STORIES FROM THE PAST

50 years ago

Approximately 300 Calipatria High School students began classes today as scheduled despite the fact that their new classrooms were not yet completed.

The regular opening of the school had been postponed for two weeks in homes that at least one of the new buildings would be ready. This morning, students attended sessions in units with single sheets of plywood as dividers from the outside and other classes.

District superintendent James Stevens was very optimistic about the situation. “Within 10 days, the builders will have section A-3 completed and then we will move into it until the rest of the buildings are ready.” Stevens explained that the A-3 unit was the largest of the five buildings and would offer six classrooms.

30 years ago

A proposal to study the feasibility of storing excess Colorado River water in the eastern part of the county is nothing more than an attempt by the Metropolitan Water District to “steal” the Imperial Valley’s water, according to Imperial Irrigation District Director Tony Gallegos.

The Department of the Interior has prepared a preliminary study of groundwater aquifers east of the Valley that might be suitable for storage of excess flows from the Colorado River.

The study was compiled at the request of the Colorado River Board’s six-agency committee, which includes the IID, Metropolitan, Palo Verde Irrigation District, Coachella Valley Water District, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, and the San Diego County Water Authority.