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The pros and cons of short-term rentals
By JP CrumrineCorrespondent
“What’s your opinion of short-term rentals?”
Ask anyone, ask your neighbor, ask the person next to you at the post office, ask the person behind you in line at Fairway or Village markets, or ask someone at any bar in town.
You will get an...
COVID at Idyllwild School
A Town Crier question that the one Idyllwild School first-grade class this year recently may have been sent home to quarantine due to exposure to a student(s) who tested positive for COVID-19 was posed, along with other questions, to Idyllwild School Principal Nicole Picchiottino.
Instead, Hemet Unified School District Public Information Officer Alexandrea Sponheim...
Heather Companiott retires from Idyllwild Arts
By Dr. Donald StollIdyllwild Arts Manager of Communications & International Student Relations
“To start with, I’m looking forward to more time with my husband, George.”Heather Companiott was speaking on Wednesday, Sept. 1. In two more days, she would retire from her position as director of the Adult Arts Center and Native American Arts Program...
Art’s Corner
By Art ConnorMusic Reviewer
In recalling the past few months of both fateful and less world-shaking events, it comes as almost a relieving reprieve for this reviewer to reflect on the missing opportunities for live music in a community so favored and well-respected for those causes. So at a particularly salient moment, here at...
Autumn Equinox on Sunday
Spirit Mountain Retreat is celebrating the Autumn Equinox with a full moon drum circle from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19, at the retreat.All ages are invited to attend where the acapella group Local Color will perform.
The public also are asked to bring finger foods to share after the celebration, and drums...
Short-term rental policy revisions moving ahead
JP CrumrineCorrespondent
Riverside County officials — Board of Supervisors, Planning and Code Enforcement, and the grand jury — have been grappling with revising the current policy for regulating short-term rentals (STRs).
The board formally initiated the effort to revise the STR policy (Ordinance 927) in February 2020 and has been overseeing...
Edison to raise rates
On Thursday, Aug. 19, the California Public Utilities Commission authorized a 7.63% increase to Southern California Edison’s revenue requirement for 2021. SCE had requested a 19.03% increase.
This results in $12.41 (or 8.9 percent) more monthly for a typical residential customer’s bill.
The CPUC excluded more than $131 million of costs...
Pinyon murderers denied appeals and Supreme Court reviews
Editor’s note: Some of this story is taken from past Town Crier news coverage of this crime.
The California Appeals Court, District 4, denied a rehearing and the Supreme Court denied a review of Robert Lars Pape, 33, and Cristin Conrad Smith, 32, who in 2018 were convicted and sentenced to life in prison...
The perfect blend: nature, art and wine
Donna ElliotArt Alliance of Idyllwild Publicity
What does October in Idyllwild offer?
First of all, prismatic autumn colors with hues of red, yellow and gold, celestial symphonic breezes through our shady forests, fresh mountain air, stunning scenery and adventure on our trails and rocks.
Rustic Theatre receives grant due to COVID-19
The Rustic Theatre in Idyllwild was one of 28 area theaters, stages and event venues to receive nearly $19 million in funding recently, according to Rep. Raul Ruiz (CA-36). The recipients all are within District 36.
The federal American Rescue Plan’s Shuttered Venue Operator Grant program provides funds to help sustain local economy, boost...
Hill food assistance roundup
David JeromeCorrespondent
Over the last year-and-a-half the Hill has seen unprecedented circumstances and needs in these communities. Many people have experienced food insecurity, some for the first time.
Fortunately, the Hill is home to many dedicated volunteer groups working to make sure no one here goes hungry. Most of these groups...
Life Tribute: Martin Prevosto 1983 – 2021
From noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, a memorial will be held for Marty Prevosto at the Butterfield Amphitheater. This event will be hosted by his children William, Logan and Dakota with their mother Shawntel.Martin was born June 9, 1983 and died May 14, 2021.Martin was a powerhouse of a man...
News of Record: September 16, 2021
Idyllwild FireThe Idyllwild Fire Protection District recently responded to the following calls.• Sept. 4 — Traffic crash, no injuries, provide basic life support, 10:36 a.m. Hwy. 243.• Sept. 4 — EMS call, provide advanced life support, 7:39 p.m. Hwy. 371.• Sept. 5 — EMS call, provide ALS, 12:11 a.m. S. Circle Dr.• Sept. 5 — EMS call,...
Medlock hearing set in Mental Health Court
Stephen Patrick Medlock at the time of his March 2018 arrest for suspicion of starting the Silver Fire in 2013.
Photo courtesy Riverside County Sheriff’s Department
On Aug. 31, Stephen Patrick Medlock, 56, who was arrested and charged with starting the 2013 Silver Fire that burned more than 20,000 acres in Poppet Flats, Twin...
Household Hazardous Waste station Sept. 25
Riverside County Waste is holding its bi-annual, free Household Hazardous Waste day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25, at the County Road Yard, 25780 Johnson Road, next to the Idyllwild Fire Station, for residents (not businesses) only.These are the guidelines for disposing HHW at the site:• It is illegal to transport more than 15...
Insurance increases, ‘pumpkin’ on PCWD agenda
Production dropped about 4% in July compared to last year so not seeing too much change “right at the ballpark,” even with the water Riverside County Transportation is using to chip seal Pine Cove roads, Pine Cove Water District General Manager Jerry Holldber told the board of directors at its Sept. 8 meeting. Last year, Caltrans required...
COVID vaccine and testing clinic Sept. 25
Riverside County’s Operation Rivco Shield will hold a COVID-19 vaccination and testing clinic between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25, at Idyllwild School. Idyllwild School is located at 26700 Highway 243.COVID-19 testing will be available, as will both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccinations. The Pfizer vaccine is offered for all individuals ages 12 and older....
COVID-19 Local Update: CDC weekly review and RivCo reports — 11 new COVID cases on the Hill
As of Sept. 10, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports: The current 7-day moving average of daily new U.S. COVID cases has decreased 12.7% compared with last week, but it is 99.3% higher compared to the value observed approximately a year ago.The CDC reports that, although most people with COVID-19...
Sheriff’s Department’s response to short-term rentals report
By JP CrumrineCorrespondent
The Riverside County’s June Grand Jury Report on Short-Term Rentals (STRs) was broad in coverage. Not only were the board of supervisors and the Transportation and Land Management Agency (the Planning and Code Enforcement departments) addressed and expected to respond, but also the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department was targeted in the...
Past Tense: September 16, 2016
65 years ago - 1956As summer was drawing to a close, many Idyllwild businesses went on a winter schedule, including the Town Crier, which published every two weeks in the winter.
60 years ago - 1961Drought conditions, which led to an infestation of destructive insects, were causing trees to die at an alarming rate...
Creature Corner: September 16, 2021
Pepper
Last week in “Days of Our Nine Lives,” the ARF cats met Mila and Don, the newest members of the ARF cattery.Stevie: I think it might be time to remind humans about caring for dogs and cats in the summer heat.Whiskers: That’s a good idea. People should be reminded often.Stevie: It is...