Idyllwild’s Charles “Chic” Fojtik, actor, retired Pepperdine University marketing professor and recent producer of the Tahquitz laser show, is a familiar avuncular and upbeat presence to townsfolk. But on the evening of Tuesday, Nov. 28, he was not his usual upbeat, but literally upset. “I was the culprit who knocked down the monument sign Tuesday…

Calvary Chapel is distributing USDA Farmers to Families food boxes starting at 11:30 a.m. today, Oct. 21, at the Idyllwild Community Playground site on Highway 243. Boxes contain protein, dairy and produce. Distribution will end by 1 p.m.

Leak detection was discussed thoroughly during last week’s Fern Valley Water District meeting. Following up on President Robert Krieger’s suggestion during the February meeting, General Manager Steve Erler said he had contacted American Leak Detection about the possibility of surveying the district’s entire pipeline system. A decision was not made during the meeting, but Erler…

Although not $1 of the controversial Fire Prevention fee has been collected, Gov. Jerry Brown has plans for spending $50 million from that fee this fiscal year and $84 million in fiscal 2012-13. This year, $50 million of funds will supplement the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s (CAL FIRE) regular budget. Collections are…