Repairs may take weeks and months Roads into Idyllwild were closed for the second time in six months. This isolation is the result of an atmospheric river overflowing onto Southern California. In late July and early August, the Cranston Fire caused the closure of highways 74 and 243. The latter was opened when the fire…
Judge sentences him to 12 years, four months Brandon McGlover, 33, of Temecula, who was charged with starting the Cranston Fire in July 2018, has pleaded guilty. McGlover pleaded guilty to two counts of arson, Penal Code section 451.5 (c), which is burning of a structure or forest land. “In count one, which is the…
During their workshop on the potential parcel fee and tax measure last week, Idyllwild Fire Protection District commissioners encountered a conundrum. Commissioner Ralph Hoetger raised the question, “Are we sure we want a ballot measure or something else?” Based on his conversations with the Registrar of Voters Office, Assistant Chief Mark LaMont offered the commission…
The Mountain Center Post Office, which was closed due to weather until further notice, has re-opened. Acting Postmaster Gary Hartwell was on duty Thursday, Feb. 21, despite having to drive from his home in the Hemet-San Jacinto area. He said the post office will have its usual hours.
Piotr Hopper-Jasinski Piotr Hopper-Jasinski, 61, of Idyllwild was reported missing today according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. He went missing from his residence in the 54800 block of South Circle Drive. “Piotr has multiple health issues and requires medication,” according to a press release from the Hemet Station Crime Analysis Unit. He is 6…
As promised, Cal Trans has made repair of the highways to the Hill an immediate and high priority. On Friday, Cal Trans issued an $8 million emergency contract to Ames Construction to be repair work on both Highways 74 and 243. there is no estimate of when the work will be completed. Meanwhile the Cal…
The detour sign on Highway 243, across from the Mile High Cafe and Idyllwild School directs drivers on how to get back to Hwy. 243 to Mountain Center. Vehicles can not go beyond Marion View Road south to lower Saunders Meadows. They must take Saunders Meadow Drive from Idyllwild School around past the Transfer Station…
This is a pictorial saga of Highway 243 from just before the entrance to Idyllwild to approximately 13 miles north of Idyllwild. These photographs show the damage to the highway until the highway abruptly ends. Before Idyllwild As one passes lower Saunders Meadow Drive driving north into Idyllwild, the southbound lane is closed….
Highway 74 from Lake Hemet is open to Mountain Center. Highway 243 from Mountain Center is open northbound to Idyllwild. However, southbound (leaving Idyllwild) the Hwy. 243 is closed between Marion View and lower Saunders Meadows. Leaving Idyllwild will require taking Saunders Meadow Dr. past the Transfer Station and down to Hwy 243.
Cal Trans Chief of Public and Media Affairs for District 8, Terri Kasinga has said that Highway 74 from Lake Hemet is open to Mountain Center and Highway 243 to Saunders Meadows is open. The are other impassable spots on highway 243 north of Idyllwild and at Jameson Drive. A lane was lost on Highway…
