As he began his Chief’s Report, Idyllwild Fire Chief Patrick Reitz offered the district’s property owners a Christmas present. The International Organization for Standardization has raised the Idyllwild Fire Protection District rating from 4 to 2, where 1 is the best. The new rating is effective April 1, 2016. “This could lead to [fire insurance]…

Calls for help from stranded and exhausted hikers occurred frequently this past weekend along the Skyline Trail that starts at the valley floor in Palm Springs and ends in Mt. San Jacinto State Park. And the California State Parks rescue team was busy with three separate rescues Saturday, May 3. The first began about 10…

The effects of the rainfall from impending El Niño conditions create more responsibilities in the rural parts of Riverside County than urban residents will experience, according to several county representatives. They were on the Hill to discuss what local residents can do to prepare for the rain, run-off and potential problems. The speakers encouraged an…