

Blood Moon rises
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At its final meeting Friday, Feb. 6, the Parks Forward Commission will review its final report and recommendations for the future management of the state park system. Collectively, the numerous recommendations will result in a fundamental transformation of the California Department of Parks and Recreation. The commission recognizes that change requires planning and needs time;…
On Nov. 16, the state’s new Bureau of Cannabis Control, housed in the Department of Consumer Affairs, issued an emergency rulemaking in order to ensure that the state can regulate the medicinal- and adult-use cannabis businesses — from cultivation to retail sales— beginning Jan. 1. In anticipation of both cannabis use sales, the BCC, along…
Covered California announced new premiums for 2015. “The vast majority of Covered California consumers will see low increases in their health insurance premiums for 2015, and many consumers will see no increase or even a decrease,” said a recent press release. Consumers will have a choice of 10 health insurers for 2015. Open Season begins…
On May 14, Gov. Jerry Brown announced revisions to his proposed 2015-16 state budget, boosting the General Fund expenditures to a total of $115.3 billion, an increase of $6.7 billion. “The state is definitely on a rebound from just a few years ago when the state was mired in red ink,” Brown said at his…
From fall until spring, Southern California was supposed to experience one of the strongest El Niño weather patterns in a century. Warnings of flooding and road washouts prevailed throughout the fall. Although the precipitation since July 1 has exceeded recent years, it remains less than the long-term average. El Niño failed to dampen the spirits…
After more than 66,000 annual parcel inspections, the Riverside County Fire Department Hazard Reduction Office has issued about 9,500 Notices of Violation and Order to Abate to vacant-parcel owners within recurring targeted unincorporated areas in Riverside County. Supported by Riverside County Ordinance 695.4, those parcel owners that received a NOV are required to clear their…