Despite an advance of $300,000 on the current-year property tax revenue, the Idyllwild Fire Department’s expenditures through November still exceed revenues by more than $160,000 for this year. This is a substantial reason that Fire Chief Patrick Reitz has recommended the fire commission defer tucking any of the September 2013 proceeds from the cell tower…
Editor: I can’t let last week’s issue go by without letting you know how much I enjoyed it. In fact, I thought it was one of the best issues you’ve ever published and I read almost every article. I commend you for what I hope will become a new series, “Health on the Hill,” with…
Cautious about short-term cash flow, the Idyllwild Fire Protection District Finance Committee still felt comfortable at last week’s meeting to recommend that the commission authorize Fire Chief Patrick Reitz to investigate and evaluate financing to purchase one or two new ambulances. Fire Chief Patrick Reitz told the committee he has had early discussions with several…
I don’t drink coffee. I love the aroma but not the taste, heat and jitters it produces. So it takes me a bit more time to get my feet moving in the morning. After catching up on news, what I do try every morning are three online crossword puzzles — sometimes with a cup of…
Well, it’s that time of year folk; the time where you are either happy to be around loved ones or sad you are by yourself. For those of us in the latter category, I have good news for you. Sad songs can make you happy. (The operating word here is “can.”) Seems counter intuitive. doesn’t…
Editor: December 25: What does this day mean to you? Spending time with family? Sharing a wonderful dinner? Exchanging gifts with them? Planning months ahead whose house to celebrate at? Do you love all the smells? It is amazing what this day brings to each of us and the memories we have. Getting ready for…
With only three of the five members of the Fern Valley Water District Board of Directors present last Friday, the election of new officers and committee assignments for 2015 was postponed until the January meeting. Board President Robert Krieger and Director Charle Wix were absent. The recent rainstorms have improved the ground level of the…
Directors of the Idyllwild Water District re-elected Jim Billman for a second term as president last week. John Cook was re-elected vice president. Despite the recent siege of rainstorms, the district’s Foster Lake reservoir remains empty. Although Strawberry Creek has been flowing in various locations, little surface water has passed near IWD’s diversion site to…
Who knew your holiday trees could make life a little better for fish? The Riverside County Waste Management Department is working closely with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to collect Christmas trees at county landfills and provide them for fish habitat. CDFW will use the waste conifers in local lakes and waterways to create…
