California State Senate District 28 is currently vacant and Idyllwild voters will see five names on the June 3 primary ballot. Democratic candidates are Philip Drucker of La Quinta and Anna Nevenic of Palm Springs. On the other side are three Republicans — Bonnie Garcia of Cathedral City, Glenn Miller of Indio and Jeff Stone…

State Sen. Jeff Stone announced he will challenge U.S. Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz for his Congressional seat. Ruiz was elected in 2012 when he upset incumbent Rep. Mary Bono Mack. Stone is the fourth Republican to announce his intent to run. The first two — Kirk Thompson and Lupe Ramos Watson — have already withdrawn….

Forest Service lifts fire restrictions With recent rain across the southland, forest officials on the San Bernardino National Forest reduced fire restrictions effective today and have begun winter burning projects. “While campfires and recreational shooting are being allowed in portions of the forest, we are not completely out of wildfire danger yet, and ask the…

On Tuesday, March 11, investigators from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Central Homicde Unit arrested both Cristin Smith and Robert Pape. The following day, both men were charged with the 2006 triple murder of Jon Hayward, 55, Vicki Friedli, 53, and Vicki’s daughter, Becky Friedli, 18, in Pinyon Pines. “I’m elated. Very, very happy, finally…

Twenty-five new police officers completed a rigorous training program at the Ben Clark Training Center and graduated from the Riverside Sheriff’s Department Basic Peace Officer Training Academy. Only one, Cory Zimmerman, will join the Sheriff’s Department and could be part of a new wave of deputies that will increase staffing at Hemet Station. Other graduates…