Author: David Jerome

A lone woman explores a serene forest trail in Idyllwild-Pine Cove, California.

Idyllwild Trail Festival celebrates PCT hikers and the community

The 2nd annual Idyllwild Trail Festival will be held on Saturday, April 26, at Idyllwild Town Hall, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will be a celebration both Pacific Crest Trail hikers that pass through Idyllwild, and of the town itself. The festival will feature demos of the latest outdoor products, representatives from manufacturers,…

Idyllwild Nature Center to receive new taxidermy collection from San Bernardino County Museum

Idyllwild Nature Center to receive new taxidermy collection from San Bernardino County Museum

The Idyllwild Nature Center will be hosting what Park Interpreter Allison Fedrick describes as “a small program with high hopes” on Sunday, April 27. “San Bernardino County Museum is coming up to do a presentation and gift the Nature Center with taxidermy birds that look a whole lot better” than the aging specimens currently on…

PCWD considers litigation against former billing software vendor, broadens experiment with electronic meters

PCWD considers litigation against former billing software vendor, broadens experiment with electronic meters

At the April meeting of PCWD’s board, Officer Manager Jennifer Hayes clarified her comment about the district’s possible interest in initiating litigation against a software vendor. Hayes explained that PCWD had used UbMax for many years for their billing and notification software. When UbMax was absorbed by GWorks, PCWD accepted the successor company’s bid to…

IWD board announces scholarships, plans public tour in May. Schelly addresses letter writer

IWD board announces scholarships, plans public tour in May. Schelly addresses letter writer

The April meeting of the Idyllwild Water District board began with the awarding of prizes to the winners of the district’s Water Education Scholarship poster and essay contest, conducted in partnership with Idyllwild School. The winning posters and essays will be posted on the IDW website. The essay winners were Polina Rasskazova, first, and Quinnlyn…

A fire truck parked inside a station's garage, showcasing emergency preparedness.

Idyllwild Fire Board approves draft budget, water tender purchase

The Board of Commissioners of Idyllwild Fire Protection District approved Chief Mark LaMont’s draft budget for the Financial Year 2025-2026 at their March meeting. The total draft budget, $3,975,249, is about 10.6% higher than last year. IFPD’s budget is divided into three categories: General Fire Protection, Emergency Medical Services, and Mutual Aid. General Fire Protection…

ICC Easter egg hunt returns to County Park

ICC Easter egg hunt returns to County Park

The Idyllwild Community Center’s free annual Easter Egg Hunt returned to the County Park after last year’s snow cancelation. The sun cooperated this time,and the meadow and parking area were dry enough. The Riverside County Parks and Open Space District provided the manpower to direct parking, a bounce house, and a children’s craft table, supervised…

Mountain Disaster Preparedness CERT group educates for personal and community safety

Mountain Disaster Preparedness CERT group educates for personal and community safety

In March the Town Crier presented an interview with Mike Feyder, the president of Mountain Disaster Preparedness (MDP), the first in a series profiling the different working groups within MDP. This week we share a conversation with Ron Sabala, who is director of the group’s CERT program, the Community Emergency Response Team. CERT groups help…

arbor day

Second annual Arbor Day celebration at St. Hugh’s

St Hugh Episcopal Church will present its second annual Arbor Day Celebration on Saturday, April 26th. The event will offer live music, craft activities for kids, a silent auction, a raffle, and food and drink. There will also be “nature-inspired education” at a booth from the Idyllwild Nature Center. Music will be provided by wandering…

MAST 8 Evacuation for mobility impaired and those without transportation discussed at MAST meeting, subject of upcoming workshop

MAST 8 Evacuation for mobility impaired and those without transportation discussed at MAST meeting, subject of upcoming workshop

At the march meeting of the Mountain Area Safety Taskforce, Reba Coulter, founder of Idyllwild’s Forest Folk Shuttle service, asked about evacuation plans for residents who have mobility challenges or do not have a car. Sgt. Frank James, of the Riverside Sheriff’s Office, spoke of the protocols developed to evacuate summer camps, where many young…