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Events, Rosarito

Furniture, Flair, and Furry Friends Welcome at Expo Mueble BC 2025

Get ready to furnish your calendar—Expo Mueble BC is back for its eighth edition, and it’s bigger, bolder, and more creative than ever. The furniture and design showcase will take over the Baja Center (Centro Metropolitano de Convenciones) from June 27 to 29, 2025, promising a packed lineup of over 80 exhibitors from across Mexico.

This year’s event brings together the best of the best in home comfort, interior design, architecture, and artisanal craftsmanship. Think hand-forged ironwork, custom wood pieces, elegant rattan creations, and more—all under one roof. And yes, your well-behaved pets are invited too.

Lorena López Mijangos, Commercial Director of Expo Mueble, says the goal is to make this event the go-to platform for furniture businesses in Latin America. “It will be a one-of-a-kind experience where visitors can meet the artists, the artisans, and the creators behind the designs—and even make purchases on-site,” she said during a press conference at Casa Municipal.

In addition to top talent from Baja California, attendees can expect to meet makers from Nuevo León, Chihuahua, Querétaro, Guanajuato, Jalisco, Oaxaca, and Mexico City. Organizers estimate more than 8,000 visitors will walk through the doors over the course of the three-day event.

Local pride will also be on display, especially for the Boulevard Popotla artisan community, home to generations of craftspeople. City council members Yoselin Peña and Alan Bautista honored the legacy of pioneer Juan Bosco López and his family, who helped shape the area’s rich tradition.

To top it all off, the expo will host the first-ever “Design Without Borders” competition, aimed at up-and-coming talent in industrial design and home decor. Students from three major universities submitted 36 proposals, and the winning design will take home an 80,000-peso prize.

Whether you’re scouting a standout sofa or just soaking in the inspiration, Expo Mueble BC 2025 might be your next favorite event—and yes, your dog can come too.

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 Events, Fishing

Big Prizes and Big Fish Await at “Dos Mares Baja” Fishing Tournament Tomorrow!

Get your rods ready! The much-anticipated “Dos Mares Baja” International Sportfishing Tournament is dropping anchor this weekend in Bahía de los Ángeles, promising not just adventure on the water, but over 500,000 pesos in guaranteed prizes.

Organized under the administration of Governor Marina del Pilar Avila Olmeda and promoted by the Baja California Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture (SEPESCA BC), this event is reeling in teams from Southern California and across the state.

Alma Rosa García Juárez, head of SEPESCA BC, confirmed strong pre-registration numbers and emphasized the positive economic impact the tournament will have on the local community. Expect a weekend boost for hotels, restaurants, boat rental services, and more.

The prize pool includes:

  • 200,000 pesos for the team landing the heaviest surface or bottom fish
  • 100,000 pesos for second place
  • 60,000 pesos for third
  • 30,000 pesos for the top “Catch and Release” entry
  • 10,000 pesos each for the best female angler, best child angler, and best captain

And it doesn’t stop there. Add in the jackpot categories for surface and bottom fish, plus raffles featuring gear donated by sponsors during the awards night—it’s shaping up to be a fisherman’s dream.

Key dates to remember:

  • Friday, July 13: Registration, opening ceremony, and captain’s meeting
  • Saturday, July 14: The big fishing day, weigh-in, and awards ceremony

García Juárez also acknowledged the strong support from groups like the Baja California State Association of Fishing Clubs, CONAPESCA, the San Quintín municipal government, CONANP representatives in Bahía de los Ángeles, and local naval and maritime authorities.

For more information, visit https://bajasport.fishing or call +52 646 172 3080, extensions 3264 or 3318.

Whether you’re in it for the glory, the gear, or just the thrill of the catch—Bahía de los Ángeles is the place to be this weekend.

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 Development, Economy, Film Industry

Netflix Scouting Ensenada for Film Hub and Historic Movie

Hollywood may have Tinseltown, but Ensenada could be next in line for the spotlight.

Netflix executives recently visited Ensenada to move forward with talks and planning for what could become the streaming giant’s first full-blown production center in Mexico. The proposed location? A sprawling 40-hectare site in the area known as Ciudad Jatay, part of Ensenada’s up-and-coming industrial zone.

Mayor Claudia Agatón Muñiz confirmed that negotiations are already about 30% advanced. And the city isn’t sitting still—the municipal government is offering Netflix all the support it needs to bring lights, cameras, and lots of action to Baja.

Why Jatay? Well, Netflix seems smitten with Ensenada’s unbeatable combo: close to California (aka movie mecca), stable climate, stunning landscapes, and a rich cultural backdrop. Think desert, ocean, vineyards, and mountains—all within a day’s shoot.

But that’s not all. As part of the budding collaboration, Netflix is also considering filming a historical epic about Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo, the explorer who first spotted the San Mateo Bay in 1542—now known as the Bay of Ensenada. This project would highlight the region’s role in history while showing off Ensenada’s jaw-dropping views.

Mayor Agatón says the goal is to craft a visually stunning, historically accurate film, teaming up with local historians and creatives. And the proposed production center? It’ll be equipped with cutting-edge technology, ready to host high-quality film and video shoots—and give a major boost to local jobs across hospitality, transportation, tech, and the arts.

She also revealed plans for a water supply and recycling system to serve the new film hub and nearby housing zone—solving one of the major roadblocks to getting this project rolling.

Ensenada might soon be more than a weekend escape—it could be the next must-film location for the world’s biggest streaming service.

Now that’s something worth binge-watching.

READ MORE: Netflix Gringo Hunters Filming in Baja California

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 Accidents, Off-road races

Wheels of Justice Turn After Baja 500 Tragedy

A routine pre-race run during the Baja 500 turned into a nightmare—and now the driver behind the wheel may be facing some serious consequences.

A Mexican district judge has issued an arrest warrant for Rolf Helland, the American driver of the Norsemen Racing Trophy Truck, after a fatal accident in Ejido Eréndira, part of San Vicente. According to the investigation, Helland was pre-running the course on June 2 when his truck allegedly collided with a compact vehicle, killing Felipe Aréchiga Ríos, 38, a local resident.

The crash happened on Calle 16 de Septiembre. Witnesses say the victim’s family rushed him to the nearest health center—but due to the severity of his injuries, Felipe couldn’t be stabilized in time for transfer to a larger hospital. He died shortly after arriving.

Helland, on the other hand, was airlifted by helicopter to a hospital in the U.S., where he remains. The arrest warrant issued by the Baja California Attorney General’s Office has yet to be carried out due to his absence from Mexican territory.

But the story doesn’t end there.

In a move that surprised some and calmed others, SCORE International—the famed off-road racing organization behind the Baja 500—has stepped in as a mediator between the Norsemen Racing team and the victim’s family. According to SCORE director José Alfredo Grijalva Carranza, both parties have reached a preliminary damage settlement in the wake of the crash.

Yes, you read that right: there’s a tentative agreement. SCORE, the family’s legal reps, and Norsemen Racing’s team, specifically with Helland’s legal counsel, have been ironing out the details in the hopes of avoiding further escalation—including the potential for protests and blockades in Eréndira.

“We’ve been serving as the go-between,” said Helios Palafox, legal advisor for the Aréchiga family. “There are actually two intermediaries working to make sure this ends with dignity and justice.”

The agreement includes financial compensation to the victim’s family, facilitated by the racing team’s insurance provider. SCORE announced that the terms of the agreement are expected to be fulfilled by Wednesday, June 11, 2025.

Still, the legal case against Helland remains open. Despite the financial agreement, the criminal investigation continues, and authorities in Baja California have not ruled out future legal action once the driver returns to Mexican jurisdiction.

This isn’t the first time SCORE International finds itself juggling the fast and furious with the serious and tragic. The high-octane world of off-road racing in Baja has long been romanticized—dust, adrenaline, and roaring engines through remote pueblos. But the events of June 2 are a grim reminder that these races run through real communities, with real people, and real consequences.

Locals in Eréndira had initially considered protesting the race, potentially blocking access routes in the days following the accident. The swift move toward mediation helped de-escalate tensions, at least for now.

Whether justice will catch up to Helland is another question.

For now, the wheels of the Trophy Truck have stopped—but the wheels of justice are still spinning.

2 5241
 Accidents, Off-road races

Tragedy in Eréndira Days Before Baja 500 Race

Just days before the engines roar to life for the 2025 SCORE Baja 500, a tragic accident has left one man dead in the quiet coastal town of Ejido Eréndira, part of the San Vicente delegation near Ensenada.

On Monday, June 2 at approximately 3:54 p.m., local authorities responded to a crash along 16 de Septiembre Street. What they found was devastating: two mangled vehicles at the bottom of an arroyo—a gray Toyota Scion with ANAPROMEX plates, and a black and white trophy truck, number 37, from Team Norsemen.

The driver of the Toyota, 38-year-old Felipe Aréchiga Ríos, was reportedly still alive when family members rushed him in a private vehicle toward medical care. But hours later, he was confirmed dead at the San Vicente Health Center, with reports noting a deep head injury and severe trauma to the left arm.

As for the drivers of the trophy truck, both were airlifted from the scene by helicopter. The destination? Unknown. The names? Unconfirmed by authorities, though online posts have pointed fingers at drivers Ricky D. Johnson and Rolf Helland of Norsemen Racing. Social media posts from family members claim the pair were speeding during a pre-run on an unsigned route and fled the scene without offering aid. These claims have not been officially confirmed, as Norsemen Racing has yet to release a public statement. While the truck involved in the accident bore the names of the team’s registered drivers, some speculate that, because it was a pre-run, team staff members— and not the official drivers—may have been behind the wheel.

The Ensenada police department’s traffic division concluded that the trophy truck was at fault. The Baja California State Attorney General’s Office (FGE) has taken over the investigation to determine legal responsibility. As of now, SCORE International has not released a statement regarding the incident.

The Baja 500 is scheduled to take place June 4–8, with the main race running on Saturday, June 7. But for many in Eréndira, the mood has shifted from celebration to outrage. The victim’s family is now calling for accountability from SCORE and has even threatened to boycott the race unless action is taken.

This isn’t the first time tragedy has cast a shadow over Baja’s legendary off-road events. During the 2024 Baja 1000, two American spectators were killed and two others injured when a driver from Team Buehler Motors abruptly accelerated during a mechanical inspection, plowing into a group of people. The driver, described by organizers as inexperienced and reckless, was detained, and the vehicle was confiscated. That incident prompted both local and state-level sanctions against SCORE International, as officials criticized the lack of control and accountability during event operations.

Whether these are isolated incidents or signs of systemic oversight, one thing is becoming clear: Baja’s off-road races are facing growing scrutiny—and calls for safer practices are only getting louder.

Whether this was a reckless oversight or a tragic miscalculation, one thing is clear: a life was lost before the green flag even waved. And now, a community is demanding answers.

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 Events, Sports

Newport to Ensenada Regatta Set to Sail Again for its 77th Edition

Ahoy, sailors and landlubbers alike! Get ready to grab your sun hats and binoculars because the iconic Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race is back for its 77th year—and it’s bringing plenty of wind, waves, and international camaraderie with it.

The City of Ensenada, under the leadership of Mayor Claudia Agatón Muñiz, proudly announced that everything’s shipshape for one of the biggest nautical events between Mexico and the U.S.

Representing the mayor, Jared Gutiérrez López, Director of International Affairs, and Andrés Marínez Bremer, President of Proturismo, met up with Newport Beach Mayor Joe Stapleton, NOSA Commodore Philip Herzfeld, and Mexico’s Consul in Santa Ana, Audrey Rivera Gómez, among other dignitaries and VIPs, to celebrate the regatta’s launch.

This historic race isn’t just about fancy yachts and shiny trophies—it’s about the deep friendship and growing ties between the sister cities of Newport Beach and Ensenada. Around 130 sailboats are expected to make the legendary journey south, reaffirming maritime and cultural bonds that have been cruising strong for decades.

When the boats start arriving in Ensenada, expect a fiesta fit for a fleet! The city will roll out the welcome mat with special receptions, cultural activities, and commemorative events organized by local and state authorities, along with nautical clubs from both sides of the border.

“The Newport to Ensenada Regatta is a shining example of international cooperation that strengthens our community,” said Jared Gutiérrez on behalf of Mayor Agatón. “This historic connection continues to place Ensenada on the global sailing map.”

The City of Ensenada invites everyone—from hardcore sailors to curious spectators—to come celebrate this unique event full of sport, culture, and international friendship. So mark your calendars, polish those deck shoes, and let’s make this another unforgettable race!

1 439
 Breaking News, Public Security

Gringo Hunters Nab Fugitive Who Dodged Justice on Both Sides of the Border

Well, that didn’t last long

After playing hide and seek with law enforcement in both Mexico and the U.S., César “N” — a man allegedly linked to homicides in Tijuana and across the border — finally ran out of luck on April 17. Authorities confirmed that the fugitive was captured during a high-intensity operation delightfully named “Gacela” (Spanish for gazelle, ironically enough, given how fast this guy had been running from the law).

The Baja California State Attorney General’s Office, led by Dr. Ma. Elena Andrade Ramírez, teamed up with Mexico’s Defense Forces to track down and arrest the suspect. The operation was carried out by a hefty squad of State Investigation Agency officers and a special defense unit, acting under the direction of the commissioner of the State Investigation Agency.

According to official statements, César “N” was a priority target for the state’s Security Board, which is personally overseen by Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda. She’s been keeping tabs on the situation since the day it became clear this guy wasn’t just a local problem — he was an international headache.

After a meticulous investigation that involved tactical data analysis and good old-fashioned detective work, the authorities located and subdued the suspect. He’s now facing legal proceedings, and yes, the usual “presumed innocent until proven guilty” line applies. But let’s just say, nobody’s betting the house on his innocence.

The arrest serves as a bold message from the Fiscalía General del Estado: if you stir up trouble in Baja, don’t expect to get comfy. As their motto not-so-subtly reminds us: In Baja California, if you do the crime — you do the time.

Stay tuned — we’ll let you know if “Operation Gacela: The Sequel” hits theaters near you.

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 Public Security, Rosarito

Half the Cops Failed Their Test, So the Marines are Stepping In

Rosarito’s Mayor says “Better fewer good cops than more bad ones”

In a move that sounds shocking—but also kind of reassuring—Rosarito’s mayor Rocío Adame Muñoz announced that 122 police officers are getting the boot after failing their control and trust evaluations. That’s nearly half of the city’s active and commercial police force. Yikes.

Out of 277 officers evaluated, more than a hundred were deemed “not fit” for service. The city has now begun the formal process to show them the door. No scandal, no cover-up—just a big, ugly clean-up.

But before anyone panics about security—especially with vacation season and the Tianguis Turístico just around the corner—Mayor Adame says the Marines and the National Guard will step in to fill the gaps and keep everyone safe. Because nothing says “we’ve got this under control” like calling in the Marines.

Still, Adame is taking a no-nonsense stance: “It’s better to have fewer good officers than a full squad of the wrong kind.”Hard to argue with that.

The remaining officers who passed their evaluations will return to duty, and efforts are already underway to recruit new, reliable candidates through the police academy.

“We don’t need to be alarmed,” said the mayor, reassuring residents and tourists alike. “The ones who are staying are trustworthy and will do a good job. The rest will be handled properly.”

So while the timing isn’t ideal, the message is clear: Rosarito is cleaning house. And honestly, if nearly half your police force flunks a trust test, better now than never.

With federal forces stepping in and a renewed focus on quality over quantity, let’s hope this shake-up leads to a stronger, safer Rosarito—because what’s worse than no cops? Bad ones.

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Photo courtesy of Zeta Tijuana
 Public Security, Tijuana

Massive Baja Manhunt for Cop-Killing Fugitive

Suspect escapes despite choppers, drones, and elite forces

Just when Baja officials were patting themselves on the back over dropping crime stats, a violent fugitive turned Tijuana into a war zone—and got away.

Abigail Esparza Reyes

On Wednesday afternoon, Abigail Esparza Reyes, commander of Liaison for Baja California’s State Citizen Security Force (FESC), better known as the Gringo Hunters, was shot and killed while attempting to serve an arrest warrant in the gated neighborhood of Residencial Barcelona. The target? Allegedly César Hernández, a U.S. fugitive wanted since December 2024 by the Delano Police Department in California.

What was supposed to be a routine operation turned deadly. Hernández opened fire, hitting Esparza Reyes before barricading himself inside a home. Despite being rushed to the Red Cross in Tijuana, the officer later died of her injuries.

Cue one of the biggest law enforcement mobilizations in recent memory: local, state, and federal forces swarmed the area. Two helicopters buzzed overhead, three drones scanned the streets, and a tactical unit rolled in. Residents captured dramatic footage of the standoff, expecting a dramatic capture. But after four hours of searching, the fugitive managed to slip away—again.

This wasn’t Hernández’s first escape. Reports say he previously fled U.S. custody while in court—yes, you read that right.

Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila expressed her condolences, promising justice: “The life of Abigail will be honored, and her death will not go unpunished.” She also praised the courage of the officers involved in the operation.

Suspect escapes walking after killing a state police officer

Still, the incident raises serious questions—how did a known fugitive manage to kill an officer, escape a massive manhunt, and vanish in plain sight?

The timing couldn’t be worse. Just a day earlier, officials were showcasing glossy graphs about falling crime rates, boasting Tijuana had dropped from second to tenth place in national homicide rankings. But real safety isn’t measured in stats—it’s measured in justice, accountability, and making sure criminals, whether local or international, don’t get a free pass.

This isn’t just about numbers. It’s about protecting the people who risk their lives for the rest of us. No tolerance for violence. No excuses for failure. No forgetting Abigail.

0 584
 Articles, Ensenada, Transportation

Ensenada Will Be The First City in Mexico to Roll Out Local EV Buses

Move over Tesla, Ensenada is getting its own fleet of electric vehicles—and they’re way bigger than a sedan.

That’s right, our little coastal city is making national headlines as the first in Mexico to launch a full fleet of electric buses, designed and built right here in Mexico by DINA and MegaFlux. The shiny new model? It’s called Taruk—which, honestly, sounds like the name of a sci-fi superhero… and we’re here for it.

In the coming months, 80 Taruk buses will hit the streets in the first stage of a mega plan to eventually roll out 345 units across all 78 public transport routes in Ensenada. If you’ve ever tried to get from one end of town to the other during rush hour, you’ll know just how welcome this is.

Mayor Claudia Agatón is leading the charge—pun intended—and she’s not being subtle about it: “Ensenada isn’t just adopting clean tech, we’re writing the manual for Mexico’s energy transition,” she said. “Our port city is going to be the live lab for proving electric public transport works—both technically and financially.”

Taaruk Bus. Photo courtesy of Dyna México

Each Taruk bus can travel 390 km on a single charge, enough for a full 12-hour workday with the AC on full blast. And yes, they’ve already been tested under real-world conditions in Mexico City—because if a bus can survive that traffic, it can survive anything.

But this isn’t just about swapping diesel fumes for cleaner air. The project is Made in Mexico from start to finish—so every bus represents local jobs, homegrown know-how, and a big win for Mexican manufacturing. According to the numbers: each vehicle creates 25 jobs in the supply chain, and 78 out of every 100 pesos spent stays in the national economy. Compare that with imported buses, where most of the cash flies out of the country faster than a tourist spotting a taco stand.

In Ensenada alone, the project has already generated 50 new specialized jobs, with plans to train another 200 technicians before the end of the year. Plus, MegaFlux will install fast and slow charging stations across the city, working with the national electric utility (CFE) to make sure the grid doesn’t blow a fuse.

And guess what? Other states are watching closely. Baja California Sur, Jalisco, Nuevo León, Hidalgo, Michoacán… they all want in on the action. No surprise there—the federal government has already set its sights on deploying 3,000 electric buses nationwide in the next few years.

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