Amid its discussion of the budget for fiscal year 2012-13, which begins June 30, the County Service Area 38 Advisory Committee thought that county officials had granted approval with a long-standing effort to purchase a new fire engine for Station 23 and the Pine Cove community. However on Thursday, Bill Brown, County Service Area Manager…

The recycled water project, long a dream of the Idyllwild Water District’s past boards, is being flushed down the drain. The current Board of Directors unanimously agreed to have staff begin negotiations with the state to end the project. “At this juncture, I recommend to the board that it not move forward at this time,”…

Rainfall during the past two weeks was not sufficient to rescind Gov. Jerry Brown’s drought declaration. Less than an inch of rain fell on the Hill since Jan. 31. The Keenwild Ranger Station recorded just 0.28 inches on Friday, Jan. 31, and another 0.6 inches from Thursday night, Feb. 6, through Friday morning, Feb. 7….

Third District County Supervisor Jeff Stone has canceled his meeting in Idyllwild for September. He will resume his regular schedule of meeting with Idyllwild-area residents in October. Supervisor Stone is still available to meet with constituents in his Hemet office. To make an appointment, call 1-866-383-2203.

The membership of the Idyllwild Chamber of Commerce is invited to meet at the Chamber offices at 6 p.m. Monday, May 13, to begin the process of disposing of Chamber assets. Assets include the town monument Harmony, the Chamber bus, and office furniture and supplies. Chamber assets must be given to local nonprofits as stipulated…