Home Blog
Maintenance work on Highway 243
Caltrans Keen Camp Maintenance crew will be performing one-way flagging operations in conjunction with Caltrans geotechnical crews on Highway 243 in Idyllwild for culvert studies.
Work will be performed from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 16 to 17.
This work will require...
New Community Center ground-breaking ceremony
The Idyllwild Community Center (ICC) has announced the details of the public ground-breaking ceremony for the new ICC building.
The ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 12, at the building site immediately to the left of the Idyllwild Community Playground. Supervisor Chuck Washington, among others, will...
Blue Breeze Band to appear on stage Thursday
The Crier received two bits of good news about this year’s Idyllwild Summer Concert Series (ISCS): This year’s fundraising goal has been exceeded and a ninth concert has been added. As of last week, contributions had reached $34,422.
The Blue Breeze Band performed last year on Aug. 26. Town Crier Archives
Idyllwild Community Fund announces $23,200 in grant awards
The Idyllwild Community Fund (ICF) announces its 2022 grant award recipients — a diverse cross-section of community programs run by local nonprofits that:
• Nurture the arts
• Foster educational opportunities
• Provide for the well-being of those in need
• Contribute to the vibrancy...
Steele starts FedExCup play-offs this week
It’s the 2022 PGA Tour post-season, and this year the FedExCup Champion will be determined after three tournaments: the FedEx St. Jude Championship (played this week), next week’s BMW Championship and the Tour Championship played the week after next.
Idyllwild native Brendan Steele qualified for this week’s $15 million St. Jude, which will be...
STR decision deferred to September: Don’t check out yet
A decision to revise Riverside County’s Ordinance 927, “Regulating Short Term Rentals,” (STRs) was deferred until Sept. 13. At its July 26 meeting, the board of supervisors heard nearly four hours of public comment from more than 60 speakers.
After devoting nearly another 90 minutes to discussion among themselves, the board agreed that some...
Idyllwild’s second mayor passes at age 9
Mayor Max II died just after 11 p.m. Saturday, July 30, following sudden health issues. “Mayor Max is going into surgery at 9 PM this evening approximately. He has several crises in his body that are causing the removal of the spleen and potentially other organs. There is a possibility when they do the surgery they will...
Skynyrd & Frynds up this week, Blue Breeze Band next
The free Idyllwild Summer Concert Series (ISCS) continues this Thursday, Aug. 4 at the Butterfield Amphitheater, when Darryl Reed’s SouthBound and Company presents the Southern rock extravaganza, Skynyrd and Frynds. There will be no opening act as this is a large group, and the music starts at 7 p.m.
Skynyrd and FryndsPHOTO COURTESY...
Steele T30 at Rocket; plays next in FedExCup play-offs
Brendan Steele finished in a tie for 30th place last week at the Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit, posting an 11-under par 69-69-67-72 — 277.
The Idyllwild native’s drives averaged over 320 yards while finding 66% of the fairways, and he hit a sparkling 87.5% of the greens in regulation, but his putter cost...
Funding available to harden homes
The Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council (MCFSC) is accepting applications from property owners for home hardening. FEMA-4569-DR-CA, September 2020 California Wildfires, Cal OES PJ0507, Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council Home Hardening and Defensible Space Project is funding the program.
The grant provides in excess of $2,000,000 worth of funds...
County supervisors visit Idyllwild
By Stephanie YostIdyllwild Community Center President
Riverside County Third District Supervisor Chuck Washington and Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez, as well as several members of their respective staffs, paid a visit to the Hill Tuesday, July 19.
Participants during Riverside County 4th District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez’s first official...
Grateful Dead tribute band next in concert series
The Idyllwild Summer Concert Series continues this Thursday night, July 28, with a tribute to the Grateful Dead from the Coachella Valley’s Ghost Notes. Sandii Castleberry will open the evening at 6:15 p.m. The concert is free to all and takes place at the Butterfield Amphitheater.
Mike Hammons’ Grateful Dead tribute band was...
Supervisors expected to approve Ordinance 927.1 July 26
On Tuesday, July 26, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors will consider a new ordinance for regulating short-term rentals (STR) in the county’s unincorporated areas. Draft Ordinance 927.1 (unless amended) will replace the current Ordinance 927, “Regulating Short Term Rentals,” adopted in January 2016.
This draft ordinance is very similar to the draft presented...
Grand jury report highly critical of Auditor-Controller’s Office
In May, the Riverside County Superior Court issued several grand jury reports. Every July, a new grand jury is convened and over the next 12 months, it may investigate and issue several reports. In fiscal year 2020-2021, it issued three reports, one of which was an assessment of the short-term rental ordinance. This year, the grand jury...
Around town photos
Idyllwild Arts Jazz Department Chair Dr. Marshall Hawkins performing at Jazz in the Pines in a faculty jazz jam Thursday night at Ferro. He was celebrating his 83rd birthday that day.PHOTO BY PETER SZABADI
Swing City II this week; The Ghost Notes up next
Idyllwild’s Summer Concert Series continues Thursday, July 21, with headliner Frank DiSalvo’s Swing City II. The Toasted Clovers will get the music started at 6:15 p.m. DiSalvo has been a regular at these series, and this year, Swing City will bring a tribute to Earth Wind and Fire, Chicago, and Blood Sweat and Tears.
Associates donate $10,000 to foundation
The Associates of the Idyllwild Arts Foundation (IAF) Dinner with the President returned Sunday, July 10, after a two-year pandemic break.
From left, Associates of the Idyllwild Arts Foundation (IAF) Recording Officer Lee Van Slyke, Associate Dena Van Slyke, Associates President Michael Slocum and IAF President Pamela Jordan with a $10,000 check the...
Idyllwild principal resigns after one year
At 5:15 p.m. Friday, June 24, 22 days after school let out for the summer, Idyllwild School Principal Nicole Picchiottino announced her retirement from the position in an email to school families.
Idyllwild School Principal Nicole Picchiottino retired June 30.PHOTO COURTESY OF NICOLE PICCHIOTTINO
“This is a heartfelt message from...
Fatality on Highway 74 on the Fourth
An Idyllwild man was killed in a solo-vehicle collision on the Fourth of July.
Erik Gunnar Mortensen, 39, of Idyllwild, was driving his black 2019 Harley-Davidson bobber motorcycle on Highway 74, 140 feet east of mile post marker 49.5, near the Bee Canyon Truck Trailhead near Valle Vista. California Highway Patrol Officer Jeff Osteen...
How the Hill voted on June 7
As part of the final results from the June 30 primary, the Registrar of Voters also provided the votes by each Riverside County precinct.
Once again, the Hill demonstrated its attention and participation in the democratic process. June 7 was a relatively low turnout election, only 33% of the...
Swing City II is summer concert July 21
The Idyllwild Summer Concert Series (ISCS) will really get in full swing this week with a concert by “Mr. Summer Concert,” Ken Dahleen and His Big Band Staff. Each year they bring a special program; this year’s is dedicated to “140 Years of Broadway.” The Thursday, July 14, program at the Butterfield Amphitheater starts at 7 p.m....
Kameyama named chair of new Fashion Design Department
Idyllwild Arts Academy (IAA) has announced the hiring of fashion designer Kentaro Kameyama as chair of the new Fashion Design Department. The position commences this fall. Kameyama, the winner of season 16 of Lifetime’s Emmy-nominated series “Project Runway,” will be living between Hollywood and Idyllwild so he can teach his classes in person.
Ferro presents summer series of performances
Idyllwild hot spot Ferro Restaurant, already known as the home of weekly Jazz Nights with the Ferro Jazz Trio featuring Paul Carman, Barnaby Finch and Marshall Hawkins, invites guests to enjoy a special summer series of performances from Aug. 2 through Labor Day Weekend.
Two members of Ferro Jazz Trio, Paul Carman (saxophone)...
‘Fashionable Idyllwild’ may become annual event
Visitors to Town Gallery enjoyed the 52 portraits and slideshow displayed at the opening reception of “Fashionable Idyllwild” Friday, July 1. The show featured 12 local models: Azali Cressler, Ginger Dagnall, Chylsea and Halayia Nuez, Ruby Flores-Verhagen, Liliana Charmoz, Cyn Grady, Lindsay Owen, Pamela Mayfield, Jennifer Savino, Julianna Poldi and Fiona McMullen.
At...
California passes budget with tax refunds, other benefits
On June 30, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the legislation enacting the fiscal 2022-2023 budget. The total state budget exceeds $300 billion, of which $234.4 billion is the General Fund. Submitted in January, Newsom’s initial proposed budget was for $286.5 million.
With the nation’s economic future still uncertain, the final budget includes $37.1 billion for...
Fire danger rating level increased to very high
Officials with the San Bernardino National Forest raised the Fire Danger Rating Level to “Very High” on Tuesday, June 28. This change is based on prolonged hot and dry weather, below normal live and dead fuel moistures, and forest-wide severe drought conditions.
As visitors were preparing to celebrate 4th of July festivities outdoors, the...
Pamyua, a highlight at the Native American Arts Festival
The 2022 Idyllwild Arts (IA) Native American Arts Festival came to a close with a concert in Holmes Amphitheatre featuring Alaska’s most popular Inuit band, Pamyua. Opening the evening of Friday, June 24, were the Mountain Cahuilla Bird Singers.
Cahuilla Bird Singers opening the Idyllwild Arts Native American Festival’s Pamyua concert at Holmes...
Local groups receive county funding
Several actions at Riverside County’s June 21 and 28 board of supervisors’ meetings focused on Hill organizations.
Before the business portion of the June 21 meeting, 3rd District Supervisor Chuck Washington recognized both the Idyllwild Arts Foundation and Living Free Animal Sanctuary at the board’s rostrum.
A week later at the...
Here come the Fourth of July events
The 56th-annual July 4th Independence Day Parade, hosted by the Rotary Club of Idyllwild, steps off from Fern Valley Corners at 10 a.m. Monday, July 4, heading down North Circle Drive to Village Center Drive, according to Rotary Parade Committee member Barbara Larsh. “The American Legion Post 800 Honor Guard again leads the entries this year,” she...
Lisa Lynn and Broken Hallelujahs open concert series
It’s summertime and the time is right for dancing, or just tapping a toe, at the Butterfield Amphitheater, as Ken Dahleen and the Idyllwild Summer Concert Series (ISCS) board bring back the Thursday night bands. The eight-week series starts at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 7, and is free to all. The series has been ongoing since 2000,...
IFPD streamlines its Purchasing Policy Votes to purchase additional fire truck
On Wednesday, June 15, the Idyllwild Fire Protection District Board of Commissioners held a special meeting with two duly-noticed action items for the board’s review, discussion and approval: an amendment to its Purchasing Policy followed by the purchase of a fire truck — both items proposed by IFPD Fire Chief Mark LaMont.
An...
Lawsuit filed against Riverside County redistricting
The boundaries of Riverside County’s five supervisorial districts have been challenged in litigation filed June 14. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed the suit on behalf of Inland Empire United (IEU) and six individuals. The first hearing about the litigation will be Aug. 15 in Riverside.
The suit alleges that the redistricting plan...
Trout hatcheries dealing with bacteria
Two California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) trout hatcheries in the Eastern Sierras are continuing to fight an outbreak of Lactococcus petauri, a naturally occurring bacteria that sickens fish. The current outbreak was first detected in April 2022. CDFW fishery managers announced this week that about 350,000 infected catchable rainbow trout are now showing signs of...
Two special public events for Native American Festival week
This week Idyllwild Arts (IA) Summer Programs presents its annual Native American Arts Festival, an institution-within-the-institution for more than 20 years, returning after a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic. Shaliyah J. Ben, director of the IA Native American Arts program and coordinator of the festival, gave the Crier some background on this year’s festival. She said, “The...
Nestor Hernandez-Lopez sworn in to CHP
Nestor Hernandez-Lopez of Idyllwild, has successfully completed cadet training at the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Academy. He is assigned to duty at the CHP’s Borrego Springs Area office. He was one of 128 graduates of the academy.
CHP Officer Nestor Hernandez-LopezPHOTO COURTESY OF CHP
Officer Hernandez-Lopez graduated from Hemet High...
County gets tougher on illegal fireworks
La Niña is expected to continue through 2022 and into 2023. The drought’s end is not in sight. Last week, state officials issued drastic limitations on water withdrawals from the San Joaquin watershed.
But it is the middle of June and the Fourth of July holiday weekend approaches. Our annual celebrations will offer some...
Documentary of ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ this Saturday
“Fiddler’s Journey to the Big Screen,” a new documentary about the making of the musical “Fiddler on the Roof,” will be screened at the Rustic Theater at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 18. An informal Q and A session with Fiddler cast member and longtime Idyllwilder Michèle Marsh, who played the middle of Tevye’s three marriageable daughters, Hodel.
Art and music festival at Town Hall
Last Saturday was a warm day but with some cool music and great art The Art Alliance of Idyllwild’s (AAI) “Eye of the Artist” and the “Call of the Wyld” were combined to the enjoyment of those attending. Starting at Noon, people drifted in and out of the Town Hall until 7 p.m..
The...
More of what victims can teach us after the fire
Editor’s note: This story is continued from last week.
Paying for fire insurance doesn’t necessarily mean you are covered
One homeowner, who declined to be named because of ongoing negotiations, discussed the complications that arise after a partial loss from fire. When a building is completely gone, insurers have little option...
California’s water crisis affects the Hill
Rainfall since Oct. 1, 2021, the beginning of the current rain year, has been 11.4 inches. In the five months since Jan. 1, 2022, Idyllwild has received 3.5 inches of rain. The long-term average rainfall from October to June is 23.2 inches, about twice what has fallen this year, the third consecutive drought year.
Lots of fun in library’s Summer Reading program
Idyllwild Library is kicking off its annual Summer Reading program, a six-week reading party, from Monday, June 13, to Friday, July 22. An Idyll-Beast sighting is expected during the inaugural morning children’s session from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. the first day. The theme this year is “Reading beyond the beaten path,” encouraging people (and other literate...
Steele T10 at the Memorial
Brendan Steele notched his fourth top-10 finish on the PGA Tour this season, posting a four-under-par 69-76-68-71 — 284 at the Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio last week. Seventeen birdies against 13 bogeys earned his second top-10 finish in as many tournaments.
The Idyllwild native’s drives averaged 303 yards into 69% of the fairways...
Forest fire restrictions raised last week
Officials with the San Bernardino National Forest raised fire restrictions Thursday, May 26, due to the danger from current and anticipated worsening conditions, such as drying vegetation and continued hot temperatures.
Lower elevations of the forest have reached critically dry fuel moisture levels this week, causing fire officials to raise fire restrictions almost one...
What victims can teach us after the fire
Fire is reshaping the American West. Communities in Wildfire Urban Interface zones, like ours, live in constant tension with a devastating force that can, in a single day, incinerate the homes and earthly possessions of neighborhoods and even towns.
The stories of the big fires that have captured the attention of the world, names...
HUSD issues statement of district safety following Uvalde tragedy
Editor’s note: Hemet Unified School District issued this statement to parents and guardians of students Friday, May 27. HUSD then gave a list of online resources to help parents/guardians talk to children about violence that are not printed here.
Hemet Unified School District is deeply saddened by the tragedy that took place at Robb...
Call of the Wyld Festival Saturday at Town Hall
The Art Alliance of Idyllwild’s (AAI) fourth Call of the Wyld Festival Saturday, June 11 feature some of Idyllwild’s favorite performers. The festival, which runs from noon to 7 p.m., will be held outdoors at the recently renovated Town Hall.
Pentagrams & Daisies (Colin Smith and Monica Sierras) performing at the 2021 Call...
Local skaters raise funds for skate park renovation
By Stephanie YostIdyllwild Community Center President
The Idyllwild skateboard community held a fundraiser from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 28, at the Idyllwild Skate Park to help raise funds for the facility’s ongoing renovation. It is estimated that more than 300 people attended the event throughout the day.
The Idyllwild...
The search to find Mayor Max III begins
In less than two weeks after Mayor Max II (a golden retriever) died July 30 at age 9, his owners, Phyllis Mueller and Glenn Warren, are on a quest to find Mayor Max III.The couple headed out Sunday morning “driving 300 miles to see a potential mommy,” according to Mayor Max’s Facebook page.Warren is accepting calls on...
Life Tribute: Ann Ashby 1921-2022
Ann Ashby, formerly of Fern Valley and Garner Valley, passed away Wednesday, July 6, 2022, in Boise, Idaho.Ann was born Jan. 22, 1921, in Indianapolis, Indiana. She eventually moved to Missouri where she married Cal “Doc” Ashby, who passed away in 2018.Ann and Cal owned the Idyllwild Animal Clinic from 1976 until...
County intends to adopt mitigated negative declaration Re: Outdoor Warning System
Riverside County has formally noticed residents of its intent to adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) regarding the Outdoor Warning System (OWS) to be constructed by the county in collaboration with the Idyllwild Fire Protection District and Mile High Radio Club.The purpose of the OWS is to “improve public alert and warning systems to ensure the dissemination...
News of Record: August 11, 2022
Idyllwild FireThe Idyllwild Fire Protection District responded to these calls from Monday to Sunday, Aug. 1 to 7. (IFPD has a new system of reporting and is working to include times in its logs.)
• Aug. 1 — Public service assist. Maranatha Dr.• Aug. 2 — Traffic crash, no injuries. Circle Drive and River...
The Associates hold annual meeting
The Associates of the Idyllwild Arts Foundation held the annual meeting Sunday, July 31 at Nelson Dining Hall on the Idyllwild Arts campus.The Associates presented a $10,000 check to Idyllwild Arts President Pamela Jordan for the Idyllwild Arts Academy and Summer Program Scholarship Fund. This is the second $10,000 donation made in the month of July 2022.With...
We can’t thank our essential workers enough
While we’re experiencing yet another surging Omicron variant called BA.5, along with monkey pox and even a polio wave, our community’s essential workers soldier on, serving the public and meeting our needs while risking their own health in the process.As we’ve pointed out before, these folk staff our health service centers, law enforcement agencies, fire stations, ambulances,...
Water, water — where?
While the three Hill water districts are not immune to the drought overwhelming Southern California, they also are not as vulnerable as most of the region.All three local water districts — Fern Valley (FVWD), Idyllwild (IWD) and Pine Cove (PCWD) — rely on annual precipitation — rain and, especially, snow — to percolate into the ground. FVWD...
Creature Corner: August 11, 2022
Buffie
By Janice MuraskoLast week in “Days of Our Nine Lives,” new ARF cats greeted Buffie, the newest member of the feline family.Phil: The weather, except for the loud thunder, has been so very nice!Atlas: You are correct, Phil. What could be better?Phil: Oh, finding a forever home for each of us?Buffie: That...
Past Tense: August 11, 2022
75 years ago - 1947Fern Valley Garage advertised “Expert Repair Service, Greeting Cards, Gift Wrappings.”• • •Electric power was on its way to Pine Cove. Plans for a line from the Idyllwild Substation had been started prior to the war but were curtailed because of shortages.
70 years ago - 1952“Tony Beaver,” a light...