STORIES FROM THE PAST
50 years ago
A cloud of highly toxic chlorine gas from a damaged 150-pound tank of chlorine settled over a two-block area of Winterhaven this morning, forcing the immediate evacuation of the area around First Avenue and E Street in the area the break occurred.
According to a report from Sgt. Jim Moore of the Winterhaven Sheriff’s Substation, the break came at approximately 9 a.m. this morning.
Workmen had been unloading water purification supplies from a large truck parked in the alley behind the Winterhaven Water Works, located some 100 feet south of E Street on First Avenue.
According to Sgt. Moore, it is not clear whether the truck struck the cylinder of chlorine gas, or whether one of the workmen damaged it, but in any event, the valve on one of the tanks of chlorine gas was damaged and gas began issuing from the break.
The workmen immediately scatted, and the Winterhaven Fire Department was notified.
40 years ago
Correctional officers at Imperial County Jail Monday broke up an alleged escape attempt by two inmates when they spotted a man cutting through a wire mesh protective window covering in Dorm 1-E.
Jail officials said the discovery ended at least two months of labor by the inmates, who had successfully cut through one of the steel bars on the window and were on the last leg of the escape plan when officers intervened. Jail Sgt. David Gustafson said a piece of stainless steel mirror had been used as the cutting device. Most of the inmates’ activity appeared to have been limited to the early morning hours when other inmates were asleep and correctional officers were easy to keep track of, the investigation revealed.
One of the two inmates allegedly involved in the escape attempt had begun working on the steel bar last July following his arrest on suspicion of robbery.
30 years ago
The Imperial County Planning Commission today revoked a conditional use permit, issued in December 1986 to Big Foot Development Inc., for construction of a 640-acre recreational vehicle park east of Niland.
Commission action came a month after the state Lands Commission denied surface and geothermal leases on the property to developer Doyle Cape. The denial stemmed from inadequate financial disclosers by Cape.
Zoning of the 640 acres, an abandoned military base known as “The Slabs,” was discussed by commissioners. They will recommend the Board of Supervisors revert zoning back to the original A-2 (general agriculture).
Before the commission ruled on the revocation of the conditional use permit, Deputy County Counsel Joanne Yeager asked if Cape, who was absent, had been notified of today’s meeting. County Planning Director Jurg Heuberger said notification was made by registered letter.
“Do you have proof Cape received the letter?” was Yeager’s next question. Heuberger said he didn’t and, after a short recess and check of files, no evidence of delivery could be found.
20 years ago
Most people already know about McGwire passing Maris, but how many realize Howard almost caught Redus?
That’s former Brawley Union High School baseball player Tim Howard, who almost broke Gary Redus’ single-season minor league batting average record.
Howard, a 30-year old shortstop, finished his season with the Texas-Louisiana League’s Amarillo Dillas with a .447 batting average, good enough for third on the all-time list. Redus, who later went on to play for the Cincinnati Reds, among others, hit .462 for a Billings, Mont., team in 1978.
Howard, who has spent 10 seasons in the minor leagues, put up numbers this year that border on obscene. He finished the season with 96 RBI, 13 triples and 148 hits, all of which set new league records.