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Southern Inyo Fire Board Works on Long-Term Plans Amid Delays and Recruitment Challenges
The Southern Inyo Fire Protection District (SIFPD) board convened to address long-term planning efforts on March 13, including recruitment efforts and two key fire station projects in the works. One project involves a new station in Tecopa Heights, while the other focuses on a new substation in Charleston View. Both projects have received grant funding…
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Failure to Protect: The Amargosa Wild and Scenic River and the Neglect of a Desert Ecosystem
The Amargosa Valley, a rugged and starkly beautiful desert straddling the California-Nevada border, is a region of historical significance and ecological fragility. Home to the rare Amargosa vole and the unique hydrology of the Amargosa River, this area has long been a focal point for conservation efforts. Despite its designation as a Wild and Scenic…
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National Parks in Crisis: Job Cuts, Budget Freezes, and the Fight for Public Lands
A storm is brewing across America’s national parks, but it’s not just the weather causing concern—it’s the deepening crisis of budget cuts, staffing shortages, and the struggle to maintain some of the country’s most cherished landscapes. In the latest wave of terminations, Death Valley National Park, Great Basin National Park, and Lake Mead National Recreation…
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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…
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Heard Around Town: Change, Yet the Same
Deb Fox Reveals the 130-Year Struggle to Define the California-Nevada Border at Shoshone Museum At 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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Heard Around Town
Welcome to our first edition, where we share what we’ve heard around town. Party People There 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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Sagebrush Sally: What about the newcomers?
Dear Sagebrush Sally, I’ve lived in Tecopa for many years, and I love this desert and its quirky, independent community. But lately, I’ve noticed more newcomers moving in, and it’s changing the town. Some embrace the way of life here, but others seem to struggle—or worse, try to make Tecopa more like the places they…
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Desert Diaries: Advice from Sagebrush Sally
Helping You Navigate Desert Life Dear Sagebrush Sally, I recently moved to Tecopa and I’m struggling to adjust. The heat is starting to get intense (and it’s only February!), the community is small, and life here feels so different from what I’m used to. The people are kind but eccentric—some locals seem to follow their…
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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…
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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.…
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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…