Rainfall during the past two weeks was not sufficient to rescind Gov. Jerry Brown’s drought declaration. Less than an inch of rain fell on the Hill since Jan. 31. The Keenwild Ranger Station recorded just 0.28 inches on Friday, Jan. 31, and another 0.6 inches from Thursday night, Feb. 6, through Friday morning, Feb. 7….

The Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council is about to embark on another endeavor to reduce the risk of significant fire damage on the Hill. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has recently approved Riverside County’s “Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.” This week the county Board of Supervisors passed a resolution adopting the current plan. Edwina Scott, Fire…

No doubt that the torrential Valentine’s Day rainstorm caused significant damage to local highways, roads and structures. But this winter’s weather terror was not limited to rain. The unusually low temperatures and their duration caused many water pipes to crack or break. Depending on the flow through pipes, these leaks created significant monetary loss for…

On July 1, a new agency will be responsible for the local recreation program. As part of a long-announced reorganization of functions at the county level, the Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District will take responsibility for County Service Area 36 (Idyllwild) recreation functions. “We’re planning on keeping it consistent with the past. No…