Last week the Crier took a tour of Idyllwild Water District’s (IWD) wastewater treatment plant, in service since 1970. IWD recently approved a five-year program of rate increases to pay for a replacement for the facility, at a projected cost of over $7 million. Funding also is being sought from the state to lift some…
The Predictive Services unit of Cal Fire’s Southern Operations (Ops) does not expect a bad summer fire season. The June outlook released last week anticipates below normal fire activity through September, especially in lower elevations. The coastal May Gloom, along with the wet winter, has contributed to a lower threat of wildfires through June and…
At Idyllwild Fire Protection District’s (IFPD) semimonthly commissioners’ meeting Tuesday, May 23, President Dan Messina reported that the new repeater site is up and running. Chief Mark LaMont added that licensing is complete and temporary equipment installed. Riverside County Sheriff and Fern Valley Water may be using the repeater. Other potential users include Hemet Police…
After deliberating since June 1, a Riverside County jury found a 58-year-old Thermal man guilty of a lesser crime in a case where the defendant was charged with murder in a traffic collision where his baby died on Highway 74 near Mile Post Marker 89. He has been incarcerated in the Robert Presley Detention Center…
Fulfilling his promise during the presentation of the May revision of his fiscal year (FY) 2023-24 budget, Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled his proposals to reform the permitting and project review process in California. On May 19, one week later, he signed an Executive Order (EO) while touring the site of a future solar farm in…
Living on the Hill and working from home is close to paradise. Living on the Hill and commuting to work on the I-10 or state highways 74 and 79 is not fun and often stressful. Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia (D) has submitted a bill that could help alleviate some of the county’s commuting conundrums. Garner Valley,…
Senate Bill (SB) 584, which has passed the California Senate, would impose a 15% tax on the rental price for a short-term rental (STR). After its passage, Sen. Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara), who introduced the bill, said in a press release, “The vote today signals the legislative interest in advancing a conversation about what role…
The Idyllwild Water District (IWD) held a pair of “Town Hall” meetings at its boardroom to discuss proposed water and sewer rates on May 30 and 31. The board has voted to approve a five-year plan for rate hikes that could lead to a cumulative 85% increase on sewer bills and a cumulative 27% hike…
Board of Supervisors unanimously approved funding proposals from both the Regional Parks and Open Space District (RPOSD) and the county’s Transportation and Land Management Agency (TLMA). The request from both agencies included projects on the Hill during the next fiscal year (July 2023 through June 2024). Parks RPOSD requested approval to use $11.8 million the…
Wednesday, May 24, Riverside County 4th District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez held his third recent listening session at Town Hall as he and the community become acquainted with each other. It was the second one dedicated to Idyllwild’s short-term rental (STR) situation and the amendment of Ordinance 927.1. As before, Planning Director John Hildebrand and…
