Last week, a Los Angeles County judge ruled that the state laws on teacher tenure and seniority were unconstitutional. However, he suspended any enforcement to provide for the expected appeal of his decision (Vergara v. State of California). Judge Rolf M. Treu found that the statutes on granting teachers tenure after two years, the dismissal…
The Idyllwild Fire Department’s preliminary 2014-15 budget was adopted last week with the $1.8-million budget projection about $65,000 more than the 2013-14 adopted budget. Fire Chief Patrick Reitz and Commissioner Nancy Layton, chair of the Finance Committee, said they will continue to review and adjust the 2014-15 budget until a final version is adopted in…
A Grand Jury report, with the Idyllwild Fire Protection District as the subject, was issued Thursday, June 19. This is the second report focused on IFPD from the 2013-14 Grand Jury and the fifth since 2008. This report investigated three topics — the behavior of the Department’s Administrative Captain, Mark LaMont, nonfeasance of the Fire…
After four years, Riverside County is proposing to raise the fees for the residential collection centers in Idyllwild, Anza and Pinyon. At its June 17 meeting, the Board of Supervisors was to set a public hearing on these increases for later this summer. The new fee, $122.74 annually, is a $5.85 increase from the fee…
As Thursday, June 19, U. S. Forest Service officials are increasing fire use restrictions on the San Bernardino National Forest. The summer weather is beginning to raise the seasonal fire danger. On the day, tighter restrictions are being imposed, a small, 3-acre, fire ignited near the Cranston Ranger Station in Valle Vista. As California’s three-year…
Shortly before noon a small fire was visible from the U.S. Forest Service Cranston Ranger Station. Engineer Richard Wiggins was the Incident Commander and with some assistance from Cal Fire, the Forest Service held the Cranston Fire to three acres. Both lanes of Hwy 74 were closed for awhile, but they are now open in…
Fire log The Idyllwild Fire Station responded to the following calls, Monday, June 9, to Monday, June 16, 2014. Idyllwild • June 9 — Medical aid. • June 10 — Four medical aids. • June 11 — Medical aid. • June 12 — Public service assist. • June 12 — Rescue. • June 13…
With the help of the Trust for Public Lands, the U. S. Forest Service has purchased a large piece of the Fleming Ranch in Garner Valley. This spring the Forest Service acquired 808 acres for $2.65 million. The land is near the upper reaches of Herkey Creek watershed and includes acreage within the San Jacinto…
The prospective arraignments of Robert Pape and Cristin Smith for the 2006 triple homicide in Piñyon Pines were deferred until June 27 and June 20, respectively. This is the fifth postponement of Pape’s arraignment since his arrest in March. Pape’s attorney requested to defer the arraignment and the District Attorney’s office did not oppose. On…
Friday afternoon, June 13, the Riverside County Registrar of Voters certified the results of the June 3 primary election. The results of the certified count were no different than the June 6 preliminary release. Consequently, in the general election come November, Republicans Jeff Stone and Bonnie Garcia will battle for the state Senate District 28…
