Idyllwild businesses that rely heavily on tourism have suffered from first the Cranston Fire of July 2018 and now the Valentine’s Day flooding of this year, resulting in Highway 243 between Idyllwild and Banning, and Highway 74 between Mountain Center and Hemet, both being washed out. Because of the long-term expected repairs on both highways,…
Friday, May 17, was Bob Lewis’ last day as director of recreation programs for the Idyllwild Community Center. All current programs and private events will continue as scheduled. The ICC board will search for a new director. During the interim, Will Steichen, a consultant and Idyllwild resident, has been hired to manage recreation. He has…
Gov. Gavin Newsom continues to place a high priority on water-related issues. On April 29, he ordered four states agencies to prepare a water resilience plan. Last week, when he issued his May revision for the fiscal year 2019-20 budget, he reaffirmed his intention to “… provide … clean and drinkable water at an affordable…
At 2 p.m., May 18, the National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory for the Hill. This is true, and not a May Fool’s joke. The Advisory is from 5 a.m., Sunday, May 20 through 5 a.m., Monday, May 21. The NWS warns, “A late season storm will create periods of snowfall Sunday and…
May temperatures have been slightly below average and precipitation remains strong. Through this past weekend, rainfall is approaching two-thirds of the long-term average rainfall for the month. The possibility of rain is in the forecast for Thursday and Friday as well as cooler temperatures. Through Saturday, May 11, the U.S. Forest Service’s Keenwild Ranger Station…
Caltrans and its contractor Ames Construction were busy repairing Highway 243 Thursday, May 9. Boulder In Pine Cove, Caltrans crews were removing a huge boulder that was dislodged during the winter storms. It has gradually, but slowly, been slipping. By Friday, it was mostly gone. Road repair Work is continuing on repairing Highway 243. New…
A one-vehicle collision last week resulted only in the vehicle being towed. John Palmer, 26, of Oceanside, was driving a white 2013 Toyota Prius eastbound just east of Palm Canyon Drive on Highway 74 at about 8:45 a.m. Wednesday, May 8. He took a left-hand turn and the vehicle went off the roadway before he…
Come to the Town Baker between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, May 18, and meet the captain of the California Highway Patrol San Gorgonio Pass. Capt. Mike Alvarez will bring staff, and they will be available to listen or residents can just meet CHP personnel who patrol the Hill. Alvarez has stressed that he…
Editor: My name is Thor Sigstedt and when people ask me where I am from, I have to say, “Idyllwild, California,” unless I stretch the truth a little and say, “Santa Fe, New Mexico.” I was told some years ago that if asked this question, you talk about where you went to elementary school and,…
Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced his proposed revisions for the fiscal year 2019-20 budget, which begins July 1. The total budget recommendation is $209.1 billion. His revised budget for use of general funds will spend $147 billion, $2.8 billion more than the January budget proposal. The revenue projections for next year continue to be…
