An Idyllwild teen who is a senior at Hemet High won first prize at Hemet Theater’s first ever “Star Factor” contest on Saturday September 28. Cameron Gage, who performed a routine on his scooter, was among 10 acts chosen as finalists, including magicians, musicians, and a balloon artist. The first prized was $1,500. Gage has…
On Wednesday, Oct. 30, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order intended to mitigate utility rate increases and possibly find ways to reduce these rates. In his order, Newsome directed four different agencies, all of whom have some role in overseeing state utilities, to investigate possible efforts to help utility customers save money in the…
I first came to Idyllwild in 1976, when I was 13. My mother and stepfather, Jean and Jim McEwan, left their Orange County jobs as RN and aerospace engineer to try their hands as innkeepers. They bought the Blue Bird Motel, which at that time encompassed both sides of 243, 26 units. I cleaned rooms…
At their Sept. 10 meeting, the Board of Supervisors approved the creation of an Ad Hoc Committee to encourage and to aid continuous improvement of the Transportation and Land Management Agency’s Planning Department. The Committee met on Sept. 26 and a month later the whole Board supported their recommendation for additional staff. At the Board’s…
Renovating and improving the facilities at the County’s Ben Clark Training Center opened an extended discussion on the larger funding needs that the County will encounter in the near future. The specific action item was approval of $5 million for the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department to undertake the next step in identifying the appropriate improvements…
A big rig accident on highway 74, on Thursday morning, October 31, resulted in a fatality. The accident happened near mile marker 88, at the top of the switchbacks above Palm Desert. According to Officer Johnathon Torres of the CHP, at approximately 7:38 a.m. a westbound Peterbilt dump truck pulling a two-axle trailer, both full…
There were 10 different propositions on the November ballot. As of early Wednesday morning, California’s Secretary of State is reporting that six have more “Yes” votes than “No” and four are likely to fail. Propositions 2, 3, 4, 34, 35 and 36 have received more “Yes” than “No.” Of the six being approved, all but…
As of Wednesday morning, Nov. 6, the Riverside County Registrar of Voters reports that nearly every precinct has reported some results. But total turnout is currently 39.9%, which means many ballots remain to be counted. National Donald Trump has apparently been elected to a second term. As of Wednesday morning, the national news associations give…
On the November 5 General election Ballot, incumbent Republican Greg Wallis and his Democratic challenger, Christy Holstege, are seeking the State Assembly seat for the 47^(th) District. In the 2022 election, both candidates were new, and Wallis edged Holstege in a very close election. He garnered 85 votes, or .03%, more than Holstege. This is…
Neighbors in the 21400 block of highway 243 heard an explosion that “sounded like thunder” Friday morning, October 25, at around 7 a.m., and saw flames and white smoke. Engines from CalFire and Riverside County Fire responded as well as at least seven black and white units from CHP and RSO. On the scene, Officer…
