Before recessing for the holidays, the U.S. Congress passed an omnibus appropriations bill to fund the federal government through the end of the fiscal year (Sept. 30, 2016). This includes $5.6 billion for the U.S. Forest Service, almost $600 million more than enacted for 2014-15, but $116 million less than President Barack Obama requested in…
While business at the Dec. 16 Idyllwild Water District board meeting was routine, the meeting itself was distinctive and noteworthy. Not only did the meeting last less than an hour, but Steven Kunkle and June Rockwell, elected in August, attended their first meeting as directors. In fact, Rockwell was the second on several motions, including…
A ballot measure for the 2016 November general election, which would allow water districts to restore tiered rates, has been submitted to the state Attorney General’s office. Water districts would have the authority to use their rates to encourage and motivate water conservation. The proposed measure would overturn the recent California Appeals Court decision upholding…
Hill businesses and institutions that will be closed Friday, Dec. 25, to observe Christmas are: • Area post offices (closes noon Thursday) • BBVA Compass Bank • Fairway Market • Fern Creek Medical Center (closes noon Thursday) • Fern Valley Water District (also Thursday) • Hemet Unified School District (also Thursday) • Idyllwild Health Center…
On Wednesday, Dec. 16, the Idyllwild Fire Protection District Commission and its Finance Committee met in a rare joint session. The purpose was to discuss the role, responsibilities, goals and objectives of the committee, originally established as the Budget Committee in November 2013. A new resolution was passed in May 2015 and superseded the 2013…
California homeowners who install solar photovoltaic will receive financial credit based on a California Public Utilities Commission decision last week. The proposed decision continues the current policy of paying homeowners for generating solar energy in excess of the electricity they consume. Administrative Law Judge Anne Simon proposed that a new net-energy metering program would continue…
Every day since my five-week recovery from a minor heart attack in September is one of adjusting — finding what I call gentle paths and adopting new tools to prevent another occurrence. Every day I fall back into old habits is one of regret, like Monday when I divulged in too much sweet chocolate gifted…
The deadline for submitting applications for the County Service Area Advisory Council has been extended until Jan. 31, 2016. Opal Hellweg, legislative assistant for 3rd District Supv. Chuck Washington, announced the extension, noting that to date four applications have been received for the five-member council. The council has been moribund for nearly two years. It…
The extremely cold, freezing weather at the beginning of last week took its toll on the water supply in Pine Cove when warmer temperatures arrived Thursday and Friday. Water usage was significantly higher than normal for this time of year, said Pine Cove Water District General Manager Jerry Holldber. Total system demand approached 125 gallons…
Nearly five months after a fatal hit-and-run collision, Lisa Marie Brown, 40, (also known as Lisa Sanchez) pleaded guilty and was sentenced to prison last week. On Monday, Dec. 14, Judge Helios Hernandez accepted her guilty plea and pronounced sentence. He imposed a three-year sentence for the hit and run and another three years for…
