In an early morning special meeting, a majority of the Idyllwild Fire Protection District commission approved an agreement between the district and Riverside County regarding the request for the county to advance some property tax revenue to the district. Approval of the tax advance was on the board of supervisor’s agenda for its Sept. 20…
Still in the middle of fire season, local fire officials were able to hold their quarterly Mountain Area Safety Taskforce meeting last week; however, they moved through the agenda quickly. No reports or issues regarding local fires were presented. But Cal Fire Battalion Chief Greg Bratcher emphasized concern about the gold spotted oak borer infestation…
Traci Farley, charged with 13 counts of arson, was committed to the Liberty Healthcare program during proceedings Wednesday, Sept. 14. Farley was arrested in June. But at her first court hearing, the judge asked for medical reviews of her competence to stand trial on the arson charges. At her Aug. 31 hearing, the judge determined,…
Marcus Green’s felony settlement conference on Sept. 16 was re-scheduled for Friday, Nov. 18. Green, 51, of Thermal, was the driver of a car that went over the side of Highway 74 in May and resulted in the death of a 5-month-old child. The district attorney’s office has filed two felony charges — murder and…
Earthquakes are a major threat for Hill residents. Not only fire, but shaking ground can cause a significant emergency for those people living on the Hill. The Mountain Disaster Preparedness group is focused on preparing and responding to disasters that might occur on the Hill. While fire threats dominate our summer and fall thoughts, other…
Earlier this month, the NWS announced that its weather models “more strongly favor an ENSO-neutral” winter weather pattern. During the spring and summer, the NWS was forecasting a possible “La Niña” weather pattern. Typically, La Niña weather patterns produce less rainfall than normal. Since the excessive rain forecast for last winter’s El Niño never materialized,…
Were the posted signs demanding resignations of three Idyllwild Water District directors and a new general manager the reason chaos has arrived at the district’s door step? From Monday to Friday, Tom Lynch, the general manager, Jim Billman, the president of the board of directors and Mike Freitas, a board director, all submitted their resignations….
Twenty-one sixth through eighth grade Idyllwild Middle School students attended the first after-school session of the Idyllwild Youth Grantmakers on Thursday, Sept. 15. They will attend eight two-hour after school sessions learning to be philanthropists and community volunteers. This marks the beginning of the fifth year of this groundbreaking program that teaches young people how…
Three local female students, on their way to Hemet High School, were injured in an over-the-side crash on Highway 74 west of McCall Park Road in Mountain Center. California Highway Patrol Officer Mike Murawski, on scene of the crash, provided the following information. At sometime before 7:30 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 19, Jennifer Rivera, 18,…
Mike Freitas has “retired” from the Idyllwild Water District board effective immediately, he confirmed with the Town Crier late Friday afternoon. He is the second director to leave the IWD board this week. President Jim Billman resigned Monday, as did General Manager Tom Lynch. Lynch did not give much notice, leaving the same day. Billman…
