The San Bernardino County Sun from San Bernardino, California • Page 21

R-4 THE SUN (CCC) Jn. 8, 1970 $25,00 Meridian Ave. Bridge Is Completed cars in 1913. It was 20 feet wide, provid-ding a safe distance between cars of that vintage on the two-way span. But its use by modern vehicles was considered hazardous.

Not only the narrowness of the bridge was a concern for modern, fast-moving traffic, but a hump in its center provided zero sight distance, Hicks said. The safest minimum sight distance for bridge crossings is about 100 feet, he estimated. The old bridge began straining under the force of heavy rains early last January, It finally gave way, leaving the area impassable and barricaded. Despite barricades, at least one motorist drove off the edge of what was left of the wooden beams. An insurance claim against the city for that accident is still pending.

The new bridge is a hollow box of pre-stressed, factory-made concrete six inches thick. It will carry trains over a new street that goes under the area the old structure once spanned. The tracks formerly were under the bridge. Hicks said 100,000 yards of fill material went into building up the new railroad embankment. Meridian Street under the bridge Is 50 feet wide between curbs.

For the project, $100,000 came from the state's $5 million grade separation fund; $50,000 from the Southern Pacific Railroad, $62,000 from the city, and $38,000 from the state's flood disaster fund. The timing of the bridge collapse and the availability of funds allowed the construction to be done sooner than otherwise might have been possible, according to the engineer. The railroad was anxious to cooperate because the bridge had fallen on the tracks, he said. According to Hicks, the project ac complished three things: "It's providing a much better traffic situation due to the wider road and better site distance, it solved a drainage problem. we can't have any damage of the type we had last year because the water now has an uninterrupted channel to flow in." He said that water previously flowed down Meridian Avenue at 200 cubic feet per second and the old bridge acted as a dam.

Water now will be carried directly across Rialto Avenue and Into a flood control drain. When the old bridge was in use, it carried approximately 2,600 vehicles daily. Even though the new span Isn't officially open, already it Is carrying as many as 3,000 vehicles in both directions daily, Hicks said. An apartment house, golf course, two trailer parks and a city fire station are probably all contributing to the traffic flow, he guessed. In addition, the street is used by Rialto-Fontana commuters.

San Bernardino's Meridian Avenue a 56-year-old, wooden structure thai collapsed during last winter's floods, has been replaced by a modern, pre-stressed concrete span. Meridian north of Rialto Avenue opened to traffic last Friday, but next Saturday is the date that BWB Constructors, expects to have final clean-up at the site. According to City Engineer Purdy L. Hicks, the total construction project, which cost $250,000, will alleviate both traffic and drainage problems. The old bridge was built to carry Water Pipes Burst, Flood mm) School Leaders Explain Urgent Tax Money Need 5 Neiv Commander Seabough offered: "We could cut supplies in half.

But that would be $6,000 not even teacher's salary. We can't cut teachers, either. We need them all." Among questions from the floor was one about economies that would be made if all Victor Valley schools were to be unified one administration for all grades, kindergarten through 12. Voters have repeatedly defeated it. "Personally, I'm in favor of it.

There would be a great savings in transportation for one thing," said Irwin. Seabough noted an instance where seven top administrators of seven districts were duplicating their time on the same task. Unification would eliminate this waste, he noted. Yesterday'3 program was the first of many planned during coming weeks on the tax election issue. classrooms 30 now in use to meet the enrollment gain of 7 to 11 per cent a year, said Irwin.

In the elementary district, classload must average not more than 30, noted Seabough. In both districts, about 70 per cent of the budget goes into salaries. "And we can't cut salaries and expect to get good teachers," said Seabough. State and federal funds have dwindled, too. Victor district stands to lose $100,000 if the President vetoes PL 874 funds, said Seabough.

In the high school district, federal funds could be cut in half, said Irwin. "The state last year put more money into public schools than almost any year before. But practically all of it went into ghetto areas. We got none of it," said Irwin. As for what expenses can be cut, vv Bid to Fill Unit Positions Fails in Council Session VICTORVILLE Success is sorely needed in a triple election March 10, say school leaders.

Voters will be asked to continue current tax ceilings in Victor Valley High School and College districts and Victor Elementary School District. "Victor is now in a desperate situation. I don't see how we can run the schools on less," said George T. Seabough, superintendent. "If it fails, there's only one more chance for an election July 21 or the present $1.82 tax will drop by 32 cents, to $1.50, in August.

"I don't know how we can stand a cut of $130,000 in the budget," Seabough told Optimist Club members yesterday. (Victor voters last September spurned a proposed ceiling increase of 53 cents. Trustees now propose only to continue the present ceiling). "Cut your income by 50 per cent, then increase the load of your business II per cent. That's about what will happen if the high school and college issues fail," added District Supt.

Harvey S. Irwin. "Just in the high school district, the loss would be more than $2 million." Present ceilings of $1.75 and 75 cents in high school and college districts will drop to 75 and 35 cents in the summer of 1971 unless voters say otherwise. The current ceiling ends its five-year period then. Trustees are combining with the elementary district for two reasons to save the cost of separate elections and to get a head start if repeat elections prove necessary.

Both speakers said they believe a good turnout at the polls would be an indication of success. A $3 million building bond issue posed last Feb. 11 failed badly. Turnout then -was only 38 per cent, said Irwin. Trustees have had to turn to packing classrooms and bringing in portable Sanitation Board Meets VICTORVILLE Regular meeting of the Victorville Sanitation District board of directors will be held at 7:30 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 12, at the district offices, 15640-6th St. Illness of Defendant Capt Alice K. Kurashige, left, Corps Supply Center briefs her Commanding Officer of the Wo- new Executive Officer Lt. Ger-men Marines at Barstow Marine aldine Peeler.

Tim American Marine Is Oriental and Female VICTORVILLE The City Council has failed to name two persons to a joint-powers authority, a city-county program to finance a civic center and library. Mayor David A. Brownell asked each council member to list two names in writing, and to arrive at a decision on a "point system" to name the two members, perhaps at the next meeting. "I don't want to discuss nominees openly," explained Brownell. At that time, Humherto Lugo and Paul R.

Smith already had departed the meeting, leaving three council members present. They called on City Manager James L. Cox for a memo clarifying whether the persons named to the new commission must be residents of Victorville. Two other members are to be named by the county. The fifth member, who must be a Victorville resident, is to be picked by the four members.

Cox is preparing a progress calendar. Bids will be called and both projects proceed at once, he said. From start of site preparation (two sites) to con Cited am not going to set myself up as a judge of security matters." Tight security prevailed for the Panthers, who are charged with numerous felonies including conspiracy to commit murder and possession of illegal weapons. Charges against one of the Panthers arrested, Gilbert Parker, were dropped 1 1 sun-Telegram ohoto of her ancestral country, including the famous Japanese Tea "I just couldn't make it, my legs couldn't hold sbe saidV; w'4 f- Though she found Japan a beautiful place to visit, Capt. Kurashige prefers her home.

"For every lovely spot there, I could point out two in America more beautiful." The love of her country and a desire to serve guided Capt. Kurashige into the Marine Corps. Two of her uncles had served in the Corps and she remembers always wanting to become a Marine even though she never saw a woman Marine until she entered training at Quantico, Va. Capt, Kurashige lived most of her life in her native San Diego, except for a time when she was transported with her parents to a relocation camp in Arizona during World War n. She remembers little about her stay there except to say that often she was hungry and the barracks were little more than shacks.

Her brother, now in the U.S. Army in was born there: She bears no bitter feelings about this time, possibly, she says, because she was very young. Also, there are always two sides to every question and she has tried to see from others points of view. After graduating in 1964 from San Diego State College with a bachelor's degree in Home Economics, Capt. Kurashige entered Officers Candidate School and was commissioned four months later.

up Box Springs Mountain where his transmitting facility is located. He discovered that about 1,000 pounds of equipment worth $20,000 was missing. The only item remaining was the shell of a five kilowatt amplifier. Cote said he saw two parked cars with five men in them on the mountain road. A license plate check with police indicated one of the cars was probably stolen.

Cote's plans for resuming broadcasting were indefinite. Winter Program January 16, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. The fee for the class is $10. The session will end on March 20. Those who have had the first session can enter the Intermediate class starting Tuesday, Jan.

13. These classes will also be held 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., and the same fee is charged. All YWCA members and guests are invited to attend the monthly meetings of the Del Hi Women on the third Thursday of each month from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the church. Babysitting is available.

Del Hi Women's meetings are free to all YWCA members and charge of fifty cents Is made to ''ill FY 4 irym VICTORVILLE Frozen water pipes burst and thawed, flooding the gymnasium floor at Victor Valley College doing heavy damage. Performances of original one act plays tomorrow and Saturday night have been moved to Room 1A (speech) of the library. Meanwhile, use of the floor by physical education classes and basketball teams has been canceled for the time being. "Classes are playing tennis or practicing archery outdoors. We can get along for maybe three weeks.

Then, if the floor is still not usable, we may have some problems," said college president Burton W. Wadsworth. Pipes which burst are inside the building. They normally transfer heat to air used to heat the building. They broke near the locker room and flooded most of the 8,000 feet of maple parque basketball floor nearby, said director of maintenance Leonard E.

McLaughlin. The flooding was discovered shortly after the pipes burst early last Wednesday morning, but it had already swollen and lifted wood across about a third of the area, he said. "There are about five or six 'blisters' one more than a foot high and some 10 feet long. Four or five others are raised up to 8 inches high. Boards have been removed to allow the air to reach the wood.

We're waiting for the wood to dry out and go back down." Even if the 8-inch parque panels flatten out again, it may be necessary to sand and refinish the entire floor, said Wadsworth." Baseball Field Fencing Costs Are Accepted VICTORVILLE Costs of fencing a baseball fiel at Apple Valley Senior High were estimated at $600 but trustees reluctantly recognizing higher costs have accepted a bid of $3,700 to do the job. The written quotation came at Tuesday night's meeting from Albright Fence Victorville. They approved payment to Hocanter Construction Co. $49,720 as partial cost of restoration of Wing 2, burned out last May at Victor Valley Senior High. Total cost is $161,601.

The total wing may be reoccupied late this month. On other items, the board approved a change in sabbatical leave policy requiring an employe to post bond for his salary, which he forfeits if he fails to return to the district within two. years after his leave is complete. They approved four field trips of the Future Farmers of America at Victor Valley Senior High. They approved a bereavement leave policy that includes brother-and sister-in-law, for non-teaching high school employes and grandparents and in-laws, as well as persons living in the immediate household for non teaching college employes already included for other employes.

They approved reappointment of Supt. Harvey S. Irwin to the County Juvenile Justice Commission and reappointment of Leonard T. Henderson to the high school district personnel commission. They accepted resignation of Mrs.

Jean Green as teacher at Hook Junior High School. SIRENS WEDNESDAY: S.B. FIRE 3:25 p.m. Trash, 1900 block Del Rosa Ave. 5:13 Bamboo, Twin Creek Wash.

5:51 Odor scare, Patton State Hospital. 6:27 Trash, 40th and Sierra Way. 7:49 Juvenile Hall, false alarm. AMBULANCE: 11:14 a.m. 316 W.

40th St. 11:59 a.m. 1860 N. Mt. Vernon.

1:28 p.m. 467 St. 3:36 Riverside Ave. and Etiwanda Rialto. 6:34 1396 Pico.

CALIF. DIV. OF FORESTRY: 10:10 a.m. Grass, Base 8:30 p.m. Grass, Del Rosa and Highland.

3:35 Brush, 7th and Locust 5:36 False alarm, 31181 Frontage Road. 9:20 Vehicle fire, Sunset Drive and Lookout Point. By ELAINE MARABLE Sun-Telegram Staff Writer BARSTOW She sat in a room reserved for after dinner conversation and drank sake with the male relatives of her family. She was the only woman present and they honored her for her position. She is an American of Japanese descent and her experiences since becoming a woman Marine nearly six years ago have been exciting and often comical.

Capt. Alice K. Kurashige reported for her first command as officer in charge of the women Marines at the Barstow Marine Corps Supply Center. Capt. Kurashige, a native of San Diego, returned this fall from 8 months duty in Japan.

She is a Sansei (third generation American of Japanese descent) and does not speak Japanese. During her stay in the Orient, Capt. Kurashige visited relatives of her parents, carrying with her an American-Japanese dictionary. With the aid of a cousin, who spoke little English and carried a dictionary of his own, they managed to communicate by "piecing together" the languages. Capt.

Kurashige listened closely to the commentaries from the younger generation on the changes going on today in Japan. The most violent opposition is expressed by the young against the arranged marriage. "They prefer love marriage," she noted. She tried to learn some of the customs Black Panther Hearing struction completion, it may be 18 months, he said. Bids were called by the city last spring and McCarter Construction entered low bid of $200,777.

McCarter is no longer bound to that bid, said Cox. Total amount of bonds to be sold will probably exceed $1 million. A First Honeymoon Is Retirement Planr a BARSTOW A Highland couple added a new twist to the marital togetherness concept when both husband and wife retired from government service this week. Mr. and Mrs.

Frank Smith, 7987 Lankershim Highland, put In: a combined total of 44 years in civil service around the country, completing it at the Marine Corps Supply Center here. Smith chalked up 25 years service and his wife, Viola, 19. After 24 years of marriage they are planning their first honeymoon to consist of traveling, hunting and fishing. Is Delayed Tuesday on the ground of insufficient evidence. Police said they conducted the raids in search of illegal arms caches.

A four-hour shoot-out ensued. The hearing, involving an expected 70 witnesses, is expected to last beyond a week as originally thought. No testimony has yet been given. Sun-Tel eyrm photo and knives, as it was about to jump a neighbor's dog. Shown with bobcat are, from left, Har-1 old Warner, Bill Gossett, Fred Storm.

Who Stole Radio Station? LOS ANGELES (AP) The preliminary hearing for 18 Black Panthers arrested in police raids last month was postponed yesterday until Friday when a defendant complained of illness. Municipal Court Judge James Harvey Brown called the recess after defense attorney Leo Branton Jr. told him Robert Bryan, 22, was suffering from a kidney ailment. Brown ordered Bryan returned to the prison ward at the University of-Southern California Medical Center for an examination. Bryan has been there since Dec.

8 when 19 Panthers were arrested at three Panther buildings in subcentral Los Angeles. At the request of defense attorney Phill Silver, Brown set aside a ruling he made Tuesday upholding a search warrant used by police during the raids. Branton accused deputies of "cruel and unusual treatment before conviction." Branton said the handcuffs were tightened to the last notch and inflicted pain on his clients, especially the four women defendants, as they were brought into court. Blanton urged Brown to have deputies cease the practice and stop using chains to shackle the prisoners. Brown said he would not interfere.

"I am not a security officer and I Fontana Market Robbed by Trio Three young men robbed a Fontana market last night, taking an undetermined amount of money. Clerks at the Tops Market, 16696 Randall Fontana? told Fontana police officers that three, men, one of whom was armed with a blue-steel automatic pistol, entered the, store at 8:25 p.m. and demanded money. After being given the money from the store's cash register, clerks said the trio ran from the store and apparent-' ly fled from the area on foot. No vehicle was seen or heard.

0 d' V1 3 i L. si l) 1 RIVERSIDE (UPI) The Sheriff's Office yesterday still had not tracked down the gang that stole a radio station. The great burglary occurred just before midnight last Monday. Frederick R. Cote, owner and disc jockey for FM station KOLA, was playing popular music and inter-" jecting a few comments from his Riverside studio when suddenly he went off the air.

Cote got in his car and drove Highland Area News YWCA Continues HIGHLAND The YWCA will conti-nue to sponsor programs in the Highland area during the winter session. The Highland Kiddie Karousel, a state-licensed pre-school program, will continue to be held on weekday mornings from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Highland Congregational Church located at Palm-Avenue and Atlantic Street. Fifty-four tots are currently enrolled in the program, and interested parents may contact Mrs. Myra Markus at TU 2-5245 for information on registration in the program.

Also to be offered again is the fun cake decorating classes for adults. A class for beginners will start Friday a Bobcat Predator Killed A bobcat, on the prowl, was killed near noon about three blocks from downtown Argus Shopping Center by three Trona men, armed variously with guns.