2014 was a big year for restaurant sales, changes and new openings. Alphabetically: Oscar and Gabriella Piñeiro bought Arriba Mexican Restaurant on Oct. 25 from Jose Huizar. They plan to keep the same style menu with possibly some Cuban-style dishes added occasionally. The couple also plan to open a Caribbean restaurant in Banning at some…
CHP originally received a report of a two-vehicle collision with minor injuries at 11:18 a.m. Monday. The crash involved a pick-up truck with a camper shell driven by Leif Kvammen (right) of Pine Cove. Kvammen was not injured and no other vehicles or person were involved in the collision. Kvammen, traveling westbound on Highway 74 near…
When snow is as scarce as it’s been for the past 20 months, long-time Hill residents begin to pine for those old-time storms, “when we had real snow here.” Never mind that Idyllwild has never had enough snow to support even a minimal ski resort. And there have been recurring droughts throughout history, such as…
I start by wishing you a Happy New Year and diving right into a favorite subject, as all of you who have read this column over the years — even before I retired in 2009 — know very well: open government. How does a public board have discussions about something as important as a tax…
By Jeff Smith Pine Cove During the morning commute of Oct. 26, 2006, I came upon fleeing people towing horse trailers, one on a bicycle and, yes, on foot. No smoke or flame was immediately visible. Within minutes that all changed. Driver situational awareness was critical. The Esperanza Fire was making a run at Poppet…
Readers of the Town Crier will know there have been letters critical of the new code committee and of the role the Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council had in bringing it about. The letters either state or imply that both groups are up to no good. I think it is fair to say the formation…
In a letter dated Dec. 5 to Sanden and Sons, Riverside County has officially closed its investigation and case regarding the underground storage tanks located at the Shell station, also known as Village Food and Fuel. This step has been anticipated for about year as the county’s Department of Environmental Health has been overseeing the…
Q. Every wash day I have to spend time emptying my husband’s pants pockets. He keeps stuffing his left hip pocket with bits of paper — receipts, ticket stubs, etc. Do you do this? -Shirley, Palm Desert A. No, I do not. I stuff bits of paper in my right hip pocket. My left hip…
Obituary Gary Busher 1941-2014 Gary Busher passed away Thursday, Dec. 25, 2014, at Manor Care in Palm Desert. Gary Edison Busher was born March 22, 1941, in Buffalo, New York, to Edison and Georgia Busher. Gary’s family moved to San Diego in 1947. He grew up there and also in Riverside and Idyllwild. Gary graduated…
For anyone who travels Highway 74 from Palm Desert to Idyllwild, the Lake Hemet Market is a landmark, one of few commercial respites between the desert communities and Idyllwild and the only market on the route. Sadly, it is temporarily closed and will remain so until reopened under new management in March, according to Tom…
