Eddie Lopez

Roadway improvements are underway in the Imperial Townsite area as part of the Imperial Townsite Roadway Improvement Project Phase I, a County infrastructure project designed to improve local road conditions, support safer travel, and extend the life of existing roadways.

On March 3, 2026, under Minute Order No. 62, the Imperial County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution awarding Rove Engineering, Inc. as the successful bidder for the project and approved a capital expense of $2,199,999 for County Project No. 6995RMRA, funded by SB 1.

The project includes pavement grinding, crack sealing, asphalt concrete resurfacing, slurry sealcoat, pothole repairs, shoulder grading, road striping, utility adjustments, and other related roadway improvements. Work is taking place within the County Road right-of-way and includes various road segments in the Imperial Townsite area, including locations near Lee Road, Powell Court, Hamblet Road, and Nance Road.

“Investments like this are important to the daily lives of our residents,” said Chairwoman Peggy Price, District 3 Supervisor. “These improvements help provide safer, smoother, and more reliable roads for the families, workers, emergency responders, and community members who use them every day. I want to thank the Imperial County Public Works Department for their continued dedication and hard work in coordinating projects that directly benefit our communities.”

Imperial County remains committed to maintaining and improving local infrastructure through responsible planning, available funding opportunities, and continued coordination with project partners. The Imperial Townsite Roadway Improvement Project Phase I reflects the County’s ongoing work to support safe and reliable transportation throughout its communities.

As we approach Election Day, Imperial County reminds the public that electioneering is prohibited within the immediate vicinity of voters in line to cast a ballot or within 100 feet of the entrance to a polling place, vote center, curbside voting location, or ballot drop box. This includes asking someone to vote for or against a candidate or ballot measure; displaying or distributing campaign materials; wearing clothing, hats, buttons, stickers, or signs that support or oppose a candidate or measure; circulating petitions; blocking access to ballot drop boxes; or speaking to voters about their eligibility to vote. These rules help ensure that every voter can cast their ballot freely, safely, and without interference. Violations may result in fines and/or imprisonment. For more information, please visit the California Secretary of State’s electioneering guidance.

Imperial County, CA. — The Imperial County Assessor wishes to remind business, aircraft and vessel owners that the deadline for filing timely property statements is May 7, 2026. Property statements received or postmarked after May 7, 2026, are subject to a 10 percent late filing penalty.  Informational letters with instructions for filing 2026 property statements were mailed to business filers, general aircraft owners and vessel owners earlier in 2026.

The California Revenue and Taxation Code requires that business property be assessed annually.  Ownership and taxability of business assets, aircraft and vessels is determined as of January 1st each year.  All businesses, financial institutions, multi-residential apartments and general aircraft owners are required to file a property statement annually.  Individuals who acquired vessels in 2025 are also required to file a property statement.  Individuals who own a vessel that was assessed in 2024 are only required to notify the Assessor if there was a transfer of ownership or a change in the condition of their vessel in 2025.

Business owners can electronically file (e-file) their annual property statements.  Electronic filing offers several advantages including the direct transmittal of data to the Assessor, an electronic receipt with a date and time stamp and after the initial set up, the e-forms will automatically populate in subsequent years with prior year data.  In future years, property filters will only need to add or delete assets acquired or disposed of each year to complete their annual statement.

Other methods for filing an annual property statement include utilizing the fillable forms available on the Assessor’s web site, at www.assessor.imperialcounty.org.  Property statements can be completed online and then mailed or delivered to the Assessor.  Paper forms are also available upon request.  Call (442) 265-1300 or e-mail assessor@co.imperial.ca.us if you need forms or have filing questions.

Assistance with forms and e-filing is available by contacting the Assessor’s Unsecured Property Section at (442) 265-8805 or by sending an e-mail inquiry to BusinessProperty@co.imperial.ca.us.

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Vote-by-Mail ballots for the June 2, 2026 Statewide Direct Primary Election are being mailed to all active, registered voters in Imperial County, the Imperial County Registrar of Voters announced. Depending on mail delivery, voters should expect to receive their vote-by-mail ballots shortly.

Any voter who does not receive their vote-by-mail ballot should contact the Registrar of Voters’ Office at (442) 265-1060 or votersupport@co.imperial.ca.us to request a replacement ballot.

Voters have several options to return their vote-by-mail ballots:

• Mail: Ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day, Tuesday, June 2, 2026, and received by the Registrar of Voters within seven days of the election in order to be counted. No postage is required.
  
• Drop Box: Voters may deposit their ballots at an official ballot drop box located throughout Imperial County. Ballot drop boxes will be available 24 hours a day beginning May 4, 2026, and will close at 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
  
• In Person: Voters may return their vote-by-mail ballot in person to the Registrar of Voters’ Office, located at 940 W. Main Street, Suite 206, El Centro, or at any Imperial County Vote Center on or before Election Day.

For a list and map of all Vote Center and official ballot drop box locations, including dates and hours of operation, please visit the Registrar of Voters’ website at Elections.ImperialCounty.org. Voters may also track their ballot by email, text, or phone by signing up at WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov.

For additional information regarding the June 2, 2026 Statewide Direct Primary Election or the election process, please visit Elections.ImperialCounty.org or call the Imperial County Registrar of Voters’ Office at (442) 265-1060.

Imperial County, CA. — Imperial County Behavioral Health Services (ICBHS) today celebrated the groundbreaking of the County’s new Adult Residential Substance Use Disorder Treatment Facility, marking an important milestone in expanding access to critical behavioral health and recovery services for residents across Imperial County.

The celebration brought together County leadership, community partners, project collaborators, and behavioral health advocates to recognize the collective effort behind the development of the new facility. The program opened with a welcome from Gabriela Jimenez, Assistant Director of ICBHS, followed by a Director’s Address from Leticia Plancarte-Garcia, ICBHS Director. Remarks were also provided by Imperial County Board Chairwoman Peggy Price and Dr. Kathleen Lang, Imperial County Executive Officer.

“Today marks an important milestone for Imperial County as we break ground on our Adult Residential Substance Use Disorder Treatment Facility. This project represents more than just construction, it reflects our commitment to expanding access to care and supporting individuals and families on their path to recovery.” said Dr. Kathleen Lang, Imperial County Executive Officer.

Leticia Plancarte-Garcia, ICBHS Director: “Everyone deserves the chance to recover close to home, surrounded by support. For too long, individuals have had to leave their community to access residential care. As a department, ICBHS has been intentional in expanding services and building a strong, community-based system of care, but we knew one gap remained, a local residential substance use disorder treatment facility. This facility will help close that gap and expand opportunities for individuals and families in Imperial County to heal and recover. Today’s groundbreaking represents the foundation for a stronger system of care and a healthier community”

As part of the program, Victoria Mansfield, Deputy Director of ICBHS, presented special recognitions to the many Imperial County staff members and partners whose dedication helped move the project forward. The recognitions highlighted the behind-the-scenes work of staff who, without hesitation, step in, solve problems, coordinate details, and keep projects moving, often through countless meetings, careful planning, and, as jokingly noted during the ceremony, even “immaculate spreadsheets.” Their commitment reflected the teamwork, attention to detail, and public service spirit that made this milestone possible.

A meaningful highlight of the ceremony was the heartfelt message shared by Kristen Mitosinka, Peer Support Specialist, who spoke about her personal recovery journey and the importance of support, compassion, and access to treatment. Having been in recovery for two years, Mitosinka offered a powerful reminder of why facilities like this are so important, not only as treatment spaces, but as places of hope, dignity, and new beginnings for individuals and families impacted by substance use disorders.

The ceremony concluded with a formal groundbreaking featuring local dignitaries and project partners, symbolizing the beginning of a facility that will provide essential residential treatment services for adults experiencing substance use disorders.

Imperial County Behavioral Health Services extends its sincere gratitude to the Department of Health Care Services, the Imperial County Board of Supervisors, the Imperial County Executive Office, Imperial County Public Works Department, Information and Technology Department, Planning Department, Imperial County Fire Department, City of El Centro, ABC Recovery, Vanir Construction Management, Boulder Associates, Advocates for Human Potential, Align Builders Inc., and all partners who contributed to the advancement of this important project.

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Imperial County, CA — On April 14, 2026, the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division received a report regarding a threatening message posted to a local Facebook group. The post, created from an anonymous account, was directed at a local data center developer and contained explicit threats of violence.

Investigators contacted the developer, who reported being in fear for his safety as a result of the post.

Through investigative efforts by the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office, and with assistance from the Facebook group members, the individual responsible for the post was identified as Diego Joe, a 22‑year‑old resident of El Centro, California.

On April 16, 2026, Imperial County Sheriff’s Office Investigators located Joe near the El Centro Public Library. He was detained without incident and transported to the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office to be interviewed.

Based on the totality of the investigation, Joe was arrested for California Penal Code 422(a), Criminal Threats. He was transported to the Imperial County Jail, where he was booked and is currently being held on $20,000 bail.

This case has been forwarded to the Imperial County District Attorney’s Office for review and prosecution.

Criminal threats can be charged whether or not you have the ability to carry out the threat and even if you do not actually intend to execute the threat. Criminal threats can be verbal, written or electronically communicated.

The Imperial County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to ensuring the safety of all individuals and taking all reported threats seriously. 

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The Imperial County Registrar of Voters is currently seeking Poll Workers for the upcoming election on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. Poll Workers play a vital role in ensuring elections run smoothly and that voters are able to cast their ballots in an efficient and accessible manner.

Compensation for Poll Workers is $130 per day. In addition, all Poll Workers are required to attend a 2- to 3-hour training class, for which they will receive a $25 stipend. Training classes are scheduled to begin the first week of May 2026.

Individuals interested in serving are encouraged to apply by visiting www.elections.imperialcounty.org to download an application. For more information, please call the Imperial County Registrar of Voters at (442) 265-1060.