This weekend’s precipitation brought needed moisture to the Hill but the extended dry period is far from over. On April 25, Gov. Jerry Brown issued another executive order in response to the drought. “The driest months are still to come in California and extreme drought conditions will get worse,” said Brown. “This order cuts red…

The effects of the 2013 Mountain Fire continue to threaten the local biosystem even though the flames were extinguished long ago. Last month, Debra Nelson, U.S. Forest Service botanist on the San Jacinto Ranger District, led an expedition into Garner Valley’s Johnson Meadow to help protect native plants from the encroachment and invasion of the…

Hill businesses and institutions that will be closed Monday, July 4, to observe Independence Day: Area post offices BBVA Compass bank Fern Valley Water District Hemet Unified School District Idyllwild Health Center Idyllwild Library Idyllwild Transfer Station Idyllwild Water District Pine Cove Water District Riverside County offices Town Crier These will be open: Fairway Market…

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention (Cal Fire) has filed a lawsuit against Tarek M. Al-Shawaf, James Nowlin and Donna Nowlin for the costs of fighting the Mountain Fire. Hill residents Lon and Susan Paul, Martin Prevosto, Alisia Fisher, Doug McKellar and MTS&L Inc. aka McKellar Tree Service and Landscaping Inc. have also…