The devastating six-year storm, which passed over Southern California this weekend, treated the Hill very kindly. The damaging high winds and flash floods that occurred throughout the region Friday and Saturday passed north of the San Jacinto Mountains. The gentle rain simply added to the total precipitation this year. The U.S. Forest Service’s Ranger Station…
Winter is a time that tests the staying power of local businesses. Spring, summer and the holidays bring tourists who shop, eat and stay at Idyllwild businesses. Then winter comes to test business models and marketing practices. Sky Island Natural Foods closed recently, citing business fall-off after the holidays. Now, longtime Idyllwild eatery Arriba Mexican…
Idyllwild resident Ted Janka was the grand prizewinner of the Purina Pro Plan 10 of 10 Best in Show Sweepstakes. His name was randomly selected from hundreds of entries received. The sweepstakes promoted the recent Westminister Dog Show. Janka’s entry was randomly selected and he chose the $3,000 prize money. His option was a trip…
Sheriff’s log The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Hemet Station responded to the following calls Sunday to Saturday, Feb. 12 to 18. Idyllwild • Feb. 12 — Vicious dog, Fairway Dr. Handled by deputy. • Feb. 12 — Lost hiker, address undefined. Unfounded. • Feb. 13 — Alarm call, Village Center Dr. Handled by deputy. •…
Daniel Ellis, 24, of Mountain Center, failed to appear for his scheduled felony settlement hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 14. A bench warrant has been issued for him. Ellis was arrested in October for burglary involving theft of a Kawasaki motorcycle and incarcerated at Southwest Detention Center. Earlier this month, he was released pursuant to the…
Fern Valley Water District directors discussed the timing of their second payment to CalPERS to prefund FVWD’s post-employment benefits last Friday. The board has planned to pay another $200,000 this fiscal year, which will reduce interest owed in future years. FVWD expects to save more than $20,000 annually, beginning next year, according to Victor Jimenez,…
Last week, the Idyllwild Water District reported a spill at its wastewater treatment plant. During the Feb. 15 board meeting, General Manager Jack Hoagland provided more information on the cause and current actions to prevent future accidents. The leak was discovered about noon Tuesday, Feb. 7. Hoagland estimated it had begun about 5:30 a.m. About…
Although the headline presentation at the monthly Mountain Emergency Services Committee meeting last week was about new California Highway Patrol-related laws, questions and heightened interest centered around weather-related issues. Caltrans was well represented at the meeting, along with a Hemet Unified School District safety representative, representatives from Mountain Disaster Preparedness and Marsha Kennedy, chair of…
The Idyllwild Water District held a special meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 8 to discuss the district’s lawsuit against Director Steve Kunkle. At the end of the meeting, General Manager Jack Hoagland wrote, “The Board of Directors provided direction to our legal counsel on the listed item.” The suit was filed in July 2016 and alleged…
The Idyllwild Fire Protection District is soliciting interested residents for a vacancy on the Board of Commissioners. Those interested in an appointment should submit a one-page letter of interest and a résumé identifying employment history and highlighting relevant governmental, volunteer or other board experience. Applications and letters of interest must be submitted to the district…
