Imperial Valley Press Quick News

Disbanding the healthcare district would be premature, jury foreman says

CALEXICO --- Disbanding the Heffernan Memorial Healthcare District would be premature until all alternatives are explored into making the district better serve the community, Randy Carson, foreman of the Imperial County Civil Grand Jury, said today following a meeting that featured a presentation on a study.

The study provided recommendations that the district could explore toward improving health care in Calexico. The civil grand jury is currently investigating the healthcare district on allegations that include missappropriation of public funds following controversy over the district's acquisition of a 15-acre parcel of land.

Carson said the grand jury's conclusions could be ready in two weeks.The study was presented during a well-attended meeting.

By SILVIO J. PANTA, staff writer 

Longtime educator to retire from Imperial School District

IMPERIAL --- Madeline Willis, an educator in the Imperial Valley for the past 40 years, has announced her retirement as school superintendent of the Imperial Unified School District. Her retirement becomes effective July 1.

Bryan Thomason, the assistant superintendent of the district, will replace Willis. He was hired in 2003 as principal of TL Waggoner Elementary School.

Willis started her career in 1970 as an elementary school teacher for the El Centro Elementary School District. She has been with the Imperial Unified School District for the past 18 years and has worked as an assistant principal, principal and in other upper-level positions before becoming district superintendant.

By SILVIO J. PANTA, staff writer

Heber man arrested in connection with stabbing

An 18-year-old Heber man faces charges of assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the weekend stabbing of an El Centro resident, El Centro Police Cmdr. Ron Merideth said today.

Bryan Alvarado was identified as the suspect who allegedly stabbed Patrick Dermody, 29, outside the 500 block of 6th Street early Saturday and was subsequently arrested, Merideth said. Alvarado was in the company of six people who confronted Dermody and his friends outside his residence, Merideth said.

By SILVIO J. PANTA, staff writer

Supes vote to close Niland library

The Imperial County Board of Supervisors voted to close the Niland branch of the Imperial County library system Tuesday morning, though board members spoke about how regretful the decision was.

The library needs to be closed because of a reduction in financial support of the library, and it is the most expensive library to run, said County Librarian Connie Barrington.

"At this point, there isn't money out there," she said.

Despite outreach attempts, children are not going to the library, she said. Those that do go also go to the Calipatria library, which is less than 10 miles away and open five days a week.

The change will take affect by March 31 as the board approved the change in a 5-0 vote.

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

--Elizabeth Varin, staff writer

Brawley woman arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence

BRAWLEY --- A Brawley woman was arrested over the weekend on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol after a witness saw her allegedly crash into a parked car in the area of Eastern Avenue and Jones Street, Brawley Police Cmdr. Brett Houser said Monday.

The witness flagged down a Brawley police officer at about 10:50 p.m. Saturday and told the hit and run incident, Houser said. Officers found the suspect, identified as 21-year-old Krystal Thompson, in the area of Colgrove Street and arrested on charges of DUI and hit and run driving, Houser said.

By SILVIO J. PANTA, staff writer