Author Archives: David Stevens

Support the Trona High School Band Students!

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The band students have launched a raffle fundraiser to attend the Music Learning Foundation camp this summer. This camp is a vital opportunity for our students to expand their musical talents, and we would truly appreciate your support.

Raffle Highlights: We are raffling off four fantastic prizes thanks to the generosity of:

  • Alonzo Cisneros’ Grandma (Handmade Piñatas)

  • Casa Corona & The Pizza Factory

  • Ridgecrest Cinemas & Sierra Lanes Bowling

  • Dutch Bros & Walmart

Please note: This fundraiser is independently organized and not a Trona High School-sponsored event. Winners must be able to pick up their prizes.

Searles Valley Scholarship Foundation – Give Your Class Year Campaign

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No matter where life has taken us, we will always be Tornadoes.

We painted the T on the mountain.

We defended our class year on the rock.

We walked the halls of our original high school and built friendships that lasted far beyond graduation.

When the earthquakes shook our town, we felt it. When the old high school came down, we felt that too. But Trona has never been defined by what we lose. We are defined by how we stand together and rebuild.

Today, students walk the halls of a brand new high school. A new building. The same Tornado grit.

Now, there is a graduating senior ready to step into their next chapter, and we have the opportunity to stand behind them.

The Searles Valley Scholarship Foundation is raising funds to provide a scholarship to a Trona High School senior headed to college, and we are inviting alumni to rally once again through the Give Your Year Challenge.

🎓 How It Works

Donate in the amount of your graduation year:

Class of 1988 → $19.88

Class of 1999 → $19.99

Class of 2007 → $20.07

Frank Struska — Class of 1979

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Frank Struska and his partner, Debbie, passed away together in a tragic car accident, leaving behind a legacy of kindness that touched everyone who knew them.

Frank and Debbie were the heart of their circles—always the first to offer a helping hand and the last to let a friend go without support. While their absence leaves a profound void, their spirit lives on through their son, Benjamin, and their beloved grandsons, Colton and Cody.

To help the family navigate this unimaginable time, we are seeking donations to ease the sudden financial weight of funeral and memorial costs. Your generosity allows Benjamin and the boys to focus on grieving and healing together. Please keep the Struska family in your hearts.

Remembering Frank and Debbie Struska

Frank and Debbie Struska didn’t just live in their community; they built it. To know them was to be treated like family. They were defined by a quiet, steady kindness and a generosity that never asked for recognition. They loved deeply, gave without hesitation, and left an indelible mark on every life they touched.

A Legacy of Strength and Devotion

At the heart of their lives was their family. Their greatest pride resided in their son, Benjamin, and their two grandsons, Colton and Cody. They were a unit bound by fierce loyalty and decades of shared joy.

Following in the footsteps of his father, a former Texas college player, Frank developed a deep love for the game. He carved out his own reputation as a fullback at Trona High, mastering the sport on the iconic dirt of Griffith Field, better known to locals as ‘The Pit.'”

Frank’s dedication was legendary. For over ten years, he coached football in the Kern River Valley, pouring his heart into young athletes. Even after becoming a paraplegic, his commitment to the game and his community never wavered—a testament to a level of strength that inspired everyone who met him. And through every challenge and every triumph, Debbie was right there.

For nearly 40 years, Frank and Debbie were inseparable. They were best friends and partners in the truest sense, standing side-by-side through life’s ups and downs, all the way until the very end.

A Sudden Farewell

On the afternoon of March 28th, just miles from their home, Frank and Debbie’s journey together came to a tragic end in a car accident. Their passing has left an unimaginable void in the hearts of their family and the entire community they loved so well.

How You Can Help

As Benjamin and his family navigate this profound grief, we are reaching out to ease the sudden financial weight that follows such a loss. Your donations will go directly toward:

  • Final resting costs and memorial services.

  • Travel expenses for grieving loved ones.

  • Home transition costs, including cleaning, preparation, and moving expenses.

Our goal is to provide Benjamin the space to mourn his parents without the added burden of financial stress.

Any contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference. If you are unable to donate at this time, please consider sharing this page and keeping the Struska family in your thoughts and prayers.

Frank and Debbie’s legacy of love and resilience lives on through their son, their grandsons, and the community that will never forget them.

https://gofund.me/ea7b390dc

Sunlight in the Searles Valley: GlassPoint’s Solar Revolution in Trona

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AI created vision of GlassPoint solar steam plant.

AI created vision of GlassPoint solar steam plant.

In the harsh, salt-caked landscape of the Mojave Desert, a historic shift is underway. Trona, California—a town synonymous with a century of industrial mining—is becoming the testing ground for a massive technological leap. In June 2025, GlassPoint, a leader in industrial solar steam, announced a landmark partnership with Searles Valley Minerals (SVM) to deploy 750 megawatts thermal (MWth) of solar power.

This project isn’t just about “going green”; it’s about the survival and modernization of one of America’s most critical mineral operations.

The Challenge: Decarbonizing the “Hard-to-Abate”

Searles Valley Minerals has operated in Trona for over 150 years, extracting essential minerals like boron, soda ash, and lithium from the brine of Searles Lake. These minerals are the backbone of industries ranging from glass and detergents to fertilizers and high-tech electronics.

However, the process is incredibly energy-intensive. Traditionally, SVM has relied on coal and natural gas to generate the massive amounts of steam required for mineral processing. As coal prices rise and environmental regulations tighten, the facility faced a double threat to its economic viability and its carbon footprint.

The Technology: Solar in a Box

GlassPoint’s solution for Trona is their proprietary Enclosed Trough technology. Unlike traditional solar panels that generate electricity, GlassPoint uses mirrors to generate direct heat.

  1. The Greenhouse Design: The system places large, lightweight curved mirrors inside agricultural-style glasshouses. This “enclosure” is the secret to its success in the desert. It protects the mirrors from the fierce Mojave winds and abrasive sand, allowing them to be much thinner and cheaper than outdoor alternatives.
  2. Robotic Maintenance: Automated robots clean the exterior of the glasshouses at night, ensuring maximum sunlight penetration with minimal water use—a critical factor in the arid Searles Valley.
  3. Molten Salt Storage: For the first time, this project will integrate GlassPoint’s Unify storage system. By using liquid salts to store thermal energy during the day, the facility can continue to deliver steam 24/7, providing the “baseload” power necessary for continuous industrial operations.

Impact: Shutting Down California’s Last Coal Plants

The environmental and economic stakes of the Trona project are high. The first phase of the project aims to:

  • Decommission Coal: The 750 MWth installation is designed to begin the process of shutting down two coal-fired power plants—the last of their kind in California.
  • Carbon Reduction: The project is expected to slash carbon emissions by up to 500,000 metric tons per year.
  • Economic Sovereignty: By lowering energy costs from “day one,” the project helps ensure that SVM remains competitive against international suppliers, protecting over 600 local jobs in Trona.

A Global Milestone

With this project, GlassPoint has solidified its position as the dominant player in the $444 billion industrial process heat market. While they have successfully deployed massive projects in Oman and Saudi Arabia, the Trona facility represents their most significant U.S. deployment to date.

For the residents of Trona and the wider mining industry, the partnership proves that even the most “hard-to-abate” industrial sectors can transition to renewable energy—provided the technology is as rugged and cost-effective as the environment it operates in.

Project Quick Facts:

  • Location: Trona, CA (Searles Valley)
  • Capacity: 750 MWth
  • Primary Partner: Searles Valley Minerals (SVM)
  • Key Technology: Enclosed Trough mirrors + Unify ternary salt storage
  • Project Goal: Replace coal-based steam with zero-carbon solar steam

Trona Railway Reduces Operations

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In the high desert of San Bernardino County, the rhythmic sound of the Trona Railway’s vintage SD40 locomotives has long served as the heartbeat of Searles Valley. However, that rhythm is slowing. As of early 2026, a “perfect storm” of economic and regulatory pressures has forced Searles Valley Minerals (SVM) to implement massive cutbacks, leading to a significantly reduced schedule for the historic short-line railroad.

The Catalyst: Plant Idling and Layoffs

The downturn began in earnest in February 2026, when Searles Valley Minerals announced the idling of its Argus and Trona plants. Citing a combination of global market saturation—specifically the “dumping” of low-cost soda ash from overseas—and California’s stringent regulatory environment, the company issued WARN Act notices to over 300 employees, roughly 55% of its workforce.

While the Westend facility remains operational, the mothballing of the Argus plant has removed the primary demand for the coal and soda ash shipments that once filled the Trona Railway’s manifests.

Impact on Trona Railway Operations

The Trona Railway (TRC), which operates a 30.6-mile line between the mining complex and the Union Pacific interchange at Searles Junction, has been forced to adapt to the following changes:

  • Reduced Frequency: Once a daily operation, the TRC has shifted to an “ad-hoc” or “as-needed” schedule. Local reports and rail enthusiasts have noted that coal trains, formerly a staple of the line, have virtually disappeared as the plant transitions away from coal-fired power.

  • Shifting Commodities: With the Argus plant idled, the railway is pivoting to focus on boron and minerals from the Westend plant. Boron’s recent classification as a U.S. Critical Mineral provides a slim silver lining, potentially stabilizing a baseline of rail traffic for national security interests.

  • Infrastructure & Equipment: Plans for new Tier 4 locomotives have reportedly been paused or cancelled due to the loss of funding and the sudden drop in operational demand. The iconic “tunnel motor” locomotives continue to run, but far less frequently.

A Community in Transition

The reduction in rail and mining activity is more than a corporate shift; it is an existential threat to the town of Trona.

“In Trona, the company is the town,” noted one local resident. “They support the schools and provide the water. When the trains stop running, the lights start to

Local schools are already bracing for an enrollment “death spiral” as families relocate to find work. The railway’s reduced schedule is the most visible indicator of this contraction, signaling a transition from a booming mineral hub to a leaner, more specialized operation.

Looking Ahead: Solar and Survival

Despite the grim outlook, SVM is looking toward a different kind of future. In late 2025, the company partnered with GlassPoint to begin replacing its coal-fired operations with a massive 750 MWth solar thermal project.If successful, this could eventually lower energy costs enough to make California mineral production competitive again.

For now, however, the Trona Railway remains in a state of watchful waiting, its reduced schedule a somber reflection of a valley fighting to remain “Trona Strong.”

Barbara Knight

Barbara (Knight) Rector — Class of 1954

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Barbara Rector, a longtime pillar of the Trona community, will be honored with a memorial service on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 12:00 PM at the Searles Valley Cemetery. A reception celebrating her life will follow at the Trona Senior Center.

Born in Bakersfield, Barbara moved to Trona in 1951, entering Trona High School as a sophomore. She quickly became an integral part of campus life, graduating with the Class of 1954. During her school years, she was a dedicated member of the G.A.A. and the Girls’ League, and she helped capture the history of her peers through her work on the Slate and the Telescope.

Barbara was the beloved wife of the late Russell Rector (Class of 1949), who preceded her in death in 2018. She was a devoted mother to her three sons: Ricky (Class of 1973), Robert (Class of 1977), and John (Class of 1978). She now joins her husband and her sons, Ricky and Robert, in eternal rest.

She is also preceded in death by her sisters, Rayana Hobby (Class of 1958) and Sheila Wheeler (Class of 1960). Barbara’s legacy lives on through her son John, her extended family, and the many lives she touched in the Searles Valley.

High Above the Heat: Mahogany Flats and Telescope Peak

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Death Valley is world-renowned for its blistering salt flats and below-sea-level basins, but if you look westward from the valley floor, the Panamint Range offers a dramatic, alpine escape. At the pinnacle of this range stands Telescope Peak, accessible via the rugged gateway of Mahogany Flats.

The Gateway: Mahogany Flats

Before you even lace up your boots, you have to survive the drive. Mahogany Flats is the highest campground in Death Valley National Park, sitting at an elevation of 8,133 feet.

  • The Journey: The road transition from Wildrose Canyon to Mahogany Flats is legendary. The final 1.5 miles are steep, unpaved, and notoriously bumpy. While high-clearance vehicles are a must, 4WD is often recommended depending on recent weather.

  • The Campsite: Once you arrive, the air is thin and crisp. The campground is nestled among ancient mountain mahogany and juniper trees. It serves as the primary trailhead for the summit and offers a literal “birds-eye” view of the Badwater Basin thousands of feet below.

  • The History: Nearby, you’ll find the Wildrose Charcoal Kilns, 25-foot-tall beehive-shaped stone structures built in 1877 to create fuel for silver-lead mines. They are some of the best-preserved specimens of their kind in the West.

The Ascent: Scaling Telescope Peak

The hike from Mahogany Flats to the summit of Telescope Peak is a strenuous but rewarding 14-mile round trip. It is a journey through vertical life zones that feels more like the High Sierra than the Mojave Desert.

Feature Detail
Distance 14 miles (Out and Back)
Elevation Gain ~3,300 feet
Summit Elevation 11,049 feet
Difficulty Strenuous
Best Time June – October (Snow lingers into May)

The Trail Experience

The path begins with a steady climb through forests of Pinyon Pine. As you gain altitude, the landscape shifts dramatically. You will eventually encounter the Bristlecone Pines—some of the oldest living organisms on Earth, weathered into twisted, golden sculptures by centuries of high-altitude wind.

The final stretch follows a narrow ridge. To your left (east), the ground drops away toward Badwater Basin (-282 feet). To your right (west), the Panamint Valley stretches out toward the Sierra Nevada.

The Summit: A 360-Degree Spectacle

Reaching the top of Telescope Peak (11,049 feet) provides a geographical perspective found nowhere else on the continent. On a clear day, you can witness one of the greatest vertical reliefs in the United States:

The “Telescope” Effect: From the summit, you can look down at the lowest point in North America (Badwater Basin) and, simultaneously, look across to the highest point in the contiguous U.S., Mount Whitney (14,505 feet).

The peak earned its name because the air is so clear and the vantage so high that it feels like you are looking through a telescope at the distant horizons.

Essential Tips for Your Trip

  1. Check the Snow: Even if it’s 100°F in Furnace Creek, Telescope Peak can be covered in ice and snow. Always check ranger reports before heading up.

  2. Acclimatize: You are starting at 8,000 feet. Give yourself a night at Mahogany Flats to get used to the thin air before attempting the summit.

Hydrate: The desert air is incredibly dry, and the climb is exposed. Carry more water than you think you’ll need—there are no reliable water sources on the trail.

Note: I walked to school every morning down Argus Avenue to California Street and then up to Telescope Street where Telescope Peak was present in the background. We marked the seasons by looking to see if it had snow or not. If it did it was winter. If it didn’t it was summer. One year our neighbors, the Mocks went to Mahogany Flats and brought home enough pine nuts to fill 3 55 gallon barrels. There are not many things that taste better than roasted pine nuts.

References:

Telescope Peak, California

Telescope Peak Hike in the Winter: Death Valley’s Highest Point

Telescope Peak Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Wildrose Charcoal Kilns

Telescope Peak

The High Desert Gateway: Exploring Wildrose Canyon and Station

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Deep within the Panamint Range of Death Valley National Park lies a landscape that defies the standard desert stereotype. Far above the salt flats of Badwater Basin, Wildrose Canyon offers a rugged, high-elevation retreat where pinyon pines replace creosote bushes and the air remains cool even as the valley floor below reaches triple digits.

Rich in both geological drama and pioneer history, the canyon and its long-lost “station” tell a story of silver booms, industrious engineering, and the enduring resilience of the Mojave Desert.

The Geography of an Oasis

Wildrose Canyon is a 13-mile-long natural corridor on the western side of the Panamint Mountains. While much of Death Valley sits below sea level, Wildrose begins at an elevation of roughly 4,000 feet and climbs to over 8,000 feet. This dramatic verticality creates a unique ecosystem; it is a “sky island” where moisture is more abundant, supporting a dense woodland of Singleleaf Pinyon Pine and Utah Juniper.

The canyon serves as one of the primary western gateways into the park, accessible via the winding Wildrose Canyon Road. For travelers, it represents a transition from the stark, arid Panamint Valley to the alpine-like ridges of the high Panamints.

The Story of Wildrose Station

While the canyon remains a popular destination today, Wildrose Station is a name that largely belongs to the history books. Located at the junction of the Trona-Wildrose Road and Emigrant Canyon Road, the station was once a vital “oasis” for weary travelers and freight teams.

The Stagecoach Era

In the early 1900s, during the gold and silver rushes that birthed ghost towns like Skidoo and Panamint City, Wildrose Station served as a critical stage stop. It was a place where horses were changed, water was shared, and prospectors could find a hot meal. Beneath a massive rock formation—which the local Timbisha Shoshone and miners alike called “the big rock”—a café and blacksmith shop once operated.

The Modern Era and Removal

In the mid-20th century, the station continued to operate as a small commercial hub, featuring a general store, café, and gasoline pumps under private leases. However, in 1971, the National Park Service (NPS) decided to close the station and remove its commercial structures to restore the “historic flavor” and natural integrity of the area. Today, little remains of the station buildings themselves, but the site continues to serve as a landmark near the Wildrose Campground.

The Architectural Marvel: Wildrose Charcoal Kilns

The most famous residents of the canyon are not people, but ten massive, beehive-shaped structures: the Wildrose Charcoal Kilns.

Completed in 1877 by the Modock Consolidated Mining Company (partially owned by George Hearst, father of William Randolph Hearst), these kilns were an industrial solution to a fuel problem. The silver-lead smelters in the Argus Range, 25 miles to the west, required intense heat that regular wood couldn’t provide.

  • Engineering: Each kiln stands 25 feet tall and was built from local stone and lime mortar.
  • Production: Laborers filled the kilns with pinyon pine and juniper logs, then set them to a slow, controlled burn for about a week to produce high-energy charcoal.
  • Preservation: The kilns were only used for about two years before the mines closed. Because of this short lifespan and their remote location, they are considered the best-preserved examples of charcoal kilns in the Western United States. Even today, the interior of the stones still smells faintly of woodsmoke and creosote.

Visiting Today

For modern visitors, Wildrose Canyon is a prime destination for escaping the heat and exploring the park’s history.

  • Wildrose Campground: Open year-round, this site offers 23 spaces. Unlike the low-elevation campgrounds, Wildrose is often breezy and cool, though it can see snow in the winter.
  • Hiking: The trailhead for Wildrose Peak (9,064 ft) begins at the charcoal kilns. It is an 8.4-mile round-trip hike that provides some of the most spectacular 360-degree views in California, stretching from the Sierra Nevada to the east to the white salt crust of Death Valley to the west.
  • Wildlife: The canyon is a haven for desert bighorn sheep, burros, and a variety of high-desert birds like the Pinyon Jay.

Travel Tips

The road into Wildrose Canyon is narrow and winding. The National Park Service strictly prohibits vehicles longer than 25 feet from traversing the upper sections of the canyon road due to tight turns. Additionally, the final stretches leading to the kilns are gravel; while usually passable for sedans, high-clearance vehicles are recommended after rain or snow.

Wildrose Canyon stands as a reminder that Death Valley is more than just a scorched basin—it is a mountain kingdom with a deep, cooling breath and a history etched in stone.

Jeanette Kay Thomas, Classs of 1986

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Jeanette Kay Thomas

Aug 9,1968- Feb 12,2026

Born in Ridgecrest, CA to Carolyn Lowe and James Thomas Sr., Jeanette lived a life defined by passion and an indomitable spirit. She was a woman who loved deeply, and when faced with life’s challenges, fought long and hard with a courage that inspired many. Jeanette Found peace and happiness in the simple beauties of life. She loved the great outdoors, a quiet games of cards or family gatherings, but her truest treasures were her daughter and grandchildren. As the best Memaw anyone could ask for, She spent her happiest days making memories with her grandbabies!

Jeanette is survived by her mother, Carolyn lowe, daughter, Maegan Darling, her beloved grandchildren, Natalia and Joseph, brothers,Woody Lowe, Stoney Lowe, and Sis-in-law, Kary Thomas. She also leaves behind her nieces, Kristina (Justin) Benzo, Brittany (Brett) Baker, and Katelynn Lowe; nephews Steve Kuschka and Tayler Lowe as well as a wide circle of great nieces, great nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

She is preceded in death by her sister, Starla Thomas, and brother, James Thomas Jr.

Services will be held at Holland & Lyons Chapel, on March 21st @2:00pm

https://www.hollandlyons.com/obituaries/jeanette-thomas?ttm_pid=211006822&ttm_affiliate=legacypro&ttm_affiliatetype=standard&ttm_campaign=legacy

Donald F “Don” Dill — Class of 1952

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Donald Frederick Dill

1933 – 2026

Donald F. Dill, a  standout athlete of the Trona High School Class of 1952, passed away in February 2026. News of his passing was shared by his wife, Roberta, through the Searles Valley Historical Society newsletter.

A Life of Leadership and Athletics

Don’s journey in Trona began around 1948, when he moved from Michigan with his parents, and sister. His parents were originally from Canada. He quickly became a fixture of Trona High School life, where his natural leadership and athletic prowess were on full display.

A versatile and gifted athlete, Don was a four-year letterman in both Football and Baseball, while also competing on the basketball and track teams. His peers recognized his character and vision early on, electing him Class President for both his junior and senior years. Don also helped preserve the memories of his classmates by serving as the Sports Editor for the 1952 yearbook.

Family and Legacy

Don was preceded in death by his brother, Lloyd, and his nephew, Ron (Class of 1961). He is survived by:

  • His beloved wife, Roberta.

  • His sister, Marjorie Brooks (Class of 1953).

Don will be remembered by the Trona community as a man who embodied the spirit of his graduating class—active, involved, and always ready to lead. His legacy remains a part of the long history of Trona High School and preserved in the hearts of those who knew him.