Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation awards $100K grant to Comite Civico del Valle

Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation awards $100K grant to Comite Civico del Valle Renowned Hollywood actor and environmental activist Leonardo DiCaprio announced a $100,000 grant to Brawley-based Comite Civico del Valle for its air monitoring system recently.

The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation (LDF) distributed $20 million to more than 100 organizations as part of six areas of emphasis for the foundation: climate change, wildlife and landscape conservation, marine life and ocean conservation, innovative solutions, indigenous rights, and the California program.

Comite Civico, a non-profit organization, launched an air monitor system about a year ago and features 40 air monitors installed across the Valley.

Comite Civico’s air monitoring system — officially named IVAN (Identifying Violations Affecting Neighborhoods) — includes 40 air monitors installed in the Valley and provides real-time data on the levels of particulate matter in the air.

Pet shop helps Mexico quake victims

Sometimes character trumps commerce as a local merchant left her family business to beseech the community and collected an impressive cache for Mexico City earthquake victims, Friday.

Alex Salcido, manager of Salcido’s Pet Grooming and Boarding, learned of the Baja government collecting supplies on behalf of quake victims and her family decided to take ht initiative here.

Highway 98 opens ahead of time

Highway 98 at Cesar Chavez Boulevard reopened Wednesday, two months prior than previously projected.

An expedited completion is also projected for the fourth and final Phase 1B segment whose construction starts today as well, California Department of Transportation District 11 resident engineer Daniel Hernandez recently told city officials.

To date, three of the four segments that comprise the $12.9 million Highway 98 Phase 1B widening project have been completed, with the fourth and final segment expected to be finished ahead of its projected Jan. 15 completion date.

Calexico PD, community continue dialogue

Iancarlo Perez Tejada may be a little too young to know what the future holds for him, but after a chance and friendly encounter on Monday with Calexico Police Department officers, the young Heber resident said a law enforcement career may be a possibility.

“Being a police (officer) is cool,” Iancarlo said.

Iancarlo, along with his mother, Martha Jimenez, were among the dozens of community members who had the opportunity Monday to meet and speak with Calexico officers at Raspados Cuchis during the department’s first-ever “Raspados with a Cop” event.

The event coincided with the national Coffee with a Cop movement held annually in the fall that aims to open lines of communication between communities and law enforcement agencies to address crime and public safety concerns.