On Feb. 23, the California Department of Parks and Recreation rescued two lost hikers in Mt. San Jacinto State Park. At about 4:30 p.m., State Parks received a phone call from two male hikers, ages 51 and 39, both from Indiana. The hikers said that they had taken the Palm Springs tram to Long Valley…
The Finance Committee for the Idyllwild Fire Protection District has begun discussing and preparing a tax measure that may go before voters in November. The committee believes IFPD’s budget is inadequate to fund programs and initiatives in the future. At the Feb. 24 meeting, committee members focused first on the need for more revenue for…
State Sen. Jeff Stone’s legislation was passed and will rename a portion of Highway 371 in Anza. The resolution designates the portion of the highway between Howard Road and Tribal Road as “Special Deputy Frank Hamilton Memorial Highway.” Senate Concurrent Resolution 51, authored by Stone (R-Riverside County), passed the Legislature on Jan. 27 and was…
The two men — Ryan Mason and Nickolas Menlendez — charged with burglary of the Mountain Center Market in September had felony settlement conferences scheduled for Friday morning, Feb. 26, which were rescheduled for Friday, March 11. However, Mason was ordered to undergo an evaluation for possible residential substance abuse treatment prior to the next…
Two incidents, one involving two cars and the other a motorcycle, marred last week on Hill roads, according to California Highway Patrol Public Information Officer Darren Meyer. At 6:45 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, Eric Frost, 43, of Idyllwild, was driving his 2004 black Mazda truck westbound on Highway 74 in the vicinity of Strawberry Creek…
Capt. Joseph Borja is the new head of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Hemet Station. Borja assumed the role on Feb. 4, and succeeds new Deputy Chief Lyndon “Ray” Wood. Borja joined the Sheriff’s Department nearly 28 years ago, in April 1988. He has progressed through the ranks and served in many positions during his…
At its Feb. 23 meeting, the Hemet Unified School District board unanimously approved a pay raise for its teachers and other employees. The raises were 1.5 percent retroactive to July 1, 2015, and then another 1-percent increase starting Jan. 1, 2016. In addition, teachers will have two more non-student days per school year. “We’re very…
The Idyllwild Fire commissioners have decided to draft a measure to raise the current $65 parcel fee. At their Tuesday, Feb. 23 meeting, commissioners discussed the purpose and needs for more revenue. They asked their Finance Committee, which Commissioner Nancy Layton chairs, to begin putting these general ideas and goals into specific language and justification….
In a brief meeting, Steve Erler, Fern Valley Water District general manager, told the directors last Friday that the district’s well levels were beginning to come up. Well production was lower in January as the staff begins to use stored water in anticipation of its annual spring diversions. January water production increased about 11 percent…
Jim Billman was re-elected as president of the Idyllwild Water District Board of Directors. John Cook was re-elected as vice president. Both have held these board positions since January 2014. This year the vote was not unanimous. New Director Steve Kunkle nominated Cook for the presidency and Billman as the vice president after Director Mike…
