Sarina E. Guerra

NILAND – Mere days before Santa’s arrival, festively dressed students at Grace Smith Elementary School in Niland went to school the morning of Thursday, December 21 to find something of a Christmas miracle.

BRAWLEY — Pioneers Memorial Hospital welcomed their first baby delivery of the New Year on Monday, January 1 in Brawley, where first-time parents Luis Antonio Garrido and Priscilla Sam were

BRAWLEY — This school year, Brawley Union High School and Calipatria High School have managed to negotiate dual possession of local wrestling legend, Tony Leon, who has long fulfilled the role of coach and father figure for young athletes looking to cultivate courage, confidence, and consistency both in sport and in life.

BRAWLEY — The start of this new year has brought major changes to the Brawley Elementary School District (BESD) as it continues to recover from lingering pandemic-related issues and now from its latest tragedy involving the death of four students at Cattle Call earlier this month. BESD simultaneously has its sights set on expansion, celebrating the timely construction of Padilla-Pace Middle School in advance of the 2024-25 school year and voting to approve its mascot during their most recent board meeting on Tuesday, January 9.

EL CENTRO — The International Cinderella Scholarship Pageant (ICSP) is returning to Southwest High School’s Jimmie Cannon Theatre for a second time, where it will host locals, spectators, and contestants from around Southern California as women and girls ages 0-29 enter the preliminary round of a pageant which prides itself on celebrating leadership skills over what’s skin-deep.

WESTMORLAND – A shockwave of unfortunate news regarding a letter distributed to staff at Westmorland Union Elementary School District (WUESD) outlining the potential release and reduction of over 30 employees

Imperial County District Attorney George Marquez provides updates from his office as well as other items during the region’s regular town hall meeting held at Grace Smith Elementary School on March 28. SARINA E. GUERRA PHOTO

Brian F. Mooney (far right), FAICP principal for Rick’s Engineering, and locals await info about Lithium Valley during the region’s regular town hall meeting held at Grace Smith Elementary School on March 28. SARINA E. GUERRA PHOTO

26 year-old Ricardo Tostado, aka “Juni” (right) chats casually with emcee and local Christian rapper, Anthony Jaheim Charles (left) during a Q&A session at the Dream Center in Brawley on March 28.

BRAWLEY — Surpassing a century of life, Edna Rae Frye of Brawley’s Frye Chapel recently marked a milestone not afforded to many as she and close loved ones celebrated her 102 years on earth characterized by community involvement, enduring compassion, and the innate ability to straddle two worlds.