An unidentified motorcyclist died early Friday morning in an accident on the A-7 near the town of Mijas According to information provided to SUR by the Andalusian emergency agency (EMA) the tragic incident happened at around 3.30am at kilometre 1024 of the aforementioned road The traffic division of the Guardia Civil and medical personnel were despatched to the incident but the motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident This is not the only tragic event recorded in the province over the bank holiday Another man died on Thursday afternoon (1 May) when his house caught fire in the municipality of Ronda The coordination centre received several calls shortly before 5pm another fire on the seventh floor of a building in Avenida de Europa left some 20 people affected Most of those affected were treated for smoke inhalation although there were no serious injuries reported Comentar es una ventaja exclusiva para registrados Mission Statement: to assist the integration of foreign residents living in Spain and this is never more accurate than when you establish yourself as a foreign resident in a new country Being able to quickly familiarise yourself with the culture and customs can help ease the transition during a challenging time This is why Euro Weekly News makes it our mission to provide you with a free news resource in English that covers both regional and national Spanish news – anything that we feel you will benefit from knowing as you integrate into your new community and live your best life in Spain you can forget about translating articles from Spanish into awkward English that probably don’t make much sense Let us be your convenient and essential guide to all things that will likely affect you as a foreign resident living in Spain A forest fire has erupted this afternoon behind the popular Venta Los Condes restaurant in Mijas. The blaze is spreading rapidly through a heavily forested area. Fire teams from Fuengirola and Mijas are en route to the scene Firefighting helicopters have arrived to help battle the blaze.​ and residents are advised to avoid the area to allow emergency services to operate efficiently.​ Subscribe to our Euro Weekly News alerts to get the latest stories into your inbox Website#ea7c6a0ee56950e950601941{display:none} Euro Weekly News is the leading English language newspaper in Spain by delivering news with a social conscience we are proud to be the voice for the expat communities who now call Spain home With around half a million print readers a week and over 1.5 million web views per month EWN has the biggest readership of any English language newspaper in Spain The paper prints over 150 news stories a week with many hundreds more on the web – no one else even comes close Our publication has won numerous awards over the last 25 years including Best Free Newspaper of the Year (Premios AEEPP) Company of the Year (Costa del Sol Business Awards) and Collaboration with Foreigners honours (Mijas Town Hall) All of this comes at ZERO cost to our readers All our print and online content always has been and always will be FREE OF CHARGE Download our media pack in either English or Spanish the sheer uniqueness of the exhibits is captivating promising sights such as stuffed dressed fleas and Leonardo da Vinci's "Last Supper" on a grain of rice features 360 intricately crafted miniatures What’s remarkable is that these tiny masterpieces are made from everyday materials like chalk reflects a lifetime of travels and interactions with diverse cultures worldwide Each piece is a testament to human patience and creativity making the museum a true celebration of global artistry and craftsmanship complete with earthen skeletons and mermaids A tiny art gallery in Sunnyside helps keep Portland weird Miniature art that tells an enormous story A tiny museum housed in a New York freight elevator specializes in the "overlooked This Novia Scotia museum showcases local history through miniature models built by one man You'll need a microscope to see some of the minuscule masterpieces in this modest museum Admire impressively detailed models of everything from a Pennsylvania Dutch kitchen to the world's smallest Swiss Army Knife The warmth and creative kitsch of a quilt engulf every patron who visits The Guardia Civil is investigating another killing in Mijas Police officers discovered the body of a man showing signs of having been bound and set alight in a hard-to-access ravine near the Calaburras lighthouse in addition to the signs of violence on his body This is the second potential homicide case in Mijas this week, following the shooting in Calahonda, when a young British man in his 30s was shot dead as he was leaving a football match Looking for a fun and traditional way to spend May 1 Head to La Cala de Mijas for the much-loved sardinada where more than 600 kilos of sardines will be cooked and handed out for free The event, which begins at 12 p.m. in Plaza del Torreon, marks International Workers’ Day, a public holiday across Spain. Visitors can enjoy freshly grilled sardines prepared by 18 local espeteros skilled workers who will cook the fish the traditional Malaga way over open wood fires the day includes live music and family-friendly entertainment local bands Alborea and Radio 80 will take to the stage under a large marquee The La Cala Youth Association will also run a bar area serving drinks and extra snacks at affordable prices The Mijas Town Hall encourages locals and expats to come along and enjoy this popular celebration of community Whether you’re a long-time resident or just visiting the May Day sardinada in La Cala is the perfect way to enjoy the local traditions of the Costa del Sol Website#a86a1771e49839b1eb60391f{display:none} According to sources consulted by Europa Press although investigations are progressing along several lines the one carrying the most weight is the possible connection between this body and a prior kidnapping report that was being investigated in another town on the Costa del Sol The corpse was found at around 12.15pm on Wednesday on a plot of land in the town It was bound-up and in an advanced state of decomposition so investigators have initially worked to identify the victim and determine the causes and perpetrators of the violent death The body was found in a difficult-to-access ravine in the area of the Calaburras lighthouse It was one of the owners of the land who found the body according to statements made to journalists by the government of Spain’s delegate in Andalucía who stated that the investigation is "completely open." This was the second possible case of murder this week in the town A young Englishman in his 30s was gunned down as he was leaving a football match in Calahonda on Monday afternoon The main hypothesis of this investigation suggests there could be two perpetrators A wildfire broke out in the afternoon of Thursday in a densely forested area of Valtocado in the Sierra de Mijas The blaze broke out at approximately 4pm approximately 500m uphill from the popular restaurant Venta Los Condes and is believed to have been accidentally ignited by a brush cutter during routine land-clearing work Local police were on the scene almost immediately but firefighting teams from Mijas took longer A Superpuma helicopter swept over the zone with a firefighting team aboard to inspect the blaze and then set down about 100 metres on a small plateau near the road to let the crew out another helicopter started lifting water from a lake in Alhaurín Golf to drop on the flames Guardia Civil blocked off the road to stop traffic passing through but later allowed the traffic to flow again and 2,500 litres of water were dropped on the site This has been the first alert of its kind of the year highlighting the necessity to remain vigilant as while the ground may still be damp after the excessive rains of recent weeks the possibility of fire remains extremely high Website#z9878b612e526ac18e899f7f{display:none} Mijas town hall is organising a special event in Plaza del Torreón (La Cala de Mijas) to mark International Workers' Day municipal workers will cook 600 kilos of ‘espetos’ which will be offered to the attendees free of charge The festivities will begin at midday and also include live music performances in the large marquee that will be erected in the square especially for the event a bar service managed by the youth association of La Cala de Mijas will offer other food and drinks at regular prices The initiative was announced by festivities councillor Silvia Marín who encouraged the participation of residents and visitors alike “There will be a total of 18 espeteros who will be in charge of preparing this typical Costa del Sol delicacy a task that is traditionally carried out by municipal workers,” she said Mijas is hosting its annual Book Fair from April 24 to 27 at Parque de la Candelaria in Las Lagunas de Mijas with a plentiful collection of books to buy and a celebration of literature Open Thursday to Saturday from 10.30am to 2pm and 5pm to 8pm The fair opens on April 24 with a presentation of ‘Macri’ by Fernando Navarro followed by talks with authors Juana Torrijos illustrators Silvia Álvarez and Miguel Ángel Páez April 26 there’s a lineup including Alba A sharing personal stories with her signature sincerity Parque de la Candelaria is one Camino del Albero Mijas is enhancing mental health care with a significant €350,000 grant from the Malaga Provincial Council This funding will help complete the new Afesol facility in Las Lagunas Afesol the Association of Relatives and People with Mental Illness of the Costa del Sol has been supporting mental health for over 25 years The new facility will include nine supportive housing spaces and a daytime community centre offering round-the-clock care for people navigating mental health struggles Programs will prioritise helping residents build independence and assist women recovering from domestic violence or abuse Access to the facility will be coordinated through the Andalusian Public Health System and local social services with contributions from the Mijas Town Hall For expats living along Spain’s Costa del Sol this new development brings better access to mental health resources right where they live such as in-school suicide prevention workshops and training local officers highlight their dedication to providing care that’s easy to reach and open to everyone Located on Camino de Campanales, the new facility will serve residents from Mijas to Malaga City and the Guadalhorce area supporting the region’s dedication to mental well-being The centre aims to provide a safe and supportive environment helping individuals reintegrate into society The association of relatives and people with mental illness of the Costa del Sol (Afesol) is facing the final stretch of the construction work of a day centre and a temporary residence for people with mental health problems in Mijas will be able to house people who are being monitored by the mental health unit with the following objectives: promoting personal autonomy working towards the recovery of adequate psychosocial functioning with a view to an independent lifestyle in the future; providing interventions during crises or episodes of psychological distress avoiding hospital admission; preventing suicide; and supporting women with mental illness who are victims of gender-based violence will be subject to a medical referral from the regional mental health services as well as a social referral from community social services with coordination established between both Located on the Campanales de Las Lagunas road with 24-hour staff presence and variable support adapted to the needs of each person Afesol hopes to finish the works by the end of the year to be able to start up the facility in 2026 The ground floor will consist of the main pedestrian access a kitchen integrated with the dining room and living room On the first floor there are nine bedrooms with bathrooms In the basement there will be six parking spaces The three floors (except for the roof) are connected by two flights of stairs and a lift and the outside area will have a back patio part of which will be covered by a pergola Each person using the centre will have their own individual room equipped with a bathroom and suitable furniture The Diputación de Málaga will allocate 350,000 euros to finish the work on the building This was announced by the president of the provincial authority The total cost of the building amounts to 1.4 million euros and the town hall the La Caixa Foundation and the association itself have also contributed to its financing Salado highlighted the "invaluable social work" carried out by Afesol and explained that this centre will provide assistance to people from all over the Costa del Sol "Third sector organisations such as this association play a fundamental role in the province in providing better care for particularly vulnerable groups such as people suffering from mental illness." Mijas is gearing up for its ninth annual Ruta Ecuestre por la Playa on Saturday a much-loved tradition that celebrates the town’s deep-rooted equestrian heritage Organised by Mijas council and the Peña Caballista de Mijas the event draws hundreds of riders and spectators showcasing the cultural significance of horses in the Costa del Sol with over 2,300 registered steeds the event is a reaffirmation of the character of Andalucía The journey begins at 9.30am in El Esparragal park, near Mijas Golf winding through Mijas’ rural roads before reaching La Cala de Mijas beachfront around 12.30pm Here their hooves kicking up sand and surf against the Mediterranean horizon It’s a breathtaking sight that blends natural beauty with timeless tradition not to mention a photographer’s dream The day concludes with a communal lunch at Parque Los Olivos for all participants Councillor Eloy Belmonte calls it ‘Mijas’ most important riding trail,’ noting its role in maintaining the town’s unique charm beyond borders. The event’s popularity reflects the importance of tradition to the people of Mijas Riders who would like to participate must register by March 19 via 670 066 075 or 635 976 703 as places will fill up fast for this iconic outing From the spectacular stretch of coastline to the celebration of historical and cultural equestrian legacy the Ruta Ecuestre promises a day of beauty The diabetic support group of the La Cala de Mijas Lions held “a really successful” Easter bonnet lunch on Sunday 20 April at Bar Tuta in Mijas Costa an event that it has been organising for more than 30 years More than 50 people attended the charity event which raised more than 600 euros to help the volunteer-run group to continue offering free glucose testing and support for those with diabetes hot cross buns and an afternoon of fun and games hosted by John Sharples while prizes were given for the prettiest and most original bonnets said: “With sunshine all day and the prettiest and most original hats well displayed who gave us a very generous donation on the day to help sponsor the event and to everyone who helped to make the day a success.” Mijas turned into a buzzing equestrian hub on Saturday as the town hosted the ninth edition of its now much-loved Ruta Ecuestre This year’s event saw more than 300 horses take part—surpassing last year’s record—and brought together a colourful crowd of riders locals and holidaymakers for a day full of tradition winding its way through the spring countryside before reaching the beach horses trotted along the shore and even splashed into the sea creating an unforgettable scene that had beachgoers clapping Mijas has shown how proud it is of its traditions and how good we are at bringing people together,” he said He also highlighted the event’s growing popularity noting how it’s become an unmissable date for equestrian fans across the province where the community came together over a giant paella and live music and the atmosphere was nothing short of electric Belmonte also made sure to shout out the people who made it all run smoothly—from the Local Police and Civil Protection teams to volunteers and workers from the town’s beaches “It’s thanks to all of them that the day went off without a hitch,” he said What started as a local tradition has grown into a major date on the Costa del Sol’s cultural calendar And as horses galloped along the sand and the music played into the evening it was clear: the Ruta Ecuestre isn’t just an event—it’s a reflection of Mijas itself Find more news about Costa del Sol The intensified campaign of preventive controls launched by Mijas town hall is “delivering strong results” in terms of public safety the Local Police have recently carried out a large-scale surveillance operation across the entire municipality including both the coast and inland rural areas most of them linked to outstanding warrants These actions have been made possible thanks to increased identification and surveillance efforts in strategic areas of the municipality preventive traffic checks have led to the detection of 13 drug-related offences and 11 for alcohol consumption while in control of a vehicle Councillor for security Juan Carlos Cuevas said "The Local Police are doing an exemplary job which is the result of a clear strategy: increasing presence and acting decisively to ensure the safety of all our residents.” The councillor said that operations will remain in place with new actions aimed at further reducing crime rates and strengthening security but rather a long-term approach aligned with a clear priority: to make Mijas an increasingly safe place with zero tolerance for crime and a greater focus on prevention in all areas,” he added Heightened tensions between Mijas donkey ride operators and local residents reach fever pitch when local ordinance is not respected during AEMET extreme weather warning The Town Hall of Mijas recently declared that the famed Mijas Donkey Taxis must not operate when temperatures exceed 32ºC between the times of 2pm and 6pm and in the event of Mijas receiving an ‘orange weather warning’ from AEMET that the donkeys must not be put to work at all the donkey taxis where offering rides to tourists as usual and in spite of a well publicised ‘Orange Weather Warning.’ According to witnesses there were less customers than usual for the donkey rides The day was seemingly even too hot for the visitors Tensions have been heightened with hundreds of complaints from locals and social media users ever since a video went viral of one of the Mijas donkeys collapsed with what appeared to be exhaustion Photos of the donkeys have since been abound on Facebook of the donkeys in the centre of Mijas Pueblo with open wounds under their breaching straps and what appears to be wire tightly tied around the necks of the animals in some apparent attempt at maintaining their heads from drooping Marcos Cortes recently appeared in front on national TV news cameras assuring the public that the law was being adhered to the donkeys were receiving regular veterinary attention and that there was nothing for the public to be concerned about AEMET issues an ‘orange’ hot weather warning national weather agencies report 34ºC in Mijas and the donkeys are still lined up waiting to give rides to tourists Concerned residents have claimed to have called the Local Police 3 times before any officers appeared at the donkey station But the donkeys continued on duty at their regular post decided to question one of the donkey owners on why he was still offering rides when the weather was so hot and an extreme weather warning had been announced The blue-shirted donkey ride operator was seen on a video and then sitting on his chest while punching him Ian’s glasses were broken during the fracas and his mobile phone tossed away The tourist was taken to hospital to tend to his wounds Photos of Ian’s face show serious bruising around his eyes and nose A report was filed with the Guardia Civil at 10pm While the aggressions of one of the donkey operators do not represent the sentiments of all there is an indication that tensions are more heightened than ever animal rights activists and concerned local citizens plan to hold a demonstration against the mistreatment of donkeys at 1pm outside Mijas Pueblo post office Why do you people never give readers access to the viral videos you report about? But I bet they wouldn’t show videos of animal lovers kicking the life out of the donkey’s owners Except perhaps to prosecute the animal lovers This is almost as bad as bullfighting in Spain Mijas Council has finalised plans to introduce a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) only in Mijas Pueblo sparing the rest of the municipality from any restrictions but it only covers a very small area in the centre of town where restrictions already existed Mijas too is obliged to install the same systems but only where parking is an issue and local police controls already exist the scheme complies with the EC’s Climate Change Law and will focus solely on the historic village centre aiming to preserve its charm while reducing pollution The restricted area spans from Plaza de la Constitución to the multi-storey car park covering busy streets like Avenida del Compás and Calle Málaga Only vehicles with Spain’s DGT environmental badges (zero-emission Mayor Ana Mata talked of a tailored approach ‘We’re protecting our pueblo’s air quality and heritage without burdening La Cala or Las Lagunas.’ Local opinions are mixed: pueblo shopkeepers worry about customer access They should stop all of this Zero emission crap to be honest a man near Mijas was fortunate enough to have been heard by two brothers walking with one of their sons and a neighbour who realised the man shouting was trapped inside his car after he had been washed into a river by the torrents of flood waters The terrifying event happened in the Atalaya area near to the A-7053 between Fuengirola and Alhaurín el Grande He had been trapped in his car for hours without being able to open the doors and escape due to the force of the deluge of muddy flood waters The level of the water began to rise and rise and the fire brigade was taking too long to arrive The heroic guys decided then to take things into their own hands and muscle together to pull the man out of his trapped car in the river they managed to get the man out and to safety proving once again not all heroes wear capes are exhibiting a selection of their works at the Casa Museo de Mijas from Saturday the couple show radically different elements of their styles along with a crossover in how they both influence each other Both painters reveal the influence of pop art yet both artists have radically different starting points: most of Coppel’s works are colourful and bold panoramas cluttered with famous faces similar in style to the Sgt Peppers album sleeve while Villarroel’s works are more intimate It is precisely the contradictory yet complementary nature of the two together that makes for a great exhibition well worth visiting. Villarroel is exhibiting about forty works, while her husband Coppel, twelve. Neither are professional painters, but this lends a more accessible and less stuffy ambiance to the show The official opening of the exhibition will take place at the Casa Museo de Mijas in Mijas Pueblo Did someone say ‘fold like a pretzel’ Get ready to find your zen with Mijas Yoga Hikes Mijas Pueblo is the ultimate destination for wellness enthusiasts this Saturday as Asana Tribe Yoga Spain hosts its invigorating Mijas Yoga Hikes event this unique experience combines the best of nature and mindfulness for an unforgettable morning where participants will set off on a guided walk through the charming streets of Mijas Pueblo the group will head up to the breathtaking Sierra de Mijas mountains offering stunning vistas that make the perfect backdrop for a 60-minute yoga session making this a small investment in both body and soul so don’t miss out on this opportunity to find your balance while soaking up the beauty of the Costa del Sol and unwind in one of the most picturesque settings Spain has to offer Get more news from around Spain Get more in English from around the Costa del Sol A call to nature lovers from the World Wildlife Fund for volunteers in the reforestation of the Mijas mountains on Sunday A fit and healthy day out in the Mijas countryside with scores of others doing some good for the local environment and meeting like-minded local residents as they plant new trees a wildfire decimated 2,000 hectares of pristine forests in 2022 Now much of the charred remains have been cleared, the World Wildlife Fund is seeking volunteers to help plant new seedlings and reforest this essential natural lung in the Sierra de Mijas At the last event of this kind on January 12 more than 500 seedlings were planted as local people joined forces for a fun and beneficially active day in the beautiful local countryside will be regrowing thanks to the work of more volunteers who are coming together on Sunday Rotary Club Mijas International hosted a fundraising event last Saturday in aid of Asociación Adimi the Mijas-based association that cares for people with intellectual disabilities more than 70 people enjoyed a selection of cheese and wine along with live entertainment supplied by The Abba Experience who performed the iconic hits of the chart-topping Swedish pop group The event was organised because the Adimi charity had asked the Rotary Club to help fund a sun shade so the residents can enjoy the summer months outside in the garden The night raised 1,700 euros for the project which the Rotary said is expected to be completed in time for summer 2025 ‘Salvador Dalí – The Divine Comedy: The Purgatory’ is an exhibition of illustrations at the Contemporary Art Centre (CAC) of Mijas until March 2025 The Contemporary Art Centre (CAC) in Mijas is hosting an exhibition in which Salvador Dalí visits Dante Alighieri’s ‘Purgatory’ With a total of 33 works to savour and be surprised by the hand of Dalí himself on the occasion of the 700th anniversary of Dante Alighieri’s death Dalí received a commission from the Italian Government to illustrate the three songs that make up the ‘Divine Comedy’ which make a hundred scenes of a project that brought together two geniuses and that can now be enjoyed in Mijas The Centro de Arte Contemporáneo in Calle Málaga is open 10.30am to 2pm from Monday to Saturday Mijas council’s Basic Income Department will begin to hire 140 individuals this April as part of its municipal socio-labor insertion programme The recruitment takes place in two phases: 70 workers joined on April 10 Juan Carlos Cuevas, the department’s councillor, noted that these hires align with the start of Mijas’ peak season we’re backing beach services ahead of Easter Cuevas highlighted that today’s onboarding includes mandatory Occupational Risk Prevention training at the Fomento y Empleo headquarters ‘It’s crucial that all workers begin with proper preparation to ensure their safety and effective performance,’ he said The councillor also praised the program’s social impact, offering job opportunities to those in greatest need. ‘Basic Income plays a vital role as a gateway to employment for many residents We’ll continue promoting this tool as a means of socio-labor insertion delivering direct benefits to the entire municipality,’ he concluded the initiative shows Mijas’ commitment to supporting both its workforce and community services Prepare for an electrifying evening as the globally celebrated Mama Paula Blues Band headlines at the Cazbah Live Lounge in Mijas Renowned for her mastery of the electric guitar blues-drenched vibe that has bespelled fans worldwide and now lights up the Costa del Sol Mama Paula’s journey reflects her unwavering love for the blues She’s shared stages with legends like Mark Knopfler and Joe Cocker at iconic venues such as the Royal Albert Hall Her dynamic performances have also featured alongside Mud Morganfield (son of blues giant Muddy Waters) she’s since earned her place as a powerhouse in the international blues community Catch Mama Paula live at Cazbah on Friday Don’t miss this chance to experience her soul-stirring sound and commanding stage presence in an intimate setting—a night of blues brilliance awaits It’s that time of year when the days start stretching out again and one realises just how done they are with damp pavements and layering strategies It’s also the tactical moment for travel: early enough to dodge the summer crowds and still full of spots that fly under the radar Everyone flocks to the same two or three names – Barcelona maybe Mallorca – but there’s plenty more going on along the coast for those who know where to look A 12-kilometre stretch tucked between Fuengirola and Marbella it’s technically part of the Costa del Sol but doesn’t scream for attention It’s close to the action for those who want it but just far enough to properly switch off Playa de Calahonda is spacious and gently sloped or anyone who just wants to stretch out without bumping elbows and the kind of atmosphere that makes everyone forget what time it is there’s a more lived-in feel – locals walking their dogs These aren’t beaches engineered for selfies – they’re for actual swimming The chiringuitos are solid too: grilled sardines With a wide range of holiday accommodation in Mijas within convenient distance of the shoreline the coast stays accessible without ever feeling overdeveloped this traditional Andalusian village is defined by its whitewashed façades and bursts of bougainvillaea spilling from balconies galleries and artisan shops fill the central square – but it retains a sense of place that hasn’t been polished into something generic and there’s a kind of clarity that comes with the altitude the Sierra de Mijas opens up into a network of hiking trails – some gentle others more ambitious – cutting through pine forests and offering wide views over the coastline Waymarked routes guide walkers through landscapes that feel unexpectedly remote given the proximity to the coast For those looking to break up beach days with something more active this combination of village charm and rugged terrain delivers There’s history and geography in equal measure both accessible without much effort but far enough off the main strip to feel like a shift Accommodation often dictates the tone of a trip, and Alfresco Stays has positioned itself as a calm, functional base that quietly supports whatever kind of holiday is on the cards. Their holiday homes Mijas Costa apartments are well-equipped without veering into resort territory – there’s Wi-Fi but no forced entertainment or corporate décor but comfort that’s consistent and considered or groups planning mixed itineraries can make use of the space without stepping on each other’s plans And unlike some of the larger hotel options Alfresco Stays allows guests to dip in and out of local life rather than being buffered from it It’s a base that enables both rest and movement One stretch of coastline might host jet skis and banana boats It’s this mix that gives the area its broader appeal Adventure types can head out early for paddleboarding paragliding or hiking routes that start near the beach and wind into the hills Golfers have several courses nearby – some known for their views others for their challenge – while food-focused visitors can move between local markets beachside chiringuitos and more refined spots inland Families benefit from the flat coastal paths and beach facilities while those travelling without kids have no shortage of places to escape into quieter rhythms night markets or pop-up art installations – add texture throughout the year Whether the goal is activity-packed or blissfully slow The result is a destination that doesn’t push one idea of what a holiday should be getting empadronado (registered) is a must so here’s the lowdown on how to make it happen and the fine print you shouldn’t overlook The process is simpler than you think – so long as you’ve got the paperwork in order the requirements are the same as for individuals If you’re not the homeowner and are not named in the rental agreement ‘Empadronarse’ isn’t just a privilege; it’s a legal duty in Spain Whether it’s registering for the first time or updating details every change requires your personal attendance – and your signature on the dotted line Getting on the padrón means more than just ticking a bureaucratic box whether you’re a long-time resident or a newcomer testing the waters In the know: Make your move legal and hassle-free Missing a step could leave you stuck in red tape – and nobody’s got time for that wo Guardia Civil officers were injured after the driver they were pursuing rammed their police vehicle in Mijas On Tuesday night a call was received alerting of an incident of domestic violence in a home in which which led to the deployment of several police vehicles in the Las Lagunas area of Mijas When officers located the Volkswagen Golf in which the individual was travelling the driver refused to stop and rammed a Guardia Civil patrol car the front of the police vehicle was smashed and two officers were injured The Golf driver was arrested over assault on authority in addition to the allegation of domestic violence Unicaja Mijas hosts La Cordá de Paterna NB this Sunday It will be the team's last regular season game at the Martín Urbano stadium against a team that could be a playoff opponent retired Metropolitan police officer and long-time resident of Costa del Sol is an upstanding citizen who cannot get out of the habit of serving his community with his extensive knowledge and professional experience John retired from the force in 1988 as a career CID officer in London He has extensive knowledge of criminal investigation after achieving the position of detective chief inspector he had the urge to help his local society in Benalmadena and so tried to join Charles Betty’s volunteer translator service at the Arroyo de la Miel medical centre but his Spanish wasn’t yet up to scratch so he decided to avoid medical vocabulary I decided to approach the town hall and offer to set up a team of volunteers to work with the police,’ John told us that policing in Spain must be pretty like it was in the UK.’ ‘I started with a team with Arroyo de la Miel National Police I recruited others from those in my Spanish language class We were all stumbling in the dark with our language skills.’ ‘Over the next few years I was asked by the ‘comisarios’ (police chiefs) of several police stations and the Guardia Civil to set up teams for them too.’ ‘I eventually had five volunteer teams that I’d recruited and was supporting at three comisarias and two Guardia Civil barracks and when we were issued with official name tags previously I had been buying and printing them John moved to Mijas and began working with the police station in Fuengirola ‘The level of crime in Spain is considerably lower than in the UK, and crime involving force or violence is practically nonexistent as far as the ordinary expat or visitor is concerned. Occasionally when a bag is snatched, the victim might be pulled over but it is probably never intended,’ John says John is enjoying retirement now on the Costa del Sol but still remains the most expert and passionate Euro Weekly News reader to generously offer advice on protecting oneself from street crime The indoor swimming pool at Las Lagunas de Mijas is closing after the town hall took a drastic decision that will have a direct impact on the hundreds of people that use it during the summer months The council said it has done this for safety reasons announcing that it will carry out work to replace the entire roof of the facility "in order to safeguard the physical integrity of both workers and users" This decision was taken after the council decided to close the facilities temporarily during Easter week so that technicians could check the state of the roof These inspections confirmed "the deficient state of the roof after the lack of preventive maintenance to which this municipal facility has been subjected in recent years" according to sports councillor María Francisca Alarcón The councillor referred to reports drawn up by the fire brigade and the head of the infrastructure and works department which "record that several years ago two mesh nets were installed - one stronger to prevent the possible fall of structural elements into the pool and another to stop rust from falling through" the fire brigade had to intervene on the roof on 14 April 2022 due to two panels that had come loose "The report also clearly stated that rust residue can be seen on the protective mesh and it is documented in writing that the pool roof is in poor condition." The report from the infrastructure and works department is “clear,” according to the councillor in stating that there has been “a lack of preventive maintenance in the facilities It also notes the existence of a prior report dated 31 May 2022 which warned of the need for a complete replacement of the swimming pool roof “due to the lack of maintenance and upkeep of the roofs of these sports facilities and the need to address water ingress issues and improve energy efficiency to continue their intended use” the report issued by the company that provides services at the swimming pool also pointed out that this situation means that compliance with occupational risk prevention regulations is not guaranteed the councillor said that in the decision taken with responsibility towards users and workers prevailing while denouncing "the lack of commitment of the previous administration who having in their possession various reports warning of the serious situation of the municipal facility and the recommendation to change the roof the council has not given any timeframe for the closure as it will first be necessary to put the work out to tender and then award the contract to the company that is finally chosen to carry it out affected users who wish to do so can make use of the recently inaugurated indoor pool in La Cala de Mijas they must go to the Las Lagunas sports department office to inform them of their temporary transfer as well as if they want their place to be reserved for when the Las Lagunas pool is operational again Unicaja Mijas will face Vega Lagunera Toyota Adareva Tenerife in the quarterfinals of the Liga Femenina Challenge Playoff a tough opponent against whom the team has played close games which will be played in a home-and-away format with points differential May 3 in Tenerife and at the Martín Urbano Stadium on the 10th The winner will qualify for the Final Four of the competition where they will fight for promotion to the Liga Femenina Endesa just a few days before the vote of no confidence in Mijas announced the completion of the Olympic-sized swimming pool in La Cala de Mijas during an official visit and an open day associations and groups were invited to the event so that they could get to know the new facilities has a 50-metre heated pool and a grandstand for around 500 spectators the facilities are still closed and have not even been officially received by the town hall According to the information provided by the current mayor in order to take over this infrastructure it was necessary to fill the pool and carry out the appropriate checks the drought conditions prevented this action from being carried out just as there was no permanent electricity supply at the time - something that was finally achieved in May of last year the council detected a series of issues preventing the proper acceptance of the facility "There were leaks in the pool basin and also in the roof unusable windows and defects in the installations,” the mayor said adding that the previous local government had announced its completion when it was "far from being a reality" a new unfavourable report was issued due to ongoing issues with the infrastructure and missing documentation the company was given a further 30-day period to correct the deficiencies so that the municipal facility can finally be accepted "I am confident that by the end of February we will be able to accept the work," Mata said It should be remembered that the new building in addition to the swimming pool and the stands as well as other spaces for administration a first aid room and facilities and cleaning rooms It also has multi-purpose areas where other sports activities can be carried out The project involved an investment of 4.6 million euros Mijas is about to achieve an important cultural milestone: that Mijas Pueblo Pastoral Contest be declared a Provincial Tourist Singularity Festival by the Diputación de Málaga The event is considered one of the most important cultural events in the whole province and a reference in Andalusia The Mijas Pastoral Contest brings together groups from different regions of Spain in one unique event Mijas is recognised as a ‘cradle of pastorals’ due to the abundance and diversity of these groups the result of a cultural legacy transmitted generation to generation are not only an artistic expression but also a symbol of community identity the Plaza Virgen de la Peña will be the scene of the contest with an influx of the public that promises to be massive if previous years are anything to go by the event brought together more than 1,500 people making it one of the biggest tourist attractions in Mijas during the festive season This success is a testimony to the growing interest in local tradition that combines music The annual event has just been recognised, and even the certificate of ‘Provincial Tourist Singularity Festival’ which is not only expected to bring in more funding but also boost tourism in Mijas has sought accountability from the authorities in Mijas after discovering that decades-old artwork designed by his late father has disappeared behind a wall is some twenty metres long and was created to complement the Las Lagunas sports complex it has been rendered invisible with the construction of the wall which had not been announced to nor agreed with Ruano's family It should be noted that Dámaso Ruano was awarded a top honour of the city of Malaga and the title of 'adopted son' for serving as a reference in 20th-century contemporary art in the province "It was in 2016 that I last went to see the mural and even then I noticed that it was deteriorating with the original photo of the mural and asked them to take care of it so that could be returned to its original state They didn't even answer me," said Pablo Ruano he went back and found that the mural was gone I realised that they had covered it up - they had raised the wall right in front ot it I saw that it was damaged and missing pieces," said the artist's son who immediately sent a new letter to the town hall and shared his complaint on his social media networks and they've 'taken it down' without permission," said Pablo His plea for help didn't fall on deaf ears this time the mural was in the area where extension works of the Las Lagunas sports complex were being carried out which began in 2019 with a project from 2018 a modification of the project was agreed and a new company started work in the area in January 2023 from the design of a building project that did not consider Dámaso Ruano’s mural They pointed to the previous PSOE and Cs mandates as responsible for that decision "this local government team has an unavoidable commitment to preserve the work of art which forms part of the municipal heritage" and this will be stated in a new contract that will continue works in the area "it should be the will of the local authorities to meet with the artist's family to determine the next step with regard to the mural by the brilliant Dámaso Ruano" through which thousands of people pass every day on their way to the hermitage of the Virgen de la Peña and to one of the best views of the coast A major operation was deployed to remove the 100-year-old cypress tree that was threatening to fall soon had been dry for some time and its removal was necessary "It represented a danger to pedestrians and property in a particularly sensitive area due to the large number of people who pass through it," municipal sources said The operation for the felling and subsequent removal of the tree was not easy as it required a 25-metre-long hydraulic boom and specialised personnel It was also necessary to cut off part of Avenida del Compás for the installation of the crane lorry Access to part of the promenade was also cut in order to guarantee the safety of passersby The process was carried out in small steps One of the technicians cut the trunk into small pieces after which the boom would take over by collecting each piece and transferring it to the lorry the careful operation ensured "absolute control of the cutting of the branches and trunks at all times" the possible reasons behind the tree's death might be linked to the limited space the recent crisis contributed to the appearance of pests The town hall said that nothing could have stopped the deterioration regardless of how well the pests had been fought one of the most emblematic spots in Mijas Pueblo Mijas Town Hall has put out to tender the drafting of a series of projects including the creation of  new cultural space in La Puente one of the most popular and emblematic corners of Mijas Pueblo There’s over €20 thousand on the table for someone who can deliver the best proposal in just 90 days The tender stipulates that the winning company must be responsible for basic drafting and the execution of a refurbishment project as well as the health and safety study for the La Puente building The most characteristic feature of the site is that it is the only the vaulted passage where an original and historic building was located, and therefore the zone is listed, and so the current project must take historic preservation into account What Mijas council are looking for is a project that maintains the emblematic significance of the existing architecture while at the same time creating a useable cultural space in the centre of the village Work on Mijas’ Grand Park enters its final stages allowing an end date for completion to be in sight but some minor changes have had to be made The construction work on this new recreational space being carried out Vías and Construcciones S. A. and TT and EXC Arroyo, has already reached a 90% level of completion.  Although the Councillor for Infrastructure of Mijas admits that a small extension for the park’s completion due to bad weather this suggests the park will open in late Spring A number of minor changes have had to be made to the original plans to reduce council expenditure the local council have decided to invite private companies to take over  the commercial use of some of Mijas’ new parks many recreational spaces including the lake This will save council the expense of maintaining these areas Although initial plans were to plant out 2,900 trees and shrubs in the Mijas new park the council have also had to alter the plans slightly to reduce water consumption ‘The trees that were planned needed about 1,250 cubic meters of water per month while with the changes applied we dropped to 350 cubic meters of water per month’ Highlights of the completed project will include: An extensive artificial lake which will add great views and provide a pleasant area for rest and relaxation will also be able to be explored on small pleasure boats The lake will also feature a small waterfall and island A 24 metre wide boulevard with a cycle lane An exercise road with exercise machines and space for running An amphitheatre with a 1,900 person capacity for concerts Children’s play areas including a water ‘splash park’ near the lake The Guardia Civil has opened an investigation into the alleged violent raid by five hooded men on a property on the Mijas Golf residential area which was occupied by a married couple at the time The pair told police officers that the thieves intimidated them with a firearm and that they beat the man The incident happened on Sunday 13 April at around four o'clock in the afternoon Several police units arrived in the area after receiving a tip-off that a property on Calle Oviedo had been broken into and that the alleged attackers might be carrying weapons Despite the swiftness of the first officers to arrive and the man was found to have injuries to his face and an ankle for which he required assistance from the 061 medical team It has not been revealed what the alleged perpetrators fled with although the Guardia Civil is keeping an investigation open to clarify all the circumstances surrounding the alleged robbery Just a couple of weeks ago there was another incident in the area in which a Local Police officer apparently had to use his service firearm to stop a thief who was fleeing after an attempted burglary at a house It happened at around 9.45pm on Friday 28 March Several police officers arrived after an alarm was raised in one of the properties the officers saw two alleged burglars of Eastern European nationality fleeing the scene A chase ensued and continued on the golf course next to the residential complex one of which hit one of the suspects in the leg it was carried out by one of the officers in an attempt to fend off an attack by the alleged thieves who reportedly threw a crowbar at the officers and tried to attack them with a screwdriver The police called on the 061 emergency health service who took the man by ambulance to the Costa del Sol Hospital in Marbella Several units of the Guardia Civil were also on the scene and took charge of the subsequent investigation into the incident Mijas streets will be filled with all the fun and colour of carnival this March as there will be another right around the corner This year’s carnival will be celebrated 3 times in three different neighbourhoods of the municipality where there will be fun for all the family On Saturday, March 1, the big street party will be held in Las Lagunas with the parade starting off at 11am between Parque María Zambrano and Parque Andalucía but must bring along their ID cards to enter There will be a street bar managed by the neighbourhood association El Juncal On Sunday, March 2, the carnival moves to Mijas Pueblo in the Plaza Virgen de la Peña a stage where the best costumes will be chosen and the bar will be set up by the charity Cáritas La Cala de Mijas will have to wait until March 9 from 11am Those of you who fancy dressing up and joining the parade through La Cala should preregister at the local town hall an hour before the parade begins marching bands and colourful costumed participants will all end up in La Butibamba park where there will be plenty of activities for the younger ones and bar and food stalls managed by the parish group of Santa Teresa The ACE/SHIN animal shelter in Mijas will hold its spring fundraising dinner at the La Sierra restaurant in Mijas Costa on Saturday 29 March includes a glass of cava and canapés on arrival a three-course dinner (vegan option available) and entertainment supplied by Costa favourite Ricky Lavazza There will also be a grand raffle with prizes donated by local businesses and individuals Sponsored by The Costa Connection Magazine and Ibex Insurance tickets cost 49.00 euros (11 euros of which will be donated to the charity) Tickets are available from the restaurant or from the Ibex insurance office in Fuengirola which are recommended due to limited availability can be made by phoning 711039124 or 647647671 Founded in 1999 by Fabienne Paques and her husband the shelter has since rescued and rehomed more than 31,000 dogs and cats The shelter is currently taking care of more than 500 canines and over 200 felines The Tamisa Golf Hotel in Mijas has reopened its doors after being closed for five years The refurbished site is now a luxury four-star hotel following an investment of more than four million euros by Castilla y León company Salmántica Cum Laude although there are plans to increase that figure to 40 in the "next few years" Its reopening has paved the way for some 50 direct and indirect jobs During the official opening ceremony on Tuesday 26 November hotel director Casimiro Rodríguez pointed out that the refurbished hotel has been adapted to the demands of the modern-day tourist He said the hotel also maintains its essence of contemporary interiors redesigned common areas and "an avant-garde gastronomic offer" with which Tamisa Golf aspires to become "a benchmark on the Costa del Sol" The strategy of the management of the new hotel is to turn it into a known location to host both corporate and family events "We have a spectacular outdoor area that makes us a unique space for this type of event and therefore we are going to focus our efforts on this line of business," Rodríguez said Another of the new hotel's drawcards is a restaurant open to the public The restaurant is one of the "great strengths" of the project The restaurant will pay tribute to quality Spanish products and work with local and seasonal produce so much so that we are planning between four or five menu changes throughout the year adapting to the products of each season and weekly suggestions," said Rodríguez who also added the restaurant will have a "very strong" wine list was as proud as punch watching his two young daughters competing in the Kimura Cup in Sevilla an international Brazilian Ju-Jitsu competition entered her first major tournament and won gold in GI and No-GI Brazilian jiu-jitsu at the Kimura championship in Sevilla beating her Swedish opponent in the semi-final and then the Spanish trophy in the final against an American girl a full 8 kg heavier than her with much more experience from a Russian Sambo club Arabella has become a gold winner in 3 weight categories making her a 3-weight champion in the space of just 6 months The Kimura Cup is an international Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tournament organised by the Spanish Federation of Sports Jiu Jitsu and the Andalusian Federation of Sports Jiu Jitsu Combat Sambo is a hybrid martial art of Russian origin that existed long before mixed martial arts (M.M.A.) It has almost any imaginable movement since it encompasses techniques of all combat distances and melee; knockdowns; projections; strange holds and all kinds of submissions The Wright sisters take on the Spanish National competitions next in February and the European Championships in September 2025. Meanwhile, Colin in Mijas, is beaming from ear to ear, as proud as can be of his two jiu-jitsu daughters Mijas town hall on the Costa del Sol has updated its regulations for the donkey taxis and the horse-drawn carriage service The new document brings together the different measures and recommendations that have been adopted over the last few months all before the start of the high season and the rise in temperatures which leads to controversy and complaints every year from animal protection organisations and some of the town's residents over the treatment and conditions of the animals The first states that the route and timetables of the service may be modified in order to preserve the health of the animals and the drivers and animals in the event that Spain's state weather agency activates a yellow warning for high temperatures the service should not be provided between 2pm and 6pm; while in the case of amber or red weather warnings the bylaw refers to the collection of excrement It recommends the use of preventive collection systems attached to the animal to prevent it from falling to the ground while highlighting that failure to comply with this obligation constitutes a serious offence punishable by a fine of between 750 euros and 1,500 euros it includes the recommendation that the length of the rope by which animals are tethered at stops and rest areas as well as the one used while making a journey should be at least 50-centimetres-long in order to ensure "a minimum standard of freedom of movement and welfare for the animals" Mijas is planning on managing flood waters the smart way by constricting a massive storm tank capable of collecting 3.2 million litres of rainwater and drain overflow Autumn is always a time of eyebrow-raising contrasts on the Spanish Costas when the population goes from worrying about not having enough water in the reservoirs to worrying about too much falling in the typical autumn storms One of the key concerns with the autumn storms is how the drains and sewage system become suddenly overloaded with water forcing manhole covers off in the road and spilling foul-smelling contents onto the streets In the case of Mijas Council, the solution comes in the form of a 3.2 million-litre rectangular tank filled with water that flows off the Sierra de Mijas mountains through drains and storm channels, filtered along the way by a series of grills that will keep larger matter from the final pool Construction on the tank had begun under the previous council administration but had been left abandoned due to issues of management The hope is that the storm tank will ensure that the lower La Lagunas area of the municipality will not flood with overflowing drain waters when the next heavy autumn rains come in September 2025 as the project was initiated by the previous administration 5 years ago A record one hundred local volunteers climbed a mountain on Sunday to begin replanting the forests of the Sierra de Mijas Volunteers selflessly turned up for the exhausting hike from Mijas to one of its highest peaks and water to get the forests back regrowing again The World Wildlife Fund Malaga hopes this initiative will begin the slow process of repopulating the mountains with the necessary trees to continue cleaning the air of the Costa del Sol and encourage the fauna such as the wild boars that now roam the streets of Mijas and Fuengirola The volunteers were made up of a 50/50 mix of local Spanish and foreign residents including a troop of Boy Scouts and the Rotary Club guiding them on where and how to plant the different species of trees in such a way as to slow the spread of possible future fires Once at a higher altitude, the scenes of utter devastation left by 2022’s fires become more evident, and while a great deal of work clearing the blackened forest has already been done what is clear is that forests have no chance of returning in our lifetimes without the effort of the local community The 250-plus saplings planted in the mountains were produced at a nursery run by the Red Cross but needed the efforts of the volunteers to replace the hundreds of hectares lost in the wildfires One of the most important species was the pinsapo a tree native to Malaga and Cadiz that is currently in danger of becoming extinct Andrea Spada of WWF told Euro Weekly News that there are a number of other actions planned in the coming weeks to raise awareness and raise some more helping hands Beautiful to see people uniting and volunteering to help do this Johnny’s Bar & Grill is the place to be as Abee Willfly takes the stage for a night of live entertainment the talented singer will set the mood with smooth tunes all in a friendly atmosphere with a cracking menu and fabulous cocktails It’s set to be a fantastic night of live music and great company Read more news in English from around Spain Read more news in English from the Costa del Sol. The rate of population growth in Mijas in recent months suggests that it will soon be one of the few places in Andalucía with a population of over 100,000 And with that will come more council expenditure but also more income from government there were 97,042 people registered living in the municipality of Mijas according to latest data from the town hall This was up from the 92,211 recorded at the start of last year made this observation on Mijas joining the "select 100,000 club" recently at the opening of a new secondary school in the municipality The Ana Carmona 'Veleta' school in the Las Lagunas area is one of the largest in Andalucía with space for more than 700 students but its arrival still does not fully meet the need for school places in Mijas The Andalusian president recognised that this shortage in Mijas is part of a wider problem in Malaga province which is suffering a "growth crisis" because public services are not keeping up with the number of people arriving to live The Andalusian president spoke of a "thriving dynamic and solid" municipality and calculated that before the next local election in 2027 Mijas will have joined the other thirteen places in the region with a population over 100,000 These include the capital cities of the eight provinces in Andalucía as well as Jerez de la Frontera On the verge of joining the "club" are San Fernando (Cadiz) and Mijas which would be the third Malaga province municipality on the list "We are the third municipality in the province but we don't want to be so only by population and geographical extension but by progress and development," said the mayor of Mijas Mijas will be allowed to have one extra councillor Money handed out from central government will also increase as will the grants from the regional government although costs to service a larger population will go up better public transport and natural beauty the South Coast of Spain is making for a popular retirement destination for Americans The Costa del Sol is one of the best places for US Americans to retire to according to the latest rankings by Forbes magazine. The business and finance journal specifically names Mijas as a near perfect location for US retirees citing the comparatively lower cost of living compared to the US and other places on their ranking the high-quality and economical healthcare and the relative ease with which visas can be obtained Forbes notes how beautiful Spain is away from the big cities and the fact that Spain doesn’t tax retired expat government workers and Spain eliminates many double taxation issues The ranking comes from an extensive study of locations around the world but highlights Mijas in particular quoting a Californian who decided to retire to Mijas saying that the cost of living is around one-third of that of living in Los Angeles The retiree US expat also reduced her living costs by not buying a car amazed at how much better the public transport system is here Another attraction was the lower cost of tourism and the fact that she could take high-speed trains to other cities and even other European countries Spain is rapidly becoming one of the most popular destinations for US citizens looking to change their surroundings and retire in the lower-cost safety. Let’s just hope the citizens of Mijas continue being so welcoming given that of its 80,000 population Wild boars – once confined to Spain’s rural heartlands – are now making their presence felt in urban areas is facing the brunt of this growing threat With wild boars roaming dangerously close to parks Mijas has found itself on the front lines of a nationwide crisis one that’s pushing local authorities to take drastic action a shocking wild boar attack in Navarra left two people seriously injured bringing attention to the increasing risks posed by these animals experts warn that wild boar encounters are becoming more frequent more aggressive males posing a particular danger Armed with razor-sharp tusks and a size that can reach up to 150 kilograms The threat isn’t just environmental- it’s also a public safety nightmare Wild boars have already been involved in traffic accidents and their presence in parks and playgrounds raises the risk of injury the Mijas town hall adopted a live capture strategy using georeferenced cages These cages are designed to trap the boars humanely before they are euthanised Mijas took drastic action recently to deal with the growing menace of wild boars invading its urban areas with a hefty €150,000 contract aimed at capturing these unruly animals The move came as the animals were spotted roaming dangerously close to playgrounds and even busy roads in the popular Costa del Sol town confirmed at the time that the town hall has opened a tender for a live capture service to “control the population” of wild boars Cortés stressed that this effort is vital for public safety given the boars’ increasing proximity to people and the potential risks they pose “This service has been running for many years along the Costa del Sol,” Cortés explained “but the situation in Mijas has reached a point where we need to act fast.” The decision was sparked by the discovery of several hotspots in the area where these wild animals have been causing chaos Mijas fights back with boar-busting budget The captured boars will be safely trapped using authorised georeferenced cages with the final step being humane euthanasia is one of the least aggressive approaches available the boars’ presence in urban areas has become an increasing concern with their droppings spreading across the streets and posing a health hazard Cortés pointed out that the boars are not only a threat to the environment and there’s a real danger to children who play in parks,” he added The plan is to use the boar control service until the end of 2025 The full project is expected to cost €396,694 with wild boar populations being on the rise across the Costa del Sol Cortés warned that the issue goes beyond Mijas and that the solution must involve coordinated action from surrounding municipalities “The wild boar problem is escalating across the region and it’s a problem that cannot be solved by one municipality alone,” he stressed With these creatures moving freely across boundaries collaborative approach to wildlife management across local councils there’s no point if Mijas controls its wild boar population and the neighbouring towns don’t Find more news about the Costa del Sol. Find more Spanish news in English. Download our media pack in either English or Spanish.