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Ken Kemptor briefs fire officials on the status of the fire after overnight efforts Tuesday morning. Photo by J.P. Crumrine











While the first three months of 2024 have not been as wet as in 2023,precipitation has covered the Hill. This past weekend was a combinationof snow, between 8 and 10 inches, and another inch of rain. No precipitation records were set during the weekend, but one weatherrecord did occur. The National Weather Service (NWS) reported…
The Fern Valley Emporium will hold its 10th anniversary celebration from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1. Owner Don Zeigler said, “We’re having live music by Chuck Alvarez and Bill Saitta, free hot dogs and refreshments, and 10 percent off on all purchases. It’s going to be a great celebration.” The Emporium features a…
Last week’s hot spell only enhanced the chances of wildfires this fall.On Thursday, Sept. 5, the low nighttime temperature in Idyllwild was 64degrees tying the 2019 record low. Two days later, the low nighttimetemperature was 63 degrees which tied the 2023 record for that date. Cal Fire’s Predictive Services unit had already issued its Septemberwildfire…
The Cranston Fire burned more than 13,000 acres of the San Jacinto Ranger District in July and August. It will take years for nature to recover completely from this damage. But the U.S. Forest Service is assisting nature. Charles Wentz, the forester on the San Jacinto Ranger District, already has begun the reforestation effort with…
Although the Idyllwild Fire Protection District Auxiliary still has paperwork to complete before becoming completely official, the group is moving forward with its project planning. The fire department has expressed some of its main concerns and planning has begun on some of these projects. Priorities include organization and maintenance of the records room, remodeling of…
By Becky and Jack Clark Co-publishers With 16 business members, seven nonprofit members and two public-agency members, along with 411 personal memberships, the Town Crier Charter Membership list continues to grow. We are now at about 80 percent of the minimum amount we estimated last August we would need in the first year to enable…