Memorial Day weekend marked the opening of Tahquitz Pines’ restaurant, the Peak, with a Santa Maria style BBQ buffet. For many locals it was their first look at the changes at what was always a church camp, but is now a resort destination with varied lodging options, event venues, and recreation facilities for guests and…

On Aug. 31, Stephen Patrick Medlock, 56, who was arrested and charged with starting the 2013 Silver Fire that burned more than 20,000 acres in Poppet Flats, Twin Pines and throughout Banning, and reportedly caused physical injuries to more than a dozen individuals, including firefighters, was court ordered to a Mental Health Court (MHC) hearing…

Much of last week’s Idyllwild Fire Protection District (IFPD) Commission meeting was devoted to a discussion of wildfire readiness, evacuation planning, and emergency alerts. The issue of emergency planning was also a topic at the Riverside County’s Board of Supervisors’ July 23 meeting, the same day as IFPD’s meeting. (See accompanying story on page A3.)…