I first came to Idyllwild in 1976, when I was 13. My mother and stepfather, Jean and Jim McEwan, left their Orange County jobs as RN and aerospace engineer to try their hands as innkeepers. They bought the Blue Bird Motel, which at that time encompassed both sides of 243, 26 units. I cleaned rooms…
A big rig accident on highway 74, on Thursday morning, October 31, resulted in a fatality. The accident happened near mile marker 88, at the top of the switchbacks above Palm Desert. According to Officer Johnathon Torres of the CHP, at approximately 7:38 a.m. a westbound Peterbilt dump truck pulling a two-axle trailer, both full…
Neighbors in the 21400 block of highway 243 heard an explosion that “sounded like thunder” Friday morning, October 25, at around 7 a.m., and saw flames and white smoke. Engines from CalFire and Riverside County Fire responded as well as at least seven black and white units from CHP and RSO. On the scene, Officer…
The Directors of the Idyllwild Water District met this month at the Idyllwild Fire Protection District meeting room, as their own board room is under construction. Board President Charles Schelly acknowledged the recent resignation of director Steve Kunkle. He said, in answer to a question from the public, that the board would not attempt to…
Andrew Meyer recently visited the Idyllwild Arts Academy where he shared with students some of the knowledge he gained during his career as a film producer. The visit included a screening at the Rustic Theater of one of his better-known productions, The Breakfast Club, and a more personal quest; the search for the little cabin…
Last week the Town Crier reported on scavenging at the Idyllwild Transfer Station as documented in the County’s inspection reports. The article included questions we submitted to CR&R, the company that provides services there This week we have answers from Nate Woods, a CR&R General Manager. Q: Has CR&R been cited for failing to secure…
This week the Town Crier met with the Idyllwild Nature Center’s new Park Interpreter, Allison Fedrick. “Park Interpreter is the site supervisor of the location, and combines the duties of operations, museum exhibitory, animal care and wildlife education. That means that I help with public programs, school tours, conservation projects and the running of the…
Records available at the state-run Solid Waste Information System (SWIS) website confirm that the county’s Local Enforcement Agency (LEA) knows what many locals have noted: scavenging at the Idyllwild Transfer Station is a daily event, involving both well-equipped individuals with trucks who search the bins during operating hours and just after closing, and “transients” who…
At their October 9 meeting Directors of Pine Cove Water District reviewed the district’s latest audit over Zoom with Brianna Schultz, a partner from their accounting firm, Rogers, Anderson, Malody & Scott. The firm gave PCWD an “unmodified” or “clean” audit opinion, the highest rating. The overall “net position”, which includes capital and liquid assets…
Middle Ridge Winery continues their series of performances by engaging singer/songwriters when local Kristen Noel Ross opens for the Carlile Family Band on Monday October 21. Ross and the Carliles like to call what they do “Americana.” The Carlile Band are the niece, nephew and brother of Grammy Award winner Brandi Carlile. “Band dad” Jay…
