At the Feb. 9 felony settlement conference for Neil Cooper, his attorney requested that the court transfer his case to the mental health court. The Riverside County District Attorney’s office did not object. A hearing on his request was set for Tuesday, Feb. 28. The Idyllwild resident was arrested on Jan. 6, and subsequently charged…

Friday, July 1, is when the California tax rate on tobacco products other than cigarettes will increase from the current rate of 27.3 to 65.08 percent of the wholesale cost. The new tobacco products tax rate will stay in effect through June 30, 2018. California voters approved Proposition 56, in November 2016. This proposition increased…

A quarter-acre brush fire started early Saturday evening near Lake Hemet. In less than two hours after it was reported at 7:08 p.m., the fire was controlled, according to Tawny Cabral, public safety information specialist for Cal Fire and the Riverside County Fire Department. No U.S. Forest Service engines were needed to control this blaze.