On May 19, the plaintiffs challenging Riverside County’s supervisorial maps submitted a request to the Superior Court to prohibit using the maps approved in December 2021 depicting the five county supervisor districts. These supervisorial districts were used for the 2022 elections. In the 2024 elections, voters will be selecting supervisors for the 1st, 2nd, and…
The summer 2023 fire season has been minimal and predictions for the remainder of the summer and early fall continue to be for below-normal fire activity. This is true for much of the country. Fire activity has been below normal. The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) Predictive Services Outlook for July reported “… year-to-date fire…
Revisions to the Riverside County’s Short-term Rental (STR) Ordinance (927.1) are likely to go before both the Planning Commission and the board of supervisors in late summer or early fall, according to Felisa Cardona, public information officer for the county’s Transportation and Land Management Agency, which includes the Planning Department. Sept. 9, when the current…
The Predictive Services unit of Cal Fire’s Southern Operations (Ops) does not expect a bad summer fire season. The June outlook released last week anticipates below normal fire activity through September, especially in lower elevations. The coastal May Gloom, along with the wet winter, has contributed to a lower threat of wildfires through June and…
Fulfilling his promise during the presentation of the May revision of his fiscal year (FY) 2023-24 budget, Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled his proposals to reform the permitting and project review process in California. On May 19, one week later, he signed an Executive Order (EO) while touring the site of a future solar farm in…
Living on the Hill and working from home is close to paradise. Living on the Hill and commuting to work on the I-10 or state highways 74 and 79 is not fun and often stressful. Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia (D) has submitted a bill that could help alleviate some of the county’s commuting conundrums. Garner Valley,…
Senate Bill (SB) 584, which has passed the California Senate, would impose a 15% tax on the rental price for a short-term rental (STR). After its passage, Sen. Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara), who introduced the bill, said in a press release, “The vote today signals the legislative interest in advancing a conversation about what role…
Board of Supervisors unanimously approved funding proposals from both the Regional Parks and Open Space District (RPOSD) and the county’s Transportation and Land Management Agency (TLMA). The request from both agencies included projects on the Hill during the next fiscal year (July 2023 through June 2024). Parks RPOSD requested approval to use $11.8 million the…
In its May 17 meeting, the Idyllwild Water District’s (IWD) slimmed down board of directors approved two assessment fees, returned the district to a water conservation Stage 1, heard the latest on its building rehabilitation, and announced several special meetings or workshops to be held before the next regular meeting currently planned for June 21….
In November, former Riverside County Auditor-Controller Paul Angulo lost his bid for reelection to Ben Benoit. On April 24, Angulo filed a $1.480 million claim against the county as a result of its certification of Benoit winning the election. Angulo argues that the state requires a county auditor-controller to have “… certain experience and formal…
