70 years ago – 1949 Ernie Maxwell and Martin Aguirre headed a group to plant trout fingerlings in the back country. 65 years ago – 1954 Local residents voted in favor of zoning for Idyllwild. A new classification, R1-A, was adopted for guest cottages rented with kitchens. 60 years ago – 1959 Tahquitz Peak Lookout…

Abatement inspection update Dear editor:(Editor’s note: Chuck Weisbart wrote a letter to the editor published on June 18 expressing concern about abatement requirements not being enforced for absent property owners. Here’s his follow-up about the situation in his neighborhood.)Ralph Hoetger, president of the Idyllwild Fire Protection District (IFPD) board, and Chief Mark LaMont came out…

Tuesday, June 18, was Bill Sanborn’s last Hemet Unified School District board meeting representing Idyllwild for 22 years. His colleagues praised and thanked him for his work on the board and held a reception for him. “I’ll miss it and these people and being part of something,” said Sanborn. “It really matters.” In April, Sanborn…

Above-normal temperatures ravished the mountain climate last week. Temperatures stalled above 60 degrees, approaching 70 degrees, for several consecutive nights. Finally, on Saturday and Sunday nights, July 30 and 31, the temperature dropped to 58 degrees. Saturday afternoon, a small cloud burst — the first rain of the 2016-17 rain year — may have aided…