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Winston S. Churchill Seizes Illicit Weapons from Two Dhows off Somalia see page 2
Desert Hot Springs, CA PERMIT NO 00005
March 3, 2021 Vol. 16 No. 18
“Mass Casualty” Car Crash Involving 27 People In Imperial County, At Least 18 Dead Taylor Martinez At least 18 people are confirmed dead after a traffic collision Tuesday morning in Imperial County in what’s being considered a “mass casualty” incident. Fourteen people were dead on the scene, but it has gone up as more
information became available. Juan Rodelo, a Battalion Chief with the Imperial County fire department, added there were multiple injuries but that he could not be more specific at this time. According to El Centro Medical Center, 27 people were involved in the incident.
Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs confirmed to NBC Palm Springs four patients were airlifted to their facility, with three of those patients in the ICU. Seven were transported to El Centro Medical Center. Two were transported
Perris Native Supports Weapons Seizure off the Coast of Somalia
By Stephanie Fox, Navy Office of Community Outreach INDIAN OCEAN – Seaman Recruit Esmeralda Ramosvargas, a native of Perris, California, is currently serving aboard the U.S. Navy destroyer, USS Winston S. Churchill, in the Indian Ocean. According to a recent Navy news release, “The guided-missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill seized illicit shipments of weapons and weapons components from two stateless dhows during a maritime security operation in international waters off the coast of Somalia, Feb. 11-
12. The cache of weapons consisted of thousands of AK-47 assault rifles, light machine guns, heavy sniper rifles, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, and crew-served weapons. Other weapon components included barrels, stocks, optical scopes, and weapon systems.” “It was an amazing experience having been part of something so big,” said Ramosvargas. “I hope to continue doing great things here in the Navy.” The seizure of illicit weapons was conducted as part of the U.S. Navy’s regular
maritime security operations in the region. These routine patrols are performed to ensure the free flow of commerce for legitimate traffic and to disrupt the transport of illicit cargo that often funds terrorism and unlawful activity. With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor. Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States are directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.
to Pioneer Hospital. A vehicle was reportedly traveling westbound on Norrish Road near State Route 115 when it traveled “in the direct path” of a big rig truck carrying gravel traveling northbound on the 115. The rural area in southeastern California is about 10 miles east of El Centro and about 10 miles north of the Mexican border.
The cause of the accident is under investigation. El Centro Medical Center says they will not be releasing any information about the patients at this time. The rural area in southeastern California is about 10 miles east of El Centro and about 10 miles north of the Mexican border.NBC Palm Springs is on scene.