STORIES FROM THE PAST

50 years ago

Mexicali’s Jesus Pimentel, the world’s No. 2-ranking bantamweight, has been offered a 12-round title elimination bout with fifth-ranked Katsuo Saito of Japan, it was reported today by Pimentel’s manager, Harry Kabakoff.

“The bout is three-quarters set for Oct. 11 in San Antonio, Texas,” says Kabakoff. It would be held in the Joe Friedman Coliseum, which seats 15,000.

Kabakoff describes the offer as “fabulous,” but adds that several details remain to be worked out with promoter Tony Padilla of San Antonio.

Saito already has accepted by cable from Japan, according to Kabakoff.

40 years ago

So far as books, newspapers, magazines, records, films and reference sources are concerned, Imperial Valley’s libraries are almost unlimited in getting materials for patrons.

Five Valley libraries are united in the Serra Cooperative Library System to provide card-holders with a massive supply of items they otherwise would not be able to obtain.

The Serra System is a venture between 21 California libraries. Each institution makes available all its resources to the others, and patrons in any one of them can borrow items contained in all the others.

30 years ago

CALEXICO Groups from Mexicali coming to Imperial County to perform in events such as Mexican Independence Day celebrations here next month will now have to drive to Tijuana to receive permission from the U.S. consulate before crossing the border.

Calexico Port Director Pete Saldana last week notified the Calexico Chamber of Commerce that musical groups — which in the past have received visa waivers at the Calexico Port of Entry — will have to receive permission to cross the border from the consulate in Tijuana.

20 years ago

A former top aide to Assemblyman Jim Battin, who left his job with Battin in a phony letter scandal, now is working as a field representative for the California Republican Party.

Chris Brown, 27, resigned in February as Battin’s chief of staff after it was learned he wrote letters to the editor of a Coachella Valley newspaper using fake names.