Gringo Gazette

Gringo Gazette

Gringo Gazette North is Baja’s English-language newspaper for the American community and anyone curious about life south of the border. We mix local news, events, and stories with a dash of humor — because life in Baja is too colorful for dry reporting. Our motto? No Bad News.
Healthcare, San Felipe

San Felipe Hospital Gets a Much-Needed Upgrade (Finally!)

Good news, San Felipe — your community hospital just got a serious facelift. Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda stopped by recently to check out the upgrades, which came with a 40-million-peso price tag (that’s around $2.3 million USD, but who’s counting?).

The hospital, part of the IMSS Bienestar system, now boasts shiny new equipment, extra space, and — wait for it — actual specialists! That’s right, no more crossing your fingers that your sprained ankle or mystery stomach pain can hold off until your next trip to Mexicali.

The overhaul included 18 million pesos for infrastructure and 22 million for equipment. That translated into two operating rooms, a recovery area, 20 hospital beds, X-ray services, and a completely revamped emergency room with a shock room, an isolation chamber, and even a lounge for the doctors (because yes, rested doctors are better doctors).

Governor Marina del Pilar made it clear: this is part of an ongoing effort to make healthcare more reliable in San Felipe. With the hospital now in full swing — thanks in part to previous federal construction efforts and current coordination with President Claudia Sheinbaum — the aim is to ensure specialists are permanently stationed here, not just dropping in like seasonal tourists.

Speaking of help, six Cuban doctors are already on staff, and six more were flown in for the busy Semana Santa season. Their specialties cover internal medicine, surgery, anesthesiology, trauma, and orthopedics — basically, all the stuff you hope you won’t need but are glad to have just in case.

So, if you were thinking about testing your luck with that ATV jump — maybe don’t. But if you do, at least now there’s a decent hospital waiting for you on the other side.

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 Articles

Holy Week Shutdown Strikes Again

Yes, You’ll Survive Two Days Without the Bank

If you were planning to do anything remotely bureaucratic this Thursday or Friday, think again. Banks will be closed. Most government offices? Also closed. Why? Because it’s Holy Week, and in Mexico, that means it’s time to hit pause on anything that resembles productivity.

From Thursday (April 17) through Friday (April 18), offices all over the country are locking up and heading out—presumably to the beach, a barbecue, or church (in that order, probably).

So what does this mean for you? If you need to do anything involving money transfers, immigration paperwork, permit renewals, or your favorite pastime—waiting in line at the SAT office—save yourself the heartbreak. It’s not happening.

ATMs should still work (we said “should”), and you might find some banks with limited services at grocery store branches. But anything requiring an actual human behind a desk? Nope.

Post offices, courts, city halls, and other official spots are joining in the national long weekend. You know it’s serious when even the people who stamp your papers are saying “mañana.”

On the bright side, it’s a great excuse to take a break yourself. Go enjoy some sunshine, eat too many empanadas, and reflect on the fact that life in Mexico comes with siestas and government-wide vacations.

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 Baja Norte, Editions

April 7, 2025 Edition

How to download a PDF of this publication:
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 Baja Norte, Editions

March 24, 2025 Edition

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1. Locate the icon toolbar at the bottom part of the newspaper window. If you can’t find it you can try going full screen by clicking “Read Now” on the screen.
2. Click on the cloud icon (Download PDF) on the bottom right corner of your screen. (See example below)

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 Baja Norte, Editions

March 10, 2025 Edition

How to download a PDF of this publication:
1. Locate the icon toolbar at the bottom part of the newspaper window. If you can’t find it you can try going full screen by clicking “Read Now” on the screen.
2. Click on the cloud icon (Download PDF) on the bottom right corner of your screen. (See example below)

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 Baja Norte, Editions

February 24, 2025 Edition

How to download a PDF of this publication:
1. Locate the icon toolbar at the bottom part of the newspaper window. If you can’t find it you can try going full screen by clicking “Read Now” on the screen.
2. Click on the cloud icon (Download PDF) on the bottom right corner of your screen. (See example below)

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 Baja Norte, Editions

February 10, 2025 Edition

How to download a PDF of this publication:
1. Locate the icon toolbar at the bottom part of the newspaper window. If you can’t find it you can try going full screen by clicking “Read Now” on the screen.
2. Click on the cloud icon (Download PDF) on the bottom right corner of your screen. (See example below)

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 Baja Norte, Editions

January 27, 2025 Edition

How to download a PDF of this publication:
1. Locate the icon toolbar at the bottom part of the newspaper window. If you can’t find it you can try going full screen by clicking “Read Now” on the screen.
2. Click on the cloud icon (Download PDF) on the bottom right corner of your screen. (See example below)

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 Articles, Breaking News

Dry Winter and Santa Ana Winds: Baja California Faces Heightened Wildfire Risk

If you’ve noticed those strong Santa Ana winds lately, you’re not imagining things. According to María Tereza Cavazos Pérez, a researcher from Cicese’s Department of Physical Oceanography, these conditions are typical during a La Niña event—but this year, they come with an added danger. A dry winter and intense winds are creating a perfect storm for wildfires in Baja California.

La Niña, which can last over a year, took its time arriving after being forecasted back in mid-2024. It’s now firmly in place, and satellite imagery confirms that since early January, strong winds have been blowing from the continent toward the Pacific. This has created high-pressure conditions, sunny skies, and those infamous Santa Ana winds sweeping through California and northern Baja.

The outlook? Dry weather is expected to stick around until at least the end of January, with little rain on the horizon. This dryness, coupled with strong winds, means an increased risk of wildfires. Recent blazes in Maneadero, Ojos Negros, Valle de la Trinidad, El Tigre, and Tecate highlight the danger. In fact, Baja California’s border region is considered a wildfire hotspot, especially under these conditions.

Dr. Cavazos warns that fires in Baja could be as catastrophic as those seen in Los Angeles, where even with advanced resources and technologies, controlling wildfires has been a massive challenge. “If they can’t manage it, what can we do?” she asks. She stresses the need for heightened awareness and preventative actions: no flicking cigarette butts, no burning trash, and definitely no campfires.

Globally, the risk of extreme weather events is rising due to climate change and phenomena like La Niña. The dry conditions in Baja California are a stark reminder that these aren’t isolated issues—they’re part of a larger trend that demands attention.

So, stay vigilant, Baja. It’s fire season, and every small action counts in preventing disaster. Let’s keep those winds blowing, but without the flames.

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 Articles, Breaking News

Programs to Support Deported Mexicans Expanded

Deported Mexicans arriving back into Baja California will now have access to federal support programs, including resources available directly within shelters, according to Alejandro Ruiz Uribe, the regional delegate for Federal Welfare Programs in Baja California. Ruiz Uribe shared the news following a meeting with the Business Coordinating Council of Ensenada (CCEE), led by Marco Antonio Estudillo Bernal.

The Mexican government has provided extensive training to officials to improve their treatment of deported migrants. Drawing on past experiences in Tijuana, Chihuahua, and Matamoros during the Trump administration, Ruiz Uribe emphasized that the shelters will now serve as entry points for social programs like Jóvenes Construyendo el Futuro (Youth Building the Future), pensions for seniors, and childcare support for mothers with young children.

“Each person arriving at a shelter will have the chance to enroll in these programs and receive benefits either on-site or in their hometowns,” said Ruiz Uribe.

Expanding Welfare Access

Ruiz Uribe also discussed efforts to increase funding for welfare programs in Baja California, aiming for an additional 48 billion pesos to serve over 583,000 beneficiaries. Currently, more than 360,000 seniors in the state receive a pension of 6,200 pesos, while 30,000 working mothers benefit from childcare stipends.

With these measures, the government is committed to offering comprehensive support for deportees and expanding welfare initiatives for vulnerable communities in the region.

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