Despite Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposals to amend the recently enacted fire prevention fee, neither the State Assembly nor Senate could find a solution that satisfied the Legislature — Republicans and Democrats. Consequently, no amendments were enacted in the Legislature’s final week. However, H.D. Palmer, spokesman for the Department of Finance, said the administration still believes…
A jury found Joseph A. Heredia, 35, of Anza, guilty on three of six filed charges. Heredia was convicted of arson to an inhabited structure or property and two counts of criminal threats. Sentencing for these crimes is scheduled for Oct. 28. The jury found Heredia not guilty of burglary, threatening the victim, witness or…
The County Service Area (CSA) 36 Advisory Committee returned to Town Hall for its monthly meetings. Last week’s session was sparsely attended. The fervor and aggressiveness on display at its special July meeting were totally absent. Attendees Kathy Lewis and Dawn Sonnier, acting chair of the Idyllwild Community Recreation Council (ICRC), asked the committee many…
Jeral Steven Cooley, 30, of Anza, was sentenced to four years in state prison for possession of child pornography (Penal code 311.11(B)). Riverside County prosecutor Cynthia Brewer attempted to invalidate the original plea agreement with Cooley and sought a much stiffer sentence. Although Judge Kelly L. Hansen rejected Brewer’s motion, he issued the higher limit…
Twice in three years, a Riverside County grand jury has issued a report on the Idyllwild Fire Protection District (IFPD). Neither report addresses mistakes or failures in fighting fires. But both commented on how the agency is managed. One recommendation appears in both reports. Two separate grand juries recommended that IFPD look at the costs…
Thunder bellowed for hours and the lightning resembled the strobe lights at a discotheque early Tuesday.
On Sept. 10, 2011, at 4 p.m., deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department responded to the area of the Marion Mountain Trail near Idyllwild. California State Parks staff had received information that a hiker had been injured on the trail and contacted the Sheriff’s Department to mobilize the Riverside County Mountain Rescue Unit (RMRU)….
Even before regulations implementing the recently enacted state fire fee are implemented, state officials submitted proposed changes to ensure a higher fee. Last week, state officials submitted the changes to the Legislature, which include raising the fee to $175 and setting the minimum fee level at $150. Revenue generated by the law would be eligible…
Idyllwild School’s Annual Performance Index (API) soared 29 points, the largest gain in the district, to 873. Hemet Unified School District’s (HUSD) overall API is 755. The API is an index that combines the results of language and math achievement tests for the individual grades into one value for the whole school or district. Two…
A new committee of about 10 local residents has been constituted to develop a plan for the anticipated Idyllwild Community Center (ICC). The group, currently headed by Bill Sanborn, with Bill Lowman in the wings, began meeting, discussing and planning in July. “We are a new group with renewed vigor,” Sanborn said with a smile….
