News for this July 16, 1981 had a lot to do with California’s continuing battles to eradicate the Mediterranean Fruit Fly.
Five helicopters sprayed the pesticide malathion over 10,133 acres today in a escalated aerial attack on the Mediterranean fruit fly which has already caused $4.2 million in produce losses over a three-county zone the state calls a “major disaster area.” Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. asked President. Reagan for federal aid, saying the state’s $14 billion agricultural industry faces “economic disaster” unless it receives help in battling the spreading Medfly infestation. The insect, which so far has hit ripening fruit the hardest, is capable of destroying 200 varieties of fruits and vegetables. It has not yet spread over a mountain range to the state’s big central valleys, heartland of California agriculture. The infestation and quarantine remain confined to a three-county suburban region around the southern shores of San Francisco Bay. Five helicopters, three grounded part of the night because of fog, finished spraying at 6 a.m., covering about half of the 40 square miles targeted in the third aerial assault on the insect. Two previous night pesticide drops by lone helicopters sprayed only 12 square miles because of mechanical problems.
In other news: A man said to have led a double life as a U.S. Army warrant officer and an honorary colonel in the Russian army was arrested Wednesday on charges of selling top-secret coding information to the Soviet Union between January 1963 and July 1964. Joseph George Helmich, 44, who has been working as a tile installer, was ordered held in lieu of $500,000 bond after U.S. Attorney Gary Betz told a federal magistrate that Helmich had attained the rank of colonel in the Soviet army.
Helmich, 44, identified as a native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., was charged with one count of conspiracy and three of espionage, Including charges that he sold various coding manuals and equipment to the Soviets for $131,000. Conviction on each count carries a maximum penalty of life in prison. Helmich, a reddish-blond man of medium build, appeared unshaken as Betz argued for high bond at the U.S. District Court session, saying money and escape plans were ready to help Helmich flee prosecution.
And President Reagan, who once said development of nuclear ‘weapons in other countries is none of the United States’ business, now wants to keep them away from “volatile and developing nations,” Secretary of State Alexander M. Haig Jr. says. The administration was scheduled today to announce guidelines for a non-proliferation policy. The guidelines were expected to reaffirm the long-standing U.S. goal of preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and, official sources said, voice strong support for the 1970 Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. The guidelines also will pledge the United States to be a “more forthcoming partner to those who share responsible non-proliferation practices,” Haig said.
And that’s a little of what went on, along with the continuing Fruit Fly battle, for July 16, 1981 as reported by The CBS World News Roundup.
And a coffee would help:
Or better yet – becoming a Subscriber with Patreon:
