More recent update at bottom of the story: At about 11:15 a.m. Sunday, June 13, a wildfire was reported in the Pinyon area. Quickly, fire personnel, planes carrying retardant and helicopters hauling water in buckets descended on the area. The Flats Fire was burning in the Santa Rosa Mountains off Highway 74 near Pinyon Crest,…

By David JeromeCorrespondent Several local groups distributing free and low-cost food on the Hill received a set-back this week with news that they would not be receiving their usual distribution from the Western Eagle Foundation. Directors of these groups heard that Western Eagle Foundation has “lost a donor.”This has affected Mountain Communities Mutual Aid in…

Ward Johnson, 53, returned to Idyllwild and gratefully presented the Idyllwild Fire District with a plaque and photo at its March 26 meeting. In late December 1972, Johnson was sledding on Strong Drive. He crossed South Circle Drive and a passing car hit him. The driver stopped, looked at Johnson on the ground, then got…