During March 2023, the Hill has experienced a very consistent weather pattern. Rainstorms, of varying strength, arrived Monday or Tuesday and moved east by Wednesday night or Thursday morning. The last week of March was no different, but this pattern may be changing, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). As of April 1 (no…
The Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council (MCFSC) has access to nearly $2 million of federal funding to help harden homes, to make a home more resilient to potential wildfire damage. But the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) needs to approve the projects by May 31. Approval includes an MCFSC inspection and three bids from approved…
For the first time since 2015, when Riverside County awarded the emergency ambulance service contract to American Medical Response (AMR), the county’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Agency has denied AMR’s request to extend the contract’s expiration date. Each year, AMR submits an annual report that EMS uses to review compliance with the contract and whether…
Thomas Mountain Mutual Water Association (TMMWA), in Garner Valley, and the Lake Hemet Municipal Water District (LHMWD) are working with the Small Community Technical Assistance of the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) to evaluate the merits of a possible consolidation. The technical assistance review will require at least a year or more, according to…
“In like a lion and out like a lamb” is the common adage describing March weather, but in 2023 the lamb version has remained hidden. Another atmospheric river passed over the Hill last week bringing strong winds as well as wet weather. More than a dozen have moved over California this winter and, at least…
The discussion, debate and controversy over short-term rentals (STRs), especially in the Idyllwild and Pine Cove neighborhoods and the Wine Country, continues and will resurface this fall. Riverside County’s contractor, Deckard Technologies of San Diego, began sending letters to owners and managers of STRs throughout the county. That was just the beginning of efforts to…
The Riverside County Emergency Management Department (EMD) wants to know whether your home or business was damaged due to any of the 2023 storms. If your home or business was damaged or incurred losses during recent storms, visit https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/587b6684c0dd430e83a5f5f380368941. This is an online form where you can describe the damages, the type of damage, repair…
Daylight saving time is here and the calendar says spring has arrived. But on the Hill, despite some milder temperatures, the winter precipitation has lingered and is expected to continue to dampen early spring. Last week, the Hill received another 2 to 4 inches of rain. The March 15 storm dropped 2.24 inches on Idyllwild,…
At its March 7 meeting, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the contract and added costs for construction of public restrooms in Idyllwild. These facilities will be compliant with the Americans with Disability Act. The 210-square-foot facility will be along North Circle Drive in front of the Mile Hi Plaza and is within…
The Gold-spotted Oak Borer (GSOB) remains a nemesis to Hill residents. Despite a decade of efforts, the GSOB is still active and killing oak trees on the Hill. “The infestation is still widespread, attacking most of the oaks,” said, Callie Squires, operations manager for the Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council (MCFSC). “There has been no…
