Michael Jaime Becerra, associate professor of creative writing at University of California, Riverside, said a sense of place and trust in his characters are the keys to his writing success. Becerra is himself shaped by the place where he grew up, El Monte in Los Angeles’ San Gabriel Valley, and his writing is a product…

The Idyllwild community stepped up again to generously donate monies to the Idyllwild Scholarship Fund (ISF). Nine high school seniors, who submitted applications and were interviewed, received a total of $47,000 to help them with their college educations. Tuesday night, May 17, a reception was held at the Idyllwild Library for the scholarship recipients, their…