Financial issues dominated the last meeting of fiscal year 2017-18 for the Idyllwild Fire Protection District’s commission last week. The commission unanimously (3-0) approved a 5-percent increase in the ambulance-service rates. Commissioners Larry Donahoo and Jerry Buchanan were absent. The new Advanced Life Support cost will be $1,628, an increase of about $80. In the…

Hillbilly Brennen Priefer returns to his Idyllwild roots — to his hometown, elementary school and to his fifth grade classroom. “I’m glad to be back,” said Priefer.   Priefer has lived in Idyllwild since he was five years old. “My father came out [from Ohio] to Palm Springs for work, then moved up to Idyllwild,”…

Fire restrictions on the San Bernardino National Forest were elevated Tuesday, Aug. 6. Forest officials announce that the changes include limiting campfires to selected sites, increased restrictions on smoking and the prohibition of welding and other open-flame activities without the proper permits. “The wet winter has provided a very mild fire season on the forest…