🌱 How will El Centro’s library director influence statewide city policies?
Good day El Centro! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How will El Centro’s library director influence statewide city policies?
- How an El Centro junior earned four college degrees before graduation
- Is your push‑to‑start Jeep on thieves’ target list tonight?
Also on today's calendar: Felt Christmas Ornament with Madame Michelle and 1 more event.
📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around El Centro? Post it to El Centro photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️
Today's riddle: The doctor told me to drink carrot juice after a hot bath. - Did it help? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
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- Wednesday: Mostly sunny and very warm, with a high of 80 and low of 48 degrees.
- Thursday: Very warm with hazy sun, temps: high: 81, low: 48.
- Friday: Very warm with hazy sun, with a high of 81 and low of 47 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. El Centro library director appointed to cal cities policy committee (thedesertreview.com) — El Centro residents have a new voice in statewide city policy as Library Director Carla Mason begins a one-year term on the League of California Cities’ Community Services Policy Committee. Mason, praised by Mayor Sonia Carter, will help shape legislation affecting city services while highlighting priorities from El Centro and the wider Imperial Valley through several meetings in 2026. 
2. Central Union student earns four associate degrees before graduating high school (kyma.com) — An El Centro 11th grader just became the youngest graduate of Imperial Valley College’s Dual Enrollment program, earning four associate degrees while still in high school. Central Union student Noah Munguia is already working toward a fifth degree by May 2026 and plans to continue on to Cal State San Marcos for his bachelor’s and master’s.
3. El Centro police alert locals of stolen jeeps (kyma.com) — El Centro police are warning residents to lock up Jeep Wranglers, Gladiators, and other push‑to‑start vehicles after a spike in overnight thefts between midnight and 4 a.m. Investigators say juveniles are often driving the stolen cars, some of which end up in Mexico, and similar thefts are hitting Yuma, San Diego, and Riverside.
4. City Of Imperial Sues The County Of Imperial (kxoradio.com) — A massive data center is being proposed on nearly a million square feet between El Centro and Imperial, but key details remain undisclosed. The City of Imperial has sued the County of Imperial, saying it wants transparency about who is behind the project, how recycled water and electricity would be secured, and why local communities and IID haven’t yet been consulted.
5. Trump Awards Soldiers, Marines Border Defense Medal (militaryspot.com) — A U.S. Army reservist who spent months patrolling the border near El Centro was among 13 service members honored at the White House with a new Mexican Border Defense Medal. The story details President Trump’s remarks, the medal’s history, and how troops view their border mission, which leaders describe as central to national security.
📸 Around El Centro
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓
Upcoming Events in
El Centro
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
-
Mixed Media with Bob
455 W State St, El Centro
7:00 pm
Thursday December 18
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
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Felt Christmas Ornament with Madame Michelle
455 W State St , El Centro
10:00 pm -
Kids Painting with Caro
455 W State St , El Centro
8:30 pm -
Mixed Media with Bob
455 W State St , El Centro
5:00 pm
Thursday December 18
Saturday December 20
Tuesday December 30
📣 El Centro Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
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The Cibola Raiders vs. the Imperial Tigers
Imperial High School , 517 W Barioni Blvd , Imperial
6:00 pm -
PIT Committee Meeting
desert trails , 225 Wake Ave , El Centro
3:30 pm -
2025 Christmas in the Park
Holtville Chamber of Commerce , 101 W 5th St , Holtville
5:30 pm -
Women's Burn Survivor Support Group
Burn Institute , 612 S J St #3 , Imperial
6:30 pm -
SHS Bands and Orchestras present "Sounds of the Season."
Southwest High School , 2001 Ocotillo Dr , El Centro
7:00 pm -
All In-Person (and Zoom) Burn Survivor Meetings
UCSD Regional Burn Center , 200 W. Arbor Dr. 8th floor conference room , San Diego
6:30 pm -
California Mid Winter Fair
Imperial Valley Expo , 200 E 2nd St , Imperial
9:30 am
Wednesday December 17
Thursday December 18
Friday December 19
Wednesday December 24
Friday February 27
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Our gray tabby cat was taken by someone.
He was last seen near Costco and Planet Fitness along S Imperial Ave. Later, his collar was found removed and discarded near Highway 86 (S Imperial… (Nextdoor El Centro ParksRecreation)
- SAS Retail Services posted a job opening for Retail Stocking/Shelving Merchandiser in El Centro. Apply here.
- Panera Bread Company posted a job opening for Team Member in El Centro. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near El Centro here.
Ok El Centro! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I can never finish drinking the hot bath!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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