Governor Francisco Vega presented Tuesday a 372 million pesos or $20.6 million project to rehabilitate three lakes in southern Mexicali.
Gov. Vega said the initial investment will be 22 million pesos to improve infrastructure and develop the area into a recreational zone as well as improve the health of neighbors.
Federal, state and local agencies, as well as residents and educational and community leaders will take part of the effort, he said.
Secretary of Infrastructure and Urban Development Manuel Guevara said the Xochimilco, Mexico and Campestre Lake system covers around 281.7 acres and along with New River and canals 134, Mexicali and International compose a significant part of the city’s rainstorm drainage system.
The area suffers a great degree of pollution and deterioration that with this effort would turn into a recreational, sports and cultural spot for the benefit of Mexicali families.
The State Water Commission began working on the area with the replacement of two floodgates with federal funds and a hydrological study has also been finished.
In the mean time, the Sonoran Institute is developing a Managing Plan of the Three Lakes under criteria set by RAMSAR, which declared the zone as Remnant Wetlands System of the Colorado River Delta, considered important worldwide.
The city has also taken its part on the project by creating a Urban-Economic Development Master Plan and cleaning the Lagos del Sol Park.
The presentation was attended by state lawmakers, college specialists, as well as local, state and federal officials.
Man arrested for transit bus robbery
A 23-year-old man was arrested Tuesday after allegedly attempted to rob the driver of a public transit bus, said the Municipal Public Safety Department.
Authorities said at 3:32 p.m. police officers arrested Daniel “Doe” at López Mateos Boulevard and Altamirano Street in downtown Mexicali.
The suspect allegedly brandished a knife to threaten the driver of public transit bus 90 of Atusa Company.
The suspect presumably attempted to rob money from the driver, authorities said.
No more details were provided on the police logs.
Man dies at college parking lot
A man was found dead Wednesday at the parking lot of the Autonomous University of Baja California’s main campus, said the Municipal Public Safety Department.
In a brief report, authorities said the victim was identified as Roberto Ramos Ramos, 63.
The man was found inside a gray 2007 Chevrolet Malibu at the entrance of the parking lot located at López Rayón Avenue and Benito Juárez Boulevard.
The reporting party called the emergency center at 10:48 a.m., authorities said.
The man apparently died due to a heart attack, according to preliminary reports.
No more details were provided.
Alleged robbery suspects arrested
State police officers arrested Tuesday two women who had arrest warrants for robbery, said the State Secretary of Public Safety.
In a press release, authorities said state troopers found Gloria Carolina “Doe,” 19 and Dorene “Doe,” 30, at 2 de Octubre Street at Colonia Imperial.
According to authorities, the suspects are allegedly linked to a series of robberies committed in the area against residents who were attacked or threatened.
Several reports were filed by victims and a judge released an arrest warrant in February against the suspects.
Police officers observed and detained the suspects, authorities said.
The suspects were transported to the state police headquarters.
Free books ready for delivery
A state official said the state will distribute 4.3 million free textbooks to get used during the upcoming school year.
Mexico’s National Commission of Free Textbooks began delivering the books among 3,747 schools in the state for pre-school, elementary and junio high schools.
The textbooks will be used by 688,661 students for their Spanish, Science, Geography, Mathematics, History, Biology, Physics, Chemistry and English classes.
Undersecretary of Basic Instruction Leopoldo Guerrero said the state and federal governments spent 77 million pesos or $4.27 million in textbook printing.
The textbooks include material for blind students and additional books for libraries.
School year begins Monday, August 22.
