The growing number of pest-afflicted trees throughout California has forced the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection to issue a draft emergency regulation to hasten the removal of dead and dying trees of any size. On May 7, Duane Shintaku, deputy director for Resource Management at Cal Fire, wrote to the Board and requested it…
Hill residents are keenly aware of the dangers of driving our roadways and confront that sometimes tragic reminder in the pages of this newspaper. One particular headline had locals shaken: “Woman loses legs in car crash,” published June 9, 2005 (the first assignment written by this author, back home from college for the summer). The…
As fire season begins, the San Bernardino National Forest implemented seasonal fire restrictions effective Monday, June 29. One of the restrictions, “No wood or charcoal fires anywhere on the San Bernardino National Forest,” has not been necessary since 2003, according to John Miller, SBNF public affairs officer. “This was added because of the drought,” he…
Hill businesses and institutions that will be closed Saturday, July 4, to observe Independence Day.
Financial issues dominated the agenda of the June 23 Idyllwild Fire Protection District meeting, as the commission began preparing for the coming fiscal year. The budget for fiscal year 2015-16 was adopted unanimously, 4-0. President Jerry Buchanan was absent. The preliminary budget was identical to the draft presented at the May meeting, according to Fire…
Riverside County Sheriff Stan Sniff met with the editorial and reporting staff of the Idyllwild Town Crier last week. One of the first topics discussed was Sniff’s recent decision to expand the use of body worn cameras. Currently deputies in the Jurupa Valley Sheriff’s Station have been testing the use of the cameras on a…
During fire season, federal, state and local fire agencies are at maximum alert; and a cadre of nearly 300 volunteers provides critical help. The Fire Lookout Host program is composed of volunteers from through the Southern California, who trek out to the seven Lookout stations strategically located throughout the San Bernardino National Forest. The Hill…
Rob Rutherford, 57, of Idyllwild, will have no more court hearings for a while. After another arrest for driving under the influence, he pleaded guilty on June 18 to a felony charge of driving under the influence and blood alcohol level greater than .08 percent. Judge Jorge C. Hernandez accepted his plea, but refused any…
California Highway Patrol reported two minor incidents on mountain roads over the last week. Public Information Officer Darren Meyer noted neither collision involved other motorists or resulted in significant injuries to the drivers. According to Meyer, the first occurred at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 25, at the intersection of Marion Ridge Drive and Clement Way…
Fire log Idyllwild Fire Station responded to the following calls, Monday to Sunday, June 22 to 28. Idyllwild • June 22 — Two walk-in medical aids. • June 22 — Medical aid, Rimrock Rd. • June 22 — Medical aid, Tollgate Rd. • June 23 — Traffic collision, no injuries, Pine Crest Ave. &…
