STORIES FROM THE PAST
50 years ago
As Rep. John V. Tunney landed in the Valley today for a series of hearings on the pollution of the Salton Sea, he was splashed by a kettle of criticism.
Republican Le Moyne (Lee) Badger of Riverside — a candidate for Tunney’s congressional seat — charged that Tunney’s decision to run for the U.S. Senate hinges on whether Los Angeles Mayor Sam Yorty does. He said, “With barely over a week until the deadline, Tunney has not yet officially announced he will run for re-election for congressman nor has he taken out his sponsor’s certificates.”
Badger noted that Yorty earlier had stated that he would either sign a new contract to continue his television program or he would run for the Senate. His final broadcast under the present contract is Sunday.
40 years ago
Imperial High School notched its first varsity baseball victory of 1978 on Tuesday afternoon as the Tigers defeated the visiting Palo Verde Yellowjackets, 3-1.
The boys from Tiger Country had played two games with no runs scored for Imperial. The losses were to Palo Verde (3-0) and a varsity club from Aquinas High School (4-0).
The big thing for Imperial in Tuesday’s game was the pitching of Hector Diaz. He struck out three and walked none, allowing the ‘Jackets seven scattered hits.
The Imperial defense gave Diaz superb support. He got the big plays when they were needed. The Tigers had six total hits and scored all runs in the first two innings. Perry Daniels started for Palo Verde. Two hard shots off his shins caused Daniels to retire from the mound. Joey Sain and Bill Micalizo working in relief.
30 years ago
IMPERIAL — A change in the name of the Imperial Valley Pioneers Historical Society will be proposed at the annual society picnic April 17. If the proposal is accepted by the general membership, the society will become known as the Imperial County Historical Society.
The decision to submit the proposal to the general membership was made at the monthly meeting of the board of directors at the James Bucher Community Center here.
It was pointed out that the scope of the society has grown rapidly in the last several years. For that reason, the word “historical” was only recently added to the name. Directors pointed out that the society deals with many matters involving the entire county, not merely Imperial Valley. The word “pioneer” makes some potential members feel that one has to be a pioneer in order to join the group which limits the membership.