The election to represent Assembly District 47, in which incumbent Greg Walls defeated Christy Holstege a second time, may not have been as close as the 2022 election, but it was more expensive. In 2022, the candidates reported spending nearly $5 million total in an election which Wallis won by less than 1%. Two years…
Rain and snow fell on the Hill last weekend and it was needed regardless of the inconveniences. This is the first significant precipitation since summer. Idyllwild and Pine Cove received between 4 and 5 inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service. Two years ago, more than 24 inches of rain and snow had…
At their Jan. 28, the Board of Supervisors had a major discussion about immigration and the role Riverside County can possibly assume in the future for both Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program participants and law-abiding undocumented immigrants. Board Chair V. Manuel Perez (4th District) and Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez (5th District) submitted the proposal….
For over 20 years, smARTS has been delivering enriching arts education to students of the Idyllwild School. An all-volunteer, grant-funded program, they work with the school’s Parent Teacher Organization to bring professionals from many disciplines within the arts into the classroom. The program is a testament to what parents and others can accomplish locally with…
The January meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Idyllwild Fire Protection District included the election of officers, the promotions of five firefighters, and the first mention by Chief Mark LaMont of his plans for retirement and succession. At this first meeting of the year two commissioners, Henry Sawicki and Dennis Fogle, who were…
Food distribution volunteers and recipients share their stories The Idyllwild Forest Health Project was founded by Mark Yardas and Mara Schoner as a response to the threat that wildfire presents to our mountain communities. Its goal was to create a “circular economy around better fuels management and eco-system-based forest management.” The organization, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit,…
Wood burning stoves are a popular option for heating Idyllwild homes. They provide an economical and sustainable option when understood and used properly, but they obligate users to a high level of responsibility. Kevin Holldber of Idyllwild Heating & Cooling shared some basic knowledge readers should have before firing one up. Holldber emphasized the sustainability…
Editor’s note: Riverside County Supervisor V. Manuel Perez is the new Chair of the Board of Supervisors. He represents the Fourth Supervisorial District, which includes Idyllwild, Pine Cove and Mountain Center. The following is an interview with Supervisor Perez since he assumed the chairmanship of the board. “It’s an honor to be able to serve…
On Jan. 24, the U.S. Forest Service announced the closure of several campgrounds in the San Jacinto Ranger District. The three campgrounds to be closed, possibly for the entire year, will be the Black Mountain Group Campground, Dark Canyon Campground, and the Ribbonwood Equestrian Campground, according to Naomi Gordon, External and Legislative Affairs Officer for…
The catastrophic wildfires that made this a month of extraordinary losses in the southland have brought attention to FEMA and its role in helping states respond to disaster. President Trump has suggested that there should be conditions on FEMA aid to California, but instead of building codes, fuel reduction projects or firefighting equipment, has mentioned…
