Imperial Valley Press Quick News

Centinela prison inmate struck in face by bullet fragment, official says

SEELEY --- A 40-year-old Centinela State Prison inmate is in stable condition today after being struck near his left eye by a bullet fragment of a mini .14-caliber round fired by a prison guard, a spokesman said.

The guard fired three rounds from the observation tower at Facility C as warning shots, said Administrative Lt. Richard Dubbe, to quell a fight between three inmates in the yard. The injured inmate, who is from an unspecified Los Angeles County city and was not involved in the scuffle, was taken by ambulance to a San Diego area hospital.

A second inmate, who suffered puncture wounds from the fight, was taken to El Centro Regional Medical Center for non-life threatening injuries and was expected to return to the prison, Dubbe said. An investigation into what lead to the fight is under way, Dubbe said.

By SILVIO J. PANTA, staff writer 

Supes approve prescription discount program

A prescription discount program that would give an average 22 percent discount for underinsured or uninsured Imperial County residents was approved with a unanimous vote Tuesday by the Imperial County Board of Supervisors.

The drug prescription program is offered at no cost to the county, said Rodolfo Aguayo, interim county director of human resources and risk management. It will not be insurance, but rather a discount card that can save residents about 22 percent compared to retail costs.

There is nothing to lose and everything to gain, said Supervisor Gary Wyatt.

For more information read Wednesday's edition online or in print.

-- Elizabeth Varin, staff writer

Parollee struck by moving BLM ranger vehicle, spokesman says

PLASTER CITY --- An investigation is continuing in connection with a Bureau of Land Management ranger whose vehicle struck a parolee over the weekend in the desert, a spokesman said today.

BLM spokesman Steve Razo said the ranger was on routine patrol early Sunday when he spotted a pickup truck with expired reg tags. The moment the ranger went to inspect the vehicle, the suspect, identififed as 46-year-old Richard Rusk Orman, sped off in the truck only to abandon it later at an unspecified distance, Razo said.

A helicopter flown by the U.S. Border Patrol pilot assisted in the search for Orman, who apparently was hiding behind some bushes, Razo said. Once the abandoned pickup truck was found by helicopter, the search for Orman became a ground search, Razo said.

Orman, who took off his boots to avoid leaving foot print impression on the sand, was struck by a moving BLM ranger vehicle during the search and was flown out to a trauma center in Palm Springs, Razo said.

By SILVIO J. PANTA, staff writer

Disbanding the healthcare district would be premature, jury foreman says

CALEXICO --- Disbanding the Heffernan Memorial Healthcare District would be premature until all alternatives are explored into making the district better serve the community, Randy Carson, foreman of the Imperial County Civil Grand Jury, said today following a meeting that featured a presentation on a study.

The study provided recommendations that the district could explore toward improving health care in Calexico. The civil grand jury is currently investigating the healthcare district on allegations that include missappropriation of public funds following controversy over the district's acquisition of a 15-acre parcel of land.

Carson said the grand jury's conclusions could be ready in two weeks.The study was presented during a well-attended meeting.

By SILVIO J. PANTA, staff writer 

Longtime educator to retire from Imperial School District

IMPERIAL --- Madeline Willis, an educator in the Imperial Valley for the past 40 years, has announced her retirement as school superintendent of the Imperial Unified School District. Her retirement becomes effective July 1.

Bryan Thomason, the assistant superintendent of the district, will replace Willis. He was hired in 2003 as principal of TL Waggoner Elementary School.

Willis started her career in 1970 as an elementary school teacher for the El Centro Elementary School District. She has been with the Imperial Unified School District for the past 18 years and has worked as an assistant principal, principal and in other upper-level positions before becoming district superintendant.

By SILVIO J. PANTA, staff writer

Heber man arrested in connection with stabbing

An 18-year-old Heber man faces charges of assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the weekend stabbing of an El Centro resident, El Centro Police Cmdr. Ron Merideth said today.

Bryan Alvarado was identified as the suspect who allegedly stabbed Patrick Dermody, 29, outside the 500 block of 6th Street early Saturday and was subsequently arrested, Merideth said. Alvarado was in the company of six people who confronted Dermody and his friends outside his residence, Merideth said.

By SILVIO J. PANTA, staff writer

Supes vote to close Niland library

The Imperial County Board of Supervisors voted to close the Niland branch of the Imperial County library system Tuesday morning, though board members spoke about how regretful the decision was.

The library needs to be closed because of a reduction in financial support of the library, and it is the most expensive library to run, said County Librarian Connie Barrington.

"At this point, there isn't money out there," she said.

Despite outreach attempts, children are not going to the library, she said. Those that do go also go to the Calipatria library, which is less than 10 miles away and open five days a week.

The change will take affect by March 31 as the board approved the change in a 5-0 vote.

For more information read Wednesday's edition online or in print.

--Elizabeth Varin, staff writer

Brawley woman arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence

BRAWLEY --- A Brawley woman was arrested over the weekend on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol after a witness saw her allegedly crash into a parked car in the area of Eastern Avenue and Jones Street, Brawley Police Cmdr. Brett Houser said Monday.

The witness flagged down a Brawley police officer at about 10:50 p.m. Saturday and told the hit and run incident, Houser said. Officers found the suspect, identified as 21-year-old Krystal Thompson, in the area of Colgrove Street and arrested on charges of DUI and hit and run driving, Houser said.

By SILVIO J. PANTA, staff writer

Calexico High School sophmore arrested on suspicion of sexual battery

CALEXICO --- A 16-year-old sophmore at Calexico High School faces a sexual battery charge following his arrest Thursday for allegedly threatening a girl with pliers outside the campus, Calexico Police Lt. Gonzalo Gerardo said today.

The alleged victim, who is believed to be the same age, managed to fight off the suspect when the 7:45 a.m. incident occurred at the west side of the campus before classes began, Gerardo said. The girl suffered no injuries, Gerardo said.

By SILVIO J. PANTA, staff writer 

Trying fiscal challenges could lie ahead for Imperial, mayor says

IMPERIAL ---  The city of Imperial has made strides for the community during the past year but could face tough fiscal challenges in the days ahead, Mayor Geoff Dale said during the 4th annual State of the City address.

Dale spoke of such things as road improvements and arrangements made for a planned Holiday Inn at Neckle Road and Highway 86, but spoke of the budget and how a dip in revenues could adversely affect it. Imperial City Manager Marlene Best said after the address that if revenues continue to dwindle balancing the budget could be difficult.

Please read Friday's issue of the Imperial Valley Press for more information on this story.

By SILVIO J. PANTA, staff writer