Deserts

DRAWING CLASSES IN BORREGO SPRINGS IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER

East County News Service
 
October 24, 2022 (Borrego Springs) – The Borrego Art Institute will host drawing classes for beginner and intermediate art students with artist Susan Martin Spar in November and December.

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COLD CASE SOLVED IN BORREGO SPRINGS

DNA evidence helps detectives solve 1994 murder.

Source:  San Diego County Sheriff

October 17, 2022 (Borrego Springs) - On March 21, 1994, 72-year-old Claire "Kay" Holman was found murdered in her home located in the 700 block of Tilting T Drive in Borrego Springs.


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REP. ISSA AND STAFF PROVIDE OVER 7,000 BOTTLES OF WATER TO SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY WITHOUT SAFE DRINKING WATER

East County News Service

October 5, 2022 (Butterfield Ranch, Calif.) --  After convening a community meeting with constituents in the San Diego County community of Butterfield Ranch, Congressman Darrell Issa and his senior California-based staff also provided a significant supply of more than 7,000 bottles of water for the residents, who have endured a “boil water” order since May of this year. The desert community is located east of Julian and west of Borrego Springs in San Diego’s East County.


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ECM FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: RAMPAGE IN THE DESERT AS BORREGO RUNS OVER JULIAN 51-0

Story and photos by Liz Alper
 
September 2, 2022 (Borrego Springs) - For week three, ECM Sports took a journey far, far out into the desert for the only matchup between two East County schools this week, Julian and Borrego Springs.  Both teams have a loss on the season, which only started last week.

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SEN. JONES' BILL TO PROTECT OFF-HIGHWAY COMPETITIONS PASSES LEGISLATURE

By Chris Jennewein, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  a dirt bike race. Photo via Pixabay

September 1, 2022 (San Diego) - A bill by Sen. Brian W. Jones that protects off-highway vehicle competitions on public lands in California passed in the Legislature and heads to Gov. Gavin Newsom for final consideration.


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BAD NEWS FOR BORREGO HEALTH, WORSE NEWS FOR 82,000 PATIENTS: THE STATE IS SUSPENDING 100% OF BORREGO HEALTH MEDI-CAL SERVICES

 

Action follows fraud investigation, impacts Borrego Health clinics across East County

By Nikki Symington

Originally published in the Borrego Sun

August 31, 2022 (Borrego Springs) -- On Friday, Aug. 19, Borrego Health’s administrative offices, individual clinics, and others outside of the organization were notified by the State of California Health and Human Services Agency – Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) that the state intends to reimpose its 100% payment suspension on all Borrego Health Medi-Cal services beginning Sept. 29. 2022


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NEED A FREE RIDE TO A COOL ZONE DURING HEAT WAVE? CALL 211

Source: San Diego County News Service

August 30, 2022 (San Diego) -- The National Weather Service in San Diego has issued an excessive heat warning due to triple digit temperatures forecast in much of East County and local deserts through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 5.


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56TH BORREGO DAYS DESERT FESTIVAL SLATED FOR OCTOBER 22-23

Event includes expanded entertainment, but no parade this year

East County News Service

August 29, 2022 (Borrego Springs) – The 56th annual Borrego Days Desert Festival offers a weekend filled with activities October 22-23. The festival takes place at Christmas Circle Community Park and Palm Canyon Drive in Borrego Springs.


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MOUNTAIN AND DESERT THUNDERSTORMS POSSIBLE IN NEXT FEW DAYS

By Miriam Raftery

July 24, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service is forecasting cooler temperatures and possible thunderstorms today through most of next week in San Diego County’s mountains and deserts.

Gusty winds, lightning, heavy rain and small hail may also occur with afternoon thunderstorms.  The odds are slight for today, but increase later in the week.


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JUDGE APPROVES PREDATOR PLACEMENT IN BORREGO SPRINGS

East County News Service

July 23, 2022 (Borrego Springs) -- Michael Martinez, a 69-year-old man classified by the state as a sexually violent predator, will be released and placed in a home on Running M Road in Borrego Springs


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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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MULTIPLE SMALL BRUSH FIRES

June 22, 2022 (San Diego's East County) -- Several small brush fires have ignited late this afternoon in East County and San Diego's inland areas, including blazes in McCain Valley near Boulevard, Borrego Springs, and Highland Valley near Ramona and Escondido. Firefighters have contained an earlier blaze near the border.

Here are details on the fires:


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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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HEAT WAVE, FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS TODAY THROUGH SUNDAY

East County News Service

June 8, 2022 (San Diego) – A significant warming trend brings a heat wave to our region starting today through the weekend, along with elevated fire weather conditions due to heat and very low humidity. Winds with gusts up to 50 miles per hour over the mountains and deserts on Sunday will exacerbate wildfire dangers, the National Weather Service predicts.

Temperatures in the deserts could reach 110 to 115 degrees. Those without air conditioning, adequate hydration or who are engaged in strenuous outdoor activities will be at risk due to the high heat. Even nights will be warm, with low temperatures in the 80s.


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JACUMBA CRASH KILLS MEMBER OF U.S. NAVY, INJURES FOUR OTHERS

East County News Service

Update June 6, 2022:  The U.S. Navy  has identified the deceased as Electronics Technician 2nd Class John Deltoro, 29. All five sailors involved in the crash are assigned to West Coast-based Naval Special Warfare units.

June 3, 2022 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – Four women in the U.S. Navy were injured and a Navy man died in a solo vehicle crash in Jacumba Hot Springs this morning.


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COUNTY KICKS OFF 2022 COOL ZONES PROGRAM

 

By Katie Cadiao, County of San Diego Communications Office

Video by James Kecskes

June 2, 2022 (San Diego) - The County of San Diego on Wednesday kicked off its 2022 Cool Zones program to help San Diegans beat the heat this summer. Cool Zones are free, air-conditioned locations, available throughout the region, where people can go to escape extreme temperatures.


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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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HEAT WAVE FORECAST: COOL ZONES AVAILABLE

By Miriam Raftery

May 12, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service forecasts a heat wave this weekend through early next week, with temperatures 10 to 15 degrees above normal in San Diego County’s inland areas.


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EARTH DAY BOULDER FAIR PLANNED FOR APRIL 24 IN JACUMBA

 

East County News Service

April 20, 2022 (Jacumba) - Jacumba Hot Springs celebrates its vast landscape of boulders this year at the annual Earth Day event at The Desert View Tower from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.


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WARM AND WINDY WEATHER FORECAST, BUT COOL TEMPERATURES TO RETURN BY FRIDAY

East County News Service

April 16, 2022 (San Diego) – Gusty winds are forecast tonight through Friday, with temperatures heating up early this week.  Temperatures Monday could reach 95 to 100 degrees in the deserts. Tuesday through Friday, gusts as strong as 60 miles an hour are forecast in the mountains and deserts.

 

By Friday, however, rain is forecast across the region, along with cooler weather.


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BORREGO ART INSTITUTE SEEKS ART FOR “CELEBRATING THE SUMMER” SHOW

By Miriam Raftery

April 10, 2022 (Borrego Springs) – The Borrego Art Institute will begin accepting artwork submissions April 30 for its “Celebrating the Summer Art Show” slated to run May 7 through October 2.


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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: ORCHID TREE BLOOMING IN BORREGO

April 10, 2022 (Anza-Borrego Desert State Park) -- Though there wasn't enough rain for a superbloom season in the Anza Borrego Desert this year, you can still see examples flowering desert plants and trees in a demonstration garden at the Anza Borrego Desert Natural History Association center.

This orchid tree blossom was among the most striking examples during a recent visit by our editor, Miriam Raftery, who snapped this photo of the beautiful bloom resembling those found in the tropics, but thriving in the local desert.


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MAKE A SPLASH: APRIL 18 MEETING TO BRING TWO SWIMMING POOLS AND A CLUBHOUSE TO JACUMBA

By Miriam Raftery

April 9, 2022 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – Jacumba is known for its hot springs. But now the Jacumba Community Service District wants to build two swimming pools and a clubhouse at a community park for residents and guests to stay cool on those sweltering hot days.  The community is urged to attend a meeting April 18 at 6 p.m. in the Highland Senior Citizens Center to show support for this proposal.


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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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AUTHORS OF BOOK ON ANZA-BORREGO NATURAL HISTORY TO VISIT JULIAN LIBRARY MARCH 18

East County News Service

March 18, 2022 (Julian) – Mike Wells and Marie Simovich will speak and sign copies of their book, A Natural History of the Anza-Borrego Region, Then and Now, at the Julian branch of the San Diego County Library.

The event is slated for Friday, March 18 at 2 p.m. The Julian library is located at 1850 Highway 78 in Julian.


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STORM BLANKETS EAST COUNTY MOUNTAIN AND HIGH DESERT COMMUNITIES IN SNOW; SOME ROADWAYS ARE CLOSED

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, right: Snow in In-Ko-Pah, by Greg Curran

February 23, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) – A late winter storm brought much-needed rain across much of the county, also bringing heavy snowfall to Mt.Laguna and lesser amounts of snowfall to elevations as low as Campo, Descanso, Lake Morena and In-ko-pah. In addition, a freeze warning has been issued for valley areas tonight and a frost warning for coastal communities.

The snowstorm has caused traffic snarls on I-8, where at least 10 semi-trucks got stuck this morning, according to the California Highway Patrol. The road was cleared with snow ploughs by around 9 a.m. However, Sunrise Highway is closed due to snow between State Route 79 and mile marker 27.5 due to snow.

Chains are required to access the following roadways:


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SNOWSTORMS TO IMPACT I-8, CREATE WHITE-OUT CONDITIONS IN MOUNTAINS

By Miriam Raftery

File photo: Snow on Sunrise Highway, Mt. Laguna

February 21, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) – A severe storm moving into our area is forecast to bring heavy rains across most of the county, along with high winds and substantial snow in mountain areas today through Wednesday.  Snowfall is forecast to dip below 4,000 feet, including portions of Interstate 8 east of Alpine.

Mount Laguna could get up to a foot and a half of snow, with six to eight inches forecast for Julian.  The blizzard could create white-out conditions in snowy areas, so avoid travel if possible. Frost is forecast for some valley areas including Ramona and Escondido.

Gusts of up to 70 miles per hour are forecast in mountains and in desert areas such as Borrego and Ocotillo Wells.


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DROUGHT WORRIES RETURN AFTER DRIEST JANUARY AND FEBRUARY IN CALIFORNIA HISTORY

By Rachel Becker, CalMatters

CalMatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters

Photo:  Lake Mendocino in Northern California in late October. Courtesy Department of Natural Resources

February 20, 2022 (San Diego) - The first two months of 2022 are shaping up to be the driest January and February in California history, prompting state officials to warn of dire water conditions ahead. 


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