On March 8, John MacLean will discuss his book “The Esperanza Fire: Arson, Murder, and the Agony of Engine 57” at the Rustic Theatre. MacLean spoke to the Town Crier, Sunday, Feb. 24, about the book and his writing on wildland fires. This is the second part of that interview.

Idyllwild Water District customers will begin paying new rates in July following the Board of Directors’ unanimous approval of a 12-percent increase for both water and sewer at its May 22 meeting. For the average residential user, the new water rate will be $27.07, a $2.90 increase from the current level of $24.17. The new…

While the state suspended the controversial State Fire Prevention Fee, the Howard Jarvis Tax Association is continuing its litigation over the legality of the fee. In August, when the Legislature approved Gov. Jerry Brown’s package of programs to improve air pollution throughout California, a suspension of collecting the fee until Jan. 1, 2031, was included….