By  Forrest Castle

April 1, 2024 (Julian, CA) – The San Diego County Supervisors today voted to restrict Air BnB and other vacation rental homes in East County’s historic mountain community, following concerns raised by Julian residents over noise, fire and safety concerns at short-term rental properties.

To make up for transient occupancy taxes that the county will lose by eliminating individual vacation rental homes high-fire risk areas, Supervisors also approved plans for a new high-rise hotel on the hills above Julian, a historic gold-mining town.

“The new hotel will be made of faux logs in keeping with community’s pioneering character,” states a staff report written by Seymour Views. “It will combine the rustic charm of stacked log cabins with the picturesque appeal of Swiss chalets nestled on a mountainside amid stands of evergreen trees.”

By Ben Anglin

April 1, 2024 (Alpine) – More than a year after extreme draining killed all the fish in Loveland Reservoir, California Fish & Wildlife authorities confirm that schools of  fish are once again populating the reservoir.

This phenomena has occurred despite Sweetwater Water Authority’s refusal to invest in restocking the lake,  and despite federal and state wildlife authorities opposition to restocking with nonnative fish that previously inhabited the lake.  This has led to speculation as to how the fish have repopulated.

“It’s a miracle!” declared  Father Jesús Milagro, comparing the resurrection of bass, carp and bluegill at Loveland to the miraculous fish catches described in the Gospel of Luke.

Others have alternative ideas.