meeting on Thursday finalizing the transfer of ECRMC to the new district Councilmember Applicants to be Interviewed at a Public Meeting on April 16 Council Hears General Plan Report; Camarena Scrutinizes City Loans EL CENTRO — The El Centro City Council on Tuesday laid out the process for appointing a replacement for former Mayor Tomas Oliva setting key dates for applications and interviews while debating the level of transparency and fairness in selecting a new member with applications opening the following Monday Applicants will have until April 6 at 5 p.m which can be delivered in person to El Centro City Hall or emailed to the City Clerk’s office The council agreed that the top five applicants will be selected for in-person interviews which will take place in a public meeting on Wednesday A special meeting to select and swear in the new council member is scheduled for Monday Council members debated the application process deciding to require applicants to disclose their educational background and employment status to ensure they have the time and ability to serve on the council “I think it is relevant,” Councilmember Sylvia Marroquin said during the discussion on educational background “Being a council member does require not only experience but it really does make a difference if you have a higher education degree because it provides for much more in-depth understanding.” Councilmember Claudia Camarena raised the issue of disclosing the financial compensation for the position clarifying that council members receive a stipend rather than a salary City Attorney Elizabeth Martyn confirmed that the stipend amount could be included in the application form for full transparency resident Pete Rodriguez raised concerns about how the council would handle interviews and whether candidates would be given a fair chance “My concerns are very valid,” Rodriguez said “I don’t want the candidate to be ambushed because I already know who the ambusher is She is not prepared to ask appropriate questions.” Rodriguez urged the council to provide candidates with the interview questions in advance warning against a “clown show” of unprepared questioning Martyn reminded the council that interview questions are typically not provided ahead of time to assess candidates’ ability to respond in real time “If you’re going to interview the people and they’re going to be council members you should find out what happens when they have to think on their feet,” Martyn said The council considered the public nature of the interview process noting that some candidates could listen to the interview questions given to the first applicants during the meeting They discussed asking the candidates to wait in a separate room during the interview process but also mentioned that they could access the meeting via livestream the council agreed to review the particulars of the interview process at its next meeting on April 1 after having some time to develop questions and meeting logistics The council heard a presentation from Community Development Director Angel Hernandez on the 2024 General Plan Annual Report a state-mandated document outlining the city’s progress on land use environmental initiatives and public infrastructure “(The General Plan) serves as the guiding document for whenever the city considers development proposals and a lot of times you kind of see it referenced as the Constitution of Development,” Hernandez said “It’s required for all California cities and counties and it lays out the framework for how we plan and grow as a community.” Hernandez walked the council through key elements of the report highlighting several major accomplishments from the past year: Hernandez explained that the city was making steady progress toward its state-mandated housing goals but acknowledged challenges in meeting affordable housing quotas “The most important takeaway from this report is that it’s our responsibility to make sure there’s appropriately zoned properties available for development,” Hernandez said The council also briefly touched on emergency preparedness under the Safety Element with Camarena bringing up the California Residential Mitigation Program which provides grants for earthquake retrofitting “I don’t know if it would really fall under this but maybe some of our residents would be eligible for a $3,000 grant to assist with the older homes,” she said Hernandez noted that while the city does provide outreach on housing assistance programs incorporating specific state resources like the retrofit grants into public communications could be beneficial “We do have staff who provide information when they come across distressed properties,” Hernandez said “But adding something like this to our outreach efforts could be a good idea.” The council voted 4-0 to approve the General Plan Annual Progress Report and submit it to the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovations as well as the California Department of Housing and Community Development A routine item on the consent calendar turned into a prolonged discussion when councilmember Camarena pulled the warrant register for further scrutiny questioning consultant fees and loan repayments listed in the city’s financial report who has repeatedly raised concerns about city spending began by asking for clarification on payments tied to specific housing projects “I sent an email out to City Manager Paramo regarding some of the consultant’s fees and what I’m looking for is the identification of the number of consultants we have and to what arena that they’re being utilized,” Camarena said She specifically asked about two loans listed in the register “One of them was for the Jacaranda apartment complex … and the other one was for a loan regarding Ursa,” she said “I’d like to know if the first payments Interim City Manager Daniel Paramo acknowledged the length of Camarena’s request and indicated that staff could provide additional details if necessary.“I just want to make sure I understand what is being asked,” said Paramo “I know that the items were pretty lengthy and I thought it was pretty explanatory on the registered stuff but you just need more information in addition to what’s being placed in the packet Councilmember Sylvia Marroquin then questioned whether Camarena could have handled the inquiry before the meeting “May I ask what it was that you requested Camarena explained that she flagged all professional fees related to consultants and wanted further elaboration could that have been discussed with the city manager before the meeting?” Marroquin asked Camarena responded that while the ordinance encourages council members to ask questions in advance the volume of information made that difficult “I understand it might be not a popular thing to do but I feel it’s necessary just to be able to understand what is being spent on the budget,” she said “Once I understand this and have that response “Hope not,” Marroquin replied dryly to be able to ask questions,” Camarena replied Community Services Director Adriana Nava took to the podium and explained that the expenditures were part of previously approved housing and economic development initiatives particularly relating to affordable housing projects “The category that you’re referring to is ‘professional fees slash other,’” Nava explained “And so it’s not just professional fees that we pay to engineering or architectural firms It is also used sometimes for contributions the one that you’re referring to was the one to Chelsea and I just want to clarify that the funds that were allocated to Chelsea are not part of the general fund They are permanent local housing allocation funds.” which developed the Jacaranda Gardens affordable housing project has worked with the city on multiple housing efforts The payments Camarena flagged were part of those pre-approved agreements Nava reiterated that all consultant payments listed in the warrant register were tied to projects the council had already approved and were in compliance with city financial policies Camarena also turned her attention to loan repayments asking for details on the city’s collection of outstanding debts particularly referencing a $100,000 loan to new fine dining restaurant it is a COVID-EDA revolving loan fund,” Nava explained the Economic Development Administration at the federal level awarded the city $550,000 a couple years back Some of the recipients have now repaid some of those funds and so because it is a revolving loan fund we then go back and provide additional loans and they’ve been making their payments on time.”Nava explained that the city utilizes AmeriNat councilmember Camarena responded to criticism regarding her abstention votes particularly in light of comments made during the meeting’s public comment portion “I started getting a lot of phone calls we heard that you’re throwing your votes away,’” Camarena said she outlined her voting record since taking office stating that she had voted in favor of 30 items and abstained three times two of which she had consulted with City Manager Paramo about beforehand “I didn’t sit here just to be a seat warmer,” Camarena said “Or there’s some misconception that we are paid an enormous amount of money Camarena insisted that each of her abstentions had a reason though she did not elaborate on all of them She framed her approach as one of diligence and accountability asserting that her questions — however unpopular — were meant to ensure she was making the best possible decisions And I apologize if it’s irritating,” she said “But I always want to make sure that I’m informed so that I can make the best decision I can for our city She concluded her remarks by reiterating her commitment to her position I’m still going to represent you,” she said because I think when you’re able to speak one-on-one with somebody it opens doors that texts won’t open when it will finalize interview questions and discuss additional elements of the selection process for Oliva’s replacement The city’s public notice regarding the vacancy will be widely distributed including postings at the library and other city buildings EL CENTRO — A 32-year-old man was arrested over the weekend in connection with a Nov 10 homicide investigation by El Centro Police Department The man was booked on a count of first-degree murder in the Imperial County jail Officers responded to the 1000 block of Sandalwood Drive on a report of shots fired suffering from two gunshot wounds to his upper torso according to a press release from El Centro police Sgt Romo was found lying inside one of the bedrooms of the Sandalwood home and rendered aid and police began life-saving efforts until medical personnel arrived Romo was transported to El Centro Regional Medical Center where he later died from his injuries.   During the course of this homicide investigation suspect Rudy Isaac Hernandez was identified as the alleged shooter responsible for Romo’s death in the 600 block of Main Street in El Centro Hernandez was arrested and transported to the Imperial Valley Law Enforcement Coordination Center and interviewed by the El Centro Police Department’s Investigative Bureau Hernandez is being held on $1 million bail.  Further details are unavailable for release at this time as the incident remains under investigation EL CENTRO — A projected $1 million surplus in the general fund headlined the April 15 El Centro City Council meeting where the council also finalized the year’s community development grant strategy and debated whether to extend the city’s contract with waste hauler CR&R The meeting offered a broad overview of El Centro’s financial outlook including staff proposals for next year’s budget discussion of state-mandated service changes and a formal presentation on a major infrastructure investment tied to the city’s trash services “We’re going to a budget now that is likely to generate a million dollars in surplus by the end of the year as opposed to 150,000 (dollars) when we adopted the budget,” said Andy Heath Heath gave a lengthy mid-year update on the city’s four largest funds — the general fund and the water and wastewater enterprise funds in order to receive guidance from the council in crafting the final budget Higher-than-expected revenue from property taxes sales taxes and one-time reimbursements such as strike team deployments and opioid settlement dollars brought in an additional $2.25 million in revenue Although general fund expenditures also rose by $1.28 million the city remains on track to end the fiscal year with reserves of roughly $28 million the city is expected to build raises for staff into the budget A hypothetical 5 percent raise across the board would impact the budget significantly “If we implement the salary survey … let’s just say 5 percent of salary is aggregate,” Heath said That will impact each one of these budgets to the negative of $930,000.” no raises are included in the proposed budget account for increasing CalPERS costs and insurance premiums CalPERS pension obligations currently cost the city approximately $6.7 million — costs which are expected to rise to nearly $9.1 million by fiscal 2029-30 General fund reserves are expected to be $27.9 million by June 30 Even if $6.5 million is used for El Centro Regional Medical Center transfer closing costs general fund reserves would remain above 50 percent of expenditures — still a strong fiscal position is expected to carry a $7.2 million balance into the next fiscal year even with capital carryovers and continued support for police and fire equipment and operations Forecasts showed the fund generating about $2.5 million in annual surpluses after paying out an estimated $2.2 million each year to offset public safety costs in the general fund The city’s enterprise funds for water and wastewater both remain in solid condition Each holds reserves roughly twice the size of annual operating costs — a buffer Heath said is vital for responding to permit compliance and infrastructure needs council members expressed support for the city’s financial direction and offered no objections to the forecast or planning assumptions presented Heath said staff would incorporate the feedback received and return with a finalized budget proposal in the coming months The council also held a public hearing Tuesday to adopt the 2025-26 Community Development Block Grant action plan the final step before releasing the plan for 30-day public review Community Development Director Adriana Nava presented the city’s proposed use of $25,000 in estimated program income plus $68,000 in leftover project funds from previous years The bulk of the funding — $346,000 — will go toward public facilities and code enforcement including ongoing work at Fraser Field and the Community Center The city will also spend about $47,000 on public service grants and $25,000 on housing rehab projects Catholic Charities’ Senior Nutrition program will receive $20,000 Catholic Charities’ Day Center will receive $11,468 Two other applicants — PAL and Whole Person Care Clinic — were not selected “We didn’t recommend (Whole Person Care Clinic) but we think they also provide a great service,” Nava said a nonprofit with operations across Southern California recently opened a 24/7 recuperative care facility in Heber and maintains a street medicine team that serves El Centro two days per week Their model of care focuses on providing unhoused or housing-insecure individuals with medical stabilization and behavioral health support in a residential setting “Our recuperative care provides case management housing navigation … life skills and social activities,” said Executive Director Nora Sarte It’s a temporary space … to get them long-term and stable housing.” In addition to street outreach and in-house care the clinic operates a sobering center and facilitates referrals to permanent housing and employment resources often in collaboration with partners such as Catholic Charities and the Imperial Valley Continuum of Care.“​​As we look forward set aside some funding for that as well,” Nava said.​ The council approved the grant strategy unanimously Public Works Director Abraham Campos gave a presentation on a proposed five-year extension to CR&R’s exclusive franchise agreement to collect trash allows for two five-year extensions — a window Campos said the city must consider now if it intends to preserve or replace the current arrangement “We’re in that window right now where we can consider adding additional time to the contract in five-year increments,” Campos said He noted that switching to a different hauler could take up to two years and said staff had already invested significant effort modernizing the contract in 2022 to comply with new state mandates That revision did not extend CR&R’s term with CR&R planning to break ground within 60 days on a $20 million solid waste transfer station off Ross Avenue the company is seeking a commitment that would help secure financing and support long-term operations “Our main reason for asking for the 10 years — or the five and five if you will — is for funding,” said Dean Ruffridge “I don’t have the $20 million to go out and just build this facility tomorrow.” Ruffridge described the proposed site as a regional facility that would consolidate CR&R’s two smaller operations and handle up to 1,000 tons of waste per day He noted that CR&R was in the second round of plan checks with the city’s building department and expected CalRecycle permitting to follow Councilmember Marty Ellet questioned whether limited Saturday hours at CR&R’s current site were causing residents to pay Republic Services to drop off green waste “Under our current (agreement) … we’re allowed Saturday mornings for four hours,” Ruffridge responded “Our intention is … (to) allow additional hours or days … (but) that would not be permitted until CalRecycle analyzes our plans.” Republic Services General Manager Peter Sternberg and they’re asking again for another 10-year extension … when they currently do not have a permit to even operate,” Sternberg said He criticized CR&R’s past performance in El Centro alleging issues with missed pickups and poor recycling practices “It just doesn’t seem right that the city would want to extend an agreement,” he said “Is this 10-year extension best for the city of El Centro or is this 10-year extension best for CR&R … to increase the value of their company?” The council approved the five-year extension on a 3-1 vote with councilmember Sylvia Marroquin voting no The 2025 Ruby Awards Honorees Include Nancie Rhodes several extraordinary women in the community were honored for their commitments to improving the conditions for women and girls through their personal The honors were part of the Soroptimist International of El Centro’s 85th annual Ruby Awards Gala held March 28 at the Loft in El Centro which was open to members and non-members with the purchase of a ticket gave attendees the chance to dress up in their finest clothes the Soroptimist International of El Centro spotlighted their recent and upcoming projects including their successful STEAM WARS conference which will continue April 5 at Southwest High School with a focus on filmmaking.  was celebrating the incredible women in our community who are bold creative innovators that are positively impacting other women and girls “There’s plenty of women out there that we did not know or recognize,” said Soroptimist International of El Centro President Ivonne Sotomayor Santos who sees the Ruby Awards Gala as a chance to highlight the unsung heroes in the community While the Soroptimist organization continuously assembles to host events or support efforts locally the Ruby Awards winners illuminate the way that members of the community enhance and inspire the lives of others “Strangers can help other people,” said Santos who emphasizes the value in giving to the community “and that’s what makes it beautiful is that ‘I don’t have to know you to support you.’” are named after Soroptimist International Federation President Ruby Lee Minar as well as the ruby gemstone whose properties are associated with love These characteristics are generously found in the honorees selected for the award While the three Ruby Awards winners were selected and announced prior to the event the gala served as an opportunity to honor them through speeches by their nominating members and present them their award in front of a community of supporters The 2025 Ruby Awards honorees include Nancie Rhodes Virdiana Rosales-Trujillo and Marva Walker II was introduced by Alex Cardenas who trained under her and worked with her at Court Appointed Special Advocates of Imperial Valley learning the ins and outs of running a nonprofit the program has helped advocate for the health and wellness of some 9,000 children in the foster system A truly driven humanitarian locally and abroad Rhodes has visited Uganda and offered her knack for creative problem solving to communities there she facilitates bringing clean drinking water to villages and making sure the children have clothes even taking pillowcases with her on the Uganda trips so as to turn them into dresses for little girls “I always had a love for children,” Rhodes expressed in her acceptance speech and education are important to me.” The work she does serves as continued fuel to keep giving back because “When you can see a child smile after so many years of being depressed The second recipient of the Ruby Awards for the evening was Virdiana Rosales-Trujillo introduced by Soroptimist member Nancy Salcedo who sung praises of how Trujillo’s involvement in local organizations her significant impact on helping women start or expand their businesses and her ability to create new opportunities for women in Imperial Valley all while building a community of women who support each other “When I started the Women in Business program I had three simple goals in mind,” said Trujillo who is manager of the Imperial Valley Small Business Development Center and creator of the Women in Business Networking Events that empower women with the support and tools to build their own businesses “One: to teach our local women that they are not alone in their fears and in their struggles That those fears and struggles are shared with every woman in that room,” explained Trujillo 2: that personal and professional growth are key to success 3: that there is power in collaboration.” On a final note “The sun can shine brighter if we work together instead of working against each other.” The final Ruby Award winner was multiple business owner Marva Walker II who was not able to attend due to a prior commitment “When she makes a commitment to be somewhere she honors it,” said Tammy Summers in her speech introducing Walker who actively works to support individuals facing hardship and ensure that vulnerable populations receive economic support Walker’s three businesses include Skating Grace Twisted Frenzy Smash & Paint Splatter Room a mobile game station trailer equipped with an array of video games she also partners with organizations around the valley for fundraisers and drives that help support members of the community Accepting on behalf of her mother was Leia Higgs who described Walker as the kind of person who does more for other people than she does for herself I’m really glad that she’s getting the recognition that she deserves my mom has one of the best characters of a person that I’ve ever met Soroptimist International of El Centro also selected five women to be recipients of scholarships to better support their dreams and goals going forward “It definitely means a lot,” said Live Your Dream Scholarship recipient Ashley Contreras of being awarded that evening “because it shows me that there are very strong powerful women in the Valley that are moved by empowering and inspiring other women — and that’s what I noticed that Soroptimist is about — so getting an award through them means a lot to me because it makes me feel like I’m doing something right as a woman in this community.” While the Ruby Award winners have many years of service under their belts the Live Your Dream Scholarship helps support women who are striving to build themselves up or on route to becoming leaders in the community simply have a little extra financial support to help them along There are no stipulations about how the recipients have to use their scholarship because Soroptimist International believes in allowing women to spend it on any resources that will help support them because we are trying to create that foundation for women to succeed go ahead; that they know that there’s a group of women behind them all the way,” Soroptimist president Santos expressed “and the impact that we see is that more women and girls are not afraid to do the things that they want to do.” KECY) - A new gym made specifically for kids and young adults with autism is opening soon in El Centro and it’s the first of its kind in the Imperial Valley and what makes it different is how it mixes fitness with therapeutic movement guided activities that help with things like coordination and we're even developing our own audio training," said Ryan Bigelow The idea came from the founder Arlene Lopez Martinez and wanted to give local families more access to support for neurodiverse kids very stuck in fight or flight," said Anthony Thomé "Our goal is to help them feel safe and empowered." The gym opens to the public on May 7 and will be open all year round KECY) - The City of El Centro says the Floating Easter Egg Hunt has been postponed The City says this was due to the high winds and heater issues which caused the pool's temperature "to fall below the required 75 degrees." While the event has been rescheduled for next Saturday the City says the event is taking place at the same scheduled times with the Easter Egg Hunt taking place from 2:00 p.m To learn more about the event, click here Manoah Tuiasosopo joined the KYMA team as a videographer in February 2024 you can send them to his email at manoah.tuiasosopo@kecytv.com NAF El Centro serves as the Blue Angels’ winter training facility making it the perfect location to serve as the team’s debut air show every year General admission for the air show is free and open to the public to attend Here’s everything to know about the NAF El Centro Air Show Gates for the NAF El Centro Air Show will open at 8:30 a.m Fans will have a chance to claim their spot and check out static display aircraft and booth displays before performances start Where can I park at the NAF El Centro Air Show?There will be approximately 3,000 parking spots available for the NAF El Centro Air Show parking will be available on a first-come-first-served basis The base will turn away public vehicles once lots are filled Visitors will enter NAF El Centro from the main gate and proceed onto B Street Traffic control personnel will fill designated spots in order so be on the lookout and follow their directions Can I still purchase tickets for the NAF El Centro Air Show?Executive chalet and box seating tickets are sold out You can still attend the show via general admission What can I bring to the Blue Angels air show?Here is a list of items authorized to be brought to the NAF El Centro Air Show: All bags will be subject to search upon entry KECY) - A free job fair in El Centro turned the spotlight on accessibility and opportunity Wednesday morning connecting dozens of local job seekers with disabilities to hiring employers from across the region a nonprofit focused on empowering people with disabilities through employment and community engagement The goal: To bridge the gap between job seekers and employers through face-to-face interaction "There's bound to be something that will catch your interest and just try it You'll never know," said local resident Gerardo Guardado one of the many attendees who came ready to work Other participants said the in-person setup helped eliminate common barriers in the job search process I never get past the 'We'll call you back.' So it's good that you at least have a one-on-one with hiring managers here," one Imperial Valley local said Business Development Support Manager for Options For All says unemployment in Imperial County remains among the highest in the country and even higher among individuals with disabilities it's known that it has one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation they challenge that at a doubling rate," Rendon said we've had events in the past and we're always thinking of a way to collaborate with the community." says these hiring events highlight a bigger truth: Disability doesn't mean inability "I really love that they are trying to find employers that are willing to work with them and partner people with disabilities give them the opportunity to get real work experience "These people are innovators...They're creators they're creative and are always finding a solution to a problem With on-the-spot interviews and potential job offers organizers say this fair is just one of many ways to foster inclusion and build a more accessible local workforce faculty and staff represent a growing part of the diverse campus community Virginia Commonwealth University is home to a new resource – El Centro – that will spotlight support and amplify their experiences and opportunities is a teaching assistant professor of Spanish in the School of World Studies and a faculty fellow for community engagement in the College of Humanities and Sciences “It’s creating a sense of awareness, as well as a structured space to be,” Moreno said of El Centro, which is part of VCU’s Division of Inclusive Excellence The center’s official launch event – on Sept in Room 250 at James Branch Cabell Library – is open to the public and coincides with the first week of National Hispanic Heritage Month which runs from mid-September to mid-October As the Latine population has grown in Virginia its representation has risen in the VCU student body (to about 16%) as well as among faculty (6%) and staff (10%) El Centro will forge connections among them programs featuring scholars and community leaders and funding that supports Latine scholarship and teaching Moreno noted the importance of approaches tailored to the cultural academic and personal/social needs of Latine students which fosters an academic environment that promotes their success and growth Initially, eight El Centro awards of $500 will be available to students and faculty who engage in Latine scholarship or pedagogy Moreno and Nadal navigated a number of challenges including a launch that was scuttled by the pandemic but it’s very rewarding to see that we’re here – and seeing that we move the needle forward,” said Moreno whose instruction as a professor includes multicultural counseling. “I’m hoping when we’re looking back years from now with the first-gen students coming through we’ll see how El Centro played a key role And we’ll see students feeling a sense of belonging just as simple as coming together once a month There’s a lot of personal lived experience and passion but also hope in the future of what the center can do.” Moreno and Nadal are planning a series of workshops that will touch on skill-building and other topics that empower VCU’s Latine community El Centro also will assemble a community advisory board James Branch Cabell LibraryAll are welcome to come to the launch of El Centro and learn about the organization's work to empower the VCU community foster understanding and support interactions between VCU-affiliated individuals who identify as Latine And the center’s plans include creation of an accessible database sourced from transdisciplinary research with its information available for analysis and inclusion in academic papers and student theses or dissertations Topics could include health and academic outcomes disparities or inequalities at the local level and the lived experiences and stressors of students Moreno said one of El Centro’s missions is to show Latine first-generation students who have lower graduation rates than other groups that they are a crucial part of the academic community That will be emphasized through mentorship and providing gathering spots around campus to share experiences – “even just being a Latine at a university,” he said “Perhaps it’s talking about and being mentored through the first-generation experience imposter syndrome” – feelings of self-doubt – “or entering into spaces that perhaps our parents did not enter,” Moreno said “That’s how we aim to empower.” El Centro is an opportunity to connect VCU students many with Central American heritage and childhoods in Northern Virginia to Latine communities in the Richmond area She said those personal ties help students embrace their roots That’s something that El Centro can do,” said Nadal who frequently teaches a service-learning course that connects VCU students to local communities.And El Centro has personal significance for its founders “My parents had a fifth-grade education,” said Moreno “I am the first generation to attend college I’m the first generation in my family to pursue a Ph.D and it’s time to provide structural mechanisms to be able to support other students staff and faculty that are first-gen and navigating spaces that who is Puerto Rican and had a military upbringing abroad was motivated by her own experiences as an student who felt left out when VCU “I’m excited about seeing something tangible at VCU that will really help our students principally to be able to feel like they belong,” she said “That will help them to be able to learn more about who they are and where their people come from.” Ph.D., VCU’s vice president for inclusive excellence and chief diversity officer noted that Latines are the fastest-growing population in Virginia – and that El Centro can be a resource with impact beyond campus “El Centro will provide a pivotal resource,” she said “enabling VCU and the surrounding community to strengthen knowledge commitment and positive action in regard to Latines.” Subscribe to VCU News at newsletter.vcu.edu and receive a selection of stories news clips and event listings in your inbox Brian Brown named VCU School of Business dean Class of 2025: That guy driving the hot dog who oversaw the launch of VCU’s bachelor’s program in photography In her short film based on Poe’s ‘Annabel Lee,’ VCUarts undergraduate finds inspiration from depression Class of 2025: Advanced nursing degree gives Brooke Gore a chance to truly graduate RVA native Everette Taylor brings grit and empathy to dream role as Kickstarter CEO Class of 2025: Felicia Fowler relishes the long journey to her VCU degree Certain traits in romantic partners can amplify the impact of a person’s genetic risk for alcohol problems has been one of the greatest honors of my life I have done my best to serve with integrity commitment and a deep love for our community I made the difficult decision to resign — one that was not taken lightly but was necessary for two important reasons we often hear that politicians cling to power but I believe leadership is about standing on principle My resignation is the loudest alarm I could ring to make residents aware of the concerning direction this new council is taking particularly when it comes to the future of our healthcare system Their decisions are placing the merger of ECRMC into the countywide healthcare district at serious risk this moment presents an opportunity for me to focus on my personal and professional goals While I may no longer hold a seat on the council my commitment to serving and advocating for our community is far from over and I have no doubt we will be having more conversations about the future soon Thank you for the trust you have placed in me This is not goodbye — it’s just the next chapter Claudia Camarena and John "Marty" Ellet Are Sworn in During Ceremony at El Centro City Hall EL CENTRO — El Centro’s City Council met for a reorganization ceremony that brought new leadership honored departures and marked the beginning of a new chapter for the city in the council chambers at El Centro City Hall recognized outgoing councilmembers Edgard Garcia and Martha Cardenas-Singh — who is stepping into her new role as District 2 Imperial County supervisor — and celebrated Sylvia Marroquin’s transition from mayor to councilmember Newly elected members Claudia Camarena and John “Marty” Ellet were sworn in alongside Marroquin marking a shift in the council’s composition Tomas Oliva was selected as mayor in a 4-0 vote with one abstention while Sonia Carter was unanimously chosen as mayor pro tem reflecting on a year filled with challenges and accomplishments “It has truly been the honor of my life to serve my community as the mayor for one year,” she said acknowledging the support of her colleagues Marroquin highlighted the complexities of leading through a demanding year calling the experience both a learning and growth opportunity “There are so many things that happen behind the scenes that the public doesn’t see,” she said “I’ve juggled my responsibilities as mayor and my volunteer services to my church community I hope that you all recognize how dedicated I am to serving you.” Marroquin pointed to her accessibility as a cornerstone of her leadership Citing initiatives like “Mondays with the Mayor,” Marroquin said she worked to remain connected to residents offering them a platform to share their concerns and ideas “I believe it’s important as elected officials to be visible and accessible to our members of the community,” she said She also mentioned initiatives such as the Helping Hands program which provides job opportunities and support for the local homeless population.  Newly appointed Mayor Oliva praised the program calling it an example of Marroquin’s compassionate leadership “It shows your humanitarian side — looking at our homeless population as not just folks we need to forget but as people who need a helping hand,” he said As Marroquin began the transition back to her role as a councilmember she expressed gratitude for the continued opportunity to serve for giving me the privilege to serve you for another four years,” she said Cardenas-Singh bid farewell to the council as she prepares to take on her new role as Imperial County’s District 2 supervisor Cardenas-Singh spoke of the challenges and triumphs that defined her tenure particularly during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic “It really gave us an opportunity to be innovative … to make sure that we delivered those services,” she said of the city’s ability to adapt and persevere during those unprecedented times She expressed deep gratitude to the residents of El Centro who entrusted her with the role “These are tears of just immense love and appreciation for having had the privilege to serve the city of El Centro and its residents,” she said She acknowledged the sacrifices made by her family who she said has been her inspiration throughout her life and that you are proud of the many accomplishments we’ve achieved together.” Cardenas-Singh also shared her pride in initiatives such as the Downtown Ad Hoc Committee which focused on revitalizing the area and supporting local businesses funding and a belief in the success of these businesses,” she said Cardenas-Singh vowed to carry her commitment to public service forward “I look forward to continuing to represent the Imperial Valley with the same passion and dedication.” Garcia bid farewell to the council after nine years of service reflecting on the journey that began with his goal to give back to the city that shaped his life it was for a greater El Centro — with a vision to make it a better place for my children and all the families who will come to call this place their home,” he said “Serving this community has been one of the greatest honors of my life.” Garcia recounted both the challenges and triumphs of his tenure from navigating the COVID-19 pandemic and addressing a healthcare crisis to celebrating accomplishments such as new parks the aquatic center and a new police station but we have also forged a path toward a brighter future,” he said “You inspired me every single day to strive for excellence.” As he prepares for the next chapter of his life Garcia urged the incoming council to work collaboratively and prioritize the interests of El Centro “I look forward to finding new ways to serve and contribute to this incredible place we all call home.” With Cardenas-Singh and Garcia stepping aside alongside newly elected members Claudia Camarena and John “Marty” Ellet took their oaths and their seats on the dais The first order of business for the newly seated council was selecting the next mayor and mayor pro tem while Carter was unanimously selected as mayor pro tem Camarena expressed gratitude and determination in her first address as a councilmember “I want to serve you and do the best that I can so that people can prosper and not be living under oppression,” she said noting her long-standing connection to El Centro and its residents family and community mentors for their support and I look forward to working together to make a better El Centro for us all.” Ellet addressed the audience with characteristic humor sharing the story of his unexpected success in the election joking that his wife’s school board election directly affected his winning the City Council seat “She (Debbie Ellet) got more votes than anybody else in the city,” he said “As people were eager in voting for Debbie too.’” Ellet credited his faith and community for the opportunity to serve calling it a responsibility he takes seriously “I want to thank everyone who participated in this election whether you voted for me or prayed for our city,” he said “This role is about letting our light shine outside the church and into the community.” selected for mayor for the second time in his tenure reflected on his journey in public service and the weight of leadership and I am far more measured and cautious about what it means to be the mayor,” he said acknowledging the sacrifices required to serve Oliva stressed the need for balance and diligence as the council moves forward “We represent everyone — those who voted for us and those who didn’t those who agree with us and those who don’t,” he said “We understand the gravity of what it means to sit here on your behalf.” In closing “We will be working diligently on your behalf this upcoming year.” “This is your new council for the foreseeable future,” he said 2025-05-05T07:41:43-07:00May 5 2025-05-02T09:39:58-07:00May 2 2025-05-02T08:40:53-07:00May 2 2025-05-04T09:32:06-07:00April 30 2025-04-30T17:06:48-07:00April 30 Fast-charging Stations Aim to Address Infrastructure Gaps in Imperial County Where EV Access has Been Limited EL CENTRO — Electric vehicle infrastructure in the Imperial Valley expanded with the introduction of new electric vehicle fast-charging stations at ribbon-cutting ceremonies on Jan 21 and 22 in the cities of El Centro and Brawley located at the El Centro Public Library and Comite Civico del Valle’s headquarters in Brawley are part of the Lithium Valley EV Charger Equity Initiative The initiative aims to install 40 publicly accessible charging stations throughout the region said the project is meant to address infrastructure disparities in the Imperial Valley where access to EV chargers has been limited “With Imperial County having the lowest rate of EV chargers per capita in all 58 counties in California Comite Civico del Valle’s goal is to install 40 publicly accessible charging stations across the Imperial Valley,” Olmedo said Imperial County has had fewer public EV chargers than other regions in California Olmedo said there were only three fast-charging public stations in the county before the project launched only three fast-charging public stations existed in Imperial Valley,” Olmedo said the number of fast-charging electric vehicle charging stations in the Imperial Valley now sits at 18.” Olmedo said the initiative is centered on principles of environmental justice and accessibility “Comite Civico is committed to ensure that Imperial Valley’s underserved communities have access to clean energy technologies,” he said “While also supporting the broader goal of equitable access to electric vehicle infrastructure across California’s rural communities.” City and state officials said expanding EV infrastructure in the region is necessary to provide options for residents El Centro Mayor Tomas Oliva spoke on the city’s position on this expansion “This project should show you that the city of El Centro is looking for solutions into making sure that you have equity — that you have access,” he said He said a lack of home charging options prevents some residents from considering electric vehicles right?’ So the infrastructure and sometimes the systems don’t exactly work for you,” Oliva said the location of the chargers at the El Centro Public Library was chosen for accessibility and to increase public engagement and education “What better location than a location that should be the future educational space for the city of El Centro,” he said We have a future collaboration with the County Office of Education We have future development that’s going to be placed here.” Olmedo said the project has already supported local workers and will continue to create employment opportunities “With high unemployment rates in the Imperial Valley this project helped to spur local construction jobs — with future opportunities in maintenance and operations,” he said Labor unions also spoke about the role of workers in EV infrastructure development a representative from United Auto Workers Region 6 addressed the crowd on the potential of Lithium Valley for workers in Imperial County as well as the growing electric vehicle industry “One of our biggest priorities as a union is to make sure that the transition to the production of electric vehicles benefits workers and communities and not just the corporations that build and sell the products,” Dexter said He shared that continued investment in workforce development will be necessary to ensure that industry growth benefits local communities “There’s a big risk that people are going to try to make the minimum amount of investments possible and then call it a day and say that they’re done,” Dexter said Addressing the broader implications for workers in the region he noted that many are closely watching how lithium extraction and EV infrastructure will impact local jobs “We’ve seen other communities that have been left behind by economic transitions before,” he said “We’re here to make sure that doesn’t happen again.” California Energy Commissioner Noemí Gallardo spoke about the initiative’s role in EV infrastructure expansion in Imperial County in a press release from CCV “The state of California is aiming to have lithium development that enables the co-location of manufacturing EV batteries and eventually EV cars,” Gallardo said “We want the community to have access to those EVs and to be able to conveniently charge their vehicles.” Steve Padilla said investing in EV infrastructure aligns with state goals for clean energy “Expanding our charging infrastructure is essential to powering our transition to a clean energy future,” Padilla said “These projects will bring economic opportunity and good-paying union jobs to our community — while cleaning our air and protecting our environment.” Olmedo said the initiative is designed to promote clean energy while addressing infrastructure gaps in rural communities “This is an opportunity to come together as a community to mark the beginning of a new era of clean transportation and environmental stewardship for the Imperial Valley,” he said He also acknowledged the support of the organizations and funding partners that contributed to the project “This project would not be possible without the incredible support of General Motors and the 11th Hour Schmidt Family Foundation,” he said with a goal of installing 40 publicly accessible EV charging stations in the Imperial Valley EL CENTRO — The same night the city of El Centro entered into a professional services agreement with Daniel Paramo to become interim city manager it was also an evening of emotional good-byes for outgoing City Manager Cedric Ceseña The City Council emerged from closed session and announced the agreement with Paramo on Tuesday also Ceseña’s final meeting before retiring from city employment and taking the position of assistant Imperial County fire chief returning to his former life in the fire service.  I’ve come full circle because I actually started my career with the city of El Centro way back in the day,” Paramo told the council chambers following the announcement “And I actually saw the construction of the city manager’s office and the building next door “So I’m just very excited to do this and anything I can do to assist is exactly what I’ll do,” he added Daniel Paramo’s leadership and experience in guiding the city during this transitional period,” said Mayor Tomás Oliva in a prepared statement issued earlier in the afternoon budget management and community engagement should help ensure the continuity of city operations and services.” Paramo brings more than 30 years of experience in public administration He served the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for 28 years including eight years as a Governor-appointed warden where he oversaw operations for a correctional facility with more than 4,000 inmates and 1,800 employees He is experienced in managing multimillion-dollar budgets oversaw $500 million in construction projects and led initiatives to improve efficiency and rehabilitation efforts His career also includes roles in the El Centro Planning and Housing Department as a housing and economic development specialist and at the Imperial County Housing and Economic Development Department as a housing rehabilitation specialist He served as mayor and City Council member for the city of Brawley and as president of the Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District Board of Directors His affiliations include serving as a board member for Clinicas de Salud Del Pueblo Paramo holds an Associate of Arts degree in business from Imperial Valley College and a Bachelor of Arts degree in public administration from San Diego State University A permanent city manager for more than 14 months Ceseña served in an interim capacity for several months before assuming the role of interim fire chief He also had a distinguished career with Calexico fire “I will tell you that when I was given that opportunity (to become city manager) I don’t think any of us knew how well I was going to do or how bad I was going to do I never referred to them as that because they’re not mine,” Ceseña said referring to the various departments as his “friends.” but they have been the most incredible group of people the most hardworking and dedicated individuals And every single employee of the city of El Centro because I believe that they’re the people that actually make the city of El Centro a great place to work and a family as such repeatedly saying “You don’t get to pick your bosses,” and implying that he served under a good group of council members He said he leaves the city seeing two capable new council members take office and “I think things are going to be good for the city of El Centro.” Members of the City Council said a few words in honor of Ceseña I still remember that day where I drove over to (Fire Station No asked to meet with you and just kind of plopped it on your lap “And whether you were ready and whether you had that tingling feeling in the back of your mind like I need to talk to my wife first kind of thing And I will forever be grateful that you did us that favor and that you provided such great work to the residents,” Oliva said Said Mayor Pro Tem Sonia Carter: “I would just like to say thank you to Cedric for your leadership Just taking me coming in as a new council member and you were coming in as a new city manager “I truly appreciate not only the hard work and your dedication to the city of El Centro but also to the friendships that we’ve developed,” councilmember Sylvia Marroquin said I wish you much success in your new endeavor I know you’re going back to your true love.”  KECY) - The City of El Centro is hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the grand opening of Buena Vista Park next month Guests can bring a picnic blanket and a lawn chair during the event and free hot dogs from the first 200 visitors the park is said to offer El Centro residents "a fresh new space to enjoy the outdoors and connect with neighbors." contact the El Centro Economic Development Department at (760) 337-4543 Si tiene alguna idea de historia que le gustaría compartir Former Tommy’s Casino and Saloon Will Become Casino Azul and Move to 1510 Adams Ave EL CENTRO — The El Centro City Council has approved amendments to the city’s cardroom ordinance and zoning regulations enabling cardrooms to operate within General Commercial zones and expanding operational allowances The changes come alongside plans by Casino Azul LLC to establish a new cardroom and restaurant following their purchase of the former Tommy’s Casino and Saloon business with both agenda items passing unanimously in a 4-0 vote The amendments to Chapter 4 of the El Centro City Code and the city’s zoning ordinance mark the culmination of more than a year of deliberation The process began with a presentation to the Public Safety Committee in June 2023 and included reviews by the Planning Commission and the California Bureau of Gambling Control before being brought to the council for a public hearing “You can just take a look at the timelines of all the vetting that’s taken place and all the safeguards and questions that have taken place in regards to this cardroom ordinance,” City Council member Martha Cardenas-Singh said.  The amendments to Chapter 4 of the City Code include several key changes to the regulation of cardrooms Among the most significant is the increase in the number of card tables permitted while maintaining a limit of 10 players per table Another major update allows the service and consumption of alcohol within the cardroom itself a change from the previous code that required alcoholic beverages to be consumed in a separate area within the building The business will still be required to obtain a valid license from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control According to El Centro Community Development Director Angel Hernandez Tommy’s Casino and Saloon was required by law to keep the alcohol out of the back room where the card tables were set up “Technically (the card tables were) in the back room you could see what was going on back there but they wouldn’t allow people to bring alcoholic beverages to that back area,” he said The ordinance now also requires a licensed security guard to be present at all times during operation “We’ve made the new security requirement clear: a guard must be on duty at all hours the cardroom is open,” explained Hernandez Previously the city code only required a guard to be on duty during the overnight hours of 2 a.m the new Casino Azul will be allowed to operate 24 hours a day sales of alcoholic beverages will end at 2 a.m “You cannot sell alcohol beyond 2 a.m.,” said City Council member Tomas Oliva “The concern was the amount of calls (to police and emergency services) that we would receive between the hours of 2 and 6 a.m. So there was due diligence done in contacting other communities that have a similar ordinance in place not the card room for the late-night hours of operation.”   Other updates include a two-year renewal period for cardroom licenses changes for clarity and procedural consistency and adjustments to align with state regulations which Hernandez noted were made with the assistance of the California Bureau of Gambling Control an amendment to the city’s zoning ordinance was included in the deliberation which now allows cardrooms to operate in areas zoned for General Commercial use the ordinance did not specify where cardrooms could be located the Planning Commission recommended allowing cardrooms in General Commercial zones based on their similarity to other uses already permitted in these areas restaurants that allow consumption of alcohol to see how they’re zoned and what zoning regulations they require,” he said noting that because Casino Azul will also be a restaurant they would fall under the General Commercial designation.  In addition to being located in General Commercial zones cardrooms must meet several separation requirements outlined in the city code These include maintaining a 600-foot buffer from schools The change also formalized the process for approving cardroom locations shifting oversight to the Community Development Department Businesses must submit site plans and other documentation for review The new zoning rules aim to balance community concerns with opportunities for economic development the council noted that additional conditions could be imposed if issues arise during implementation “The direction was given to staff to give them an opportunity to earn the trust and the ability to operate freely and that we would revisit this in a year and evaluate if fears were realized or not,” Oliva said “It’s a lot easier to start flexible and then hone in than to open it up again and have to explain why that was.” the new owner of the cardroom license previously held by Tommy’s Casino and Saloon has conditional approval from the California Bureau of Gambling Control to proceed with its plans Final approval depends on securing a local cardroom license and meeting city requirements including site plan reviews and adherence to the updated regulations “We’re looking forward to working with the city.” The proposed establishment at 1510 Adams Ave will feature both a cardroom and a restaurant Carson described the inclusion of a restaurant as integral to the project’s success noting its potential to serve as a draw for customers and create jobs in the area Cardenas-Singh emphasized that all necessary precautions are being taken to guarantee the new cardroom operates safely and complies with city and state laws “I’m assuring you colleagues that we continue to do our due diligence to ask those questions and we will continue to work on this project,” he said Wide-ranging Discussion Shows the Depths of ECRMC’s Troubles — and Need for Healthcare Merger skepticism from the community and tensions between rival cities El Centro Regional Medical Center leaders held a forum to discuss the hospital’s current state as it prepares for a merger with Pioneers Memorial under the new Imperial Valley Healthcare District brought community members face-to-face with ECRMC leadership Led by hospital board president and El Centro City Council member Tomas Oliva and hospital Chief Executive Officer Pablo Velez the discussion covered recent improvements ongoing challenges and financial concerns at the hospital including the upcoming IVHD merger mandated by Assembly Bill 918 Oliva and Velez also fielded questions on topics such as ECRMC’s seismic retrofitting the consolidation of women’s services with PMHD and the hospital’s financial stability Much of the information delivered was reminiscent of what the public has already been told in the runup to the passage and signing of AB 918 the emergency healthcare legislation authored by Assembly member Eduardo Garcia and co-authored by state Sen The timing appears to be tied to the ongoing acquisition negotiations between IVHD and ECRMC Velez opened the forum with a presentation on the current state of the hospital One of the significant topics he addressed was ECRMC’s ongoing efforts to meet California’s seismic safety standards a requirement for all hospitals in the state He outlined the extensive retrofitting project underway explaining that multiple buildings within the hospital complex required structural reinforcement to withstand earthquakes Velez said that the hospital is on track to complete the retrofit by the end of December The retrofitting project has come at a considerable financial cost contributing heavily to ECRMC’s debt burden According to financial data presented at the forum the hospital’s bond debt related to this project stands at more than $112 million as of April 30.  “We don’t want to deny that we have a debt.” This debt has placed additional strain on the hospital’s finances which have already been stretched by other operational expenses and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic Velez acknowledged the financial challenges posed by these obligations but noted that compliance with seismic regulations is necessary to continue operating in California.  The $112 million in outstanding debt obligation is part of $125 million in revenue refunding bonds granted to ECRMC and approved by the El Centro City Council in 2018 A portion of this money was used to renovate the ECRMC Women’s Center which was closed along with pediatric care in January 2023 maternity and pediatric services to Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District in Brawley “And that’s the saddest thing I heard all night,” remarked one visibly frustrated attendee who inquired about the status of the Women’s Center.“You would be led to believe that these services don’t exist,” said Oliva in response “We just finished saying that the services do exist in the emergency department … And for most who assume that we made that decision very lightly Doctors were charging the hospital to be on call and they were charging to just be available for the actual birthing.” These expenses combined with a low patient number averaging 13 new childbirths per month ultimately made the services financially unviable for ECRMC In addition to the debt incurred from the Women’s Center renovations and seismic retrofitting ECRMC is facing pension obligations that add to its financial strain The hospital currently carries a pension liability of $59 million explaining that while pension obligations remain a critical responsibility the hospital has transitioned newer employees to alternative retirement plans The financial challenges facing ECRMC have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic which led to a sharp decline in revenue and increased operational expenses.  “There were a lot of costs that were associated with COVID: supply with a $3.3 million increase in net operating income ECRMC’s finances continue to be stretched thin due to high operational costs combined with the debt and pension obligations have created an urgent need to explore new financial strategies including consolidation with PMHD to improve financial sustainability Velez and Oliva presented the ECRMC and PMHD consolidation under the Imperial Valley Healthcare District as a way to tackle ongoing financial and operational challenges Oliva framed the merger as an essential step for ensuring financial stability improving reimbursement rates from state and federal insurers and building a sustainable healthcare infrastructure for the Imperial Valley a unified healthcare system could streamline services and reduce the costly overlap that currently exists between the two hospitals.“Since 2020 we have had studies and a record and a model that shows that if the two campuses and the two hospitals were joined together and that it would be in the best interest of the healthcare system,” Oliva said One attendee raised concerns about whether such a merger would realistically resolve the region’s healthcare challenges especially given past failed efforts to unify the hospitals Oliva acknowledged that past attempts at consolidation were stymied by deep-rooted rivalries between El Centro and Brawley “It all came down to how many seats on the overseeing board were going to be from El Centro and how many were going to be from up north.”  He posited that the division between the two cities and their unwillingness to work together extended beyond “the Bell Game and a lot of other reasons,” to even affect the state of the hospitals He argued that a shared healthcare district could unify resources and provide better service across the region “We can’t let old rivalries hold us back if we want to provide the best healthcare for our communities.”One major benefit of the merger is the possibility of gaining “sole hospital” designation which would allow the merged system to access enhanced reimbursement rates from Medi-Cal and Medicare This status could yield “anywhere between six to nine million dollars in additional revenue,” which would help address debt obligations and potentially expand services some attendees expressed doubts about the feasibility of this designation One representative from Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District in attendance raised concerns about federal requirements for sole hospital status saying that the government typically restricts such funding to areas with only one acute care hospital within a 35-mile radius this limitation might pose significant challenges for the IVHD’s plans.  there’s no exception for that,” she said but still operating two acute care hospitals would not be feasible that means one or the other hospital is going to close unless you can get an exception “But that doesn’t mean that we couldn’t pursue legislation or presidential approval just like we were able to secure $50-something million in a distressed hospital bill from the state of California just like we were able to pass legislation to consolidate the hospitals this board has done more in two years than the community has done in 20 or 25 in terms of getting us to the model with the highest probability of success which is the combination of the two hospitals.” The evening concluded on a somber but hopeful note from Marty Ellet who spoke about the devastating impact the hospital’s closure would have on the community Ellet painted a vivid picture of what that loss would mean for the Valley’s residents “What would it be like if our hospital was to close its doors?” he asked urging the audience to consider the consequences Ellet called on the community to work together framing collaboration as the only path forward to ensure local access to critical healthcare but it’s not insurmountable here in El Centro and I believe that if we show good faith and hard work that there’s going to be a way for us to work this out,” he said drawing nods of agreement from the attendees “As long as we’re in competition mode This hospital health care district is never going to work until we begin to cooperate instead of compete “We’re not going to get all these services from San Diego with a magic wand called the Imperial Valley Healthcare District It’s not going to happen because doctors and their wives do not want to live here,” Ellet said and we change our hospitals into places where people want to work El Centro into a place where people want to live And so I’m asking us as a community to think that way.” Sounds like El Centro Regional needs this bailout really bad They need to hold the city council members accountable who have been running this hospital into the ground Brawley tried to merge years ago but El Centro was against it but now they are desperate Pioneers needs to fight this with everything they have If the failure of this merger continues for several more years It will mean the death of Imperial Valley as its aspiring youth seeking to work in healthcare and related fields will go elsewhere to raise their financial prospects and potential families anymore failure from leadership in councils or government agencies will suffer from a lack of specialized persons and wages to encourage the local community to expand outwards and instead contract inwards A deadly combination where this county will not survive KECY) - For more than two and a half hours interviews were conducted with seven candidates seeking a position on the El Centro City Council board with extensive experience in public administration who was elected by the City Council members Michael Crankshaw was elected as the fifth member of the El Centro City Council He previously served as Chief of Police for Brawley and Imperial "The biggest challenge in the valley is always to continue offering activities And I think the city has designated areas for that and I think the progress so far has been excellent I have a lot of experience in administration and I believe that would help our council deliver for our community," said Michael Crankshaw the swearing-in of the new council member will take place and the subsequent election of the new mayor of this city will take place EL CENTRO — Eight candidates — among them two incumbents — are vying for a place on the El Centro City Council in the Nov Mayor Sylvia Marroquin and recently censured council members Edgard Garcia are being challenged by Bill Caldwell Six candidates have turned in their campaign biographies Seven grandchildren and numerous family members Current employment: Owner of Simply @ Home Marketplace El Centro Former District manager for Dollartree stores Political experience: Community Services Commission president and board member for Imperial County Food Bank booster club president for Southwest High School and Mardi Gras King for the city of El Centro 45 years in retail with 30 years in management Reason for running and top issues: To bring ethics and accountability back to the city To provide the business experience to strengthen our police and fire departments To relocate or remove the Methadone clinic that has hurt our residents and business community To welcome new business into the city by creating a pathway to business while cutting regulations and red tape 26 years as a Registered Nurse with experiences in many sectors of health care 18 years at ECRMC Emergency room with two years of COVID Tent Nursing Political experience/Board positions: 50 years of experience serving in church administration I currently sit on five non-profit boards and the president of two including a 70-unit Homeowners Association AS degrees in Welding Technology and Motion Picture Production IVC Nursing Program graduate December 1995 Reasons for running: I have been deeply concerned about the leadership of our nation our state and our community for several years I have decided to get involved with policy making for the benefit of our community I DO believe we could chart a new and positive direction for our community with all the relative issues like I believe our most important asset that we must prioritize is our families Studies show that children and parents do FAR better growing up in an intact family I believe in traditional biblical values for our families and our community We need to restore integrity and transparency to our leadership Current employment/Employment history: Attorney/owner Law Office of Edgard Garcia Political experience: El Centro City Council Other affiliations/memberships/board positions: ECRMC Board Member Former Director League of California Cities (finance committee Administration and Intergovernmental Affairs (FAIR) Federal Action Committee) Former President of the Imperial County Bar Association Reasons for running and top issues: It has been my honor to serve as an El Centro City Council member and Mayor for the last nine years I ran on a platform that included infrastructure improvement and promoting new businesses In 2016 we advocated for and passed Measure P It has been the foundation for us to grow our city for eight years now I have served as your representative with League of California Cities and first ever with National League of Cities My personal projects include building First Responder’s Park and securing funds for local youth sports organizations with the expansion south of Interstate 8 we need experience to bring new businesses willing to invest for our future generations We’ve had our difficulties with the pandemic and inflation But we have remained strong and continue to grow and thrive There is much more to be done and so I ask for your support and your vote on Nov Political experience: El Centro CityCouncil member 2011-2020; Mayor in 2016; El Centro Planning Commission 2007-2011; Chamber of Commerce board member from 2006-2010 Other affiliations/memberships/board positions: Education: Associates Degree in Administration of Justice Reasons for running and top issues: I am running to return to the El Centro City Council because many residents business owners and city staff have asked me to The overwhelming consensus is that the current makeup of the City Council lacks experience and knowledge and the leadership to do what’s right with the mismanagement and near bankruptcy of the El Centro Regional Medical Center to now the fiscal mismanagement of our city the city of El Centro has run a substantial deficit budget of several millions of dollars which were specifically earmarked for capital improvements the city would not be able to have a balanced budget They recently had to move more than $2 million from Measure P to cover the last $2 million deficit Spending beyond your income is something basic to the everyday family and is should not be allowed by our local government My return to the El Centro City Council will return El Centro to a state of fiscal responsibility and common sense governing Current employment/Employment history: Business Manager former Business Advisor for the Small Business Development Center and more than 25 years of banking experience in upper management positions at local financial institutions Political experience: Member of the City Council and current Mayor of the City of El Centro Other affiliations/memberships/board positions: Vice President of the Board of Trustees of El Centro Regional Medical Center and Chairperson of the City of El Centro’s Task Force to End Homelessness Education: Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix Reasons for running and top issues: I am running for re-election to the El Centro City Council to contribute to positive decision making that will improve the quality of life of our residents maintaining financial stability to ensure economic growth of our city and continue working on finding permanent solutions for our homeless population are my top priorities During my tenure on the Council and as the Mayor I have gained knowledge and experience to lead our city through development projects improvements to parks and recreation facilities completion of our new state-of-the art library and construction of a new police station are examples of my I am committed to supporting public safety personnel to ensure residents are safe and protected my greatest honor was to cut the ribbon of the new South Imperial Avenue extension The growth and economic development the city will experience to the south will be phenomenal We are currently working with developers on new commercial and single-family residential projects I chair the city’s task force to end homelessness obtained funding to launch the Helping Hands Program to employ unsheltered individuals and provide wrap around services to help improve their lives and get them off the streets I would appreciate your vote and support on Nov Current employment/Employment history: Retired 18.5 years in Imperial County Sheriff’s Office Political experience: While this is Luis Minor’s first experience in traditional politics Luis Minor has a long history of community service beginning at the young age of 13 with the Firefighters Explorers program He continued to serve his community as a Little League coach in his teens His most significant leadership role was in the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office In addition to his professional experience Minor has also been actively involved in various community organizations demonstrating his commitment to public service This is particularly important In light of the recent increase in school violence and threats of violence both nationally and locally In addition to creating youth programs and initiatives it is imperative for city officials to prioritize the safety of students at the K-12 level. By investing in education specific public safety programs we can create a safer and more supportive learning environment for our youth El Centro has significant potential for growth With its existing water and wastewater infrastructure the city is well-equipped to accommodate new development projects By strategically planning and investing in these areas El Centro can create a more vibrant and sustainable urban center music and family fun return to El Centro this Friday for the Second Annual Fiesta del Valle Flavor Friday live entertainment and a beer garden will all be part of the celebration and everyone's invited EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - The El Centro Fire Department (ECFD) has provided the latest details on the structure fire from over the weekend the fire happened last Saturday before 6:00 p.m ECFD says they "encountered a well-involved commercial structure with heavy fire conditions present." ECFD says it escalated to a third alarm fire "bring in additional personnel and resources," with mutual aid being requested and received from the following agencies: ECFD says firefighters contained and extinguished the fire "preventing the spread to nearby exposures." No surrounding structures were impacted by the fire the cause of the fire is still under investigation It’s the team’s revolving cast that makes the trek necessary because pilots can only stay on with the team for two to three years Winter training gives new pilots time to get used to the tight maneuvers the Blue Angels are known for Blue Angel facts: Pensacola hasn't always been the Blue Angels' home and 8 other facts every fan should know Here’s what to know about the Blue Angels Winter training The Blue Angels will spend January through March at NAF El Centro in California as the team prepares for the 2025 air show season which kicks off at the NAF El Centro Festival of Flight on March 15 Why do the Blue Angels need winter training?The Blue Angels get a chance to train at NAS Pensacola throughout the week during the air show season but incoming team members need to hit the ground running to prepare for the upcoming season That training starts the day after the Pensacola Homecoming Air Show The new season picks up one day after drop a salute," Lt Amanda Lee told the News Journal in November "We actually start winter training here in Pensacola The training at NAS Pensacola is just a warmup to get new team members up to speed for the more grueling training that awaits them in California you learn how to do basic formation flying and then you start to learn the aerobatics when you get to El Centro winter training pilots will fly out three to four times a day The Blue Angels train right up until the next season starts giving the new pilots roughly 64 days to get proficient before the first show Alexander "Scribe" Armatas as "Boss" of the Blue Angels squad in 2025 at which point another leader will be selected who will serve as the new F/A-18 pilots; Maj who will serve as a new Fat Albert C-130J pilot; Lt who will serve as the new events coordinator; and Cmdr KECY) - The City of El Centro introduced a new mayor and council member during a special meeting Monday The first item on the agenda was the swearing in of new councilmember Michael Crankshaw Crankshaw was appointed by the City Council after Tomas Oliva stepped down as a mayor and council member last month Crankshaw has over 30 years serving El Centro as part of the city's police department and says he's ready to work with the rest of the council to move the city forward that's going to be our task is to make sure to work collectively for the community It's community first and I'll stand by that," Crankshaw expressed Mayor Pro-Tem Sonia Carter was appointed as the new City Mayor and says she'll be working on several city issues especially two which she considers a top priority "The biggest challenges as we heard in the interviews will be for the downtown and homelessness The community has spoken and we are going to listen," Carter added Council member John Ellet was appointed as the new Mayor Pro-Tem The regular council meeting will take place next month KECY) - The City of El Centro hosted the annual Easter Eggstravaganza last weekend The City says they welcomed hundreds of families to the event Children between the ages of two- and 14-years-old searched for more than 11,000 eggs during the event and local vendors provided food and beverages "The energy and excitement from the community was incredible," said Mayor Pro Tem Sonia Carter "Events like this bring people together and reflect the spirit of El Centro I'm so proud to be part of a city that values family gave praise to the staff and volunteers for putting on the event saying "This year's Eggstravaganza was a great success thanks to the hard work of our Parks and Recreation team We're thrilled to see so many smiling faces and grateful for the continued community support."