Caltrans, in cooperation with Mountain Disaster Preparedness, will hold another community meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 13, at the Idyllwild School. Caltrans staff, Ames Construction Inc., the California Highway Patrol and Riverside County 3rd District Supervisor Chuck Washington will discuss the current status of the repairs and reconstruction of highways 74 and 243 and…
As June approaches, it appears that winter is finally receding from the Hill and surrendering to the traditional seasons of the calendar. Last week, there were three separate “winter weather advisories” issued for the Hill areas. The final advisory was from noon to midnight Sunday, May 26. Snow fell from San Jacinto Peak to flurries…
About 4:15 a.m. Monday, May 20, Frank Ferro’s alarm system at his Ferro restaurant activated, and he tumbled out of bed to go to the Cedar Street location. When he arrived, the light in the office was on and the office window was broken, he said. Not knowing whether someone was still in the building,…
Cal Fire has given the Riverside County Fire Department $766,500 to combat the Gold-spotted oak borer. This is in addition to the $1 million grant last August for removal of dead and dying trees. The county plans to conduct most of the work fighting the GSOB in the Idyllwild Infestation Area. Some funds will be…
In July 2013, the Mountain Fire caused the evacuation of much of the Hill. The fire originated on property owned by Tarek M. Al-Shawaf in Mountain Center. It swept northeasterly along the east side of South Ridge and formed a crescent-shaped burn area that surrounded Idyllwild on three sides. Some homes and other structures were…
The search for John Sturkie will continue Saturday, June 1. Two weeks ago, the initial search discovered some valuable clues, said Theresa Sturkie, his wife of 21 years. John, a 55-year-old husband and father of four, has been missing since Jan. 5. A lover of the outdoors, frequent camper and hunter, Sturkie left his Oceanside…
Idyllwild Fire Here are some of the calls Idyllwild Fire Department responded to recently. • May 21 — Medical aid, 1:08 p.m., River Dr. Transport to Desert Regional Medical Center. • May 21 — Medical aid, 2:51 p.m., 54200 block of S. Circlel Dr. No transport. • May 22 — Medical aid, 5:39 p.m., 54000…
Charges against Marcus Green, 54, of Thermal, and against Kristen Lauer, 25, of Rancho Mirage, have been combined into one trial. Green was the driver of a car that went over the side of Highway 74 in May 2016 and resulted in the death of his 5-month-old infant, and Lauer was the baby’s mother. Green…
Acting Idyllwild Fire Chief Mark LaMont has been offered the position of fire chief permanently. Commission President Jerry Buchanan announced the commission’s decision Tuesday night at the conclusion of a closed session. He added that it is still subject to negotiating a satisfactory contract with LaMont. The final decision may still be a few weeks…
“Helen, it got me,” Lee Anderson called out to her friend Helen Hixon of Idyllwild. Wednesday, May 15, the two women were hiking along a road in Garner Valley. They were not on Thomas Mountain or hiking a trail leading to the Pacific Crest Trail. This trail was chosen because of all the wildflowers blooming…
