The heat and dry weather have accelerated the damage to local oaks from the invasive Goldspotted oak borer. According to Greg Bratcher, Cal Fire’s unit forester for the San Jacinto Mountains, another 18 trees have been identified as GSOB victims. Of these, 11 will be cut down and six were recommended for spraying. This…

Last week, Riverside County Judge Becky Dugan continued the trial and appeal until March 2012 for Christopher V. Hillman, 48, of Hesperia, brother-in-law of convicted arsonist Raymond Lee Oyler. In July 2010, Hillman had been found guilty of seven counts of attempting to influence a juror during the Oyler trial. At Hillman’s August 2010 sentencing…