It is safe to report that the drought has ended for this spring and possibly the summer of 2019. Whether it returns in 2020 is unknown. But precipitation — rain and snowfall — data are sufficient to drench the dreaded drought for the duration of spring and early summer. While Monday and Tuesday were warmer,…
Village Center Drive project up for decision When the directors of the Idyllwild Water District met last week, perhaps the imminent snow storm or the joy of the atmospheric river filling Foster Lake limited their attention. But with only two items on the agenda, they deferred action on both until March. Further, they never discussed,…
Both the California Highway Patrol and Cal Trans emphasize that the highways to Idyllwild have suffered significant damage in the past week. The large snowfall Wednesday and Thursday exacerbated the situation and created more dangerous opportunities. Therefore access to Idyllwild and Pine Cove will be strictly controlled. CHP will establish a checkpoint on Hwy. 74…
With military-honed skill and at great personal risk, Garner Valley resident Ronnie N. Imel delivered the most important Valentine neighbor Kathleen Walker had ever received. He saved her life. Imel is a modest man and was reluctant to discuss the rescue, saying it felt awkward to call attention to himself. But after several questions, he…
Wednesday night, a major traffic jam occurred on Highway 74, east of its intersection with Hwy. 371. The California Highway Patrol reported that between 20 and 50 vehicles were stuck on the highway on ice and snow. Hwy 74 remained closed until late this morning, Thursday, Feb. 21. However, chain control is in effect according…
Editor’s note: Each year, the Town Crier reports the information below for the three local water districts — Fern Valley, Idyllwild and Pine Cove — and the Idyllwild Fire Protection. The FVWD information appeared in the Feb. 14 issue and the IWD information was in the Feb. 7 issue. IFPD will appear next week. Each…
Cal Fire/Riverside County Here are some of the calls Cal Fire/Riverside County responded to recently. • Feb. 12 — Traffic collision, 2 motorcycles, 1:25 p.m. Unknown location. • Feb. 12 — Non-injury traffic collision, 1:29 p.m. Hwy. 74 and Bee Canyon Truck Trail. • Feb. 12 — Medical aid, 8:53 p.m. Hwy. 243. • Feb….
Winter storm conditions — snow, ice and road closures — have contributed to Hill vehicle crashes over the last week. At 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13, Luis Ronquillo, 60, of San Jacinto, was operating a highway construction vehicle on Highway 243, 12 feet north of McGovern Road in Pine Cove. Ronquillo was backing the vehicle…
Directors of the Idyllwild Water District met Wednesday, Feb. 13, to discuss both short- and long-term goals for new General Manager Michael Creighton. Each director offered his ideas for goals, and Creighton made some general comments and will provide a proposed plan at the Feb. 20 meeting. Director David Hunt offered three short-term and three…
January water production was up in the Pine Cove Water District compared to January 2018, General Manager Jerry Holldber told the board at its Feb. 13 meeting. “The January production was a little more water than the last couple of years,” he said. “There have been a few leaks for people [customers], not us.” He…
