By JP CrumrineCorrespondent “What’s your opinion of short-term rentals?” Ask anyone, ask your neighbor, ask the person next to you at the post office, ask the person behind you in line at Fairway or Village markets, or ask someone at any bar in town. You will get an opinion. It is unlikely the person being…

Santa’s Mail Box is now at the Idyllwild Post Office ready to receive letters from local children. Santa’s postal elves Kelsi Lehman, Christina Edwards, Postmaster Kelly Gates and Sherry Kaufman, present the box all ready for the first letters to Santa. Children may mail their letters to Santa up until noon Monday, Dec. 17, in order to reach the North Pole in time for Christmas. And every year, Santa gives the Town Crier permission to print some of the letters he receives from Idyllwild boys and girls in the newspaper.

Juan Arambul (center) was driving a large Waste Management truck around 2 p.m. Wednesday on Highway 243 near South Circle Drive. A rug that had been dumped into the truck accidentally covered the exhaust vent, causing it to begin to burn. Idyllwild Fire Department quickly responded and extinguished the threat without damage to the truck.

Update 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 28: The fire “is 100% contained. Firefighters and equipment will remain on scene completing fire suppression repair. Motorists should use caution driving in the area,” according to Riverside County.. 28: The fire “is 100% contained. Firefighters and equipment will remain on scene completing fire suppression repair. Motorists should use caution…