Articles written by Nikki Symington
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Rams Hill Scholarship Recipients
Rams Hill has announced another round of $1,000 scholarships to five Borrego Springs' students entering post high school education. The scholarships are given annually to students whose parents have worked for at least a season at... — Updated 9/27/2022
New Employment for BCHF Employees
The San Diego American Indian Health Center (SDAIHC) recently posted new members of their staff. What a surprise to learn they had hired Karen Hebets, wife and co-conspirator of Borrego Health’s criminal mastermind, Bruce Hebets, former CEO, now deceased. But that’s not all,... — Updated 9/27/2022
Bad News for BH, Worse News for Patients
On August 19, Borrego Health’s administrative offices, individual clinics, and others outside of the organization were notified by the State of California Health and Human Services Agency – Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) that the state intends to reimpose its 100%... — Updated 9/19/2022
Resolution Passes
The Borrego Springs Fire Protection District Board (BSFPD) voted 3 – 2 to approve an Application Resolution to dissolve the District and consolidate with the county-wide, San Diego County Fire Protection District (SDCFPD), at a special meeting on August 25 to reconsider the... — Updated 9/7/2022
PERT: The Mental Health Backup for Law Enforcement Encounters During A Crisis
Living in Borrego Springs, calling the sheriff or fire department for help in a serious mental health crisis or drug scene gone badly, does not address the core issues, and can lead to tragedy. However, engaging the Psychiatric Response Team (PERT) can make a difference in law... — Updated 8/26/2022
The Full Scope of Borrego Health Fraud, Lawsuit
Borrego Community Health Foundation (Borrego Health) recently filed a lawsuit to regain funds stolen from state and federal Medicare, Medi-Cal and Denti-Cal funds, and bring the people to justice that conspired to violate the laws and mission of the non-profit health network.... — Updated 8/26/2022
Resolution Fails to Pass
The Borrego Springs Fire Protection District Board (BSFPD) failed to pass the local Resolution of Application, which is the first step in opening negotiations with the County of San Diego and the process of dissolving the local Special District and joining the San Diego County... — Updated 8/23/2022
About That Air Conditioner
Days and nights are definitely getting hotter in Borrego, cooling your home during the dog days of summer is expensive both in terms of electricity and the environment. In Borrego, as much as 50 percent of your annual energy use can go to cooling your house. This can account for... — Updated 8/19/2022
BCHF Finally Exposed
Borrego Community Health Foundation (Borrego Health) has admitted to fraudulent activities and criminal conspiracies within the organization; and filed a RICO, Racketeering lawsuit against 49 of the Foundation’s former board members, former CEO’s, officers, 15 contract... — Updated 8/19/2022
BCHF: Changing Image
Borrego Community Health Foundation (Borrego Health) has been very busy. And the Foundation’s Crisis Communications Team has been doing a good job of advising the media of Borrego Health’s activities. Maybe, it’s because they are tired of having their spin upstaged by the... — Updated 8/1/2022
BCHF: Raiding Healthcare Pays
Why is the Borrego Sun still writing about Borrego Health and its legal issues? Some readers may have lost interest, feel it doesn’t impact them and gone on with their lives. Others feel the Sun is beating a dead horse and should be supporting the local clinic in this difficult... — Updated 8/1/2022
Breaking News: Borrego Health Sues Itself
Borrego Health has finally admitted to fraudulent activities and criminal conspiracies within the organization; and has filed a RICO, Racketeering lawsuit against 50 of the Foundation’s former board members, officers, contract dentists, Premier Healthcare Management, many other... — Updated 8/1/2022
BSFPD Votes to Join SDCFPD
A brilliant example of community collaboration to benefit Borrego taxpayers and emergency services happened in Borrego over the past three months. The Borrego Sun began investigating the critical financial situation of the Borrego Springs Fire Protection District (BSFPD). A group... — Updated 7/5/2022
75th District Race – Marie Waldron vs. Randy Voepel
During this year’s political redistricting, Borrego Springs was moved into the 75th State Assembly District. Formerly represented by Randy Voepel of the 71st District, Borrego voters had two candidates running in the June Primary to represent the 75th. They were Voepel (Rep.),... — Updated 6/21/2022
930-mile Cycling Race, Fundraiser for BSHS Graduates
In 2021, Sylvia Maas, endurance cyclist and Borrego Springs resident, had quite a year, winning her two-person division in Race Across the West (RAW), first woman to win the Texas Longhorn 500, crewing the Race Across Oregon (RAO)... — Updated 6/21/2022
BCHF: When Words Don't Match Reality
Borrego Community Health Foundation (BCHF) took another action, “To protect the long-term access to local care,” announcing layoffs of 218 employees, in addition to the 113 terminated on February 1, 2021. The May 25, 2022 announcement was in the form of a press release from... — Updated 6/16/2022
Dave Myers, SD County Sheriff Candidate
Dave Myers, a 35-year veteran of the San Diego County Sheriff's Department, and retired Commander of the Rural Divisions, including the fact he served in one, is sensitive and aware of the issues facing the rural outposts. All... — Updated 6/6/2022
CalFire: Overwhelming Vote
The Borrego Springs Firefighters Association, Local 4160, has also voted for consolidation with the San Diego County Fire Protection District. (See press release given to the Borrego Sun, May 20, in the May 26 issue). The five-member Board of Directors of the Borrego Springs Fire... — Updated 6/2/2022
Borrego Health Loses Lawsuit
On March 2, 2022, Judge M. James Lorenz, of the United States District Court of Southern California, declined to exercise Borrego Health’s request for supplemental jurisdiction over state law claims in the Borrego Community Health Foundation v. Inland Valley Investments LLC; Pro... — Updated 5/25/2022
BCHF: True or Not?
To quote Sandra Hansberger, Chair of the Borrego Community Health Foundation (BCHF), “Everything you read in the Borrego Sun is not true.” She’s right. The Borrego Sun often relies on tips from credible sources to ferret out new information. Rumors are like the old saying,... — Updated 5/10/2022
BSFPD or CalFire: Communicating Options
Bruce Kelley became concerned about financial problems facing the Borrego Springs Fire Protection District (BSFPD) after meetings with local paramedics, who were attempting to muster up a grassroots campaign to host a tax increase for the District as a November 2022, ballot... — Updated 5/4/2022
Opinion: Rumor vs. Fact...
The Borrego Sun tries to follow up when someone calls with a concern, question or suspicion. While some are occasionally bordering on the edge of a conspiracy, we still check it out. We do this because we are a newspaper. When wrong information begins circulating, and playing... — Updated 5/3/2022
What's Up, Borrego Health?
Currently, there’s lawsuits piling up against Borrego Community Health Foundation (BCHF) beginning with Mikia Wallis, Borrego Health’s former CEO; Husam Aldairi, winner of the illegal dental sweepstakes, earning $6 million and $8 million annually; two insurance companies; plus... — Updated 4/21/2022
BSFPD: The Decision is Yours
The real question Borrego residents should be asking is not whether there should be a grassroots’ ballot tax increase to solve Borrego Springs Fire Protection District’s (BSFPD) financial and service problems, but whether local taxpayers can afford a first-class fire and... — Updated 4/6/2022
BCHF: What's Going On?
After 11 years at the Borrego Medical Clinic, Dr. James Huot will be retiring in January 2023. Dr. Huot was paid $400,000 annually, and according to sources, actually worked six months of the year. Dan Kramer, publicist for the Borrego Community Health Foundation (BCHF) stated,... — Updated 4/5/2022
