The directors of the Pine Cove Water District have scheduled a hearing for May 9 to listen to public comments about, to discuss and, possibly, to decide on a five-year rate increase. The bi monthly charge could grow about 33 percent and the cost per 1,000 gallons almost four times after five years.

Wildlife Biologist Tom Paulek and avid birder Rosedith Marx will lead the public on a search of the San Jacinto Wildlife Area for “Birds of Prey,” from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 22. The Friends of the San Jacinto Valley are sponsoring the free event that hopes to spot some of the 22 species…

Two of five squatter camps in Idyllwild, downhill of the bend on Highway 243 leading south out of Idyllwild, are seen in these photos. The camps are on 40 undeveloped acres owned by Charlene Lane. Penelope Smrz, a neighbor immediately adjacent to the 40-acre site, reported the encampments to both the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department…