The County Service Area 38 Advisory Committee (Pine Cove fire and ambulance) reviewed the various projects funded in its 2016-17 budget at its Nov. 16 meeting. The Bautista Division Chief Bill Weiser, Riverside County Fire Department, reported that estimates for the masticator and chipper have been obtained. Their purchases will occur within the next couple…

The Riverside County Assessor’s office reports that Idyllwild property values have grown 4.15 percent for the tax year 2013-14. Last year, the Idyllwild area property value increase was only 1 percent following three consecutive years of declines. Countywide, 2013-14’s increase of 3.95 percent is the first year of property growth since 2008-09. Throughout the unincorporated…

The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association is leading the legal opposition to the state’s Fire Prevention Fee. The State Board of Equalization has begun replying to the fee’s challenges. In response to one local resident’s challenge and claim for refund the Board wrote, “the [Board of Equalization] will hold in abeyance any collection activity on this…