Breaking News

Ensenada 911 Line Drops
 Breaking News, Ensenada

Ensenada’s 911 Line Drops the Ball

If calling 911 in Ensenada lately has felt like shouting into the void, you’re not imagining it.

The FGEBC (Baja California’s State Attorney General’s Office) confirmed on Thursday that the 911 emergency line is having technical issues. Calls may not go through, and if they do, don’t expect the usual speedy response.

The Citizen Security Secretariat says it’s working with C5 command centers to fix it. But until then, they suggest using the “911 Móvil BC” app. Here’s the catch: that app has a lovely 3.0 out of 5 stars on the App Store. So… good luck.

#911 Movil BC App
#911 Movil BC App

For now, authorities advise calling local emergency numbers directly if the line fails. And yes, they’re thanking you for your patience while they figure this mess out.

We hope nobody has to test this system in a real crisis, because a dropped emergency call and a buggy backup app isn’t exactly a confidence booster.

☎️ One job. Just one job.

Stay with Gringo Gazette North—because we answer when others don’t.

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 Breaking News, Tijuana, Wildlife

Wildlife Shocker: Tijuana Cops Rescue Tiger, Monkeys, and More

In a wild twist, Mexican authorities uncovered what felt more like a jungle than a city home. This weekend, things got wild in Tijuana. The FGR (Federal Attorney General’s Office) and the FGEBC (Baja California State Attorney General’s Office) raided a home in colonia Buena Vista. What they found looked more like a zoo than a house.

Inside, officers rescued a Siberian tiger, a mandrill, and a spider monkey. They also found a snapping turtle, two horned owls, a lilac-crowned parrot, three bearded dragons, a chameleon, and a tarantula. Yes, all in one place.

  • Noah’s Ark took a detour through Tijuana.
    #Siberian tiger
  • Noah’s Ark took a detour through Tijuana.
    #spider monkey
  • Noah’s Ark took a detour through Tijuana.
    #Horned owl
  • Noah’s Ark took a detour through Tijuana.
    #chameleon
  • Noah’s Ark took a detour through Tijuana.
    #two horned owls
  • Noah’s Ark took a detour through Tijuana
    #three bearded dragons

The suspect, Juan José “O.”, was arrested. Along with the animals, he had firearms and military-only ammo. Not exactly pet supplies.

One of the animals—the spider monkey—is protected under Mexican law. So now, the suspect faces charges for both illegal animal possession and weapons violations.

Authorities say the animals were not living in proper conditions. Luckily, someone sent an anonymous tip, and now these animals are in safer hands.

This wasn’t just a weird pet story. It shows how the illegal exotic animal trade is still a problem—even in the suburbs.

🐅 Tigers, tarantulas, and tactical gear. Just another Wednesday in Baja.

Stay tuned to Gringo Gazette North—where the news is wild, and the jokes are free.

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“AI-generated image of black smoke rising over the Vatican—symbolizing the wait for a new pope continues.”
 Breaking News, Interational

Locked In and Looking Up: Vatican Kicks Off Conclave to Pick New Pope

Today, 133 cardinals from around the world locked themselves into the Sistine Chapel. Why? To pick the next Pope.

This secretive meeting—known as a conclave—comes after the death of Pope Francis on April 21. And no, they’re not allowed to bring their phones.

The word conclave comes from the Latin cum clave, which means “with a key.” As in, they’re literally locked in until a decision is made. The tradition began in 1274 after a papal election dragged on for nearly three years. Talk about deadlines.

The voting? It’s old school. Handwritten ballots, burned in a special stove. If the smoke is black, no Pope. If it’s white—ding ding—we have a winner.

The process can take a day or stretch into weeks. But this time, many expect a decision in under three days. Cardinals Pietro Parolin of Italy and Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines are top contenders, but in conclaves, surprises happen.

#Photo by Claude Truong-Ngoc / Wikimedia Commons

Cardinal Pietro Parolin
#Photo by Lawrence OP / Wikimedia Commons

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle

This is the most geographically diverse conclave ever. Expect some intense debates, lots of incense, and maybe even a miracle or two.

📿 As always, the world waits for the smoke… and the name.

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CESPT crews working
 Breaking News, Tijuana

Water Outage in Otay: CESPT Nears Completion on Emergency Repair

Since Sunday, several neighborhoods in Otay have gone without water. A busted 18-inch pipe on Bellas Artes Boulevard caused the disruption. CESPT crews identified the break and started repairs immediately.

The affected area includes Otay Módulos in Nueva Tijuana. Workers have battled through mud and tight conditions to replace the damaged section. This morning, May 5, CESPT announced they had reached 80% completion on the job.

They expect to finish repairs around 1:00 p.m.. After that, water service will gradually return to the neighborhoods.

Many residents, frustrated by the lack of notice, scrambled to adjust. Some stocked up on bottled water. Others just hoped the fix would hold longer than the last one.

CESPT crews working on 18-inch pipe in Otay after water service disruption

Photo: CESPT crews working on 18-inch pipe in Otay after water service disruption

Crews stayed on-site through the night, pushing to wrap up the work before Monday rush hour — or at least before dinner. In Otay, water breaks are a recurring guest.

💧 Water’s political. Thirst is personal. Stay tuned for updates — and in the meantime, maybe skip laundry day.

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Bus Gets Stuck
 Breaking News, Ensenada

Bus Gets Stuck, Snarls Traffic on Calle Ruíz and Ámbar

This morning in Ensenada, a bus got stuck in a dip at the intersection of Calle Ruíz and Ámbar, causing a serious traffic slowdown.

According to witnesses, the driver didn’t notice the shallow but sneaky dip in the road and ended up wedged halfway in. It’s the same dip locals have warned about before, but this time it trapped a whole bus. A backhoe was brought in to help, followed by a cement truck attempting to assist.

As of 9:20 a.m., the bus was still there, with just one police officer managing the chaos. Drivers in the area reported long delays and confusion.

📍If you’re headed through this part of town, take another route. And if you’re behind the wheel of a larger vehicle — slow down and stay alert, especially on familiar streets. You never know when a “little dip” turns into a big problem.

Photos taken on the scene show the unusual rescue effort in action. We’ve posted them below.

Ensenada Bus Gets Stuck
Bus Gets Stuck

🚨 When buses bounce into dips, we bring you the bumpy details — only at the Gringo Gazette North.

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Generated by our newsroom’s digital team using AI tools to reflect the news story visually and respectfully.
 Breaking News

Pope Francis Dies at 88—A Voice for the Poor,

Not a Fan of Mass Deportations

Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff and a champion for the poor, died this Monday at the age of 88. He passed away peacefully in Casa Santa Marta, his residence at the Vatican.

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, Francis made history in 2013 when he became pope after Benedict XVI stepped down. He kept things simple. He lived modestly. And he shook things up.

Pope Francis
Pope Francis

Francis focused on compassion, not grand speeches. He spoke often about migrants, climate change, and inequality. Unlike many of his predecessors, he didn’t stay behind marble walls—he walked into the mess.

One of his strongest stances? He condemned mass deportations.

In a message to U.S. bishops, Francis called mass deportations “a disgrace.” He warned that such policies destroy families and rob people of their dignity.

So if you ever wondered how a pope felt about border walls and detention buses, well—now you know.

His critics called him too progressive. His followers called him necessary. He didn’t aim to please. He aimed to be human.

The world is now preparing for the next pope. The conclave will meet, and eventually, white smoke will rise again from the Vatican. Until then, many will remember Francis for his humility, his fire, and his habit of saying what others wouldn’t.

At the Gringo Gazette North, we don’t do incense and Latin prayers. But we’ll tip our hat to a man who spoke up for the voiceless—and reminded us that faith isn’t always quiet

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 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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 Breaking News, San Diego

Shaky Monday Morning—5.2 Earthquake Rattles San Diego

Baja Feels It Too

If your coffee trembled this morning—it wasn’t the caffeine. At around 10:08 a.m., a 5.2 magnitude earthquake hit near Julian, in the Cuyamaca Mountains east of San Diego.

The quake shook much of Southern California, and yes, folks in Tijuana and Mexicali felt it too. No serious damage has been reported on either side of the border, but that jolt was enough to get our hearts racing.

Minor damages Protección Civil
Minor damage, according to Protección Civil.

Authorities in Baja California confirmed that the quake was felt lightly in urban areas. No injuries or major damages have been reported as of press time, but local Protección Civil teams are staying alert in case aftershocks follow.

So, should you panic? Nope. But should you double-check your emergency plan and maybe refill that earthquake kit? Absolutely.

You can track real-time seismic activity here: earthquake.usgs.gov

Even minor quakes remind us—Baja is quake country. Preparedness beats surprise every time. And if you felt it, the USGS wants your input: Did You Feel It? Report It Here

At the Gringo Gazette North, we don’t do bad news—but we do help you stay standing when the earth doesn’t.

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 Baja Norte, Breaking News, Humane Society, Legal, Tijuana

Bullfights Are Back in Tijuana! Court Lifts Ban and Sparks Big Reactions

After nearly a year of silence in the bullrings, bullfighting is making a comeback in Baja California. A federal court has unanimously overturned the judicial suspension that had stopped all bullfighting events in the state since April 2023.

The news was shared by Manuel Bowser Miret, owner of the Nuevo Toreo in Tijuana, who celebrated what he called a “legal victory” for fans and supporters of the tradition. With the suspension lifted, events can now legally return to venues like the iconic Tijuana bullring.

Photo: Clarence Alford. Adobe Stock

Bowser said more announcements will be made soon, including what’s next for bullfighting in the region.

The ban began after animal rights groups filed a legal motion that was backed by federal authorities. It even forced the cancellation of a major event planned for July 2023. Since then, bullfighting in Baja California had been off the table—until now.

This court decision reignites a long-standing debate between culture and animal rights. While some cheer the return of la Fiesta Brava, others are already calling for new legal battles. One thing’s for sure—bullfighting is no longer just a memory in Tijuana.

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Screenshot of the Presidential broadcast
 Breaking News, Taxes, Water

Sheinbaum Keeps It Cool While Trump Flirts and Threatens

Sheinbaum responded diplomatically

Donald Trump sent flowers on X—digitally, of course. He called President Claudia Sheinbaum “a magnificent president” and “a very elegant woman.”

Lovely words… but he followed them with a not-so-subtle threat. Trump warned that Mexico could face tariffs and a water shutoff if it doesn’t deliver what’s owed to Texas under the 1944 treaty.

Sheinbaum? She kept it classy. In her own post, she laid it all out: Mexico has already submitted a proposal to the U.S. State Department. It includes short-term actions and technical solutions to make up for water delays—despite three years of drought.

She’s not looking for a fight. “I’m confident we’ll reach a reasonable agreement,” she said. “I don’t think this will turn into a conflict.” But, she added, “if it does, we’ll be ready.”

Among the fixes: a long-awaited desalination plant in Playas de Rosarito and stricter oversight in Mexicali, where farming water sometimes ends up rerouted and sold.

Now we wait to see if Trump’s admiration for Sheinbaum’s “elegance” will be enough to soften his usual hardline style.


Trump Calls Sheinbaum “Fantastic”—But Still Threatens Tariffs

Want to understand the bigger picture behind these water talks?

Check out our columnist Martina Dobesh, who dives deep into Baja’s water politics—minus the fluff and drama.

At the Gringo Gazette North, we keep it cool—because in Baja, every drop counts.

A Stark Warning of Water Cuts: A Water Watch Editorial
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