No fees to visit local forests

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…

Last week, after Sacramento California Superior Court Judge Shelleyanne W.L. Chang dismissed its suit claiming the State Fire Prevention Fee was invalid, the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association announced it plans to appeal that decision. “Dismissal of this case was an abuse of discretion and rewards the state for creating delay,” said HJTA’s Director of Legal…

Saturday morning members of the Idyllwild Art Alliance, the Idyllwild Community Recreation Council and artist Dore Capitani (center back row) came together for the dedication of the his sign for the recently built playground. Local metal sculptor Dore Capitani created the sign out of cut metal with powder coating color and the Idyllwild Art Alliance donated it. Above, front row, are Seth White, Joel White, Emily White, ICRC, with daughter Abbey, Claudia Posey, ICRC, with son Brody, Lea Deesing, president of the Art Alliance, Dawn Sonnier, ICRC, with daughter Katelyn, and Gary Kuscher, Art Alliance vice president. Back row Bryan Talent AAI board member, Capitani and Scott Fisher, AAI board member.

 Annexation of properties into sewer system deferred General Manager Jack Hoagland told the Idyllwild Water District board that he has ordered equipment to eliminate the organic matter apparently in the district’s Foster Lake water. Once installed, this should result in reducing the disinfection by-products, which are produced from the chlorine’s interaction with the organic matter. “It…