Residents of California’s 36th Congressional District who lost homes or businesses in the recent wildfires may be eligible for federal assistance. The office of Dr. Raul Ruiz (D-Palm Desert) is available to assist those affected by damage to homes or businesses with claims to the Small Business Administration. Also, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has…

Mountain Disaster Preparedness, a local non-profit volunteer group, is holding a Great Shakeout event to inform residents how to be better prepared for earthquakes and other emergencies. The event, from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 18, also will stress the need for Hill residents to be prepared to be self-sufficient, especially after a catastrophic…

The 300 acre Rosa Fire, near the Santa Rosa Indian Reservation, closed Highway 74 Monday afternoon, August 4. Two zones to the east, including Ribbonwood, were under evacuation orders, and the next two under warnings. By 4:30 p.m. the Cal Fire website showed 150 firefighter, 27 engines, 3 dozers, 4 water tenders and 4 hand…