The judicial system is a critical and vital component of government. Public safety requires more than police simply arresting people accused of a crime — whether criminal or civil. The defendants must either admit the deed or must stand trial. A judge oversees the trial and often sets the penalty if the defendant is found…
On Jan. 19, Tom Vilsack, secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, announced the allocation of nearly half a billion dollars to reduce wildfire risks in and near national forests landscapes in Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington. “It is no longer a matter of if a wildfire will threaten many western communities…
One result of the 2021 redistricting of Riverside County’s supervisorial districts was shifting the Hill communities — from Pine Cove south through Garner Valley — into District 4 from District 3. District 4 Supervisor V. Manuel Perez was unopposed for his reelection, consequently the Hill did not get to vote last fall for a supervisor….
Albert Hammond’s 1972 lyrics were what us Easterners remember. “Seems it never rains in Southern California. Seems I’ve often heard that kind of talk before. It never rains in California.” But Hill residents know B.J. Thomas was closer to the truth, “Raindrops keep falling on my head. But that doesn’t mean my eyes will soon…
Pine Cove Water District (PCWD) Board of Directors met last week with the main item a presentation from representatives of Smart Earth Technologies, (SET) the company proposing to update Pine Cove’s valves. The board unanimously approved the proposal. The smart meters will replace the district’s 1,117 mechanical meters. Nick and Robert Gallegos of SET, based…
On Tuesday, Jan. 10, three supervisors and the new county auditor-controller were sworn into office at the beginning of the first Riverside County Board of Supervisors meeting for 2023. Following that, new board officers were elected. Supervisors Karen Spiegel (2nd District) and V. Manuel Perez (4th District), who were unopposed, and Yxstian Gutierrez (5th District),…
On Dec. 15, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved its proposed 2022 Scoping Plan, which identifies policies and actions needed to cut greenhouse gas emissions in the next 20 years. An 85% reduction is the goal to achieve carbon neutrality in 2045. Only three weeks later, on Jan. 4, the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO)…
Plastic bags. Love ‘em, hate ‘em, need ‘em, environmental threat, so what? They are ubiquitous. In our pantries, in our trash, on the roads, waterways and especially at the transfer station. So what, they’re recyclable. Or are they? The number of plastics generated has increased nearly six times since 1980 and more than 40% in…
It’s winter and precipitation has arrived, drenching, slippery and returning. While it is mostly still rain with some snow, much more is expected through next week and perhaps longer. While Northern California has received the brunt of the early storms, Southern California has seen local flooding. Accuweather meteorologists say the onslaught is far from over….
In response to the oncoming powerful storm, this morning Caltrans activated approximately 1,200 electronic highway signs statewide to display urgent safety messaging. “Safety is always Caltrans’ priority, so as a violent storm deluges our state, today we activated our electronic message signs to advise everyone to avoid unnecessary travel during the peak of the…
