Infrequently do decisions in our nation’s capital have immediate and direct consequences for Hill residents. But last week’s budget compromise benefits Medicare Part B recipients who are not receiving Social Security, and Social Security disability recipients. Local Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz said, “Yesterday [Oct. 28] I voted in favor of the bipartisan budget bill…

The U.S. Forest Service reported that the Little Fire, which started Saturday afternoon, Aug. 24, was fully contained Thursday evening, Aug. 29. The fire’s size was 97 acres and its cause is still under investigation. Firefighters continued to improve the fireline and extinguish burning logs and materials within the fire perimeter. The fire burned chaparral…

Without debate, the Idyllwild Fire Protection District Commission unanimously adopted its 2012-13 budget. The commission had reviewed and discussed the current budget in June when it preliminarily approved it during its first August meeting. The total budget equals about $1,663,700 and balances revenue and expenditures. The largest revenue increase, about $45,000, is from the new…