Joe Bressi (left) U.S. Forest Service Volunteers Association tower leader for Tahquitz and Black Mountain fire lookouts and Dan Roberts (right), a U.S. Forest Service volunteer, too, present Forest Lumber Manager Jim Adams (center) with thanks for his generous donation of the flagpole at the Black Mountain Fire Lookout and his ongoing support.

The Hemet Unified School District (HUSD) budget for FY 2019/20 was approved on June 16 and is projected to run the district $8.8 million into the red. The $303.7-million budget is an $18-million increase from last year’s $285.7 million budget. The largest increase, $9.2 million, is for the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) and another…

The U.S. Forest Service has extended the State Forestry Grant to Riverside County, Gregg Bratcher, Cal Fire unit forester for Riverside County, announced last week. The grant was scheduled to expire Sept. 30, but Cal Fire requested a one-year extension. About $450,000 will be available for fire protection on the Hill during the next year….