STORIES FROM THE PAST
50 years ago
Imperial Valley College’s Ron Jesse seems to be getting stronger each week.
Jesse broke two school records, two conference records, and scored at least 29 1/2 points Saturday in the Pacific Southwest Conference track finals at Balboa Stadium.
IVC placed fifth in the meet behind San Diego, Mesa, Palomar and Grossmont.
The IVC freshman broke his own school high hurdles record of 14.7 with a 14.5 clocking even though he locked arms early in the race with Wes Williams of Mesa and had to knock down a hurdle to get free. His 14.5 was a conference record.
Jesse also won the long jump at 24-1 1/2, another meet mark, and he placed second in the 330 intermediate hurdles with a 38.5 time, 10th best in the state. Williams won the event in 37.6, a meet record and best in the state. His 38.56 was a school record.
40 years ago
California Rural Legal Assistance has filed a class action lawsuit seeking to compel the county to provide health care to indigents who do not qualify for state health care benefits or private insurance plans.
The lawsuit alleges that by the county’s failure to provide health services, many local residents have been unable to secure medical care.
In addition, CRLA notes that the Board of Supervisors is authorized to contract with private hospitals or doctors to provide inpatient health services and has refused to do so.
Rudy Cardenas Jr., attorney for CRLA, said, “State law requires the county to provide health services for persons who cannot afford private health insurance and do not qualify for MediCal. The county has failed to meet its statutory duty since the closing of the County Hospital in 1973.”
The lawsuit grew out of a previous complaint filed by a collection agency, on behalf of the Calexico Hospital, against an individual who had received medical services but was unable to pay for the bill at the time she received her emergency care.
30 years ago
CALEXICO — Two U.S. Customs inspectors were injured today when a bag of firecrackers exploded as they were taking the bag to an explosive vault.
An explosion heard five blocks away, rocked the commercial Port of Entry building a few minutes before 9 a.m. The force of the blast broke a light inside the building.
An inspector was taking a shopping bag full of firecrackers to an explosives vault when some motion-sensitive firecrackers apparently went off, causing the entire bag to explode.
The firecrackers had been seized from a vehicle in the secondary inspections area of the automobile crossing according to Customs Port Director Rudy Camacho.
20 years ago
The Southwest High School softball team knocked off Brawley 5-3 Friday at Beechey Field.
With the win the Eagles (12-7 overall, 5-1 IVL) pull into a tie with Central for first place in the Imperial Valley League. The Wildcats (15-4 overall, 4-2 IVL) lost their share of the league lead.
Valerie Kastoll led the way for Southwest. She allowed two Brawley hits and struck out 11. At the plate Kastoll had three hits and scored a run.
“She pitched a beautiful game,” Southwest coach Julie Cordova said. “They played great defense behind her.”
The Wildcats jumped out to a two-run lead in the first inning. With two outs Maria Gutierrez hammered a single that scored Monica Mendez and Monica Ruelas.
Kastoll would allow only one more Brawley hit the rest of the game. She struck out the next five batters she faced and kept the Wildcat hitters off balance the rest of the way.