Local Politics · Imperial County
The Imperial County Board of Supervisors will hold its regular meeting at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday at the County Administration Center in El Centro. Executive Officer Dr. Kathleen Lang will present an oversight report on the FY 2026–2027 tax levy and tax-roll process, and supervisors will review the draft financial audit for FY 2024–2025. In closed session, the board will meet with legal counsel regarding active litigation including Alvarez v. County of Imperial and a suit by Imperial Valley Computer Chip Manufacturing, LLC. The agenda also includes real property negotiations at three sites, appointments for Human Resources Director and Public Defender, and labor negotiations covering 14 bargaining groups.
Local Politics · Imperial County
The Imperial County Registrar of Voters' Office confirmed that approximately 160 voters with confidential voter status received an additional ballot due to a mailing error ahead of the November 3, 2026, General Election. The error occurred while updating procedures to comply with a California law effective January 1, 2026, that made elected officials and candidates eligible for confidential voter status. Registrar Linsey Dale stated safeguards ensure only one ballot is counted per voter and warned that voting more than once is illegal. Voters who receive multiple ballots or have questions are encouraged to contact the office at 442-265-1060.
Public Safety · Brawley, CA
The Brawley City Council will meet Tuesday, Oct. 20, to ratify a local emergency proclamation issued Oct. 14 by City Manager and Director of Emergency Services Rebecca Terrazas-Baxter after Tropical Storm Rachel caused flooding along the New River. The storm overtopped river banks, causing localized flooding at Cattle Call Park and Pat Williams Park, prompting crews to restrict public access and begin cleanup. No major structural damage to critical infrastructure was reported, but the emergency status preserves Brawley's eligibility for state and federal disaster assistance under California Government Code Section 8630.
Local Politics · Imperial County
The Imperial Irrigation District is holding its second public budget workshop on Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 5 p.m. at the IID La Quinta Boardroom in Imperial, California. The workshop will allow customers to review proposed water and power investments for the next two years as part of IID's biennial budget. Rather than a presentation-only format, attendees can visit interactive displays from Water, Power, and support departments and speak directly with employees. IID Board Chairwoman Karin Eugenio said the event is meant to be transparent about how the district plans future infrastructure investments.
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Crime · Imperial County
Imperial County Sheriff's Office booking logs from Oct. 16-18, 2026, record arrests across El Centro and Calexico, including a 38-year-old man in Calexico facing nine felony allegations such as attempted murder, torture, and false imprisonment. A 26-year-old law enforcement officer was booked on suspicion of manufacturing or transporting assault weapons and illegal possession of a machine gun along Andrade Road. A 21-year-old agricultural worker was detained at the Andrade Port of Entry on three narcotics trafficking counts with $60,000 bail each, while multiple domestic violence incidents were reported in both cities.
Crime · Brawley, CA
A 40-year-old Brawley, California man identified as David "N" was arrested in Mexicali, Mexico during a joint operation by the Mexicali Municipal Police and Baja California's State Force of Citizen Security (FESC). A background check through Baja California's C5 emergency system revealed an active U.S. warrant for drug possession and retail distribution tied to fentanyl and methamphetamine trafficking. U.S. Marshals confirmed the warrant, and the suspect was transferred to FESC headquarters in Mexicali for extradition processing.
Community News · Brawley, CA
Construction on Bradshaw Avenue in Brawley, CA, between South La Brucherie Road and Imperial Avenue will close the median and inside lane (Lane 1) in both directions from Monday, Oct. 19 through approximately Nov. 20, 2026, affecting traffic near Costco, Walmart, Fire Station #3, and First Responders Park. The City of Brawley and Brawley Fire Department will host the 1st Annual Fall Fun Run 5K on Saturday, Oct. 24, with pre-registration at 7 a.m. at Main Street and Best Road and an 8 a.m. start ending at Fire Station 2 (1505 Jones St.). The free run is open to all skill levels; costumes are encouraged with prizes for best dressed, and online registration is required at cityofbrawley.recdesk.com. A Fire Department Community Open House follows from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Fire Station 2, featuring station tours, fire engines, emergency equipment displays, and free food.
Social Events · El Centro, CA
The City of El Centro is hosting a free Día de los Muertos celebration themed "Celebrando Nuestras Raíces" on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Downtown Square, featuring live music, food vendors, lotería, children's activities, and arts and crafts. The event doubles as an unofficial unveiling of the newly renovated Downtown Square, converted into a food truck court through a $4.782 million Clean California grant from the California Department of Transportation. Residents may submit photographs of deceased loved ones for a community altar at the El Centro Community Center, 375 S. First St., through Thursday, Nov. 5. The city is also actively recruiting food vendors to operate from the revitalized square.
Community News · Imperial County
The Imperial Irrigation District Board of Directors approved take-or-pay relief periods for 2026 agricultural water users under Section 8.1 of the district's Equitable Distribution Plan, allowing up to 7% of accepted apportionments (averaging 0.40 acre-feet per acre) to be offered through the Clearinghouse during designated late-2026 periods. Separately, the Brawley Police Department will conduct a DUI checkpoint Friday, Oct. 16, from 8 p.m. to midnight at an undisclosed city location, funded by a Cannabis Tax Fund Grant. Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez (R-Indio) hosts two free community events in Brawley on Oct. 16: a morning coffee at Cafecito Bar and an evening town hall at the American Citizens Club. The First United Methodist Church of El Centro will hold its Paws and Claws Festival on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 5 to 8 p.m., featuring pet adoptions, live music, and free hot dogs for the first 50 attendees.
Community News · Imperial County
The Friends of El Centro Community Services Foundation is selling $25 Julian Apple Pies to fund youth sports, recreation, aquatics, and library summer programming in El Centro, with order pickup on Dec. 4, 2026. The City of El Centro will host its annual Trick-or-Treat at City Hall event Thursday, Oct. 29, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the City Hall Courtyard (1275 W. Main St.). The Brawley Public Library main branch at 400 Main St. will temporarily close Oct. 26 through Nov. 14 for construction and inventory; the Del Rio Branch remains open Mondays and Tuesdays, 4–7 p.m., and online resources stay accessible. The Calipatria Seniors Program will hold a Halloween potluck and costume contest Wednesday, Oct. 21, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Calipatria Community Center (150 N. Park Ave.), open to adults 60 and older.
