STORIES FROM THE PAST
50 years ago
Anthony Williams Inc., the Valley’s newest industry, today sent its first production shipment of women’s sportswear to Los Angeles.
Plant manager Norm Barakat said the load of 100 dozens garments is worth $10,000 on the retail market.
“This was a small shipment,” Barakat said, adding that the amount shipped weekly would increase as the factory at 185 S. Third St., El Centro, gets into regular operation.
“We went slowly with the first shipment to give everyone a chance to get accustomed to things. I’m very proud of the progress made by the workers in such a short time.”
He said eventually Anthony Williams Inc., will have three shipments a week of 4,000 to 5,000 pieces of clothing. In addition, the plant will serve as a depot warehouse for finished material from factories in Mexico.
40 years ago
Rep. Clair W. Burgener today introduced legislation which would exempt the Imperial Valley from any acreage limitations under the 1902 Reclamation Act and called on Sen. Alan Cranston to introduce a similar bill in the Senate.
Burgener also called for quick house hearings on Reclamation Law reform.
He said he hoped introduction of the bill “would begin the stretch drive in pushing an exemption for the Valley through the Congress this year.”
He said he has simultaneously asked Rep. Lloyd Meeds, D-Wash., to convene “prompt hearings” on Reclamation Law reforms so that his legislation can clear Congress in 1978.
30 years ago
A Santa Ana woman and her child were transported to Calexico Hospital Monday after her car hit a utility pole on Highway 98, the California Highway Patrol said.
Martha Nava, 23, of Santa Ana and her 1-yearold daughter, Trinidad, both received major injuries when her car ran off the north side of Highway 98 east of Clark Road and struck an Imperial Irrigation District power pole at 9:30 a.m.
CHP Officer Chester Watts said Nava was not wearing her seat belt and the child was not in a safety seat.
20 years ago
HOLTVILLE — The Holtville High baseball team used three pitchers to shut down Vincent Memorial 12-1 here Tuesday to clinch the Desert League crown.
Tony Lopez, Enrique Nunez and Hector Torres combined to strike out 11 Scots and allow only three hits enroute to the Vikings’ eighth DL win.
Providing much of the offense for Holtville was Joe Iten, who nailed a three-run home run in the second inning to push the Vikings ahead 7-0.
“Everyone got on base and set me up for the RBIs,” said Iten, who totaled five RBIs and three hits. “It’s great to win league outright.”
Holtville went to work on Vincent’s Rob Walk in the first inning on two consecutive singles by Eric Fildsted and Iten, the latter of which plated Fjeldsted after he stole second base. On the ensuing at-bat Iten put himself in scoring position with a steal and was knocked home by Cory Moreno.