The Mountain Emergency Services Committee (MEMSCOMM) discussed post-earthquake emergency operations at its Thursday, Nov. 10 meeting — specifically what building or building would serve as the emergency operations center (EOC), the communication hub of local disaster response. Idyllwild Fire Protection District (IFPD) Chief Norm Walker has repeatedly voiced concern that, given the building materials and…
A divided Idyllwild Fire Protection District (IFPD) commission selected President Pete Capparelli to fulfill the final two years of former Commissioner Ben Killingsworth’s term. After a debate about how many votes were sufficient to make the decision, whether Capparelli could vote for himself and then a call for advice from legal counsel was the decision…
Work began on Highway 74 this week. California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), District 8 awarded a contract to California Arbor Care to remove trees within the recovery zone along SR-74 from mile marker 59.3 to 71.7. Work began Monday, Nov. 7, and is slated to last for 15 days. Work hours are 7 a.m. to…
The proposed playground on the Idyllwild Community Center site is moving forward without any foreseeable problems, according to Dawn Sonnier, acting chair of the Idyllwild Community Recreation Council (ICRC). Before the final permit approvals, Sonnier is awaiting completion of engineering drawings for the playground’s pavilion. Architect Jim Marsh, of Hemet, is preparing these in cooperation…
In March 2008, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) adopted a rule establishing mandatory wood-buring curtailment within its jurisdiction. Although the curtailments went into effect Nov. 1, no restrictions will be imposed on Hill residents. The mandatory wood-burning curtailments would be possible from November through February and only on days and in specific…
For the answers questions about the planned Idyllwild Community Center, come to the “Just Imagine” virtual tour of the site …
A Southern California Edison (SCE) truck rolled on its side on SR-74 at mile marker 57 between Mountain Center and Hemet sometime before 9 a.m. Monday, Nov. 7. The truck is blocking the eastbound lane of traffic coming toward Mountain Center. According to Riverside County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) Public Information Officer Sgt. Joe Borja, no…
Idyllwild Fire District Commission President Pete Capparelli has asked his colleagues to select him to replace former Commissioner Ben Killingsworth, who resigned in September. The commission will decide on Killingsworth’s replacement at its Nov. 8 meeting. In addition to Capparelli, three other men have submitted applications. Two have experience working as firefighters or with fire…
UPDATE 4:45 p.m.: The snow is definitely sticking in Idyllwild now. There is about a quarter- to a half-inch on the ground in town. Large snowflakes descended on the Hill today, starting around noon in Pine Cove and Fern Valley and 2:15 p.m. in Idyllwild. The snow in town is still soggy with rain and…
Sometime between 11:45 a.m. and 12:05 p.m. today, a vehicle smashed into the side of Village Hardware, where merchandise is displayed in a covered area. Village Hardware owner Larry Donahoo said the hit-and-run was discovered just after noon when an employee went out the side of the building. No one inside heard the crash, as…
