This is the perfect time of year to spot black oaks that may be harboring Goldspotted oak borers. Oaks with brown leaves still on the branches should be inspected, according to the Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council. Here is an oak with retained leaves throughout the branchy canopy. A team composed of Ron Perry, Eliott Taylor and Doris Lombard spotted this tree during their morning drive-by windshield survey.

Last week the Crier reported a citizen’s complaint about contractors working for Southern California Edison (SCE) spraying herbicide around power poles both along public roads and within the utility easement, and on private property. An SCE representative answered some of the questions and gave readers an update on SCE’s wider wildfire mitigation efforts. At that…

No action was taken at the July 16 Riverside County Planning Department hearing on proposed revisions to the Idyllwild Arts Master Plan, according to Idyllwild Water District Board President Allan Morphett, who attended and spoke at the hearing. “The project was continued to August 20 … No decision yet,” said Matt Straite of the Riverside…