By Diana KurrPresident of SoroptimistInternational of Idyllwild Soroptimist International of Idyllwild announces the Modified Annual Basket Festival and Spaghetti Dinner to be held Wednesday, Sept. 22. The event will be held at FERRO Restaurant.This year, the seating will be limited. You can receive an entry to the Dinner Invitation Raffle by purchasing Basket Festival tickets…

According to California Hwy. Patrol Officer Mike Murawski, at about 1 p.m. Sunday, Charles Marquis, 69, and Bertha Marquis, 68 (on backboard), of Hemet were riding their 1998 Honda Valkyrie northbound on Hwy. 243 near South Circle when the back tire began to fishtail causing the them to lose control and T-bone a 2005 Dodge Ram driven by Jackie Louise Nichols, 58 of Spring Valley, as she was pulling to the side of the road. Idyllwild Fire transported Bertha Marquis to Hemet Valley Medical Center with facial swelling. No other injuries were reported. Oil from a leaking vehicle may have contributed to the crash. Idyllwild Volunteer Fire Company 621 and Cal Trans mopped up the excess oil and the Riverside County Sheriff conducted traffic control during the incident.

Idyllwild Fire Protection District (IFPD) Vice President Dan Messina led the Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 25, as President Henry Sawicki was absent. Commissioner Christina Reitz also was absent.Fire Chief Mark LaMont lamented the ambulance situation where lower hospital staffing levels have created ambulance backup situations at hospitals throughout the nation.He described to…