As California begins to roll back COVID-related public health measures, school districts across the state, including Hemet Unified School District (HUSD), have been announcing an end to mask mandates, even as other measures remain in effect.The two-yearlong rolling battle with the virus has divided parents, teachers and school boards, splitting all three groups and putting…
The Crier caught up with Idyllwild’s new postmaster this week. Mark A. Pererra displays a balance of cordiality, humility and military precision. He mentioned his Creole roots and two tours of duty with the U.S. Marine Corps in Iraq. In response to a request for a biographical sketch, he submitted this brief note: “Yes, this…
Local attorney and physical therapist Bill Whitman had a brush with the dark side of geo-politics this month. He had scheduled a visit to a clinic in Ukraine, but history in the form of the Russian military intervened: “Things started to get hot and I started looking for alternatives and while on layover in Istanbul,…
Preston Atkins, 16, a senior bassoonist at Idyllwild Arts Academy (IAA) who hails from Cedar Falls, Iowa, is preparing for a number of concerto competitions. His bassoon teacher, Martin Kuuskmann, is professor of bassoon at the University of Denver Lamont School of Music, making the trek to Idyllwild once a month to work with IAA’s…
Doug Lehar, father of deceased Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) hiker Trevor Laher, has teamed up with two local businesses, a manufacturer of outdoor gear, and non-profit foundation to make it easier for PCT through-hikers approaching Idyllwild to make the trip safely. The local partners are Nomad Ventures, (the small chain of three Southern California retailers…
Last week the Crier reported a citizen’s complaint about contractors working for Southern California Edison (SCE) spraying herbicide around power poles both along public roads and within the utility easement, and on private property. An SCE representative answered some of the questions and gave readers an update on SCE’s wider wildfire mitigation efforts. At that…
Part-timer Taraneh Saba went from economics professor to lawyer, serving many years as a deputy district attorney. Leaving that behind, she has returned to her lifelong vocation as a storyteller to write a novel based on one of the most terrifying cases she tried. TC: “How did you find Idyllwild?” TS: “I have always loved…
By David JeromeCorrespondent Thursday, Jan. 27, the Idyllwild Historic Preservation District (IHPD) Local Review Board (LRB) met at the Idyllwild Library for its quarterly meeting with board members Chair Warren Monroe, Nancy Borchers and Terry Shirley. Absent were directors Ron Kammeyer and Leslie Mouriquand. Historic Preservation Officer Antone Pierucci represented Riverside County. As well as…
By David JeromeCorrespondent There may be light at the end of the tunnel for patients and staff of the former Fern Creek Medical Center. When the Regenerative Medical Group (RMG) closed the clinic at the end of October it was stripped of all furnishings “not bolted down,” and so the path to reopening was rocky…
Locals may have noticed some changes around the Mountain Center Cafe, now known as the Fork and Spoon. This is the work of new owners Jerri Anne Miller and Brad O’Donahue. They are taking over from Martha Pearson, who is moving on to other projects. When you enter the restaurant, the front room has been…
