News highlights of the year in Imperial Valley
This year was filled with impacting news – some good, some challenging and some downright dramatic. And we were there bringing all the information to you.
Some of the good news included large numbers of voters making their voices count during elections. The Imperial County Registrar of Voters reported a higher than usual voter participation.
Brawley residents demanded safe and clean neighborhoods. They protested the still unresolved issue of a closed fertilizer facility that residents said poses a health risk. The community has met with officials from city, Department of Toxic Substances Control and Chevron asking for a solution. Chevron owns the facility.
Resident Jerry Gauna gathered hundreds of signatures from people who live around the site and want the ground completely removed.
Turning to challenging news, the area was declared a major human trafficking gateway by the I.V. Unity Coalition.
Monica Ketchum, founder of the coalition, said, “It’s a corridor to transport victims, but they may not necessarily be staying here.”
Other troubling news included students charged with making school threats, a man sent to jail for shooting a puppy to death, and an ex-cop was convicted for sex crimes against minors.
And the man accused of killing a local attorney was declared competent to stand trial by a jury who sided with prosecutors who accused the defendant of faking mental incompetency.
We also took our viewers in front of white house officials when they came to the area to inspect border security.
And we even covered news that defied logic – a homicide fugitive hiding in plain sight in this area who wore a red dress and combat boots to a concert.
Through it all, the festive, friendly and giving spirit of locals came to the forefront during the year at several events to help the needy and to bring family and friends together.
