Voter turnout for election day, Nov. 4, underperformed The Field Poll prediction issued that morning of turnout for the 2014 general election. The Field Poll release predicted 8.2 million people would cast ballots in the election, but total turnout was slightly less than 6.4 million voters. Statewide turnout, 35.8 percent, was the lowest in more…

California Highway Patrol reported two minor incidents on mountain roads over the last week. Public Information Officer Darren Meyer noted neither collision involved other motorists or resulted in significant injuries to the drivers. According to Meyer, the first occurred at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 25, at the intersection of Marion Ridge Drive and Clement Way…

Yoichi Christopher Kido Jr., 32 of Idyllwild crashed his white Ford Focus into a power pole on South Circle near Scenic Dr. around 1 a.m. Thursday morning, completely severing the pole causing power lines to arch into both lanes of traffic. South Circle was closed in both directions. Kido was transported by Idyllwild Fire to Desert Regional Medical Center. According to CHP Officer Ron Esparza, Kido was arrested for driving under the influence.

Last week, the state’s Board of Equalization began mailing the Fire Prevention Fee bills for fiscal year 2014-15. Many of more than 700,000 rural Californians are receiving a bill for the fourth time. About 10,000 bills will be sent each day in alphabetical order by county. The mailing schedule may be viewed at calfirefee.com. The…

Cool and wet, yesterday, today and tomorrow Cool, if not cold for May, and wet describes the Hill’s weather for most of May and probably through the end of the month. For the first three weeks of May, the average daytime temperature recorded at the Idyllwild Fire Station has been 52.2 degrees, which is nearly…