By Robin RobertsContributed Prior to 1900, there was a Christmas tradition to hunt as many birds as possible. Fortunately, an ornithologist named Frank Chapman offered a new tradition — count and identify all the birds you can find in a 24-hour period.This new tradition, the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count, has continued for 120 years.Not…

Two collisions occurred last week on Highway 74 — one a fatality — according to California Highway Patrol Public Information Officer Matt Napier.  On June 17 at 7:40 p.m., Ciara Siobhan Alforque, 23 of Banning, was driving her black 2016 Kia Soul westbound on Highway 74 5.1 miles west of McGaugh Road at a stated…

Repairs to highways 74 and 243 a long-term project It’s hot-pink magenta with a tinge of neon orange. A thick swath of it paints Highway 243 as you drive south from Idyllwild and everything around it, trees, rocks and dirt, climbing the hillside toward AstroCamp and snaking along West Ridge. Several houses on Robin Drive…