STORIES FROM THE PAST

50 years ago

A dozen juveniles ages 13 to 17 1/2 and a 19-year-old were taken into custody recently on charges of allegedly stealing cases of beer from a railroad car in the Niland switching yard of the Southern Pacific Railroad.

A special investigative agent for the railroad had reported to the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office that on the night of Sept. 2 some 74 cases of beer had been stolen from two “piggy-back” trailer vans in the railroad yard.

Physical evidence at the scene included barefoot tracks, tire tracks and shoe prints. This evidence, combined with a Sheriff’s Office investigation, lead to the apprehension of the suspects.

Recovered from the suspects were 27 cases of the missing 74 cases.

40 years ago

A $15.3 million contract to build the first 33 miles of a new section of the Coachella Canal has been awarded to a Danville firm.

In July, it was disclosed the apparent low bidder was Ball, Ball and Brosamer Inc., of Danville, and this week the formal award by the Bureau of Reclamations was announced.

Six firms had submitted bids.

Milt Greenstein, chief engineer for the contractor, said no physical work on the new canal site will occur before September 1979.

The contract requires that construction be completed within two years and that no concrete lining work be done during the summer months.

The company’s special equipment for such work is presently committed, so the canal section will be constructed during the winter of 1979-1980, Greenstein explained.

30 years ago

Hornets scored a four-game volleyball victory over the Palo Verde Yellowjackets here Tuesday.

Palo Verde won the first game, 10-15. But Calipatria blitzed the Yellowjackets in the next three games, winning by scores of 15-10, 15-11 and 15-3.

Calipatria won the match with its serving. As a team, the Hornets put 82.6-percent of its serves in play and registered 20 aces.

Andrea Guerra was the team leader with 14 points. She put 20 of 24 serves in play. Coach Sandy George said Guerra also passed well and played well along the net.

Judy Swanger had the best all-around performance. Swanger put 14 of 16 serves in play and scored 10 points. She had seven aces. Swanger also was a force along the net, where she had a dozen kills and three blocks.