Imperial Valley Press Quick News

Two men injured in fight

Two men were injured as the result of a fight in Calipatria Thursday night.

Both men, who were in their mid-20s, were taken to San Diego Community Medical Center, said Calipatria Police Sgt. Lynn Mara. 

Mara said police responded around 10:30 p.m. to a call that included reports of gunfire. One man suffered from stab wounds and the other from gunshot wounds. The current condition of the men is not known. Police are investigating the event.

Read Saturday's edition of the Imperial Valley Press for more details.

-- Megan Glenn, staff writer

Police chase ends following a pair of armed robberies

Three people are in custody early today while another is still at large following a police chase that ended in a quiet residential neighborhood west of El Centro following a pair of armed robberies, an El Centro Police sergeant said.

Officers applied a PIT maneuver to force a white Ford Econoline passenger van to abruptly turn sideways not far from the corner of 23 Road Street and Orange Avenue. A U.S. Border Patrol helicopter roared above the location with search lights as Imperial police officers, Imperial County sheriff's deputies and Border Patrol agents assisted in looking for the missing suspect. The California Highway Patrol was also called in to help, said El Centro police Sgt. Ray Bonillas.

The  chase stemmed from an armed robbery of a pedestrian near  Fourth Street and Desert Gardens at about 1:30 a.m., which was soon followed by the holdup at the am/pm convenience store at Main Street, Bonillas said. Police saw a van that matched the description of the vehicle involved in the Fourth Street incident and a chase ensued, Bonillas said.

Police believe both robberies are related. Please check Quick News for more updates on this story.

By SILVIO J. PANTA, staff writer

Motion for new trial sought in ex-Southwest High School teacher case

Juror misconduct is among a host of reasons cited in a former Southwest High School teacher's motion for a new trial shortly after he was convicted of a misdemeanor offense in connection with the kissing relationship he was charged of having with a 17-year-old girl.

Court documents filed at the Imperial County Superior Court in El Centro show that a juror claimed she was coerced into voting Samuel Falk guilty of the single misdemeanor count of annoying or molesting a child under 18 during jury deliberations. A hearing on whether Falk will get a new trial is scheduled July 10 before Imperial County Superior Court Judge William Lehman.

A jury convicted Falk June 19 following weeks of testimony, which included that of the girl Falk was suspected of having a series of trysts with inside of his classroom.

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

By SILVIO J. PANTA, staff writer 

State budget crisis among topics discussed in meeting

The state's failure to adopt a balanced spending plan for the next fiscal year is among the key topics Imperial County supervisors are discussing at this hour during a closed session meeting, according to District 4 Supervisor Gary Wyatt.

The notion of California issuing IOUs to cover its expenses, and how it could impact Imperial County, is a concern Wyatt and other county officials are addressing. Wyatt said public hearings on the county's own budget probably won't be held until mid-August, which is the time Wyatt said he expects supervisors will get around to adopting a balanced budget.

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

By SILVIO J. PANTA, staff writer