Zach Behrens is the new public information officer for the San Bernardino National Forest, replacing John Miller who retired at the end of July. Behrens left the National Park Service’s Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area to join the U.S. Forest Service. He also previously served as the acting public information officer at Sequoia and…
Intent to increase federal funds for Medi-Cal The state is using emergency medical transports to garner funding increases for its Medi-Cal program from the federal government that will directly impact the Idyllwild Fire Department. This fall, the state Legislature passed and Gov. Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 523 that will impose a quality-assurance fee on…
GoFundMe campaign started for Diane Dennis Diane Dennis, Idyllwild Arts Academy Summer Program registrar, is, for all who know her, irrepressibly optimistic and upbeat. Her smile is always there to brighten the days of those she meets and greets. She is an effervescent, caring and nurturing presence on campus. Diane is now facing a major…
Last week, Riverside County’s Watershed Protection Agency distributed an email encouraging recipients to visit its website to learn more about several topics. One of the topics was titled “Enjoy A White Christmas in Riverside County.” This story had a photograph of two children being pulled on a sled in the snow. The first recommendation was…
Negative balances for CalPERS and retiree healthcare At its Nov. 28 meeting, the Idyllwild Fire Protection District’s commission heard Chris Brown, partner in Fedak and Brown of Riverside, present its audit of IFPD’s fiscal year 2016-17. “We have reported an unmodified, clean opinion,” he was pleased to announce to the commission. “That is the best…
IFPD legal counsel agrees bar may be lowered Late last month, the Idyllwild Fire Protection District’s commission got some positive news; however, it may have limited ability to capitalize on it. The commission’s legal counsel provided an opinion that supported concerns in the political world and musings in the media following the state’s Supreme Court…
Daughter Victoria Steele is newest fan Brendan Steele will once again team with Keegan Bradley in this week’s $3.3 million QBE Shootout on the Tiburón Golf Club course in Naples, Florida, Dec. 8 to 10. The Shootout is the same two-man unofficial PGA Tour event Brendan and Keegan teamed up to win in 2011 when…
Sheriff’s log The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Hemet Station responded to the following calls Sunday to Saturday, Nov. 26 to Dec. 2. Idyllwild • Nov. 26 — Trespassing, 8:03 a.m., 52000 block of Double View Dr. Unfounded. • Nov. 26 — Alarm call, 9:35 a.m., Pine Crest Ave. Handled by deputy. • Nov. 27 —…
At 2:35 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, two pedestrians and a bicyclist, two adults and a minor, were struck in the crosswalk in front of Idyllwild School. California Highway Patrol Public Information Officer Darren Meyer verified the time but his information was preliminary. Idyllwild Fire Department responded and transported one of the injured pedestrians to an…
The California Department of Transportation announced there will be delays on Highway 79 between Temecula and Highway 371 next week. Caltrans deployed multiple crews for various maintenance operations, or “swarm maintenance,” from Tuesday, Dec. 4, through Thursday, Dec. 6. In order to complete this work, two-way traffic control is in effect from 8 a.m. to…
