STORIES FROM THE PAST

50 years ago

Assemblyman Victor V. Veysey has promised his opposition to closing of border inspection stations until he is satisfied that adequate alternate method of protecting California farm crops from infestation have been provided.

Richard Lyng, state director of agriculture, announced last week the state plans to close all border inspection stations over a period of two years. The announcement coincided with closing of three stations on the California-Nevada border during October.

Assemblyman Veysey said these are seasonal stations and are always closed at this time of the year. He said also that the phase-out of border inspection stations has not been authorized by the Legislature yet.

Lyng said it is planned to replace the inspection stations with an internal crew of “plant pest detectives” who would search out and eradicate disease and insect pests.

40 years ago

The Board of Supervisors Tuesday placed an immediate freeze on filing nearly 1,000 jobs funded by the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act because the money has not arrived yet.

The supervisors acted after CETA Administrator Mary Rangel said it is not known when the county will receive its estimated $7 million in CETA funds.

Meanwhile, the $220,000 CETA carryover balance is rapidly dwindling and is expected to run out by Nov. 30. If the 1978-79 funding does not arrive by then, 344 currently employed CETA workers and 15 CETA administrative personnel will be out of jobs.

The problem has developed, in part, because Congress did not pass a new CETA authorization and funding bill until the last minute.

30 years ago

IMPERIAL — Federal and Imperial County narcotics officers arrested 12 people, including four juveniles, and seized about $650,000 worth of cocaine and heroin Monday culminating a 4 1/2-month investigation into alleged narcotics sales at two Imperial residences.

A local Narcotics Task Force spokesman said most of the arrests occurred during a raid at Barioni Boulevard., which followed the alleged purchase of cocaine by an undercover officer from two Imperial residents.

Agents said the alleged sale involved 10 ounces of cocaine for $9,000.