As of Friday afternoon, two of the six people officially reported missing in our mountain area to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) have been located. According to Correctional Sergeant Deanna Pecoraro, “Venessa Vlasek has been located safely and removed from the missing persons database.” No further details were available. According to the Orange Police…

Back in 1994, Richard Alvarado started his career in the emergency medical field, a profession he hadn’t planned to pursue. “I didn’t want to be a paramedic at first. My goal was to become a firefighter, but I had to become an EMT first before I could become a firefighter. I saw the skills of…

Forest Service expects PCT to open in spring Unlike the 2013 Mountain Fire, this summer’s Cranston Fire did not materially damage the Pacific Crest Trail south of Humber Park. U.S. Forest Service Natural Resource Specialist Andrew E. Smith said the PCT through-portion, from near Paradise Corners in Garner Valley to Humber Park, should be ready…

Three years after its last-minute filing of the United State’s lawsuit against Mountain Center property owner, Dr. Tarek M.A. Al-Shawaf, and his employees seeking some $24 million in costs of fire suppression and damage to federal forest lands, the Department of Justice (DOJ), United States Attorney’s Office has filed to dismiss the case.  The Idyllwild…