New sheriff has ‘zero tolerance’ for repeat crimes  Two local young men, Michael Kellner, 26, and James McMahon, 22, have been arrested for a series of burglaries in Idyllwild, Kellner on May 29 and McMahon on May 30. Both men were charged with burglary and possession of stolen property. McMahon also was charged with grand…

The closure of Highway 74 is much more than a nuisance or inconvenience for Idyllwild high school students and Hemet Unified School District personnel who commute. Several HUSD staff live in Idyllwild and work in Hemet, and some Idyllwild School faculty live in Hemet. The district is trying to help as much as possible, according…

Longtime Idyllwild resident Grace Moore is this year’s Fourth of July Parade grand marshal. Idyllwild Rotary Club, parade organizer, made the announcement which came as a surprise to Moore who said she didn’t know why they would pick her. “It’s fantastic,” she said when reached by telephone in Oregon. “I was quite surprised.” Her long…

(This story is taken from a Riverside County press release.) Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Chief John R. Hawkins received approval from the Riverside County Board of Supervisors to close seven hazardous fire areas throughout the region on June 6. The closures will remain in effect until further notice in the following areas: • Avery Canyon…

Nickolas Melendez, 27, of Cabazon, one of two men who pleaded guilty to burglary of the Mountain Center Market in September, was sentenced to two years and eight months in state prison. Judge Mark Mandio dispensed the sentence Friday, May 6, nearly a week after Melendez missed the original sentencing hearing. Melendez had a prior…