An off-duty Mexicali firefighter died Wednesday while combating the flames that engulfed a store in a southern area, said the City of Mexicali.
In a press release, authorities said Osbaldo Parra Parra, 40, lost his life in the line of duty.
According to authorities, a fire was reported at Tianguis Jasco store at San Luis Highway and Héctor Terán Blvd., just across Mexicali Costco store.
Parra, a Firefighter Supervisor, joined the Mexicali Fire Department on July 2006 and was assigned to the Benito Juárez Substation.
Apparently, the firefighter died due to smoke intoxication at Mexicali’s General Hospital.
The City of Mexicali sent its condolences to the firefighter’s relatives, co-workers, and friends.
The fire was extinguished after several hours due to the winds that complicated the firefighters’ work.
Frustrated murderers indicted
Two men were indicted for the attempted murder of a male who was shot on the face and left in a rural road, said the Attorney General’s office.
Assistant Attorney General in Mexicali Fernando Ramírez said the suspects were identified as Edgar Guadalupe “Doe”, aka “Chupacabras”, and Carlos Adrián “Doe”, aka “Pollo”.
According to prosecutors, on Aug. 31 of 2015 the victim was found with a shot on the face near to the intersection of State Routes 1 and 2 at Ejido Nuevo León rural town.
The victim was transported to Mexicali’s General Hospital.
Authorities said after attacking and robbing the victim the suspects fled from scene and absconded in a residence.
The judge gave prosecutors four months to close the investigation and ruled the suspect must remain in prison while the trial moves forward.
Public employees get salary raise
The City of Mexicali announced Wednesday a labor agreement with the Public Employee Union that will increase public employees’ salaries by 5.7 percent.
The increase means city coffers will run 80 million pesos or U.S. $4.8 million less for 2016.
Mayor Jaime Díaz and Union Secretary General Victoria Bentley said the agreement is similar to the ones signed with the state government and the cities of Tijuana, Ensenada, and Rosarito.
Bentley is running for the Assembly under Díaz’s National Action Party in District 3.
In a joint announcement, the parties said the financial situation of the local government was addressed during negotiations.
The city will seek an increase in tax payments from residents, the sale of properties and other sources to comply with the agreement.
The union representative said public employees will commit to provide a more efficient and quality service to residents.
Bus inspection begins Sunday
Starting May 1, all public transportation buses must operate with the air conditioning unit on.
The City of Mexicali said beginning Sunday and until Oct. 1, authorities will implement a series of inspections to public transportation vehicles in order to make companies comply with the local ordinances.
All units must remain clean, safe and with good conditions, with no windows broken or seats cut.
The Municipal Transportation System warned drivers to turn on the air conditioning unit or otherwise face a fine of close to US $100.
In case the violation repeats again, the vehicles can be removed from street.
Users can report any violations at the city’s hotline 072.
