Imperial Valley Press Quick News

Seeley man identified in fatal crash

The Imperial County Coroner's Office identified the 38-year-old Seeley resident who died Thursday night during a crash off of Interstate 8.

The motorist, identified by Deputy Supervising Coroner Charles Lucas as Phillip Vandergriff, was driving east in a 2003 Ford Ranger on the freeway at about 70 mph when he swerved to avoid hitting a mattress and lost control, according to a press release by the California Highway Patrol. The incident was reported at 8:10 p.m. and occurred east of Dogwood Road.

Vandergriff's vehicle traveled into the dirt center and started to roll before striking a second vehicle that was heading west on Interstate 8. Vandergriff, who was unrestrained, was ejected from his vehicle and landed on a lane of westbound Interstate 8, the press release read. A woman, identified as Teresa Valenzuela, was a passenger in Vandergriff's vehicle but escaped with only a minor injury. She wore her seat belt.

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

By SILVIO J. PANTA, staff writer

At least 1 dead in I-8 wreck

At least one person was dead in a multiple-vehicle traffic accident on the westbound lanes of Interstate 8 between Dogwood Road and Highway 111 Thursday night.

 

The California Highway Patrol was called out to a report of a vehicle blocking traffic on I-8 around 8:10 p.m., according to the Highway Patrol’s traffic incident Web page.

 

A medical staging area was set up at the scene of the accident, where there were multiple emergency vehicles, according to initial reports from a passerby who called into the newspaper.

 

Reports on the Highway Patrol’s Web site say there was one body on the right hand shoulder of the interstate.

 

It was unclear at press time how many vehicles were involved or how many people were injured.

Check the Imperial Valley Press Web site at www.ivpressonline.com for further details.

 

City forms another task force to explore city charter issue

El Centro city leaders opted late Wednesday to form another task force to gathering more information about switching the city's form of governance to that of a city charter.

The task force that includes councilmembers Jon Edney and Sedalia Sanders will come back in 30 days to bring their findings about the issue. The proposed switch was the subject of heated discussion during a lengthy meeting that had union representatives and scores of laborers address councilmembers about the need to keep the prevailing wage standard.

Laborers fear that changing El Centro's structure of government from a so-called general law city to one that operates under a voter-approved charter city could possibly end the wage standard for laborers and craftsmen who work on municipal projects.

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

By SILVIO J. PANTA, staff writer

McGinley to be sworn in Thursday, Carter says

Interim El Centro Police Cheif Harold Carter said today that the department's new chief will be sworn in Thursday morning outside the police station.

Carter's 13-month term as police chief officially ends today, he said, and James G. McGinley, a retired 30-year veteran of the San Diego Police Department, will be starting his term.

Carter took over the department after Leonard Knight stepped down in April 2008. Knight's abrupt resignation followed the Police Officers Management Association's call for him to quit. Knight's management of the department was faulted for widespread dissatisfaction and low morale.

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

By SILVIO J. PANTA, staff writer

Imperial County schools cleared to reopen

All Imperial County schools that were closed because of swine flu will reopen tomorrow.

Imperial County Health Officer Dr. Stephen Munday said he approved of the reopenings after the Center for Disease Control and Prevention issued revised guidelines on swine flu stating that schools do not need to remain closed because of a single case.

The schools that are reopening are Sunflower Elementary, Washington Elementary and McKinley Elementary in El Centro, Miguel Hidalgo Elementary in Brawley and Kennedy Gardens Elementary in Calexico. The Migrant Head Start program run out of Jefferson Elementary in Calexico also will be open tomorrow.

-- NICOLAS TABOREK, staff writer

Swine flu cases up to 40 today

The number of probable cases of swine flu in Imperial County increased by one today --- to 18 --- with 22 confirmed cases for a total of 40 local cases, according to the county Public Health Department.
Elementary school closures remained at five today, plus two daycare closures.
For more information read online or Wednesday's edition.
---RICHARD BROWN, assistant editor

Brawley school closed because of swine flu

Miguel Hidalgo Elementary School in Brawley has become the latest school in Imperial County to be closed because of swine flu, the Imperial County Public Health Department announced about 7:45 p.m. Monday.
No other information was available Monday night.
---RICHARD BROWN, assistant editor

More swine flu cases confirmed for county

There are now 22 confirmed cases and 17 probable cases of swine flu in Imperial County, according to the latest update from the county Public Health Department.
The latest update was sent out around 12:30 p.m.
Besides the closure of Kennedy Gardens Elementary School in Calexico this morning, two daycare centers Saturday and three El Centro schools last week, no more school closures were announced today.
Read more online and in Tuesday's edition.
---RICHARD BROWN, assistant editor

Kennedy Gardens School closed down to help stop spread of virus

CALEXICO --- Kennedy Gardens School has been closed down for a week in an effort to help stem the spread of the H1N1 virus, a school district official confirmed today.

The students were dismissed at the direction of the county Public Health Department which has determined an unspecified necessity to impose the seven-day closure of the school in order to slow the spread of the virus, said Tina Samaniego, senior executive assistant to the superintendant.

Kennedy Gardens School officials said parents were notified last night to have their children who attend the school to remain at home.

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

By SILVIO J. PANTA, staff writer 

Visits cancelled after Centinela prison inmate is infected with swine flu

All visits and other non-essential activities in state prisons are canceled until further notice after an inmate at Centinela State Prison was diagnosed with the H1N1 virus commonly known as swine flu, said Administrative Lt. Richard Dubbe.

The inmate at Centinela prison was in adminstrative segregation and had been isolated when he showed flu-like symptoms last week, Dubbe said. It was confirmed over the weekend that the inmate was infected by the disease, making it the first probable case within the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, according to a press release.

Attorney visits, and medical and psychological evaluations, that are legally mandated will continue with added added precautions, the press release read.

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

By SILVIO J. PANTA, staff writer