Imperial Valley Press Quick News

No evidence that Heffernan District board members intended to defraud, official says

CALEXICO --- There is no evidence that board members of the Heffernan Memorial Healthcare District intended to defraud taxpayers or conceal anything tied to the decision to purchase a 15-acre parcel of land, according to the foreman of the Imperial County Civil Grand Jury.

Randy Carson also said today that the jury's final report, which is slated for release next week, does not support the dissolution of the healthcare district but that instead the goal of providing Calexico with 24-hour urgent care and the recruitment of specialized doctors ought to be pursued.

The healthcare district board has come under fire in recent months regarding the land deal of which $450,000 in taxpayer money was put in. Carson said it remains requestionable whether the district can recover the money and that district should just "walk away" from the deal.

By SILVIO J. PANTA, staff writer

Heber resident dies following crash on Second Street

CALEXICO --- A passenger who was flung today from a Ford Areostar that overturned on the Second Street bridge over the New River died from his critical injuries, a Calexico Police lieutenant said.

The 49-year-old Heber resident, whose name was not available pending notification of relatives, died after being taken to El Centro Regional Medical Center following the 8:38 a.m. single-vehicle crash that left two other occupants with moderate injuries, Calexico Police Lt. Jesus Serrano said.

Police believe that an unsafe driving speed may have been a factor in the crash that occurred when the driver inexplicably lost control of the minivan, struck a guard rail and overturned, Serrano said. The minivan was heading east on Second Street when the crash occurred. Police think that the man who died was not wearing his seat belt, Serrano said.

By SILVIO J. PANTA, staff writer

One person injured in Calexico crash

CALEXICO --- One person suffered major injuries today when the driver of a Ford Areostar lost control and overturned on Second Street, a Calexico Police lieutenant said.

The incident that was reported at 8:38 a.m. occurred over the New River bridge. Three people occupied the minivan that was heading east on Second Street when the driver inexplicably lost control and struck a guard rail before the vehicle flipped over, Calexico Police Lt. Jesus Serrano said.

None of the names of the adult occupants were released but the injured person was taken to El Centro Regional Medical Center, Serrano said. The two other people were also taken to the El Centro hospital following the crash that snarled traffic.

By SILVIO J. PANTA, staff writer

QSA formally invalidated

Judge Roland Candee issued his final judgment today ruling the Quantification Settlement Agreement water transfer invalid. Candee signed the judgment on Feb. 11, but the Superior Court of California did not mail the judgment until this Tuesday. It was not posted on the Superior Court's Web site, either. A stay, or continuation of the water transfer, is valid until the expiration of the deadline to file a notice of appeal, which is traditionally 30 days.

The QSA is the nation's largest agricultural-to-urban water transfer in the United States. It sends conserved Imperial Irrigation District water to the San Diego County Water Authority, the Coachella Valley Water District and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

Candee issued a final decision on Jan. 13, which does not differ from the final ruling. The final ruling finalizes Candee's decision to invalidate the QSA. IID has indicated it will seek to appeal Candee's ruling.

-DAVID STEFFEN, Staff Writer

Read Friday's edition of the Imperial Valley Press in print or online for more information.

No injuries in plane crash at Imperial County Airport

IMPERIAL --- No injuries were reported today after a Fouga Magister two-seat airplane crash landed shortly after take off from the Imperial County Airport.

The airplane, which the Federal Aviation Administration's website showed was owned by the San Diego Flight Museum, may have engine trouble, said Airport Director Steve Birdsall.

By SILVIO J. PANTA, staff writer

Imperial Beach man died from trauma to chest, autopsy reveals

PLASTER CITY --- An autopsy revealed that an Imperial Beach man who rode his motorcycle into the desert without a helmet died from blunt force trauma to the chest, a deputy coroner said today.

The man, identified by Imperial County Deputy Coroner Thomas Garcia as 43-year-old Britt Edward Clamp, apparently suffered his injuries Sunday night but wasn't found until early Monday.The Clamp got his injuries as the result of a crash, Garcia said. The autopsy on Clamp was conducted Tuesday.

Authorities said that Clamp, an experienced motorcycle enthusiast and racer, went to test drive his Honda motorcycle after adjusting the headlight and rode off without wearing proper motorcycle gear like his helmet.

By SILVIO J. PANTA, staff writer

Motorcyclist found dead, officer says

PLASTER CITY --- An Imperial Beach man was found dead today after he rode out into the desert on his motorcycle Sunday night, a California Highway Patrol officer said.

The man, whose name and age was not immediately available, wanted to take his Honda 450 motorcycle on a "test ride" at about 6 p.m. Sunday after he installed a headlight on it, Highway Patrol Officer Pablo Torrez said. The man's friends and relatives came looking for him but it was too dark for them to search the area, Torrez said.

The man's body was found today at about 7 a.m. about a quarter mile from the campsite where he stayed, Torrez.

By SILVIO J. PANTA staff writer