Borrego Ridge Hike: Overlooking Borrego Springs

Longtime Borrego Springs resident remembered for her photography, artistic leadership, and community service.

F-35B Fighter Jet Crash in Ocotillo Wells SVRA On July 29, 2021 , a U.S. Marine Corps F-35B fighter jet crashed in Ocotillo Wells SVRA near Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California . The crash caused a small brush fire and led to the temporary evacuation of campers in the area as a precautionary measure. Fortunately, the pilot was able to eject safely and was rescued by a search and rescue team, later being released from the hospital after evaluation. The aircraft was part of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and was on a routine training mission when the crash occurred. The incident involved the F-35B making contact with a KC-130J tanker during an air-to-air refueling exercise, which led to the crash. The U.S. Marine Corps launched a safety investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash. Though the brush fire caused by the crash was quickly contained, the crash site was closed for some time before reopening to the public.

Award-Winning Cellist Ruslan Biryukov Performs Two Concerts in Julian

By Dennis Mammana Week of Aug 2-8, 2026  One of the most profound experiences a stargazer can have is to stand under the Milky Way on a clear August night far from city lights and see the wispy bunches of stars so tightly packed that they appear to the eye as a hazy band of light punctuated not only by bright individual stars but by tiny regions that appear as hazy clumps. Aim binoculars or a small telescope toward these "faint fuzzies," as astronomers affectionately call them, and you'll walk the same celestial path as Charles Messier did two and a half centuries ago. Messier was an 18th-century French astronomer who scanned the heavens in search of new comets, hoping that such discoveries would lead him to fame and fortune. He knew that comets often first appear as faint and colorless smudges of light that drift slowly among the stars, so that's what he was seeking. Along the way, however, he encountered dozens of such smudges that did not move. What these were he didn't know and, quite frankly, he didn't care. They weren't comets, so to avoid wasting more of his time on them — and to prevent other comet hunters from being similarly fooled — he began to compile a list of all these false comets he encountered on his nightly watch. Visit Dennis Mammana at dennismammana.com. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com .

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Californians have only four days left to enter the “Share Your Space” Photo Contest, which closes Aug. 1. California State Parks is inviting residents to submit photos taken at any of California’s 280 state parks. Participants may enter one photo in each of five categories: A Space for All A Wild Ride Heroes and Helpers Landscape and Legacy Living Wonders Winners will be selected based on creativity, quality and overall impact, with prize packages featuring outdoor gear and California State Parks merchandise. Participants must be California residents and submit their photos through OuterSpatial by Aug. 1, 2026 . Submit Photos Here

Extreme Heat Expected as Highs Near 121°F This Weekend Triple-digit temperatures are expected to continue through the week, with highs climbing from 111°F Tuesday and Wednesday to 114°F Thursday , 119°F Friday , and 121°F Saturday , according to the National Weather Service . Need a Place to Cool Off? The Borrego Springs Library is serving as a Cool Zone , offering an air-conditioned place to escape the heat. The library has also scheduled free Saturday matinee movies during August from 2–4 p.m. , providing another opportunity to stay cool while enjoying a film. Help Is Available for AC Problems The Borrego Ministers Association is continuing to work closely with licensed HVAC professionals to help residents experiencing emergency air conditioning failures. The program provides temporary portable AC units while evaluating longer-term solutions for qualifying households. With temperatures expected to remain above 110 degrees for several days, residents are encouraged to: Stay hydrated. Limit outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day. Check on neighbors and older adults. Never leave children or pets in parked vehicles.

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Photo by Kamala Venkatesh