STORIES FROM THE PAST

50 years ago

Two men, one armed with a small-caliber automatic pistol, robbed a liquor store in Brawley yesterday evening and escaped with an estimated $320 in cash. Police were alerted to the robbery at Mel’s Drive In Liquor, 998 Main St., by store clerk Rebecca Swain, shortly after it occurred at 7:40 p.m.

The two men, about 20 to 25 years of age, fled the scene without a trace or a witness to indicate in which direction they escaped or whether they were on foot. Mrs. Swain told investigators she was too nervous to give a detailed description of the pair. She did say one had blond hair and the other brown.

40 years ago

The hiring freeze on all CETA jobs was lifted by the county this week.

The hiring of the positions was frozen last month when the Board of supervisors learned that anticipated funding for nearly 1,000 jobs slots had been held up in Washington. Supervisor later lifted the hiring freeze on some of the job slots when federal approval came through about two weeks ago.

Federal funding for the rest of the positions was received this week, so the positions are now being hired. The county has been given a CETA grant of $13 million, up from the $7 million anticipated. The CETA administration is expected to seek proposals for job slots within a few weeks.

30 years ago

BLYTHE — A staff of about 340 employees began work Monday at the new Chuckwalla Valley State Prison, west of Blythe, but a shortage of housing in the area has made it difficult for the workers to find living quarters.

Ground has been broken in Blythe for a new track of houses and a 25-unit apartment complex, but progress in building has been slow, officials say. The prison staff includes 106 correctional officers, 30 sergeants, 13 lieutenants, one captain and a crew of maintenance, custodial and food service workers.

About 20 percent of the workers are local residents, while the remainder came from other parts of the state, explained Lt. Deborah Peters, public information officer for the prison. She noted that many of the employees are staying in motels. “That is not uncommon during a transition period,” said Peters, but more permanent residences will be needed, she added. “There is a need for family rentals,” she stressed.