Charles Wentz is the new forester for the San Jacinto Ranger District. He arrived in March and within months confronted a major fire in the local forest. Kayanna Warren, his predecessor as district forester, was an Oregonian who went to school in the East. Wentz is from New Jersey and went to school at the…

Before recessing for the holidays, the U.S. Congress passed an omnibus appropriations bill to fund the federal government through the end of the fiscal year (Sept. 30, 2016). This includes $5.6 billion for the U.S. Forest Service, almost $600 million more than enacted for 2014-15, but $116 million less than President Barack Obama requested in…

On October 25 at 3:00 p.m., Soboba Casino will attempt to break the “Guinness World Records” record for the most people simultaneously panning for gold.  Discovery Channel’s Gold Rush star, Parker Schnabel, will be on hand for a meet and greet from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. following the event. Participants will be selected in a…