The Cranston Fire burned up to and across both highways 74 and 243. Currently, Highway 74 from Idyllwild to Mountain Center is closed to through traffic. The only access to Idyllwild is Highway 243 from Banning. The damage to Highway 74 is more extensive. According to Terri Kasinga, chief of Public and Media Affairs for…
The community meeting about the Cranston Fire drew dozens of local residents. It became standing-room-only when more than 100 chairs were filled, and more people stood in the back or along the walls to hear from the Incident Management Team officials, as well as county health and local government leaders Monday night in the Idyllwild…
Residents of the Hill communities who are low on food, living expenses or basic supplies can find relief thanks to several organizations. The Idyllwild HELP Center received a large donation this afternoon from the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission in Indio, as well as a number of individual donations. Food, personal items and even school supplies…
Two more weeks until the one-year anniversary of our announcement of the Town Crier Membership Model, and four more weeks until the anniversary of when it went into effect. Meanwhile, early Charter Members already are beginning to renew their Memberships. Of course, they do not lose anything by renewing early because renewals are always tacked…
For the eighth consecutive year, the Idyllwild Town Crier is requesting nominations for the annual Ernie Maxwell Community Spirit Award. Bring your nomination to the Town Crier office at 54405 N. Circle Dr., mail it to P.O. Box 157, Idyllwild, CA 92549, or send by email to becky@towncrier.com by Friday, Aug. 31. The honor is…
According to Lt. Zachary Hall of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Hemet Station, four arrests were made during the Cranston Fire evacuation last week. Deputies stopped a suspicious vehicle, which appeared to be casing the Idyllwild area. The driver had a warrant for his arrest. The driver was booked at the Smith Correctional Facility for violation…
Stephen Patrick Medlock, 52, a transient, charged with arson for igniting the 2013 Silver Fire, had his July 26 felony settlement conference moved to Aug. 9. While negotiations with the prosecutor continue, Medlock has not received an offer. Since his March 21 preliminary hearing, the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office has amended the original formal…
While the attentions of most on the Hill were absorbed in dealing with the Cranston Fire, Pinyon residents had to contend with their own blaze. On Thursday, July 26, shortly before noon, units at the Cranston Fire Incident Command camp responded to reports of a wildland fire at Highway 74 and Ribbonwood Drive outside of…
Sheriff’s log The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Hemet Station responded to the following calls Sunday to Saturday, July 22 to 28. Idyllwild • July 22 — Suspicious person, 1:01 a.m., 54000 block of Pine Crest Ave. Handled by deputy. • July 22 — Assist other department, 2 p.m., 24000 block of Fern Valley Rd. Handled…
Editor’s note: Instead of interviewing folk in our community about this fire that came so close to swallowing our towns, we decided to let people speak for themselves and let you read their accounts in hopes that some of this will result in some healing for all of us. Breanna Jewell We had barely returned…
