The recent escalation in criminal activity in the Idyllwild area, including an armed robbery and a growing number of felony property crimes, has prompted the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department to call a community meeting in Idyllwild. Captain Scot Collins, Hemet Station Commander and staff will meet with Hill community members at a town meeting at the Idyllwild School gymnasium at 2 p.m., Saturday, March 24.

The rain season ended June 30, and for the fifth consecutive year, rainfall was below the historical level. The total rainfall recorded at the U.S. Forest Service’s Keenwild Ranger Station was 21.27 inches, which is 82 percent of the long-term average of 25.67 inches. In Idyllwild and Pine Cove, slightly more than 25 inches, or…

During its evaluation of Idyllwild Water’s District’s application for grant funds to construct a proposed water recycling plant, the State’s Water Resources Control Board determined that Idyllwild’s population is too wealthy for a significant grant. Instead, the board is proposing a $973,000 loan coupled with about half the grant money. Funding for the facility will…