By Miriam Raftery
March 21, 2025 (Borrego Springs) – An international aerobatics competition will be held at the Borrego Springs airport Thursday through Saturday, April 10-12, organized by the International Aerobatic Club’s Chapter 36. A highlight for viewers is Saturday’s four-minute freestyle flights set to music, usually involving smoke, flown by top pilots, IAC36 president Bryan Jones advises.
Thursday is practice and registration, while Friday features contest flights all day long.
You can also stop by the Propeller Bar and Grill, where you can enjoy food and drinks plus a rooftop deck to view the flying.
The IAC Chapter 36 is based in Borrego Springs and promotes precision aerobatics through coaching, competition and comraderie. The Borrego airport boasts the world’s finest, permanent surface-waivered aerobatics box.
For a full schedule of events, visit https://iac36.org/ .
East County News Service
March 4, 2025 (Jacumba Hot Springs) -- A man is facing assault with a deadly weapon and other serious charges after a search of his property in Jacumba uncovered firearms, explosives and booby traps, says Lieutenant Jeff Ford with the San Diego County Sheriff’s department.
On March 3,just before 6:00 a.m., the Sheriff's Special Enforcement Detail (SED/SWAT) and deputies assigned to Sheriff's Rural Enforcement served a search warrant in the 42000 block of Old Highway 80. The search warrant was related to an investigation of an assault with a deadly weapon incident that happened on February 22. 
During the service of the warrant, 40-year-old Ross Warren was found concealed inside a wall as he attempted to hide from deputies. A firearm, pellet gun and imitation firearm were located inside the wall with Warren.
During the search, deputies also found multiple fabricated explosives inside the home, as well as multiple improvised booby traps scattered around the exterior of the home.
The Sheriff's Bomb/Arson Unit responded to the scene for further investigation. A firearm, pellet guns, imitation firearms, ammunition, explosive devices, manufactured booby traps and other evidence related to the originating investigation were also found inside the home.
Warren was placed under arrest for assault with a deadly weapon, child endangerment, possessing/deploying booby traps and multiple counts of possessing/manufacturing destructive devices. He was transported and booked into the San Diego Central Jail.
Warren's live-in girlfriend, Brenda Beltran, 38, was also arrested for obstructing/delaying a peace officer. She was cited and released.
East County News Service
March 2, 2025 (Borrego Springs) – The Anza Borrego Desert Natural History Association invites you to the 2025 Borrego Home and Garden Tour on Saturday, March 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Explore four special homes in the heart of the desert, at your own pace. Each home showcases unique architecture, landscaping and design elements.
Tickets are available online at www.abdnha.org/gardentour or visit the ABDNHA Desert Nature Center (652 Palm Canyon Drive, (760) 767-3098).
East County News Service
March 2, 2025 (Borrego Springs) – The Ram, a grassroots, nonprofit community radio station serving Borrego Springs is now online and can be heard here.
Thew station features music from all genres, largely contributed by community members, as well as potential coverage of live local events such as community gatherings, concerts and school events, local businesses, and emergency communications. The station also aspires to offer bilingual programming.
Volunteers are welcome, including volunteer DJs, as well as donors and underwriters of equipment.
For more information, contact Mike Rue at (760)765-5518 or email TheRamRadio@gmail.com.
You can also visit their website.
By Miriam Raftery
Photo: Merle Wakefield and Alvin Quarles have been conditionally released into Campo and Borrego Springs.
February 16, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – The Sheriff’s department has sent warning notices to residents in Borrego Springs and Campo, announcing that two sexually violent predators have been conditionally released into these communities. The court has ordered Liberty Healthcare, which runs the state’s conditional release program, to continue seeking permanent placement for the two men.
Alvin Quarles, 62, is now in Borrego Springs. Known as the “Bolder than most” rapist for making spouses or partners watch, he was convicted of a series of rapes in the 1980s. He served 25 years in state prison before being committed to Coalinga State Hospital. Quarles was initially to be placed in Campo, but the state has instead opted to place the other offender, Merle Wakefield, in the Campo home instead.
Wakefield, temporarily in Campo, was convicted of lewd acts on a child in 1981 and rape by means of force, violence or fear in 1990. Prior efforts to place Wakefield at homes in Mt. Helix, Borrego Springs, and Poway failed after massive community opposition, either by a judge rejecting the placements or the state rescinding the placement location.
While on conditional release, both men must abide by stringent conditions and will be monitored via GPS and security on a round-the-clock basis.
Another SVP, Alan Earl James, was placed in the Campo home last year, but state hospital officials have requested that his outpatient release be revoked. A hearing in James' case is set for Tuesday. If a judge rules against revoking James' release, Wakefield would have to move again.
Funds sought to digitalize archived articles
Source: San Diego History Center
February 12, 2025 (Borrego Springs) - The San Diego History Center and Desert Media Holdings Inc, owner of the Borrego Sun newspaper, have reached an agreement forthe transfer of the Borrego Sun archive ensuring the preservation of the San Diego County community’s history for future generations.
The Borrego Sun, established in 1949, remains in publication today and is available through subscriptions and purchase throughout the Borrego Springs community. The archive being transferred to the History Center consists of thousands of files including pictures, articles, maps and clippings that document the history of the community over the past 70 years.
Located in northeast San Diego County, approximately 85 miles from downtown San Diego, Borrego Springs was envisioned to be San Diego’s desert resort, similar to Palm Springs. It was established by a group of businessleaders with deep tiesto San Diego and Los Angeles. Borrego Springsis the gateway to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, the largest state park in the contiguous United States, and is internationally recognized as a Dark Sky Community for its commitment to preserving exceptional night skies for stargazing.
Historically Borrego Springs has attracted artists, Hollywood celebrities, golf and hiking enthusiasts, as well as those who love the desert warmth and wide-open spaces. In addition to Borrego Springs, the Sun has covered news for the communities of Julian, Ocotillo Wells and the Salton Sea.
“We are honored that Patrick Meehan, owner and publisher of the Borrego Sun, recognizes the important role the San Diego History Center plays in preserving this rare resource” said Bill Lawrence, President and CEO of the San Diego History Center. “Our goal is to not only preserve this history but to make it available to students and researchers.”
A member of the Borrego Springs community, who wishes to remain anonymous, has stepped forward to provide the funding necessary to facilitate the archive’s acquisition. Now the San Diego History Center is seeking financial support to catalogue and digitize the collection.
Patrick Meehan, Desert Media Holdings Inc principle, purchased the Sun in 2016 from La Jolla based Copley Press, the owners of the San Diego Union Tribune. Copley had owned the Sun for 55 years which has been an important part of the community. Included in the sale of the newspaper to Meehan wasthe mid-century modern Borrego Sun Building, located in the heart of the Borrego Springs community. With the impending sale of the building, Meehan determined a long-term plan to preserve the archive was needed.
“The building was built in 1960 to house the Borrego Sun offices and a bank.” said Meehan. “Then as the Sun expanded, it took over the full space. The Borrego Sun newspaper will continue to be published although at a new location.”
“We are grateful that Patrick has stewarded the community’s history through this archive and has worked with the History Center on its transfer.” said Lawrence. “We look forward to being able to share this treasure with all San Diegans in the future.”
About the San Diego History Center:
Founded in 1928, SDHC is dedicated to creating a healthy, vibrant and inclusive community by connecting, preserving and revealing the past, present and future of our region. The San Diego History Center operates its Museum and Archive in Balboa Park as well as the Junipero Serra Museum in Presidio Park.
By Brooke Binkowski, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association
Photo: Herman Smith, San Diego County Sheriff’s Dept.
January 27, 2025 (Jacumba Hot Springs) - A man classified as a sexually violent predator — or SVP — will be conditionally released to a home in Jacumba Hot Springs, likely displacing another SVP who was placed in that same home two months ago.
Herman Smith, 78, who was convicted and sentenced to prison for crimes that include forcible rape, was originally ordered released from Coalinga State Hospital to a home at 42920 Desert Rose Ranch Rd. through the conditional release program for sexually violent predators.
Smith and other SVPs are people convicted of sexually violent offenses and diagnosed with a mental disorder that makes a person likely to re-offend.
After serving their prison sentences, SVPs can undergo treatment at state hospitals, but may also petition courts to continue treatment in outpatient locations, where they are monitored and must abide by stringent conditions.
Smith was returned to Coalinga State Hospital after state hospital officials and the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office requested that his conditional release be revoked.
While Smith’s revocation proceedings were ongoing, another SVP — Merle Wade Wakefield — was placed in the Desert Rose Ranch Road home on a temporary basis as officials continue searching for a permanent placement location for Wakefield.
The requests to revoke Smith’s outpatient release were rejected last week by San Diego Superior Court Judge Howard Shore. The revocation hearing was closed to the public, and both the reasons behind the revocation requests and Shore’s reasoning for rejecting them have not been publicly disclosed.
Smith is expected to be moved back to the Jacumba address within the next 30 days.
Wakefield, who was convicted of lewd acts on a child in 1981 and rape by means of force, violence or fear in 1990, was ordered released in November on “transient status,” meaning any locations he is housed in will be temporary. Liberty Healthcare, which is contracted by the state to operate the conditional release program for sexually violent predators, was ordered by a judge to continue searching for a permanent address to house Wakefield.
In November, San Diego Superior Court Judge Yvonne Campos said nearly 7,000 properties have been evaluated for Wakefield’s potential housing, but no suitable permanent address was available. Three separate fixed housing recommendations were proposed for Wakefield in Poway, Mount Helix and Borrego Springs, but each location was either rejected by a judge or rescinded by state hospital officials.
It is uncertain where Wakefield might be placed now, but Campos ordered that absent a residence like the Jacumba Hot Springs home, Wakefield was to be moved into an recreational vehicle purchased by Liberty Healthcare. The judge also ordered that while on transient release, he will be monitored via GPS, as well as security guards or law enforcement on a 24/7, round-the- clock basis.
Our deserts section covers the Anza Borrego Desert State Park and the communities of Borrego Springs, Ocotillo, Ocotillo Wells and Jacumba.
By Brooke Binkowski, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association
Photo: County Supervisor Jim Desmond delivering his State of North County speech in June. (File photo courtesy of Desmond’s office)
January 16, 2025 (San Diego) - San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond announced that he will run for Congress.
The District 5 Republican said on Thursday that he hopes to “restore common-sense leadership” and is a candidate who prioritizes real-world solutions.
“It’s becoming unbearable to live in California,” Desmond said in a press release.
“The cost of living is driving working families and seniors out of this state.”
The 49th Congressional District straddles San Diego and Orange Counties, including the communities of Oceanside, Vista, Encinitas, Carlsbad, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point, Laguna Niguel, and others.
The district is currently represented by Democratic Party Congressman Mike Levin, who easily defeated his Republican opponent in both San Diego and Orange counties in the 2024 general election.
More information about Jim Desmond and his congressional run, including his list of priorities, can be found here.
Resources available for impacted customers at community resource centers
January 8, 2025 (San Diego) – This week marks the driest start to the rainy season in San Diego County in 174 years. As a result of these dry conditions and Santa Ana winds, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) continues to implement Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) in an effort to reduce wildfire risk and protect public safety.
As of tonight, 8,946 customers have power shut off. Another 69,155 are at risk of power shutoffs.The effort aims to prevent hellacious firestorms such as those currently ravaging L.A., as wind gusts up to 85 miles per hour are forecast to reach San Diego County soon.
Because of the extended wind forecast, customers may experience prolonged or more than one PSPS. An up-to-date list of impacted communities can be found at sdge.com/ready.
Available Resources for Impacted Customers
SDG&E is opening of Community Resource Centers in affected communities. These Centers are equipped with resources such as Wi-Fi and phone and medical device charging, and they will remain open for customers in need until conditions improve. A list of active Community Resource Center locations and their hours of operation can be found at sdge.com/ready.
SDG&E has also partnered with 211 San Diego and Orange County United Way (formerly 211 Orange County) to offer enhanced community resources during a PSPS. 211 is free, confidential and available to answer customer calls 24/7, in over 200 languages. Customers with hearing impairment can dial 211 or 711 and ask to be connected to 211 at 858-900-1211.
PSPS & Unplanned Outage Safety Tips
High winds and other weather conditions also have the potential to lead to unplanned outages throughout the region, which are separate from a PSPS. Customers are encouraged to visit SDG&E’s outage map at sdge.com/outages for unplanned outage details and expected restoration times.
- Customers should never approach damaged infrastructure or downed power lines and should instead report them by calling 911 or SGD&E’s call center at 1-800-411-7343.
- Generator Safety: While backup generators can be a valuable tool when a power outage occurs, using a generator incorrectly can be dangerous. Customers are encouraged to visit sdge.com/generator to find safety guidelines to help keep their family and home safe.
For ongoing updates about this PSPS, visit SDGEtoday.com or follow SDG&E’s X channel, @SDGE.