On Friday Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed several bills affecting the use of unmanned aircraft — drones. This included Senate Bill 168, which was unanimously passed in both the state Assembly and Senate, that would have regulated drones flying over wildfires or interfering with firefighting or emergency responders. Essentially Brown objected to the establishment of new…

The Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council still has money available to help local property owners abate the land around structures, according to Executive Director Edwina Scott. The grant funds will disappear on July 1 unless Scott can obtain approval to extend the grant beyond the end of the fiscal year (June 30). Although it has…

The Idyllwild Chamber and Business Roundtable are seeking volunteers during Jazz in the Pines weekend, Aug. 27-28, to help sell tickets at the Marshall Hawkins’ Town Jazz event at Jo’An’s. Volunteers are needed 6-10 p.m. Saturday and 4-8 p.m. Sunday. This is a community event supporting Marshall’s youth music education program through the Idyllwild Master…

The recently enacted $150 state fire protection fee will not be implemented for several months; nevertheless, it is already attracting considerable opposition that is starting to take shape in multiple forums — the voters, the Legislature and, eventually, the courts. The first formal action was the submission of a proposed referendum to eliminate the fee….