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HEBER — A simple act of kindness from Heber Elementary School District crossing guard Adam Conn was recently recognized to an extent he never imagined.

After Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia, D-Coachella, heard Conn had been purchasing and distributing ice-cold water bottles to help keep HESD students hydrated during scorching weather, the assemblyman held a recognition ceremony Tuesday at Heber Elementary to present the crossing guard with a California State Assembly certificate of recognition.

Cities in California can no longer tack on exorbitant legal fees to settle minor local code violations, thanks to a new law enacted this week.

The law makes it illegal for cities and counties to charge defendants for the legal costs to investigate, prosecute or appeal a criminal violation of a local ordinance.

"We made the argument that, yes, people should comply with local code enforcement laws, but violations should remain in the civil side of prosecution instead of the criminal side," says Eduardo Garcia, a Democrat from Coachella.

IMPERIAL — Students at Imperial Valley College seeking careers in the medical field or in law enforcement will benefit from $1 million in funding from the state of California that will institute a new correctional academy as well as enhance its medical assistant program.

The bill aims to make accessing GGRF funds more equitable and viable, according to Garcia. GGRF expenditures are overseen by the California Air Resources Board on behalf of the state Department of Finance.

“The success of AB 1945 will break down barriers and better position Imperial County to receive their fair share of climate investments,” Garcia said. “Increasing the accessibility of these resources will empower our region with the means to combat the unique air quality challenges that have jeopardized the public health and wellbeing of our community.”