Imperial Valley Press Quick News

Ex-Southwest High School teacher convicted in misdemeanor case

A jury today convicted a former Southwest High School history teacher of a misdemeanor count of annoying and molesting a child under 18 in connection with a romantic relationship he had with a teen-age girl.

Samuel Hargrove Falk, 45, faces a possible jail term of six months to year and was ordered to appear July 31 for sentencing in the trial that last roughly a month.

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

By SILVIO J. PANTA, staff writer 

Calexico city manager resigns

CALEXICO — City Manager Ralph Velez resigned on Wednesday and will leave his position by the end of next week, a city hall source confirmed.

Velez will receive a severance package that includes four months’ salary, the source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said.

City Council will hold a meeting to appoint an interim city manager tomorrow.

-- NICOLAS TABOREK, staff writer

Supervisors back gas tax hike

County supervisors today backed a proposed five cent gas tax hike in order to protect Imperial County's share of nearly two years worth of $7.1 million in the current gas taxes it receives from the state. The move by the California State Association of Counties is being touted as an alternative to a state proposal to take the funds, or Highway User Tax Account money, away from the county in order to help fill a more than $24 billion budget gap.

District 4 Supervisor Gary Wyatt spoke out against the state's intention, calling it "illegal." Wyatt also said that CSAC's proposal is meant to protect Imperial County's share of HUTA funds. Public Works Director Bill Brunet said that should HUTA funds be lost, about 52 public works employees would be laid off and about $11 million of projects partially funded by grants would be jeopardized.

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

BY SILVIO J. PANTA, staff writer