The head of Riverside County’s Emergency Medical Services Agency, Bruce Barton, spoke at last week’s County Service Area 38 (Pine Cove) meeting. He explained and answered questions about how the county’s new ambulance contract with American Medical Response will affect Pine Cove residents. He was emphatic that beginning July 1, AMR will be the primary…

Despite the relatively normal fall rainfall, the National Weather Service’s latest long-range forecast is pessimistic regarding a wet winter and the end of the five-year drought, which is expected to enter its sixth year next spring.  On Dec. 8, NWS issued its winter forecast that said, “Given the current conditions and the model forecasts, the…

California Highway Patrol Public Information Officer Darren Meyer reported two crashes on Hill roads over the last week. At about 1:50 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, a 2015 white Chevy Tahoe was discovered by Cal Fire responders over the side on Highway 74 just east of mile marker 54.35. The driver was no longer with the…

Two minor quakes occurred near Idyllwild last week. Early Wednesday morning, Oct. 16, a 3.0 trembler shook Idyllwild while many slept. The quake was at about 6:45 a.m., and only 4 miles south of Idyllwild and 11 miles east/southeast of Valle Vista. Four days later at about 9 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 20, a 2.4 earthquake…