By Miriam Raftery

February 18, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – San Diego Supervisors have rejected plans for a renewable energy overlay zone feasibility study, which would have cost an estimated half million dollars. The action came during a hearing on a Comprehensive Renewable Energy Plan.

Donna Tisdale, Chair of the Boulevard Planning Group and founder of Backcountry Against Dumps (BAD), voiced relief at the Supervisors’ rejection of the overlay zone.  “A renewable energy overlay zone would fast track any projects located within the designated boundaries. Based on some previous information, we had concerns that a renewable energy overlay zone would be placed over the Boulevard Planning Area and/or the Jacumba Planning Area,” she told ECM.

East County News Service

February 12, 2017 (Borrego Springs) — The Borrego Days Desert Festival faces possible cancellation this year due to a shortage of sponsors, the Borrego Sun reports. The festival has taken place for the past 52 years as a tradition to welcome snowbirds who flock to the desert each winter with a parade and other activities. 

Photo: The winter storms caused damage throughout the County such as flooding and this rockslide on Wynola Road in Julian.

Residents asked to report all storm damage: County has not reached level yet to get help for individuals or businesses

By Michele Clock, County of San Diego Communications

Photo: The winter storms caused damage throughout the County such as flooding and this rockslide on Wynola Road in Julian.

February 5, 2017 (San Diego) --The County of San Diego proclaimed a local emergency Friday, due to damage caused by the severe winter storms that hit the region late last month.

East County News Service

January 18, 2017 (Borrego Springs) – The Anza Borrego Desert Natural History Association will present a three-part program titled “California Dreamin’” on the story of migration and immigration.  All three parts will be presented on Saturday, January 28^th and will encompass the history of the early Californians, Western women, and the impacts of immigration on Native Americans.

East County News Service

December 27, 2016 (Borrego Springs) – Anza Borrego Desert State Park invites the public to start the New Year off with a “First Day Hike.”  The park will offer two guided hikes on January 1^st, one at 9 a.m. and the second at 2 p.m.

Not wearing seatbelt led to ejection of driver from vehicle

East County News Service

December 25, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) — Two women died yesterday morning  after they were ejected from a vehicle that rolled over on a rain-slicked section of S-2, the Great Southern Overland Stage Route, south of State Route 78 in rural East County.

Part III in our series on the Ocotillo wind turbine collapse

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Jim Pelley

December  11, 2016 (Ocotillo) – State Senator Ben Hueso (D-40^th district) wants to know why a massive wind turbine collapsed on November 21^st  in Ocotillo on public land—and what will be done to prevent future such disasters.

In a letter to Beth O’Brien,  Pattern Energy’s manager of external affairs,  Senator Hueso notes that this is the third serious incident that has occurred at the Ocotillo Wind Energy Facilitiy since it opened approximately four years ago.  Prior problems include a wind turbine that burst into flames and another that hurled a multi-ton blade onto a public trail.

He indicated that residents have contacted him with concerns and asked him to look into the matter.  East County Magazine also contacted the Senator to ask what steps will be taken to protect public safety.

Painter featured in documentary headed for festival

East County News Service

Photo: Artist Jim Hall paints an iconic scene of Borrego Springs in his Lineillism style for the town’s 2017 film festival poster and program.  Hall is the subject of  the documentary, Lines of Sight, staging its California premiere at the festival in January.

December 3, 2016 (Borrego Springs) - The Borrego Springs 2017 Film Festival slated for January 12-14 will feature a poster and program created by artist Jim Hall, whose daring new painting style and life story are the subject of the award-winning documentary, Lines of Sight. The hour-long film will stage its California premiere at the festival in January.      

Hall created a new painting style called “Lineillism” after his vision was temporarily marred by a case of Shingles. He saw the world in all vertical lines and decided to paint that way. The style is similar to Pointillism, but instead of dots, Hall uses all vertical brushstrokes - up to 500,000 in a painting.      

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Jim Pelley

November 21, 2016 (Ocotillo) – A 500-foot-tall wind turbine at the Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility collapsed this morning, spewing debris and three blades each weighing many tons across the desert floor.

ECM photographer Jim Pelley, an Ocotillo resident, says 30 minutes after the collapse, the other 111 turbines were still spinning and no one from Pattern Energy had arrived.  Around an hour or more after the collapse, Pattern arrived and deenergized the entire project.

East County News Service

November 1, 2016 (Ocotillo Wells) -- Border Patrol Search Trauma and Rescue (BORSTAR) agents rescued a man who was lost in the Ocotillo Wells Desert early Monday morning.

On Sunday, around 6:30 p.m., a ranger with California Department of Parks and Recreation contacted Border Patrol agents assigned to the Highway 86 checkpoint and asked for help to locate a missing man last seen in the Ocotillo Wells Desert. He was reported missing by his family after he failed to return from an ATV ride in the desert.

Loans are available to help people with dry wells due to the drought

By Michele Clock, County of San Diego Communications Office

October 27, 2016 (San Diego) -- Do you own a property with a well in San Diego County? Is it dry due to our prolonged statewide drought? Help is available.

A new emergency water distribution program is offering assistance to residents without access to running water for drinking and sanitation due to a dry well. Residents who qualify can receive low-interest loans to replace individual water well systems and install temporary water tanks. The water assistance is not for landscaping or agricultural needs.

Starts Season-long Celebration for Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

East County News Service

October 25, 2016 (Borrego) – How do you protect and preserve Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, the largest state park in California – with its 600,000 acres of flora, fauna, hiking trails, free camping, archeological sites and much more? That’s the job of the Anza-Borrego Foundation, celebrating its 50th anniversary this desert season.

By Gig Connaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office

October 19, 2016 (Jacumba) - The County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a permit Wednesday to build a solar farm in Jacumba that could generate enough electricity to power 5,000 homes.

Proponents and County staff said the plant fit the guidelines of the County’s general plan, would help the region meet state goals of producing one-half of all electricity from renewable sources by 2030, and cut greenhouse gas emissions.

East County News Service

September 30, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – Windy conditions are forecast Sunday through Monday across the County, with strongest winds in the mountains, deserts, and over coastal waters. Gusts could reach 55 miles per hour in the mountain and desert areas, the National Weather Service predicts.

East County News Service

September 5, 2016 (Jacumba) - Courtesy Day Use at Jacumba Hot Springs Spa & Resort after every Saturday Hike for participating hikers.  View hiking safety tips.