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…
The allocation of funding for hazardous fuels projects and how the U.S. Forest Service sets its priorities for this work was questioned in a report last month. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General spent more than year reviewing the program and visiting regional offices, national forest offices and several ranger districts, including…
Idyllwild local Taylor James Dravenstatt, 24, previously sent to state prison for felony burglary in 2013, was arrested again on Sept. 6 for felony burglary of a dwelling. The arrest occurred in Perris. He also is charged with felony parole violation. He is currently in custody at Southwest Detention Center in Murietta. Dravenstatt’s prior conviction…
The preliminary hearings for Robert Pape, 28, and Cristin Smith, 27, have been rescheduled for Oct. 24. At that hearing, the presiding judge will hear a motion from Smith’s attorney to dismiss the charges against him and, if unsuccessful, a motion to reveal the name of a confidential informant working with the Riverside County District…
The Mountain Emergency Services Committee highlighted its monthly meeting with a presentation by Michael Beltran, Imperial Irrigation District, regarding dangers posed by active shooters in public areas. The meeting was held last Wednesday at the Idyllwild Library Community Room. Beltran is a retired policeman, with experience in special weapons and tactics (SWAT) and criminal intelligence….
The California Highway Patrol reported two traffic collisions over the previous week. The first, at 9 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 8, involved a single vehicle. Sandra Adolph, 52, of Idyllwild, was driving her silver 2016 Toyota Corolla eastbound on Highway 74, 3 miles west of McCall Park Road, when, according to the report, she fell asleep…
