Home Blog
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...
Idyllwild man sentenced in Norco incident
An Idyllwild man was released from the Southwest Detention Center June 1 after serving a year in jail for conviction in February of four felony charges. Sentencing Thursday, May 26, in Riverside County Superior Court included one year in jail and two years probation.
“The defendant had credit for time served of 353 days...
Jeremy Potter now PCWD general manager
The Pine Cove Water District (PCWD) Board of Directors unanimously approved its fiscal year 2022-2023 budget at its June 8 meeting and also unanimously approved two resolutions regarding the upcoming November election for directors. In closed session at the end of the meeting, Interim General Manager Jeremy Potter was unanimously promoted to general manager.
County supervisors may get balanced budget
On June 13 and 14, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors heard County Executive Officer Jeff Van Wagenen discuss the proposed budget for fiscal year (FY) 2022-2203, which begins July 1. Several county department heads made requests for more funding beyond the initial level, which Van Wagenen recommended and presented to the board.
The...
Fern Valley appoints new director Kevin Scott
Walter Bonneau official resigned from the Fern Valley Water District Board of Directors after escrow closed on his house about June 8. Bonneau and his wife Lynne are moving permanently to Arizona.
Richard Schnetzer resigned earlier this year after selling his house, and is moving with his wife Pat closer to family up north.
Local news for our Members and readers everywhere
I’ve previously mentioned Ryan Craig, the publisher-editor of the Todd County Standard in Elkton, Kentucky. He once advised local farmers to attend an important county zoning meeting that he knew would affect them seriously. When very few turned out for the meeting, he confronted them as to why they didn’t show. They answered that they knew he’d...
News of Record 6.23.2022
Idyllwild Fire
The Idyllwild Fire Protection District responded to these calls from Monday to Sunday, June 13 to 19.
• June 13 — EMS call, provide advanced life support, 12:30 a.m. Seneca Dr.
• June 13 — EMS call, provide basic life support, 5:13 a.m. Strawberry Valley Dr.
Creature Corner
Loki
Last week in “Days of Our Nine Lives,” the ARF cats welcomed Candy to the ARF cattery and celebrated the adoptions of all the kittens.
Phil: Easy come, easy go!
Harley: You must be talking about the kittens.
Phil: That’s right. Just as...
Past Tense – 6-24.2022
75 years ago - 1947
Fred Patton revealed he was smuggled into this area. “Back in 1895,” he recalled, “a man stole me from my folks up in Sonoma County. He was interested in gold mining over by Kenworthy and he hijacked me along to help him.” The mining experience didn’t amount to much,...