STORIES FROM THE PAST

50 years ago

Calipatria’s star halfback Gene Jones not only led his team into the California Interscholastic Playoffs, but won the Imperial Valley scoring championship in doing so.

Jones did not score in the 23-23 tie with Holtville last Friday, but his 72 points going into the game were more than enough to enable him to take the scoring title. Jones had 11 touchdowns and six extra points.

El Centro’s Willie Robinson was second with 66 points. Robinson scored 11 touchdowns to share the lead with Jones of scoring the most touchdowns.

40 years ago

In 1977 SCIF Class AA Volleyball Playoffs came to Brawley High School at 7:30 tonight when the Wildcats square off against the visiting Santa Clara Saints.

Action will be in the second round of the Playoffs and the admission is free. Spectators from throughout the Valley are expected to come and watch the Wildcats perform.

Barbara Henderson and the Brawley girls have won 17 of 19 matches this year. Brawley won the Desert Valleys League championship by claiming nine straight triumphs.

30 years ago

A portable electric heater was blamed for a house fire early today in El Centro, that led to the death of an elderly woman, left her husband homeless, and injured the firefighter who pulled the woman from the blaze.

County Deputy Coroner Donald Cole said the woman was pronounced dead at 6:20 a.m., about six hours after she was rushed to El Centro Regional Medical Center for emergency treatment.

He said she was admitted to the hospital at about 2:30 a.m.

Cole said the victim suffered burns to nearly her entire body. An autopsy is pending to determine the exact cause of death.