The allocation of funding for hazardous fuels projects and how the U.S. Forest Service sets its priorities for this work was questioned in a report last month. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General spent more than year reviewing the program and visiting regional offices, national forest offices and several ranger districts, including…
Idyllwild local Taylor James Dravenstatt, 24, previously sent to state prison for felony burglary in 2013, was arrested again on Sept. 6 for felony burglary of a dwelling. The arrest occurred in Perris. He also is charged with felony parole violation. He is currently in custody at Southwest Detention Center in Murietta. Dravenstatt’s prior conviction…
The preliminary hearings for Robert Pape, 28, and Cristin Smith, 27, have been rescheduled for Oct. 24. At that hearing, the presiding judge will hear a motion from Smith’s attorney to dismiss the charges against him and, if unsuccessful, a motion to reveal the name of a confidential informant working with the Riverside County District…
The Mountain Emergency Services Committee highlighted its monthly meeting with a presentation by Michael Beltran, Imperial Irrigation District, regarding dangers posed by active shooters in public areas. The meeting was held last Wednesday at the Idyllwild Library Community Room. Beltran is a retired policeman, with experience in special weapons and tactics (SWAT) and criminal intelligence….
The California Highway Patrol reported two traffic collisions over the previous week. The first, at 9 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 8, involved a single vehicle. Sandra Adolph, 52, of Idyllwild, was driving her silver 2016 Toyota Corolla eastbound on Highway 74, 3 miles west of McCall Park Road, when, according to the report, she fell asleep…
Jim Billman, president of the Idyllwild Water District’s board of directors, has resigned effective Monday, Sept 12. The board has not indicated what steps it will take to choose a replacement for Billman. He was appointed to the board in 2005 to complete the term of a director who resigned. In August 2007, he was…
On Thursday, Sept. 8, the County Service Area 36 Advisory Committee held its monthly meeting to review its responsibilities for overseeing recreation and street lights in the district. Facing the committee and the community is the likelihood that Town Hall will be listed for sale by the Johnson family. Town Hall is currently the primary…
Tom Lynch, general manager of the Idyllwild Water District, resigned on Monday, Sept. 12. Lynch had been the district’s general manager since February 2014. Director John Cook said the IWD board will begin to look for a successor to Lynch, possibly an interim until it finds a full-time replacement. Lynch did not give a reason…
Idyllwild Water District has canceled its September meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 21. In a brief announcement issued Friday, Sept. 9, the district announced the meeting’s cancellation. Also, the announcement said the regularly scheduled October meeting would be moved to Oct. 12. Pursuant to the IWD’s resolution setting the day and time of regular meetings,…
The playground and pickleball courts at the Butterfield Commons on Strawberry Creek will remain open and available to the public at least until early November. Despite plans to begin groundbreaking for the amphitheater (a band shell) this month, the San Jacinto Mountain Community Center board is still working with the Riverside County Planning Department to…
