Borrego Springs

EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING FOR DESERTS TODAY AND TOMORROW

July 21, 2022 (San Diego's East County) -- The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for San Diego County Deserts, starting at 11 a.m. today until Friday 7/22/22 at 8:00 p.m. Hot conditions with high temperatures of up to 116 degrees may be reached.

Borrego Springs Branch Library will be open as Cool Zone. For location information, hours of operation, and tips to beat the heat, visit: www.coolzones.org.


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STARGAZING EVENTS IN BORREGO AND BEYOND WITH NIGHT SKY EXPERT DENNIS MAMMANA

By Miriam Raftery

July 11, 2022 (Borrego Springs) – Famed night sky photographer, columnist and instructor Dennis Mammana is offering several fascinating events sure to put stars in your eyes.  They include a Nightfall Star Party, Borrego Night Sky Tours, and Celestial Overnight Campout all in Borrego Springs. For the adventurous at heart, Mammana is also leading an astronomy trip to Alaska to view the Aurora Borealis, or Norther Lights.

Below are details.


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THE EPIC CYCLING EVENT RACE ACROSS AMERICA ROLLS THROUGH BORREGO SPRINGS

By Daniel Smiechowski

June 19, 2022 (Borrego Springs) -- It is called one of the most brutal endurance events in the world. The Race Across America, a cycling event of over 3,000 miles from coast to coast found a home in Borrego Springs. Dozens of foreign countries were represented this year, as testament to the prestige attached to becoming a winner or even finisher in this punishing test of endurance.


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JONES ASKS JUDGE TO BLOCK PLACEMENT OF PREDATOR IN BORREGO SPRINGS

East County News Service

Photos: Michael Martinez, sexually violent predator proposed for release in Borrego Springs

June 14, 2022 (Borrego Springs) -- State Senator Brian W. Jones (R-Santee) has sent a letter to San Diego County Superior Court Judge David Gill asking that sexually violent predator (SVP) Michael Martinez not be paroled out of the State Hospital and into the community of Borrego Springs.

Martinez was convicted between 1979-2004 in four separate cases of child molestation, lewd or lascivious acts on a child under 14, and has been designated a sexually violent predator by the state.


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TIPS FOR VISITING THE ANZA-BORREGO DESERT

 

By Kylie Dees

May 21, 2022 (Anza-Borrego Desert) - Anza Borrego Desert State Park, located in San Diego County is just two to three hours east of San Diego. It’s the largest state park in California – and nearby Borrego Springs also has much to offer. There is definitely something for everyone of every age to experience and enjoy.


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88 FILMS TO BE SHOWCASED AT BORREGO FILM FESTIVAL MARCH 24-28

Festival Chair share insights in interview with East County Magazine 

By Matthew Manosh

 

Photo: Borrego Springs Film Festival 2022 Poster

 

March 23, 2022 (Borrego Springs)  -- A desert town away from the city, with films by independent artists from around the globe. It sounds like the perfect setting for a film festival. That’s the backdrop for the Borrego Springs Film Festival, which normally takes place in January, but was pushed back due to the COVID pandemic to this week, starting Thursday, March 24 and continuing through Monday, March 28.

 

East County Magazine got a chance to sit down and talk with the chairman of the film festival, Fred Jee who discussed the early days of the festival and what’s yet to come.


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ANZA BORREGO FOUNDATION’S HIKES RETURN: FIRST HIKE DEC. 14

By Miriam Raftery

December 5, 2021 (Borrego Springs) – The Anza Borrego Foundation’s member hikes are back starting Tuesday, December 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. The first hike of the season will explore Sentenac Canyon and Cienega, including the Pacific Crest Trail and views of Earthquake Valley, Whale Peak, Volcan Mountain, Granite Mountain and Sentenac Canyon as well as Cienega, a rare desert wetland where habitat restoration is underway.


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BORREGO ART INSTITUTE SEEKS WORKS BY LATINO ARTISTS FOR JANUARY SHOW

East County News Service

December 5, 2021 (Borrego Springs) – The Borrego Art Instituted has issued a call for artworks by artists of Latino heritage or art strongly influenced by Latino culture.


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55TH ANNUAL BORREGO DAYS DESERT FESTIVAL WELCOMES BACK VISITORS OCT. 23-24

East County News Service

August 21, 2021 (Borrego Springs) – The 55th annual Borrego Days Desert Festival is slated to take place October 23 and 24 at Christmas Circle Community Park on Palm Canyon Drive in Borrego Springs. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Admission and parking are free.


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PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: DUST STORM IN BORREGO SPRINGS

East County News Service

August 31, 2021 (Borrego Springs) – “Strong thunderstorms east of Borrego and subsequent downdrafts has created a Haboob in Borrego Springs, see progression below over several minutes,” says Bob Kutscher, who sent in these photos. A haboob is an intense dust storm carried on an atmospheric gravity current or weather front; haboobs occur commonly in dry land areas around the world. 

 

Kutscher runs a weather station and is a severe weather spotter for the National Weather Service.


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HEARING ON PREDATOR PLACEMENT IN BORREGO POSTPONED; WAKEFIELD TO RECEIVE SIX MONTHS OF IN-PATIENT TREATMENT BEFORE FEB. HEARING

By Miriam Raftery

August 27, 2021 (Borrego Springs) – A hearing on the proposed placement of sexually violent predator Merle Wakefield has been posted to February 22, after Liberty Healthcare/CONREP withdrew its request to place him at 1575 Yaqui Road in Borrego Springs.


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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: SUNRISE AFTER A DESERT STORM

East County News Service

August 20, 2021 (Borrego Springs) – Bob Kutscher snapped this photo on August 11, the morning after a storm dumped three quarters of an inch of rain accompanied by thunder and lightning – all preceded by a Haboob, or dust storm that left particles to intensify the sunrise hues.


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THREE COUNTY PARKS CLOSED IN AUGUST DUE TO SUMMER HEAT

By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office

August 1, 2021 (San Diego's East County) - Three San Diego County parks will be closed for the month of August starting Sunday, a measure taken each year because of the month’s typically high temperatures.

Parks officials announced that El Capitan Preserve near Lakeside, Hellhole Canyon Preserve in Valley Center and Mt. Gower Preserve in Ramona will be closed.


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BORREGO RESIDENTS ORGANIZE TO OPPOSE PREDATOR PLACEMENT AT DE ANZA GOLF ESTATES

By Miriam Raftery

July 31, 2021 (Borrego Springs) – The Borrego Springs Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau is leading efforts to oppose the state’s plan to place a sexually violent predator in the community.  A townhall meeting August 4 at 3 p.m. is planned at Anza Country Club, along with other actions.


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BIGHORN SHEEP COUNTER DIES IN ANZA-BORREGO DESERT, ANOTHER HOSPITALIZED; FIREFIGHTER COLLAPSES DURING RESCUE

Update July 4: The California State Park Service has cancelled this year's sheep count due to the death and will be examining safety protocols.
 
By Miriam Raftery
 
Photo courtesy of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
 
June 23, 2021 (Borrego Springs) Updated July 25 – A hike into Palm Canyon within Anza-Borrego Desert State Park to leave water in preparation for the annual desert bighorn sheep count turned deadly Saturday afternoon.  Medics were called to rescue a pair of hikers in distress around 12:40 p.m.
 
Cal Fire Captain Frank LoCoco told CBS 8, “One of those hikers succumbed to that heat illness and was declared deceased at the scene, and the other was transported to the hospital in critical condition.”  The hiker was identified by the Medical Examiner on June 25 at Donald White of Culver City. Fox 5 reports that he was a volunteer participating in the annual desert bighorn sheep count.
 
A firefighter from Borrego Springs also collapsed during the rescue operation, LoCoco said.

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50TH ANNUAL BORREGO BIGHORN SHEEP COUNT SET FOR JULY

By Miriam Raftery
 
Photo by Darren Sefcik
 
May 28, 2021 (Borrego Springs) – For the past half-century, teams of volunteers have ventured into rugged terrain amid high heat to count bighorn sheep in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Last year, the count was partially curtailed due to COVID-19, but this year, the count is slated to occur July 1-4.  

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BORREGO SPRINGS FILM FESTIVAL TO HOLD DRIVE-INS APRIL 15-19

 

East County News Service

April 11, 2021 (Borrego Springs) - The 8th annual Borrego Springs Film Festival April 15-19 will be a free outdoor drive-in event.

The special event will take place at the shopping mall in the center of Borrego Springs. Guests will see a collection of films from all around the world.


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CAL FIRE WILL ADMINISTER COVID VACCINATIONS TO RESIDENTS IN BORREGO SPRINGS THIS SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, JANUARY 30 AND 31

Source:  Borrego Springs Chamber of Commerce

January 28, 2021 (Borrego Springs) - This Saturday and Sunday (January 30th and 31st) between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. CalFire will vaccinate people at the Borrego Springs Library.


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MISSING OFF-ROAD MOTORCYCLIST FOUND IN BORREGO SPRINGS

East County News Service

January 26, 2021 (Borrego Springs) -- A man who went missing while off-roading in Borrego Springs over the weekend has been found safe and will soon be reunited with his family, the Sheriff’s Department reports.

James Richard Rawlins III, 55, was spotted just after 7:00 a.m. this morning by drivers along Highway 78 near the Desert Ironwood Resort in Borrego Springs.  Rawlins was in good spirits and taken to a medical facility in Brawley, according to a press release from the Sheriff’s department, which adds, “Once he gets a clean bill of health, Rawlins will be reunited with his family”.


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SUPERVISORS APPROVE DARK SKIES PROTECTIONS FOR JULIAN AREA AND BORREGO SPRINGS

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  Night sky in  Borrego Springs, by Dennis Mammana

November 18, 2020 (San Diego) – San Diego Supervisors today voted to approve amendments to the county’s Light Pollution ordinance which will provide “Dark Sky Community” designation to both the Julian and Borrego Springs community planning areas.  The action aims to prevent light pollution, enhancing astronomy viewing and related tourism.

The action comes after the Julian Dark Sky Network asked Supervisors in 2018 to create a way for Julian to meet International Dark Sky Association recognition. Borrego Springs was the first California community to receive that designation in 2009.

"Our community is part of the 1% of the U.S. that can still see the Milky Way. Our distance from the urban glow of San Diego's skies and the surrounding mountains help with our sky quality, but preservation must be intentional," the Julian Dark Sky Network's website states.


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COVID RATES REMAIN LOW IN MOST REOPENED EAST COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTS, BUT MANY LACK TRANSPARENCY

Cajon Valley, first to reopen, has most cases.  Three other districts report cases; others lack transparency in disclosure.  

Update October 31:  The Cajon Valley Union School District has added a breakdown by schools of its COVID cases, which now number 15 students and 2 employees  (17 total) at 11 schools. 

By Miriam Raftery

October 21, 2020 (San Diego’s East County) – How safe is it to send your child back to school amid a pandemic, or for teachers to provide instruction inside classrooms?

East County Magazine has checked out the websites of all districts in East County to determine how many cases have been reported at schools that have reopened thus far, and how transparent each district is in making this information easily available to parents, teachers and staff.

To date, the County Public Health Department has not reported any outbreaks (defined as 3 or more cases tied to a single location) at any East County elementary, middle, high school or community college district. However some school districts do have cases among both students and staff. It is unclear whether cases were contracted on campus, or how many others may have been exposed.

In some districts, information on schools with COVID cases are being publicly disclosed, but not in others. Asked about this discrepancy, County spokesman Michael Workman said, "A change in the order regarding schools is being discussed and may be in place soon. The state guidance referenced above covers school notification. It’s too early to say what our health order change may say."

Here are the results of ECM's investigation.


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BORREGO RESIDENT KILLED IN ROLLOVER CRASH

By Miriam Raftery
 
September 4, 2020 (Borrego Springs) – A 52-year-old man from Borrego Springs died at the scene of a single-vehicle crash yesterday.  
 
The victim was driving a 2006 Ford F-150 pickup truck southbound on Borrego Springs Road north of State Route 78 around 4:11 p.m. when the vehicle crossed the center line and drifted across northbound lanes, then off the east edge of the road.  The pickup then struck a sign post and overturned.
 
“It is believed the driver was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the collision. Unfortunately, the driver succumbed to his injuries at the scene,” says Officer Travis Garrow with the California Highway Patrol.  

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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: NEOWISE COMET OVER EAST COUNTY

By Miriam Raftery

July 23, 2020 (Borrego Springs) -- Photographer Scott Burnham captured this amazing image of Comet Neowise over Borrego Palm Canyon from the edge of Borrego Springs on Friday evening, July 17.

The icy comet will make its closest approach to Earth tonight, and may be seen through July 25.

Once it’s gone, it won’t return for another 6,800 years. 


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VIRTUAL CAMPFIRE CHATS WITH ANZA-BORREGO PARK RANGERS KICK OFF THIS WEEKEND

 

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East County News Service

Photo by Kirtland Smith: Verdin in Ocotillo

June 18, 2020 (Borrego Springs) – The Anza Borrego Foundation is planning five virtual Campfire chats with retired Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Rangers and Superintendents, streamed live from various Park locations.

In 30-minute segments, each ranger will share stories, focused on their favorite park topics such as birding, bighorn sheep, land conservation and military history of the Park.


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VIRTUAL DESERT WILDFLOWERS TOUR

East County News Service

April 4, 2020 (Borrego Springs) -- The COVID-19 stay-home order and parking lot closures at all state parks has prevented many San Diegans from traveling to see desert wildflowers. Fortunately, the Anza-Borrego Foundation has put up a video tour of this year's blossoms, with this note:  "Since so  many of you cannot visit Anza-Borrego right now, we wanted to bring our spring bloom to you. Enjoy!

Take the virtual wildflowers tour here:  https://www.facebook.com/AnzaBorregoFoundation/videos/1112381709122228/


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WHAT’S OPEN AND CLOSED IN BORREGO SPRINGS

Borrego Springs Wildflowers Mountains Sky

By Miriam Raftery

March 28, 2020 (Borrego Springs) – The Borrego Springs Chamber of Commerce has sent an e-mail with information for Borrego-area residents on what’s open and closed.


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FREE ART WORKSHOPS IN BORREGO SPRINGS FOR ALL AGES

By Miriam Raftery
 
March 6, 2020 (Borrego Springs) – Candlewood Arts Festival Gallery is hosting free art workshops for all ages each Sunday in March from 1 to 5 p.m. Aspiring artists are invited to make new projects with different artists each week:
 
Drop in anytime and stay as long as you wish at Candlewood Arts Festival Gallery, 587 Palm Canyon Drive, #125, at the mall in Borrego Springs.
 
For more information, visit www.CandlewoodArtsFestival.org 

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SENATOR BRIAN JONES HOSTS BORREGO SPRINGS TOWN HALL FEB. 1

East County News Service

January 31, 2020 (Borrego Springs)  -- State Senator Brian W. Jones invites you to attend a Borrego Springs Town Hall on Saturday, Feb. 1 at the County Library, 2580 Country Club Rd., Borrego Springs.

A nonprofit expo will be held at 9 a.m. followed by a town hall from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Share your views, ask questions on issues important to you, and learn about great work being done by nonprofits in the community.


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CALLING ALL PHOTOGRAPHERS IN BORREGO SPRINGS

East County News Service
 
January 19, 2020 (Borrego Springs) - The Under The Sun Foundation is organizing a photography exhibition for the 2020 Candlewood Arts Festival and invites you to submit your works for consideration.
 
They are looking for photographic works that visualize your Borrego Springs - images that capture the essence of this unique community and the special sense of place cultivated in this corner of the Sonoran Desert.
 
The works selected for the exhibition will be put on display in the old library space in The Mall during the upcoming Candlewood Arts Festival, from February 29 - March 29, 2020.

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BORREGO FARMERS MARKET OPENS FOR WINTER SEASON

East County News Service

October 30, 2019 (Borrego Springs) – The Borrego Farmers Market will return on Fridays from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m. starting November 1st at Christmas Circle in downtown Borrego Springs.

The market features certified farm fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh flowers, handmade items, T-shirts, soaps, jewelry, and more.

The market is hosted by the Borrego Springs Chamber of Commerce. For more information, call 760-767-5555.


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