On Friday, Jan. 23, President Donald Trump visited both western North Carolina, which Hurricane Helene ravaged in September, and the Pacific Palisades area in Los Angeles, which fire devastated this month. The California visit, while from a helicopter, was positive for Trump. Governor Gavin Newsom met the President at the airport. “We’re going to need…
On Jan. 23, Governor Gavin Newsom signed two bills appropriating $2.5 billion to help fund the recovery efforts in the Los Angeles area after the devastation caused by multiple wildfires. The burning began Jan. 7. The Governor’s press release described the damage as hurricane-force fire storms. This was only 10 days after he made the…
It’s winter. It’s winter 2025. The COVID pandemic is past, the Bird Flu is still quite rare in humans, but it is flu season. But not just normal flu season, nationally hospitals and physicians are describing the 2025 virus season as a “Quad-demic.” Four separate viruses are spreading and becoming more prevalent. First there is…
Editor’s note: Riverside County Supervisor V. Manuel Perez is the new Chair of the Board of Supervisors. He represents the Fourth Supervisorial District, which includes Idyllwild, Pine Cove and Mountain Center. The following is an interview with Supervisor Perez since he assumed the chairmanship of the board. “It’s an honor to be able to serve…
On Jan. 24, the U.S. Forest Service announced the closure of several campgrounds in the San Jacinto Ranger District. The three campgrounds to be closed, possibly for the entire year, will be the Black Mountain Group Campground, Dark Canyon Campground, and the Ribbonwood Equestrian Campground, according to Naomi Gordon, External and Legislative Affairs Officer for…
As a result of the massive damage from the wildfires in the Los Angeles basin, Gov. Gavin Newsom modified his directive to the Special Session of the Legislature which he initially called in November. He is now also asking the Legislature to appropriate $2.5 billion to help fund the recovery efforts in Los Angeles area…
On Jan. 7, former President Joe Biden established two new national monuments in California, using his authority under the Antiquities Act. The Chuckwalla National Monument is in Riverside County just south of the Joshua Tree National Park. The Sáttítla Highlands National Monument is in northern California near the border with Oregon. The Chuckwalla National Monument…
Last week, the State’s Legislative Analyst’s Office released its review of the Governor’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26. The LAO generally agreed with the Governor’s economic forecasts for the next fiscal year, however, the report expressed more concerned about future budget conditions. In summary, the LAO concurred that the proposed budget is “roughly balanced.”…
At their Jan. 16 meeting, the board of the Fern Valley Water District elected new officers for 2025. Vice President Kevin Scott is the new Board President. He succeeds Director Jon Brown, who served as President for two years. Director Chrissie Teeling is the new Vice President. She had been serving as the Secretary/Treasurer. Director…
On Jan. 10, the Biden Administration contributed to California’s plans and efforts to replace gasoline powered vehicles – cars and light trucks – with zero emission vehicles. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration awarded $122.8 million in grants to the State and several local cities to continue building out electric vehicle charging and…
