Earthquakes are a major threat for Hill residents. Not only fire, but shaking ground can cause a significant emergency for those people living on the Hill. The Mountain Disaster Preparedness group is focused on preparing and responding to disasters that might occur on the Hill. While fire threats dominate our summer and fall thoughts, other…

Jessie Ornelas-Mares splits her time as school counselor between two of the most highly regarded schools in the Hemet Unified School District, Idyllwild School and Cottonwood Elementary. “I feel very honored and privileged to have this opportunity,” said Ornelas-Mares, of serving both distinguished schools as a first-year school counselor. The longtime Hemet resident said she…

Karen Epperly, 50, of Idyllwild, pleaded guilty to embezzlement before her jury trial began Tuesday, July 21. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 3. She was initially charged in December 2013 with fraud and embezzlement, and taking, damaging or destroying property of more than $100,000 in value from Community Lumber in Idyllwild over a number of…

Two solo-vehicle collisions occurred on Highway 74, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Matt Napier.  A solo-vehicle collision occurred on Highway 74 west of McCall Park Road on Sunday, Dec. 15 at 12:05 p.m. Aaron Pratt, 32 years old of Temecula, was traveling westbound on Highway 74 on a black 2000 Kawasaki motorcycle when he…

Sometimes we save animals. Sometimes they save us. This is the goal at War Horse Creek, a program designed to help veterans who transition and adjust back to a civilian lifestyle after a very structured life of rules while in the military. Many veterans are dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or a traumatic…