Imperial Valley Press Quick News

QSA tentatively invalidated

Judge Roland Candee of the Superior Court of California in Sacramento issued a tentative ruling stating that the quantitative settlement agreement is invalid. The tentative ruling stated one of the 13 agreements is unconstitutional, rendering the remaining 12 agreements invalid. At issue is the State of California's commitment to fund additional environmental funding beyond estimates projected by QSA parties.

Read Friday's edition of the Imperial Valley Press for full coverage.

-DAVID STEFFEN, Staff Writer

Ton of cocaine found in Mexicali warehouse

MEXICALI --- Twelve people were arrested Wednesday after a ton of cocaine was uncovered inside a warehouse in the La Colonia Industrial area, making it the biggest drug seizure of its kind in Mexicali history, an official said.

All of the suspects were Mexican nationals and $1.5 million in cash and 30 different weapons of various sizes and caliber were discovered inside the warehouse, said Alfredo Arenas, liasion with the Mexican state police.

Members of the Mexican army seized the narcotic after receiving an anonymous tip about what was stored in the warehouse. The bricks of cocaine was packaged in cellophane and wrapped in duct tape, Arenas said.

By SILVIO J. PANTA, staff writer

Off-duty Calexico police officer arrested for allegedly driving under the influence

CALEXICO --- A Calexico police officer who was already on paid administrative leave faces a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence of alcohol after he pulled into the Calexico police station last week in his personal vehicle with a blood alcohol level of .23, Calexico Police Chief Jim Neujahr said today.

Officer Ronald Cuen, a 17-year member of the Calexico Police Department who was off-duty at the time, was cited and released for the DUI offense as his wife was available to drive him home, Neujahr said. Cuen was also traveling with his 11-year-old son when he pulled into the parking lot to use the restroom, Neujahr said.

A report of Tuesday night's incident has been submitted to the Imperial County District Attorney's Office for review, Neujahr said. Cuen will remain on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of his current case, the chief said. Neujahr declined to state for what Cuen has been on leave as it is a personnel issue.

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

By SILVIO J. PANTA, staff writer  

Holtville contract with Sheriff's Department tabled, air quality fee reduction continued

Because of auditing issues and unexpected costs, both the Imperial County Board of Supervisors and the Holtville City Council will be looking at the contact between the city and the Sheriff's Office again.

The Board decided to table the contract in order to add reimbursement possibilities to the contract and audit the amount paid by the city.

The county Audit Department found $55,000 extra expenses that would need to be covered, said County Executive Officer Ralph Cordova. The contract is not supposed to cost the county money.

The board motioned for the item to be tabled until the next meeting Tuesday, Dec. 15.

However, the change is a 5 percent addition to the contract, said Laura Fischer, city manager for the City of Holtville. The city will have to go back to council and discuss whether it can cover the extra expense.

If all goes as planned, Fischer expects to be able to bring the contract to the next City Council meeting Monday, Dec. 14, she said.

The board also approved a continuation of the air quality reduction of about 50 percent.

Read Wednesday's edition online or in print for further details.

ELIZABETH VARIN, staff writer

Collision at Fourth Street and Commercial Avenue reported

A motorist was taken to El Centro Regional Medical Center today for unknown injuries after colliding on 4th Street with a big rig truck that was making a left turn onto the southbound lanes of the often street near Commercial Avenue.

Although the motorist, an El Centro man who was not immediately identified, did not complain of any pain or head pain following the 6:10 p.m. incident he was taken to the hospital nevertheless for a check-up, said El Centro Fire Capt. Alex Romero.

Details of the crash were not known as El Centro police had yet to interview everyone involved but it appeared that the truck driver, who identified himself as Andy Duryea, of Nebraska, was heading west on Commercial Avenue and was about to make a left turn onto southbound 4th Street when a Ford Explorer plowed into his side, crushing the entire engine block and sparking a small fire that was out before El Centro firefighters arrived at the scene, Romero said.

By SILVIO J. PANTA, staff writer

Cold front to hit Imperial Valley Monday afternoon

A cold front is heading for Imperial County, with possible snow on Interstate 8 in the mountains between the county and San Diego, said local meteorologist Jim Christopherson.

Strong wind and snow could reach around 4,000 feet above sea level in the afternoon and evening, he said.

In the valley, he expects strong winds, clouds and lower temperatures from the storms heading south from San Francisco, he said. It's the first cold front of the year.

There should be a break Tuesday and Wednesday, he said.

Read Tuesday's edition online or in print for further details.

ELIZABETH VARIN, staff writer

Two deaths reported during weekend

Imperial County coroner's officials were busy this past weekend when two separate but unrelated deaths were reported in El Centro and Centinela State Prison, an official said today.

An autopsy is scheduled Tuesday for a 42-year-old inmate at the Seeley prison who was found by his cell mate unresponsive late Saturday, said Imperial County Deputy Coroner Thomas Garcia. The inmate, who was identified by Garcia as Joseph Vasquez, was pronounced dead at 11:24 p.m. at the prison infirmary. Thomas said Vasquez, whose city of residence was not immediately known, died of natural causes but the autopsy would determine what was the cause of death.

An autopsy is also scheduled Tuesday for 42-year-old El Centro resident Rosa Esquer, who was found dead Saturday morning at about 8:50 a.m. in an alleyway not far from the am/pm station and convenience store on Fourth Street in El Centro, Garcia said. There were no signs of foul play but as in the previously mentioned case, an autopsy would pinpoint the cause of Esquer's death, Garcia said.

By SILVIO J. PANTA, staff writer