To improve traffic safety across California, the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency approved 274 state and local applicants to receive about $87 million in federally-funded traffic safety grants the Office of Traffic Safety administers. The grant-funded programs will help combat alcohol and drug-impaired driving, encourage seat belt and child safety seat usage, fight distracted driving…

The worsening state budget is posing a significant threat to local school district budgets. Fortunately, Hemet Unified School District (HUSD) has the wherewithal to withstand the potential short-term reductions. In the longer term, Hemet could possibly see its state funding reduced $12 million more within this budget year, according to HUSD superintendent Dr. Steven Lowder….

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced in late December that the number of influenza cases in several southern states jumped dramatically recently and it was an early start for the flu season, which normally peaks later. There have been no flu-related deaths in California. And Riverside County officials say influenza activity is at…

After a convincing win that will oust his boss from office in January 2015, Riverside County District Attorney-elect Mike Hestrin is already involved in planning the transition. Asked how he felt about the election results, Hestrin said, “It feels great. Relief is the biggest emotion.” He said he was not surprised about his win. “We…

Last week, the Hemet Unified School District trustees held their board organizational meeting for 2016 and elected Jim Smith of Hemet as president and Vic Scavarda of Idyllwild as vice president. “I am absolutely looking forward to working with Jim Smith as president. He has a long history with Hemet Unified  (he was West Valley…