Relief from the dry and warm temperatures has only partially arrived. The past week and most of this week, daytime temperatures will remain below 60 degrees. However, neither significant nor measurable rain is foreseen in either the short-term forecast or through winter. Last week, the National Weather Service forecast the likelihood of a La Niña…
As the legality of recreational marijuana in California approaches, Riverside County is reviewing its current ordinances. Currently, except in certain Riverside County cities, cannabis is illegal throughout Riverside County. However, county staff is reviewing the current ordinances and sometime this spring, the board of supervisors is expected to reconsider the current prohibitions against growing, distributing…
After three years of personnel and legal battles, the Idyllwild Fire Department finally terminated the employment of former Capt. James Reyes. A settlement was reached in June and July, and became official in late September. At the Sept. 26, Idyllwild Fire Protection District’s commission meeting, Chief Patrick Reitz announced the settlement with Reyes. Based on…
Southern Californians dream of a white Christmas as they move about in a palm-tree-studded holiday landscape. The decorations are there — giant snowflakes, Santa in a sleigh, Christmas trees on street corner lots, but the temperatures are warm and snow is out of the question. But in Idyllwild, in most years, a Currier and Ives…
At 6:20 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6, Brett Mercer, 57, of Idyllwild, was driving eastbound on Highway 74 in a white 2001 Toyota Tundra at mile marker 57, west of the intersection with Highway 243, when, according to the California Highway Patrol report, a deer bolted into the highway and struck the right side of Mercer’s…
Sheriff’s log The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Hemet Station responded to the following calls Sunday to Saturday, Dec. 3 to Dec. 9. Idyllwild • Dec. 3 — Alarm call, 4:32 a.m., Pine Crest Ave. Handled by deputy. • Dec. 3 — Alarm call, 8:59 a.m., Hemstreet Pl. Handled by deputy. • Dec. 3 — Vandalism,…
Vic Scavarda just completed a year as president of the Hemet Unified School District Board of Trustees. He spent more than 30 years teaching, mostly at Idyllwild School. The following is an interview with him about his experience as board president. “I was impressed with how good we have it up here,” he said in…
The 2017 Community Wildfire Protection Plan was unanimously approved 4-0 by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors Tuesday, Dec. 12. Third District Supervisor Chuck Washington was absent due to illness. The plan is a revision of the original 2006 plan. Both Norm Walker, president of the Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council, and Edwina Scott, executive…
At the Idyllwild Water District’s workshop and study session Dec. 6, directors listened to Interim General Manager Jack Hoagland describe the current water and wastewater systems, discuss future capital projects and explain issues affecting revenue. Following this presentation, directors Peter Szabadi, board vice president, Catherine Dearing and Steve Kunkle discussed the long-term needs for the…
Several moderate earthquakes occurred between the Julian and Borrego Springs areas last week. Their magnitude ranged in size from almost 2.1 to 4.0. The large tremor occurred about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6, and was followed within minutes by another quake of 3.5 magnitude nearer Julian. On Saturday, Dec.9, another 3.5 tremor occurred just northeast…
