SIFPD Names New Volunteer EMT Trainee, Faces Questions Over Recruitment Practices
The Southern Inyo Fire Protection District (SIFPD) has confirmed that Daniel Leseberg has been hired as a volunteer firefighter/EMT and will attend Unitek’s “boot camp” EMT training in Arizona this September, a program funded by district resources at a cost of approximately $8,500 per student. The decision, confirmed in correspondence from Chief Bill Lutze, follows…
SIFPD Fire Station Plans Spark Progress — and Debate — as County Awaits Key Details
The Southern Inyo Fire Protection District (SIFPD) has taken a significant step toward building long-awaited fire stations in Tecopa and Charleston View, but key details remain unfinished before the project can move from concept to construction bids — and the process of finalizing them has been anything but straightforward. A draft document prepared by local…
Three Decades Later, Unofficial Water Test Used in Official County Process
A water quality report from 1995 is being used by Inyo County officials in 2025 as supporting documentation in their search for a new operator for Tecopa Hot Springs County Park — even though the report was never commissioned by the county. The decades-old analysis was conducted by J. Edward Guilmette, an environmental consultant who…
Heard Around Town: Water, Wildflowers, and Willpower
SIFPD Declines Water Tank Offer, Focuses on New Fire Stations and 2026 Tax MeasureAt the most recent meeting of the Southern Inyo Fire Protection District (SIFPD), the board turned down a proposal from local landowner Jon Zellhoefer, who had offered the district use of a water tank located on his property—currently listed for sale at…
Heard Around Town: Only The Resilient Remain
Tecopa officially hit triple digits ahead of Memorial Day weekend, signaling the start of the desert’s long, sun-scorched summer. With daytime highs soaring past 100°F (37°C), emerging snakes making the rounds, most of the seasonal snowbirds have packed up and headed north, leaving behind a quieter town and a smaller, more heat-hardened crowd.But summer in…
Heard Around Town: Government Edition
TecopaCabana.com will be previewing highlights and offering special coverage of this week’s Inyo County Board of Supervisors meeting in Tecopa.The Board is scheduled to meet at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6, at the Tecopa Community Center, 400 Tecopa Hot Springs Road. The annual spring session in Southeast Inyo offers residents of the region an…
Heard Around Town: Artful and Deceptive
On our most recent rainy day, March 13th, Tecopa received 0.20 inches of precipitation at the Tecopa CEMP station, bringing the total for March to 0.35 inches and for February to 0.59 inches. While the area remains in a significant long-term rain deficit, the past 30 days have brought 1 inch of rain, or about…
Heard Around Town: Change, Yet the Same
Deb Fox Reveals the 130-Year Struggle to Define the California-Nevada Border at Shoshone MuseumAt a captivating talk on Saturday at the Shoshone Museum, author and historian Deborah A. Fox unveiled the fascinating and often absurd story behind the 130-year journey to legally define the California-Nevada border. Fox shared how wealthy young men, funded by the…
Heard Around Town: Water is Life
False spring has arrived in Tecopa. February’s warmth has set the frogs singing in the hot springs district, while green shoots push through the burn-scarred meadow surrounding Borehole Spring—a testament to nature’s resilience.A meeting will be held at the Tecopa Community Center on March 2, 5pm, to discuss the Center for Biological Diversity’s lawsuit against…
Heard Around Town: Under the Full Moon
It was a week of both devastation and renewal in Tecopa, marked by the luminous presence of a full moon. Our cherished Borehole Spring was ravaged by fire, with over 9 acres burned. “A BLM Fire investigation is ongoing, with no obvious source of ignition determined from physical evidence,” reports the Amargosa Conservancy, intimating that earlier…
Heard Around Town: Power Struggles
Despite the high winds finally dying down, it was a rough week in Tecopa and Shoshone as temperatures plummeted into the low 20s and the power went out for nearly 25 hours on Monday, January 20 into Tuesday, January 21. Southern California Edison updated residents twice on repair work during the day, with an initial…
Heard Around Town: High Winds and Hot Soaks
It was a windy one with the Santa Ana winds blowing through town for a few days starting on Tuesday, January 7. Tecopa had two short power outages during that afternoon when gusts were forecasted in the high 30s. But as Dan Leseberg noted on Facebook, “It’s not windy in Tecopa unless someone loses a…
Heard Around Town
Welcome to our first edition, where we share what we’ve heard around town. Party PeopleThere will be a Community Healing Solstice Party on December 20 starting at 4pm at Thelma and Louise, all are welcome. Bring chairs, firewood, blankets, beverages, snacks, and your unique self.Tecopa Takeover once again featured local favorites MEGA-SCOPES, but this year’s…
Sagebrush Sally: Trust Runs on Truth
Dear Sagebrush Sally, I’m troubled by a recent public social media post that blames reporting by your website for the end of the Tecopa Hot Springs Park concessionaire contract, rather than acknowledging the operators’ own documented failure to comply with Inyo County requirements and the terms of the contract they signed. The post even referenced…
Sagebrush Sally: Change Starts Small, and So Does Resistance
Dear Sagebrush Sally, I care about this town and want to get more involved—volunteer, help organize events, maybe even join a local board. But every time I dip a toe in, I run into drama, power struggles, or folks who’ve been doing things the same way “forever” and don’t want to hear new ideas. I’m…
Sagebrush Sally: Scrutiny Builds Stronger Communities
Dear Sagebrush Sally, As you’re surely aware, the winds have been stirring up a bit of drama around town lately. Some folks around here say that asking tough questions or reporting on local issues just causes trouble—and that if you really care about the community, you’ll stay quiet and keep the peace. Even worse, they…
Sagebrush Sally: When the Desert Shakes, Hold Your Ground
Dear Sagebrush Sally, It feels like Tecopa’s about to get one heck of a shake-up. Between “Downtown Tecopa” being listed for sale for $50 million and the hot springs campground and pools looking for a new operator, a lot of folks are wondering what this means for our little desert town. Some people are excited…
Sagebrush Sally: It’s Hot Enough—The Attitude Doesn’t Have to Be
Dear Sagebrush Sally, As a new resident to the community, I have been told I have to volunteer for one of the community services in order to use the hot springs free of charge. But when I bought my property, I was told by the selling agent and the previous owner that as a resident,…
Sagebrush Sally: The First Amendment Isn’t Optional—Even in Tecopa
Dear Sagebrush Sally, Lately, it feels like free speech is on trial here in Tecopa—not in a courtroom, but on the streets, in businesses, and all over social media. Some folks are saying that speaking out, asking questions, or even reporting on public issues is “hurting the community,” and anyone who does it risks getting…
Sagebrush Sally: Speak Your Truth—Even If It Echoes
Dear Sagebrush Sally, Lately I’ve been feeling caught between wanting to speak up and wanting to keep the peace. Whether it’s about water use, reckless behavior, or local decisions that don’t sit right, I often find myself biting my tongue because I worry about burning bridges or becoming “that person.” In a town as small…
Sagebrush Sally: You Can’t Sue the Wind to Stop It from Whispering
Dear Sagebrush Sally, In a town as small as Tecopa, trying to keep something quiet can feel like painting it in neon. I recently saw a situation where someone tried to shut down a conversation they didn’t like—only to make it explode into the biggest topic in town. It reminded me of the Streisand Effect—you try…
Sagebrush Sally: Let the Wind Carry Your Words
Dear Sagebrush Sally, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about free speech and how important the First Amendment is—not just in theory, but right here in our little town. In a place as small and interconnected as Tecopa, it can feel nearly impossible to speak your mind without upsetting someone, especially if what you’re saying…
Sagebrush Sally: Ban the Bans
Dear Sagebrush Sally, It seems like anytime people in Tecopa have a disagreement, the first response is to ban each other from their businesses, bars, events, or even just their front porch. I get that in a small town, tensions can run high, but this whole “you’re not welcome here” approach feels pretty immature, more…
Ask Sagebrush Sally: Respect Runs Both Ways
Dear Sagebrush Sally, I’ve lived in Tecopa for a while now, long enough that I’m not considered a newcomer anymore. I love this town and the weird people in it, but I’ve noticed that not all the bad behavior comes from newcomers and outsiders. Some longtime locals seem to think that just because they’ve been…
Sagebrush Sally: A Follow Up on Newcomers
Dear Sagebrush Sally, Following up on your last column: We also shouldn’t be rewarding or ignoring shitty behavior by newcomers that are hurting our community. What does Sagebrush Sally recommend longtime locals do about that? -Dan Dear Dan, You’re right—welcoming folks doesn’t mean ignoring bad behavior when it starts to hurt the community. The desert…
Exploring Dumont Dunes: An Off-Road Enthusiast’s Paradise
Nestled just over 20 miles south of Tecopa, the Dumont Dunes Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Recreation Area is a sanctuary for thrill-seekers and nature lovers alike. Spanning an impressive 7,620 acres of public land, this Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA) offers an unparalleled blend of heart-pounding OHV experiences, breathtaking desert landscapes, and opportunities for primitive camping…
Surviving and Thriving: Best Practices for Camping in the Mojave Desert
The Mojave Desert, with its vast expanses of arid landscapes and unique ecosystems, presents both challenges and opportunities for those seeking to camp and connect with nature. As a region known for its extreme temperatures and diverse terrain, proper preparation and adherence to best practices are essential to ensure a safe and enjoyable camping experience.…
A Desert Escape: Easy Road Trips to Tecopa from Los Angeles and Las Vegas
Tucked away in the vast and serene landscapes of the Mojave Desert, Tecopa, California, offers a tranquil escape from the bustling city life. The ease of accessibility from both Los Angeles and Las Vegas makes it a perfect destination for a rejuvenating road trip. Whether you’re seeking the therapeutic embrace of hot springs, the rugged…