Imperial Valley Press Quick News

Feds oppose Calif. Prop 19 to legalize marijuana

SAN FRANCISCO — Attorney General Eric Holder says the federal government will enforce its marijuana laws in California even if voters next month make the state the first in the nation to legalize the drug.

The Justice Department strongly opposes California's Proposition 19 and remains firmly committed to enforcing the federal Controlled Substances Act in all states, Holder wrote in a letter to former chiefs of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The Associated Press obtained a copy of the letter, dated Wednesday.

“We will vigorously enforce the CSA against those individuals and organizations that possess, manufacture or distribute marijuana for recreational use, even if such activities are permitted under state law,” Holder wrote.

The attorney general also said that legalizing recreational marijuana in California would be a “significant impediment” to the government's joint efforts with state and local law enforcement to target drug traffickers, who often distribute marijuana alongside cocaine and other drugs.

He said the ballot measure's passage would “significantly undermine” efforts to keep California communities safe.

If Proposition 19 passes in November, California would become the first state to legalize and regulate recreational pot use. Adults could possess up to one ounce of the drug and grow small gardens on private property. Local governments would decide whether to allow and tax sales of the drug.

The state has clashed with federal authorities over marijuana since 1996, when voters approved a first-of-its-kind ballot measure that allowed people to grow and use pot for medical purposes. Thirteen other states and the District of Columbia have legalized medical marijuana.

-- The Associated Press

Two minor quakes shake Imperial Valley Friday morning

Two minor earthquakes hit the area where the April 4 earthquake started this morning.

The first, a 3.1 magnitude quake at 4:52 a.m., was centered 40 miles south-southeast of Mexicali, according to the U.S. Geological Survey Web site. It was about 7 miles below the surface, making it poorly constrained.

The second minor quake hit later in the morning at about 9:05 a.m., according to the Web site. The 3.2 magnitude earthquake was less than a mile below the surface near the same location.

No immediate damage reports were available.

-- Elizabeth Varin, staff writer

Hundreds attend Amber Bryant's funeral

About 800 people came together Wednesday morning to honor Amber Bryant, who was killed Oct. 4.

The "celebration of life" began at 10 a.m. at the Casa de Manana building at the Imperial Valley Expo. Mourners then journeyed to Evergreen Cemetery where Bryant is to be buried.

Friends, family members, coworkers and former classmates spoke about what they remembered of the Sunflower Elementary School teacher.

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

-- Elizabeth Varin, staff writer

Two children reported missing found at Stark Field

Two children who were initially reported missing this morning have been found at Stark Field, El Centro Police authorities said.

Anthony Rodriguez, 6, and his younger sister Elizabeth Nicole Rodriguez, 3, were last seen at the corner of 7th Street and Brighton Avenue at about 7:30 a.m., according to an alert issued by the El Centro Police Department.

But El Centro Police Cmdr. Jeff Mason confirmed that the children have been found at the park on Fourth Street in good condition. Local law enforcement like the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement were also notified about children. It was not known how the children arrived at the location.

By SILVIO J. PANTA, staff writer

Motorcylist involved in fatal crash identified

The name of the motorcyclist who died today during an early morning collision at Highway 86 and Neckel Road has been released.

The motorcyclist has been identified as 43-year-old El Centro resident Adan Elizondo, said Imperial County Supervising Coroner Charles Lucas.

Elizondo, an employee with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, was heading north on the highway when he was struck by another CDC employee who was behind the wheel of a compact vehicle that was going west on Neckel Road, Imperial Police Detective Jorge Hernandez said.

The collision was reported at 5:07 a.m. but Elizondo died about an hour later at El Centro Regional Medical Center, Hernandez said.

By SILVIO J. PANTA, staff writer

Prison employee dies in early morning collision on Highway 86

IMPERIAL --- A employee of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation died early today during a collision on Highway 86 and Neckel Road, an official said.

The employee was heading north on Highway 86 on a motorcycle when a motorist who was going west on Neckel Road broadsided the employee, said Imperial Police Detective Jorge Hernandez.

The fatal crash was reported at 5:07 a.m. but the motorcyclist died at El Centro Regional Medical Center about an hour later, Hernandez said. The motorist was also a CDC employee, the detective said. It was not certain which state prison the two people worked for.

Hernandez did not specify who was at fault but said that anyone traveling on Highway 86 has the right of way. There are posted signs at all roadways by the highway, he said. The name of the motorcyclist was not released pending notification of relatives, Hernandez said.

By SILVIO J. PANTA, staff writer

   

  

Acting governor declares state of emergency for Imperial County because of early October storms

Acting Gov. Abel Maldonado proclaimed a state of emergency for Imperial County due to storms that caused widespread flooding and wind damage.

Just hours after the county declared the area to be a local disaster, the acting governor put out a press release.

The declaration allows the county and Imperial Irrigation District to ask for California Emergency Management Agency funding to help with repairs. The IID had more than $1 million, said Fire Chief Tony Rouhotas, who had asked the board of supervisors for the local declaration.

Marijuana seized from truck hauling load of oranges at Highway 86 checkpoint

SALTON CITY --- About 950 pounds of marijuana concealed within a load of rotten oranges was seized by U.S. Border Patrol agents this week at the Highway 86 checkpoint, according to a news release.

A semi-truck hauling the cargo of oranges pulled up to the checkpoint Monday but was referred to another area of the location after a drug-sniffing dog alerted agents, the release reported.

Upon searching the pallets of oranges agents discovered several cellophane wrapped bundles hidden within them. The estimated value of the marijuana was placed at about $760,000. The driver, the marijuana and the truck were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

By SILVIO J. PANTA, staff writer

 

China trip put on hold, friendship aggrement between Imperial County and Chinese city ratified

Approval for one supervisor's trip to China has been put on hold at Tuesday's Board of Supervisors meeting, though the board did ratify a friendship agreement with a Chinese government group.

The trip, that would be paid for by the Heber Community Foundation, would be for Supervisor Michael Kelley and to go to four cities in China starting Oct. 22 to encourage investment in the county. It would be a nine day trip.

The friendship agreement, ratified today but signed during Supervisor Gary Wyatt's trip to the area, is between the county and Xinzhou government and is supposed to encourage bilateral cooperation in the areas of trade, commerce, agriculture and student exchange.

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

-- Elizabeth Varin, staff writer

Williamson Act not to be renewed, confirmed Imperial County supervisors

The Williamson Act will not be renewed, confirmed the Imperial County Board of Supervisors today.

The decision to end participation in the state program came months ago, but in September, the state and county Farm Bureau asked the board to reconsider backing out of it because of legislation before the governor.

The act gives property tax exemptions for landowners in the designated areas. To compensate the county for the loss of the property taxes, money is supposed to be given to the county from the state.

However, state budget cuts have made the money unavailable. Farm Bureau representatives said the bill signed by the governor would increase the amount given to the county.

The board voted 2-2 to reconsider not renewing the contracts. Because the motion didn't pass, the decision not to renew stands.

Supervisor Wally Leimgruber abstained from voting as his brother has land under the act.

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

-- Elizabeth Varin, staff writer