Moving geyser, farmworker shortage, Cardwell life sentence, COVID-19 updates
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IMPERIAL, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - A world-wide phenomenon in our backyard is causing quite the controversy, and state officials aren't exactly sure how to completely handle the situation.
First discovered in 1953, this moving geyser wasn't much of a concern. More than 60 years later in 2016, it inched closer to Union Pacific Railroad and State Route 111, causing both to be relocated.
The geyser currently sits between the state route and railroad in Imperial County near Niland. It moves an average of 10 feet per month, that's about 4 inches per day!
A project meant to resolve the mud-pot mess is estimated to cost about $21.5 million.
Who knows what'll happen if/when it reaches the Salton Sea. The hope is that the geyser moves far away enough so that it no longer interferes with travel and surrounding neighborhoods.
Day laborers are essential in supplying our nation's food source, but a lack of workers has made it difficult for the industry to keep up with the maintenance.
Agriculture is one of the desert southwest's biggest economic driving forces, but some farmers have scaled back on production intentionally because there aren't enough hands to take care of the most critical labor in the field.
The shortage has limited the amount of product farmers produce locally, causing an economic loss. Many farmers feel the agricultural community is aging, and could lead to a much bigger domino effect.
This has been a problem for decades, but the effects of the coronavirus only made it worse.
Some farmers believe it may take stronger legislative action from the federal government to allow workers to cross the border legally. A fair agreement could bring more skilled workers, like irrigators or harvesters.
Technology has come a long way, but won't live up to the expectations of hand harvesting a head of lettuce with a knife anytime soon.
A judge has sentenced Jared Cardwell to life in prison with the possibility of parole.
Five years after the death of Celine Matus Carreno, a jury in March found Cardwell guilty of the May 2015, murder of his stepdaughter.
Celine was only 18-months-old at the time of her death. She died from blunt force trauma.
The toddler's grandmother Nancy Matsumoto spoke before Cardwell and his family before a sentencing was announced. Matsumoto told Cardwell, “Jared, I forgive you for what you did to Celine. May God have mercy on your soul.”
Cardwell has up to 20 days to appeal the judge’s decision. However, Judge Kinsey told the courtroom, “If this case does not warrant a life in prison with the findings of the jury, then I don’t know if theres any case that does.”
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), nearly 32.2 million coronavirus-related cases have been tracked within the U.S.
That being said, California accounts for just over 11.3% of national cases; while Arizona equates to about 2.7%.
In regard to nationwide vaccinations, the CDC reports over 245.5 million have been administered. Arizona seems to only make up 2% of the nation's total vaccine administrations, with California representing just under 12.4%.
