Much needed rain fell over the Hill Saturday afternoon and evening. The amounts ranged from slightly more than an inch at the U.S. Forest Service’s Keenwild Fire Station to almost 2 inches at the Idyllwild Fire Station. Pine Cove recorded 1.2 inches and the newly installed rain gauge at the Idyllwild Town Crier collected nearly…
A possible tax increase is now several years in the future, according to the discussion at last week’s Idyllwild Fire Protection District Finance Committee. Susan Weisbart and Committee Chair Nancy Layton said their Tax Measure Research subcommittee would need at least a year to investigate and prepare the justification for a possible tax increase. Consequently,…
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department has reported a hiker missing since Saturday. The search began during the weekend and was continuing Tuesday, April 28, as of press time. Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit and helicopters are involved in the search. Deputies received a call around 4:15 p.m. Saturday from a missing hiker, who has been identified…
Fern Valley Water District’s current-year budget has produced nearly $200,000 in income during the first nine months of the fiscal year, which ends June 30. With income approaching $770,000 and current expenditures about $570,000, General Manager Steve Erler told the board last week, “The budget looks as though we’re on target.” With the completion of…
The three local water districts and the Idyllwild Fire Protection District have all taken the necessary steps to prepare for election of directors during the August vote-by-mail election. Last week, both IFPD and the Pine Cove Water District held special meetings authorizing the Riverside County registrar of voters to conduct the election, if needed. Last…
Construction to replace Hurkey Creek Bridge on Highway 74, originally scheduled to begin Monday, April 20, has been delayed for about two weeks. Caltrans Public Information Officer Joy Schneider said resolution of two issues has delayed the project. Contractor for the project, Granite Construction, suggested creating a 12-foot-wide bypass to the north of the existing…
The drought, now in its fourth year, is creating severe and dangerous threats to the Hill’s native trees — pines and oaks. But other dangers also are threatening the local forest. Residents are familiar with the damage bark beetles bring, especially during droughts. The bark beetle is actually a native pest, but during droughts when…
The U.S. forest Service was conducting pile burning along the West Ridge Fuelbreak Thursday, taking advantage of favorable weather conditions. The “Burn Boss” was Brett Pascale of the Vista Grande Hotshots, according to San Jacinto Ranger District Fire Chief Dan Felix.
Cal Fire still is not talking about the origin and cause of the 2013 Mountain Fire that burned more than 27,000 acres, destroyed three single-family residences, three mobile homes, 12 outbuildings, two RVs and nine other vehicles, and it resulted in thousands evacuating their homes. It has been more than a year since Cal Fire…
The California Highway Patrol mounted a coordinated aerial and patrol car surveillance of Highways 243 and 74, targeting motorcyclists last weekend. The operation was in response to a recent uptick in serious injury and fatality motorcycle collisions on mountain roadways. Coordinating the operation on Sunday was CHP Lt. Brian Gonzalez from the San Gorgonio Pass…
