The new Idyllwild Historic Preservation District Local Review Board is working hard to establish operating procedures so it can soon begin the essence of its purpose — reviews of proposed alterations to local historic properties within the district. At its May 23 meeting, the board adopted the County’s policy A-21, “Advisory boards, commissions and committees,”…

Riverside County Sheriff’s Department reported that at 8:55 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, Idyllwild Fire Station reported two stranded climbers on Tahquitz Rock. Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit responded and assisted with the rescue. Sgt. Wenndy Brito-Gonzalez said, “No injuries were reported, but the hikers were transported to a local hospital for a medical evaluation.” A helicopter…

Editor’s note: The reporter in this article had $49,000 of tree-removal costs during the 2003 bark beetle infestation. Fortunately, Southern California Edison paid for all but $10,000 of the removal costs, since the very large pines threatened power lines. The Goldspotted oak borer, recently identified in Idyllwild, could cause similar if not greater tree loss…