Elizabeth Varin
Aberdeen
As seen in:
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#Multimedia coordinator @northernstateu. Former videographer @AberdeenNews. #ChicoState grad, amateur baker. Retweets not endorsements.
Articles by Elizabeth Varin
Groton School Board works to convince voters $31M upgrade is best option
Members of the Groton Area School Board are working to help taxpayers in the district understand why they are being asked to help pay for a significant overhaul of the middle and high school. The $31 million project would include: Construction of a new classroom addition to replace the 1934 building. Demolition of the existing 1934 building and second-floor 1957 classrooms.
Groton School Board weighs possible $31.3M renovation job
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Mark Baza, Imperial Valley’s Transit Leader, Retiring " Holtville Tribune
After 11 years, the man pushing transportation forward in the Imperial Valley is stepping back. As of Nov. 30, Imperial County Transportation Commission Director Mark Baza will officially retire, though he will be staying on at least a couple months part time in an advisory role. “It’s been my honor to serve Imperial County,” he said.
Times Remains to Comment on Imperial Redistricting
Rebecca Terrazas-Baxter (left), intergovernmental relations director for the county of Imperial, speaks during the public hearing to draw new supervisorial lines on Tuesday, Oct. 12. County Executive Officer Tony Rouhotas Jr. can be seen behind her. | MARCIE LANDEROS PHOTO EL CENTRO — Few spoke during a public hearing on how to divide Imperial County’s supervisorial districts, yet there is still time to comment on the decision that will impact the district in which people reside.
Newsom Bucks Recall; Imperial County Keeps Him » Holtville Tribune
California’s governor continues on — and as the state goes, Imperial County goes. Gov. Gavin Newsom survived a historic recall election Tuesday, Sept. 14, and in the early showing, more than 61.3 percent of Imperial County ballots cast so far opted to keep him. With an estimated two-thirds of ballots counted statewide, the “no” response to the question of whether to recall Newsom was ahead by a 30-point margin, according to the Associated Press.
Storm Damages Cost IID ‘North of $8 Million’ » Holtville Tribune
The toll of recent storm damage on the Imperial Irrigation District system in both the Imperial and Coachella valleys was major, but so was the toll on its budget, with an estimated cost to be “north of $8 million.” Extensive damage was done to Imperial Irrigation District power infrastructure in major transmission corridors between Calipatria and Niland after a powerful storm hit Imperial County on Aug. 31. Over 100 power poles were downed in the service area.
IID Sends Letter to Biden On Hell’s Kitchen » Holtville Tribune
The Imperial Irrigation District is sending a letter to President Joe Biden stressing the importance of the Hell’s Kitchen geothermal and lithium extraction facility at the Salton Sea. The district Board of Directors voted 4-0, with Director Norma Sierra Galindo absent, to issue the letter calling on the President to assist in the federal permitting process during its meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 7.
Imperial County Leaders Discuss Budget, Changes " Holtville Tribune
Imperial County department heads got a chance to plead their cases on whether they should get more funding. The Board of Supervisors held its annual budget hearing on Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 24 to listen to appeals from county officials dealing with individual departments’ budgets. The county board already gave initial approval for a fiscal 2021-2022 budget totaling $692.7 million, but staff Tuesday brought forth recommendations on changes.
AB 1021 To Get Overhaul; Ex Officio to Be Dropped » Holtville Tribune
A bill that would have added a non-voting member to the Imperial Irrigation District board is in the process of being changed, according to IID Vice President JB Hamby. Hamby shared with the public and other board members that he has talked with the offices of both the bill’s author, Assembly member Chad Mayes, I-Rancho Mirage, and Imperial Valley’s representative, Assembly member Eduardo Garcia, D-Coachella, and Mayes has apparently agreed to make amendments to his Assembly Bill 1021.
IID: Rising ECA Could Have Been Worse » Holtville Tribune
Starting in August and continuing into September, keeping the lights on and the air conditioner running for residents in the Imperial Irrigation District’s service area has gotten more expensive. However, it isn’t as expensive as it could have been.
Imperial County’s Census Count Sees COVID Effect » Holtville Tribune
Count Imperial County fortunate in that it bucked a decade-long national trend in which more than half of America’s rural counties lost residents to the country’s major population centers, but don’t expect local officials to cheer that fact.
Census Count Sees COVID Effect
Count Imperial County fortunate in that it bucked a decade-long national trend in which more than half of America’s rural counties lost residents to the country’s major population centers, but don’t expect local officials to cheer that fact.
IID Power Rates to Rise 16% for August » Holtville Tribune
Keeping the lights on and the air conditioner running for residents in the Imperial Irrigation District’s service area, which includes all Imperial County and a portion of Coachella Valley, just got more expensive. Although the base power rate remains unchanged, the district has announced it has increased the energy-cost adjustment factor of customers’ energy bill to counter “substantially higher costs” to the utility during the summer months, according to a press release.
Imperial County Cattle Still No. 1 in Ag Value " Holtville Tribune
IMPERIAL COUNTY AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONER Imperial County continues to lead the state in some agricultural commodities, despite a year dealing with COVID-19. The total gross value of agriculture in Imperial County for 2020 was $2,026,427,000, according to the latest Agricultural Crop and Livestock Report for Imperial County released by the Imperial County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office on Tuesday, Aug. 10.
Elections, Redistricting Coming for Imperial County " Holtville Tribune
In just about a month, Imperial County will be part of a statewide election to decide if Gov. Gavin Newsom should be recalled. Ballots will start to be mailed out next week to all registered voters in Imperial County. Less than two months later some areas of the county will head to the polls again to vote for county water or school district board members or a utility tax.
Funds Go to Imperial County Community Projects " Holtville Tribune
With little discussion, the Imperial County Board of Supervisors voted to declare a state of emergency for a faulty well booster system that creates hazardous conditions for residents and first responders of Winterhaven, according to the declaration. Winterhaven’s water treatment plant has a faulty booster system, said Priscilla Lopez, workforce development director.
Salton Sea Funds Frustrate Imperial County Officials " Holtville Tribune
Imperial County officials continued to express frustration over the lack of federal funding for Salton Sea restoration, chiding the latest funding dedicated to more studies.
Hamby’s Right to Speak Rubs IID Directors Wrong " Holtville Tribune
After a pronouncement against building new dams and pipelines on the Colorado River that JB Hamby said was the result of the “manifest destiny” of suburban sprawl, two of his fellow Imperial Irrigation District directors questioned whether such statements constituted an official stance by the district. IID Division 1 Director Alex Cardenas “I just want to know if we as a board have taken a position in regards to moratoriums on new dams and proposed pipelines.
Energy Future in Coachella Discussed at IID Meeting » Holtville Tribune
The Imperial Irrigation District gave its first look at what a commission to discuss energy continuation in the Coachella Valley would look like. The Board of Directors, following up on action taken in June, looked at bylaws for the Coachella Valley Energy Commission, a group that is set to be made up of representatives from Imperial and Coachella valleys to discuss future energy concerns for those outside of IID’s water service area.
To Get ‘White Gold,’ We Need More Geothermal » Holtville Tribune
SALTON SEA — A vision for a “Lithium Valley” around the Salton Sea does appear to be on its way to reality. The potential of the sea as a vast untapped and sustainable reserve of lithium for a world increasingly focused toward renewable — and rechargeable — sources of power got a shot in the arm last week. Located off Crummer Road, this is one of 10 CalEnergy geothermal plants in the southeastern Salton Sea area. | CAMILO GARCIA JR.
Imperial County Not Changing Masking Guidance " Holtville Tribune
Though areas like Los Angeles County are recommending mask wearing, the Imperial County Public Health Department continues to follow state guidelines for face coverings in the region. The highly contagious Delta variant of COVID-19 continues to spread statewide, making up 14.5 percent of California coronavirus cases analyzed so far in June, according to data released by the state Public Health Department. It was the third-most common variant in California in June.
Imperial County Makes to Moves to Balance Books " Holtville Tribune
Imperial County is looking at reevaluating the services it offers and ending certain non-mandated services as it looks to fix its budget woes. Other ongoing strategies to address the structural general fund deficit include consolidating services, digitizing and modernizing county services, and evaluating vendor contracts and renegotiating. Officials presented the recommended budget for Imperial County during the Imperial County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, June 22.
COVID: Imperial County Says, ‘Good Morning, Calif.’ » Holtville Tribune
The change comes as California’s same-day capacity limits, social distancing requirements and most COVID-19 restrictions on businesses ended on Tuesday, June 15. Yet there are still some restrictions in place, Imperial County Public Health Officer Dr. Stephen Munday said. If fully vaccinated, those visiting businesses don’t necessarily need to wear masks, he said. However, those working still must have coverings. Even after Gov.
Imperial County Continues Niland Clean Up » Holtville Tribune
Imperial County officials are working proactively to try to decrease potential fire hazards in the Niland community after last year’s devastating inferno that destroyed a huge portion of the township. The county Board of Supervisors held a public hearing on Tuesday, June 8 to discuss rerouting state Community Development Block Grant funds to help residents in Niland and clean up the area.
Abatti Responds to IID’s Supreme Court Filing » Holtville Tribune
Imperial Valley grower, landowner and former elected official Michael Abatti has responded to the Imperial Irrigation District’s official filing in his U.S. Supreme Court petition. Michael Abatti, Imperial County farmer The official response was filed sometime Monday, June 7. In March, Abatti filed for a “writ of certiorari” with the U.S. Supreme Court seeking review of the California Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District’s decision in Abatti v.
“Why is it so hard to get something built on the ground there?”
It was a question asked of panelists discussing the Salton Sea on Tuesday, May 25. State and local officials were asked a number of questions about the drying sea during a one-hour online forum. Red Hill Bay at the Salton Sea is shown in this 2008 file photo. | COURTESY PHOTO The Red Hill Bay project that stalled after breaking ground in 2015 was one of the topics panelists discussed.
Salton Sea-Area Supe Says New Funding Good But Not Enough
Equipment can be seen at a construction site for a 4,100-acre habitat project at the southern end of the Salton Sea on Friday afternoon, May 14. | CAMILO GARCIA JR. PHOTO New funding proposed at the Salton Sea could bring about 8,000 acres of projects to the drying body of water, but one Imperial County official is saying more will be needed for more permanent measures. As part of the biggest economic recovery package in California history, Gov.
Salton Sea-Area Supe Says New Funding Good But Not Enough
Equipment can be seen at a construction site for a 4,100-acre habitat project at the southern end of the Salton Sea on Friday afternoon, May 14. | CAMILO GARCIA JR. PHOTO New funding proposed at the Salton Sea could bring about 8,000 acres of projects to the drying body of water, but one Imperial County official is saying more will be needed for more permanent measures. As part of the biggest economic recovery package in California history, Gov.
IV Wellness Foundation Makes Presence Known » Holtville Tribune
IMPERIAL COUNTY — An organization geared at bringing outside money to those in need in the Imperial Valley is making its presence known. Jose Landeros, chairperson of the Imperial Valley Wellness Foundation, gave a presentation to the Imperial County Board of Supervisors about the new non-profit’s COVID-19 response fund and about its goal of advancing the health and wellness of vulnerable populations in the Valley. The idea behind the wellness foundation came about in 2018 and 2019, Landeros said.
County Wants Fed to Extend Calexico East Port Hours » Holtville Tribune
CALEXICO — Imperial County leaders want extended border hours again at the Calexico East Port of Entry, which one area official says is needed to help bolster the regional and local economies. Vehicles drive through the Calexico East Port of Entry on Wednesday, May 12. Imperial County officials are lobbying to get the federal government to extend the port’s hours of operation, which were reduced at the start of the pandemic. | CAMILO GARCIA JR.
Imperial County Approves $2.5M Loan for New Homeless Day Center
A new day center expected to open in August is geared toward helping the homeless problem in Imperial Valley. On Tuesday, May 11, the Imperial County Board of Supervisors voted 4-0 to grant a $2.54 million loan to Catholic Charities, Diocese of San Diego for its Apagando Las Calles project. That project, said Assistant Director of Social Services Paula Llanas, includes the development of a day center at 250 W. Orange Ave. in El Centro.
Vo Clinic Gets $750K-Plus for Housing for Harvest " Holtville Tribune
More than three quarters of a million dollars is set to go to a local nonprofit assisting local farmworkers through the state’s Housing for the Harvest program. Imperial County Board of Supervisors approved an agreement with Dr. Tien Vo’s nonprofit arm, Vo Neighborhood Health Clinic, in an amount not to exceed $788,375. But the board had questions about the program, which picked up in March and runs through June 30, the end of the fiscal year.
Niland Residents Plead for Housing Help " Holtville Tribune
Some of those who lost their homes in the Niland fire last year pleaded for a place to live before the Imperial County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, May 4. “I’m here to ask you for help,” Niland resident Maria Ponce said. “I have my two girls. I do not have insurance. I’m living in a trailer park in Calipat.
Imperial County Reacts to Early Census Data» Holtville Tribune
IMPERIAL COUNTY — The first 2020 Census results are in, and local officials react. While California grew in population, it lost a Congressional seat for the first time in the state’s history. From 1910 to 2000 the state gained Congressional seats nearly every decade. However, it remained stagnant in the 2010 Census, and now the state has lost a seat. Although representation is big, federal funding is bigger.
Imperial County Concerned Over COVID-19 Testing of Released Migrants
Imperial County leaders are hoping the federal government will start COVID-19 testing some individuals they are releasing from custody. The Board of Supervisors sent a letter on April 12 and ratified it Tuesday, April 20 asking U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Washington, D.C. to coordinate COVID-19 testing for Entry Without Inspection individuals prior to their release from custody, according to the letter.
I.V. Farmers Concerned IID May Be Limiting Ability to Get Water
Some Imperial Valley farmers are concerned the Imperial Irrigation District might be decreasing their ability to get water to the fields. However, at the district’s Board of Director’s Tuesday, April 20 meeting, director was assured by staff that canal-lining projects were not lowering the flow to farmers. The Water Conservation Advisory Board presented a resolution to the board recommending a hold on canal-lining projects in the planning process.
I.V. Farmers Concerned IID May Be Limiting Ability to Get Water
Some Imperial Valley farmers are concerned the Imperial Irrigation District might be decreasing their ability to get water to the fields. However, at the district’s Board of Director’s Tuesday, April 20 meeting, director was assured by staff that canal-lining projects were not lowering the flow to farmers. The Water Conservation Advisory Board presented a resolution to the board recommending a hold on canal-lining projects in the planning process.
Air District Dings IID Over Red Hill Bay
In what one board member called a hearing that isn’t going to be topped, the Imperial County Air Pollution Control District Hearing Board voted 4-0 to issue an order of abatement against the Imperial Irrigation District over the Red Hill Bay project site at the Salton Sea. The ruling came on Friday afternoon, April 16, following several Fridays of testimony.
IID Works To Be More Prepared for Power Outages
The Imperial Irrigation District is working to make sure it’s more ready than ever should a natural disaster affect power lines in the region. After an outage earlier this year that left some without power for up to two days in the North Shore and Mecca areas, district board members like Vice President JB Hamby have pushed staff to enhance communication with its ratepayers, assist impacted customers, and look forward to preventative measures to keep incidents like that from happening again.
IID Works To Be More Prepared for Power Outages
The Imperial Irrigation District is working to make sure it’s more ready than ever should a natural disaster affect power lines in the region. After an outage earlier this year that left some without power for up to two days in the North Shore and Mecca areas, district board members like Vice President JB Hamby have pushed staff to enhance communication with its ratepayers, assist impacted customers, and look forward to preventative measures to keep incidents like that from happening again.
Little Said as El Toro Feedlot Expansion Approval Rescinded
There was little discussion as the Imperial County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to rescind permits for expansion of a Heber-based feedlot on Tuesday, March 2. It was a far cry from the nearly hour-and-a-half discussion that took place when the project was approved in August. El Toro Exports, which borders Heber to the south, requested the county rescind its permits for its expansion project back in October and in November, according to county Planning Director Jim Minnick.
IID: Small Businesses Could See Increase in Electricity Rate
The Imperial Irrigation District is looking at increasing rates during the summer for some businesses to increase energy conservation, according to discussion at recent meeting. On March 16, the district Board of Directors will look at setting public hearings for a temporary rate structure change for small commercial accounts. The board got a preview of what will be discussed during its Tuesday, March 2, meeting.
Imperial County Helps COVID-striken Businesses, Residents
Imperial County spent more than $4.6 million to help residents and businesses deal with COVID-19 issues since the pandemic began last year, according to a report on Tuesday, Feb. 23. Five programs have been offered by the county to help residents and businesses in the Imperial Valley since the pandemic started in March 2020.
Imperial County Wants to Work with Riverside, Looks at More Funding
Imperial County will look to its neighbor to the north for a joint resolution to attempt to join a conversation about the Salton Sea. At the Tuesday, Feb. 23, meeting of the Imperial County Board of Supervisors, the board voted to work with Riverside County to draft a joint resolution to send to the governor to join the Quantification Settlement Agreement Joint Powers Authority.
Tensions Rise Over Red Hill Bay in Part III of Hearing
Last updated:February 23, 2021 Tensions grew in a series of back-and-forth exchanges between attorneys for the Imperial County Air Pollution Control District and the Imperial Irrigation District regarding the Red Hill Bay project site during a third day of hearings over an air-pollution violation order against the district. A hearing board met Friday, Feb.
New River: Imperial County Seeks to Force Action
The New River is shown where it crosses the international border from Mexico into the United States in Calexico. | KENNY ROBERTSON PHOTO Imperial County officials are considering suing the federal government over continued inaction at the polluted New River. Members of the Imperial County Board of Supervisors during their meeting on Tuesday, Feb.
New River: Imperial County Eyes Options to Force Action
Imperial County officials are considering suing the federal government over continued inaction at the polluted New River. Members of the Imperial County Board of Supervisors during their meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 23, discussed potentially suing the United States government or sending a strongly worded “demand” letter to federal officials to try to sway them to take action on building a wastewater treatment facility on the border to help clean the filthy waterway.
Tensions Rise Over Red Hill Bay in Part III of Hearing
A closeup of the sign touting the Red Hill Bay project can be seen along Garst Road near Red Hill Bay on the southern end of the Salton Sea on Sunday, Jan. 31. | CAMILO GARCIA JR. PHOTO Tensions grew in a series of back-and-forth exchanges between attorneys for the Imperial County Air Pollution Control District and the Imperial Irrigation District regarding the Red Hill Bay project site during a third day of hearings over an air-pollution violation order against the district.
County Official Wants Voice in QSA Meetings to Restore Salton Sea
At least one Imperial County official wants a say on projects funded by the Quantification Settlement Agreement to restore the ailing Salton Sea. District 4 Supervisor Ryan Kelley asked Imperial County staff to work with Riverside County to come up with a way Imperial County could have a voice on the QSA joint-powers authority that decides on funding projects to restore the Salton Sea.
Brawley Biofuel Facility to Build in Mid-2021, Receives Loan Extension
IMPERIAL — Groundwork is underway on a biomass and biofuel facility about midway between Imperial and Brawley just outside the Mesquite Lake Enterprise Zone off Keystone Road. California Ethanol + Power’s Sugar Valley Energy project proposed for 136 E. Keystone Road, Brawley, is expected to produce 68 million gallons of low-carbon, fuel-grade ethanol, 40 megawatts of electricity, and 737,000 cubic feet (737 MCF) of biomethane. The 160-acre project is set to begin construction sometime in mid-2021.
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