Borrego Springs, California: A Guide to Using Swamp Coolers

Public Input Opportunity The Golden Pacific Powerlink is a proposed 500-kilovolt transmission line being developed by SDG&E. The project would run from the Imperial Valley Substation in southern Imperial County to the border of San Diego and Orange Counties, near the decommissioned San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. Current route materials indicate that the line could pass through or near Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, raising concerns about potential impacts to wilderness areas, cultural resources, wildlife habitat, scenic views, dark skies, and sensitive desert landscapes. SDG&E released a proposed route map on April 13, 2026, and stakeholder feedback is being accepted through early November 2026. A formal CPUC application is expected later, followed by state and federal environmental review. This is an important time for residents, visitors, conservation groups, tribal representatives, ratepayers, and other stakeholders to review the proposal and share informed feedback. The project has been described as important for grid reliability, clean energy integration, and reducing transmission congestion across Southern California’s electrical system. At the same time, many community and conservation stakeholders are asking whether the current route can avoid unnecessary harm to one of California’s most significant state parks. A 500 kV transmission line is major infrastructure. The towers required for this type of line can be far taller and more visually prominent than the existing 69 kV line currently within the Park. That older line was built before the Park was established and before modern environmental review laws such as CEQA existed. The Anza-Borrego Foundation is encouraging the public to learn more, review available materials, and participate in the feedback process. Source: Information summarized from the Anza-Borrego Foundation’s “Park Threat” page: https://theabf.org/park-threat/ Take Action View the Action Toolkit

This video from Make Tech Future explores the changing future of the Salton Sea — a place long associated with environmental decline, toxic dust, and delayed restoration efforts. The documentary looks at how the shrinking lake unexpectedly became an important habitat for migratory birds along the Pacific Flyway, including a record-breaking shorebird count in 2023. It also covers California’s first major restoration ponds beginning to receive water in 2025 after years of stalled projects and debate.  The channel focuses on megaprojects, environmental restoration, and technologies shaping the future of ecosystems around the world.

SDVoyager feature recognizes the leadership behind the Borrego Springs Community Resource Center Martha Deichler, executive director of the Borrego Springs Community Resource Center (CRC), was recently featured by SDVoyager for her years of service helping families, seniors, workers, and individuals throughout the community. In the feature, Deichler shared how the CRC grew from a small food bank effort during the COVID-19 pandemic into a major hub for community support services. As unemployment and hardship spread through the area during the pandemic, local residents began turning to the food bank not only for groceries, but also for help navigating unemployment applications, vaccine appointments, Medi-Cal, transportation needs, and other essential services. What started as emergency food assistance eventually evolved into the Borrego Springs Community Resource Center, which today offers a wide range of programs including food distribution, English and Spanish classes, citizenship classes, grief counseling, transportation assistance, computer literacy support, AA meetings, and caregiver training programs. Deichler described herself in the article as a “connector,” someone who helps match people with resources, services, and support systems. Her background working in the school district and her ability to speak Spanish have helped her build trusted relationships with families throughout the community. One program highlighted in the story addresses the growing need for caregivers for older adults who wish to remain in the area as they age. Through the CRC’s caregiver initiative, local residents can receive training and assistance connecting with In-Home Support Services (IHSS) opportunities, helping seniors remain independent while creating employment opportunities locally. The article also emphasized the generosity of the community and the support that has allowed the CRC to continue expanding services over the past several years. At 77 years old, Deichler shared that she has no plans to slow down, continuing her work to respond to the changing needs of the community and strengthen programs that help residents access food, healthcare, transportation, education, and support services. The full SDVoyager feature can be viewed here: Read the SDVoyager feature on Martha Deichler

Preserving History, One Box at a Time

Helping Senior Dogs and Cats Find Love, Comfort, and Family in Their Golden Years

American Legion Post 853 leads a day of remembrance and tribute

The Borrego Springs Film Institute presents the 2026 Film Series. Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center 590 Palm Canyon Drive, ​Borrego Springs, CA, 92004 BORREGO SPRINGS, CA — The Borrego Springs Film Institute (BSFI) is proud to announce its Summer 2026 screening series, bringing free bi-weekly screenings, every other Wednesday, of exceptional cinema to the heart of the desert. All screenings take place at the Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center (BSPAC), 590 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA 92004 , and begin at 7pm. The full 2026 BSFI schedule (April through December 2026) is now available at www.borregospringsfilminstitute.org . Please note that due to the vagaries of film licensing, all screenings are subject to change — we encourage patrons to check the website for the most current information before attending. 

Community theater production seeks actors and singers ages 16 and up for 2026 musical season

Free summer program for kids ages 3–11, with youth volunteer opportunities

Borrego Ministers Association prepares to help residents stay safe

Two Young Ravens Capture Local Attention