In July 2010, Christopher V. Hillman was convicted of seven counts of attempting to influence the jury during the Raymond Oyler arson murder trial the previous year. On Friday, Aug. 24, Judge Larrie Brainard sentenced Hillman to 36 months of formal probation. He must perform 300 hours of community service and file proof of its…

Fire broke out west of Idyllwild Arts Academy last Wednesday evening, June 2. “The fire was a half-acre, vehicle into vegetation on 5S06 1.5 miles west of Idyllwild Arts Academy,” wrote Idyllwild Fire Protection District (IFPD) Chief Mark LaMont the night of the fire. “IFPD and U.S. Forest Service responded. It is all lined.”

The Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council has received Federal Emergency Management Agency authority to begin its cedar shake shingle roof replacement project, according to Executive Director Edwina Scott. Work will begin over the next few weeks and homeowners may receive 75 percent of the replacement cost. Scott can be reached at 951-659-6208.

Last week’s snow and rain caused several rock slides throughout Southern California. Here, a boulder blocking Highway 243 in the Poppet Flat area, south of Banning, is split and removed.
Photo courtesy Terri Kasinga, Caltrans

Town Hall is open with all programs running, according to Riverside County Regional Park and Open Space Recreation Chief Kyla Brown. On Monday, Jan. 5, the parking lot was crowded with cars and the main floor of Town Hall was filled with a Jazzercise class. Town Hall had been closed for county recreation activities in…