• All stories by Gina Germani

  • EL CENTRO — Lisa Mahoney to pay more than $2.9 million to scam victims

    January 28, 2011

    Restitution of more than $2.9 million will be paid by El Centro native Lisa Garcia Mahoney to more than 50 victims of a real estate investment scam for which Mahoney will begin a four-year prison sentence on April 1. (…)

    News > Imperial Valley > El Centro

  • EL CENTRO — El Centro landmarks felled by 7.2 earthquake; South Carolina demolition team to bring down water tower

    April 9, 2010

    Landmark structures in El Centro that withstood numerous historically large earthquakes over the decades finally suffered defeat in the 7.2-magnitude earthquake on Easter Sunday. The Mormon church spire is down and the water tower will be soon.

    News > Imperial Valley > El Centro

  • EL CENTRO — Aftershocks expected for years, seismologists say

    April 7, 2010

    More than 422 aftershocks measuring 3.0 or higher have been recorded in the Southern California desert by the U.S. (…)

    News > Imperial Valley > El Centro

  • A 7.2 magnitude earthquake, centered about 40 miles southeast of here in Baja California at 3:40 p.m. on Easter Sunday, violently shook homes and businesses throughout the Imperial, Yuma, and Mexicali valleys, and was felt in cities as far away as Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Phoenix.

    No major injuries were reported on the U.S. side of the border, although LaCronica.com, an online Mexicali news website, was reporting two people were killed as a result of the quake and that the Baja governor was asking the U.S. for assistance in the aftermath.

    Imperial County’s Emergency Operations Center reported no major injuries within the county, although county spokeswoman, Maria Carillo, issued a statement that county offices will be closed on Monday in order to assess damages before county employees return to work on Tuesday.  County authorities will hold a situation press conference on Monday morning.

    The border crossing in Calexico was shut down immediately following the quake due to power outages and damage to the port of entry building.  “The port (building) has major cracks in the plaster falling from the walls and ceilings,” said Victor Brabble, a spokesman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection in El Centro.  All vehicle traffic through the port is being diverted to the cargo port just east of Calexico, and Brabble was unable to say when regular port traffic would resume.

    Just a block away from the port, border agents were stationed at intersections on Second and First Streets for about four blocks east and west, directing both pedestrians and car traffic away from the more damaged areas of the downtown area.  Brabble said federal agents were assisting Calexico police in an effort to prevent possible looting of property, although no personnel was taken off their regular patrols of the border for the earthquake duty.

    Broken glass, and crumbled stucco and bricks had fallen onto the sidewalks of downtown Calexico in front of several businesses. Border patrol agents guided pedestrians away from more vulnerable areas, one of them pointing at the landmark Sam Ellis Department Store’s façade, which was cracked in half.

    Calexico residents returning from Mexicali during the earthquake were shaken by its effects.  “The power lines, which are everywhere in Mexicali, they were crashing against the buildings and falling all over the place.  Windows were breaking everywhere,” said Alejandra Gastelum, who was returning to the U.S. from a visit with her grandmother in the Rio Culiacan district of Mexicali, about five miles south of the border.

    More than a dozen aftershocks measuring between 3.0 and 5.4 magnitude in the region throughout Sunday night and into Monday morning were reported by the U.S. Geological Survey.  Sunday’s earthquake is the worst recorded locally since 1892 when a 7.8 temblor struck the valley, according to the USGS Earthquake Data Center.

    April 4, 2010

    A 7.2 magnitude earthquake, centered about 40 miles southeast of here in Baja California at 3:40 p.m. (…)

    Imperial Valley > Calexico

  • LOS ANGELES — El Centro native being sued in alleged Ponzi scheme; FBI investigating Lisa Garcia Mahoney

    November 6, 2009

    Lisa Garcia Mahoney under investigation in alleged Ponzi scheme
    An El Centro native is under FBI investigation, accused of swindling at least $3.4 million in a Ponzi scheme from investors in the Los Angeles area and as far away as Peru during the last four years. (…)

    News > Imperial Valley > El Centro

  • BRAWLEY — Attempted murder supsect still on the lam, Brawley victim released from hospital

    October 30, 2009

    Brawley Police are still looking for the prime suspect in an attempted stabbing murder  that may be gang-related.
    Jesus Delacruz, 20, wanted in connection with attempted murder on Oct. (…)

    News > Imperial Valley > Brawley

  • Storm aftermath at IVC

    September 7, 2009

    A 30-foot tree blocks the quad area in front of the Imperial Valley College bookstore following the tail end of Hurricane Jimena’s weakened wrath. Someone is going to be laboring on this Labor day to remove it.

    Community > Desert Scapes / Valley Views

  • CALEXICO — Calexico onions test positive for salmonella, voluntary recall announced

    August 29, 2009

    Iceless green onions supplied by Circle Produce in Calexico tested positive for the salmonella bacteria and at least two California shippers issued voluntary recalls of the produce on Friday.

    News > Imperial Valley > Calexico

  • SEATTLE — Magician David Copperfield accused of sexual assault

    August 20, 2009

    Magician David Copperfield is being sued by a Seattle woman who claims he sexually assaulted and threatened her on his private island in the Bahamas.

    Entertainment & Dining > Entertainment

  • SAN DIEGO — Private universities, including one in El Centro, not affected by economy

    August 19, 2009

    University of Phoenix is expecting higher enrollment this fall, unaffected by cuts suffered in publicly funded schools.

    News > Education > Home (Education)

  • Alvin(a), the desert tortoise

    August 14, 2009

    After slaving over our desert tortoise, Alvin, for about six, seven years now, we discovered just a couple months ago that Alvin should be called Alvina. Alvin laid three eggs in a well-appointed planter area (virtually destroying it), and we had to rename ‘him’ Alvina because of it. BLM tells us that turtles will lay unfertilized eggs just like chickens do, because turtles are remotely related to chickens.

    Community > Desert Denizens / Valley Views

  • What’s the green muck in valley swimming pools?

    Okay… I have a 35-year-old swimming pool. Sometimes it’s crystal clear, but other times it’s not. I shock it; I clarify it… it takes days to clear up and then it only lasts for like a couple days. WHAT GIVES? Can someone make a suggestion about how to clear it and keep it clear?

    Community > Valley Views / What Is It, Anyway?

  • 09-11434-LA7

    August 3, 2009

    Public Records > Court Records > U.S. Bankruptcy Court

  • 09-11431-JM7

    Public Records > Court Records > U.S. Bankruptcy Court

  • 09-11422-LA7

    Public Records > Court Records > U.S. Bankruptcy Court

  • 09-11403-JM7

    Public Records > Court Records > U.S. Bankruptcy Court

  • 09-11400-LA7

    Public Records > Court Records > U.S. Bankruptcy Court

  • 09-11390-LT7

    Public Records > Court Records > U.S. Bankruptcy Court

  • 09-11336-LT7

    Public Records > Court Records > U.S. Bankruptcy Court

  • 09-11295-JM7

    Public Records > Court Records > U.S. Bankruptcy Court

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