By Mike Glinzak
October 20, 2022 - Miracle Hot Springs, located about 42 miles east of Bakersfield along State Hwy 178, was jackhammered to rubble by the US Forest Service (USFS) this week with the approval of the Kern County Sheriff. The five soaking tubs were just off the edge of the highway on USFS land and have been controversial for years with complaints of trash, drug and alcohol use, and general rowdy behavior. The local Hot Springs Angels group worked hard to keep the pools in repair and cleaned of trash and graffiti. A four year-long voluntary agreement with the USFS, had kept the pools open to be enjoyed by local hikers and occasional nudists. Then, in August 2022, a 55-yr old woman drown at the springs, and on October 17 an “elderly man” was found dead in one of the tubs, contaminating it with the victim’s blood, according to deputies. So, three days later, USFS came back and jackhammered all four tubs into oblivion. Days later. when members of the Hot Springs Angels group attempted to rebuild the tubs with sandbags, deputies ran them out of the area. An excellent 13-minute video about this government overreach can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLXjFiBSbp0&t=607s
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