A state official said Baja California was guest of about 180,000 visitors during the Labor Day weekend.
State Undersecretary of Tourism Ives Lelevier said these tourists spent during the weekend around 212 million pesos or $11.78 million.
He said the figures mean an increase of 7 percent compared to last year.
Statewide, hotel occupancy rate was 83 percent, with beach destinations reporting 85 percent.
Cities like San Quintín, San Felipe and Tijuana reported the highest amount of visitors.
On Saturday hotel occupancy rates were 100 percent, he said.
The state also reported 240,000 vehicles in state highways, an increase of 14 percent compared to the same period of 2015.
“The tendency reported during 2016 has been good,” Lelevier said. “Figures show that tourism in Baja California is increasing.”
Arrest warrants executed
State and local police officers executed during August 214 arrest warrants for different crimes in Mexicali, said the Attorney General’s office.
Assistant Attorney General in Mexicali Fernando Ramírez said of those arrest warrants police agents arrested three for sexual crimes, 22 for carjacking, 43 for robbery, 25 in rural areas, six in San Felipe, 13 in Western Mexicali and 25 in Eastern Mexicali.
Ramírez said 57 arrests were made under the old penal system for robbery, burglary, drug trafficking, causing injuries and threatens.
Interim teacher payment still pending
The State Education System installed working groups with members of the National Education Workers Union, or SNTE in Spanish, in order to address the pending payment of interim teachers’ salaries, an official said.
Undersecretary of Planning and Business Luis Carrazco said the groups were installed after teachers and staff made a demonstration at the System’s offices in Mexicali to demand their payments.
He said the state has paid during the year 396.6 million pesos or $22 million for interim teachers and support staff.
Pending payments are due to incomplete files, union representatives not making appropriate documentation of cases or other issues.
Carrazco said the files are under review on a case by case basis and hopes the state makes payments during September.
Casa de la Cultura centennial announced
The Cuauhtémoc School in Downtown Mexicali, which is now home to the Casa de la Cultura, or Home of Culture in English, will celebrate its centennial during the month, authorities said.
Municipal Arts and Culture Institute Director Teodoro Pérez said a special program is on its way to celebrate the first 100 years of the icon building.
A photographic exposition called “100 Years of Old Building of Cuauhtémoc School” was launched Monday in the outdoor patio of City Hall.
The city agency will also make and art exhibit at the fence of Casa de la Cultura at Colon Avenue next to the Port of Entry.
On Sept. 16, the city will unveil a commemorative plaque and another photographic exhibit at the main hall of Casa de la Cultura.
A statue of Colonel and former Governor Esteban Cantú will be installed that same day.
The celebration closes with a cultural event outside Casa de la Cultura.
Pérez said authorities plan other events including a literature encounter, a conference, centennial dance, the opening of a commemorative mural and a traditional Chinese music concert.
