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…
Last weekend, Caltrans extended the hours Highway 74 was available to motorists, even with a pilot car escort between Valle Vista and Mountain Center. However, the discouraging news is that Highway 74’s use may continue as currently permitted for at least two more months. And the opening of Highway 243 is currently unknown. Caltrans has…
The Fern Valley Water District has scheduled a special meeting for 9 a.m., Tuesday, May 28 at the District office. Two items are on the agenda for the morning meeting. First, the directors will review the applications to fill the vacant board seat created when former Director George Rowell’s resigned earlier this…
Caltrans has provided some status information on the repairs and work on Highways 74 and 243. “Additional damage and erosion continue weekly to slopes, culverts and the pavement on both routes,” Friday’s press release said. Work on Highway 74 may require at lease another two months. The storm events in May have reduced…
By Tony McReynolds Maybe they think, “Hey, it’s the woods, nobody’s going to step in it.” Or, “Hey, it’ll decompose and help fertilize the ground.” Or, “Hey, bears go in the woods and nobody picks up their poop. What’s the difference?” The difference is their diet. Bears don’t eat commercial dog food (unless they’ve stumbled…
