The future of a joint power authority for the Idyllwild Fire Protection District to provide fire and emergency medical services to the city of San Jacinto appears to be changing. At a regular meeting of the city’s council last week, City Manager Tim Hults was authorized to hire a contractor to evaluate the city’s future…

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department has reported a hiker missing since Saturday. The search began during the weekend and was continuing Tuesday, April 28, as of press time. Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit and helicopters are involved in the search. Deputies received a call around 4:15 p.m. Saturday from a missing hiker, who has been identified…

The rain season ended June 30, and for the fifth consecutive year, rainfall was below the historical level. The total rainfall recorded at the U.S. Forest Service’s Keenwild Ranger Station was 21.27 inches, which is 82 percent of the long-term average of 25.67 inches. In Idyllwild and Pine Cove, slightly more than 25 inches, or…