heard this yesterday

Mexico's northern border areas have seen much of the violence that has left more than 34,000 dead since late 2006.

The New York Times reports that the Obama administration began sending high-altitude, unarmed drones over Mexican territory in February, aiming to collect information to turn over to Mexican law enforcement agencies.

The paper quotes both American and Mexican officials as saying that Mexico had asked the US to use its drones to track suspects' movements.

Unnamed US officials said drones had gathered intelligence that led to the arrest in Mexico of several suspects in connection with the murder of a US immigration agent, Jaime Zapata.

By Marty Graham Marty Graham – Thu Feb 24, 8:24 pm ET

SAN YSIDRO, California (Reuters) – A $600 million expansion that would more than double capacity at the world's busiest border crossing broke ground south of San Diego on Thursday, aiming to boost security and cut lengthy delays at the California-Mexico border.
.....
The first stage of the overhaul will boost the number of vehicle inspection booths to 46 from the current 24, including a dedicated bus lane and additional inspection facilities at a cost of $292 million.

Second and third phases aim to add pedestrian and southbound inspection facilities and 17 additional northbound inspection booths by early 2016, although more than $300 million needed to complete the project has yet to be authorized by the U.S. government.

Punishment for gas stations that sell incomplete liters to the public
by Baja Daily News on 03/01/11

La Paz, Baja California Sur .- Vehicle owners are supported and welcomed the intention of the Chamber of Deputies to punish gas stations that sell incomplete liters , since this practice is seen as a theft from society.

Federal deputies supported by the Justice Commission, in arresting violators with a punishment of up to 10 years in prison for owners and managers of service stations that sell liters incomplete The opinion of the inhabitants is joy in finding that it was time something was done about it.

According to the information contained in this sense it is mentioned that this practice makes gains a year by 20 billion pesos to the owners of these stations.

The monthly increases and this practice left at a distinct disadvantage to the people, who are ultimately to be no one to absorb the can defend.

Pumps "fixed" that dispense "liters" of 900 milliliters or less, is a practice that harms the economy of families and taking this as a basis, the Congress, which has the backing of the Senate, apply penalties of six months to two years imprisonment and a fine of 500 thousand days who illegally protect them from crude oil or refined oil, processed or derived in an amount less than 300 liters.

LA PAZ News
Governor reopens airstrip in La Paz
by Baja Daily News on 02/28/11

La Paz, Baja California Sur .- In opening ceremony of the aerodrome Las Arenas, which is operated jointly by the tourism developments Bay Peninsula Dreams and Dreams, in the San Juan municipal delegation of the Plans Township La Paz, the governor Narciso Agundez Montano said one of the main responsibilities of the authorities is to generate confidence that the private sector to generate employment sources that require citizens to achieve better living standards.

Gov. Narciso Agundez led the restart of operations at the aerodrome Las Arenas, located in the delegation of Los Planes.

Governor holds first working meeting with the governor-elect Covarrubias Marcos
by Baja Daily News on 02/27/11

La Paz, Baja California Sur .- Gov. Narciso Agundez Montano said the handover process of the state government will be in collaboration, respect and cordiality, after holding a first working meeting with the governor-elect Covarrubias Marcos Villaseñor, to whom the head of the State reiterated its commitment to coordinate efforts so that the transition maintains the attention and services to Baja California Sur.

In the presence of the Secretaries General of Government, Finance, the state comptroller and attorney general, Gov. Narciso Agundez and governor-elect Mark Covarrubias discussed several issues that has to do mainly with the handover process and the organization of the swearing-in event that will have to develop the next 5 April.

Agundez Montano expressed its readiness to assist the new government through the delivery of state government that is characterized by transparency and objectivity, as stated, we are contributing to the new government to start as soon as work and responsibility for all the inhabitants of Baja California Sur.

INFORMATION

Cool video
LV Classic and some Burning Bush
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-XSAraGggk
Tim Hatler

A major milestone was accomplished in late 2010. Phase 1A of State Route 905 was opened the first week of December. This phase entails a six lane freeway from Britannia to the Otay Mesa Port of Entry.

The Otay Mesa Chamber of Commerce has been working for more than twenty years on this project and is very pleased to annouce that the core 905 project -six lanes from the 805 to the Otay Mesa Port of Entry- will be open in summer 2012. State Route-905 is the first freeway connecting the Otay Mesa community, which represents California’s largest land port of entry, to the San Diego freeway network.

The San Diego-Tijuana Airport Cross-Border Facility will be an elevated pedestrian bridge that directly connects a new facility in Southern San Diego County to the Tijuana Airport (TIJ) terminal to provide fast, safe and secure egress across the border for Tijuana Airline-ticketed passengers

The estimated cost for the first phase of construction is $77.9 million, including land acquisition. Construction on the CBF is expected to begin in early 2011, with completion slated by the end of 2012. The project still has a significant number of steps and approvals to clear before a shovel hits the ground.

A new port of entry is being developed in Otay Mesa just a couple of miles east of the existing Otay Mesa Port of Entry. This project also includes a new highway connection -State Route 11-which will connect to State Route-905. The new port will be managed by a toll system and will include expedited services in both the commercial and passenger lanes. This innovative project supported by the entire region should be operational by 2015.

LV CLassic 2011 - and the winner is............The Schools!

Thanks everyone for the best La Ventana Classic Ever!! Get ready for next year.
We are going to pull out all the stops for our 7th annual "Locally World Famous" event

Thank you to all our sponsors, volunteers, racers, and supporters
together we removed 10.5 tons of trash from our town and raised $18,487 USD

- and as we continue to receive donations, the number keeps going up
Special Thanks to these special fundraiser heroes:
Marie Leclerc of Elevation Kiteboarding - Held a women's clinic at the island which raised $2000 USD for women's sports at our schools
Andrew and Adam Koch of Team Fluid - Held a Racing Clinic which raised $600 USD
Mark Bavis and Brendan Richards - Held a strapless clinic which raised $500 USD
Baja Joes - donated coffee proceeds and sky dive show
Kiwi Fields and Jason Maartense - SUP winners who donated their prize boards back to raise $1350 USD
Sean Farley - Mexican Kiter Pro who did a motivation talk at the Telesucundaria and awarded tandem kite rides to students and took them out in breaks between events!!
Sarah, Shane, and Pablos - raised $580 USD at the TOGA rager!!
Larry Wilhelms and Captain Kirks - Yoga Class donations helped the cause!
Jewelry Diane -Donated % of jewelry sales!!
RACES -Final results and wrapup - go to www.laventanaclassicbaja.com
Event photos from The Kiteboarder - http://www.thekiteboarder.com/tag/la-ventana-2011/
--
Tim Hatler
tim@palapasventana.com

San Felipe, BC, Mexico - January 17, 2011 -

The Baja Love Ride, a “ride for a cause”, is forced to change the start date and ride route. The date is being changed from February 14 to March 22. Originally set to begin in Rosarito Beach, the ride will now begin at Monumental Plaza in Tijuana.


Due to unforeseen events, the organizers have had to modify the original planned event. The previously promoted 1000 mile course from Rosarito to Cabo San Lucas has had be shortened considerably. The 2011 ride will now be a 217 mile (349 km) course from Monumental Plaza in Playas de Tijuana to the Aches of San Felipe.

Organizers have recently been told by the government that road damage south of Puertecitos and construction south of the new Highway 5 will make the roads impassable for buses and other large event vehicles.

Authorities contend Federal Highway 5 construction south to Bahia San Luis Gonzaga and west to Transpeninsular Highway 1 will indeed be completed by the time Baja Love Ride 2012 is slated to begin.