Asked about the level of staffing at IFPD during our recent Red Flag Warning, when three local engines were assisting at fires in Los Angeles county, Chief Mark LaMont had this to say: “We have double the amount of staff right here that we would have on a normal day, even with the three engines…
The Governor’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26, which starts July 1, is balanced and slightly smaller than the current budget, FY 24-25. In his press release, Newsom said, “The budget I present to you today builds on a framework that balanced the books over two years instead of just one—an unprecedented effort to address…
A week ago, it was July 4^(th.) The holiday was celebrated throughoutthe nation despite a heatwave from coast to coast. And on the Hill, the celebration set a record – a temperature record. OnJuly 4, the high temperature in Idyllwild was 98 degrees, exceeding theprevious high of 97 set in 2007. On Monday, July 8,…
Reform of wildfire insurance has been a high priority for stateofficials – both executive and legislative – for more than a year.Although the Legislature could not reach any compromises last fall, bothGov. Gavin Newsom and Insurance Commissioner Richardo Lara moved forwardwith administrative and regulatory actions. Lara’s goal for completing the changes necessary to improve the…
Near the end of his revised budget presentation last week, Gov. GavinNewsom described two major legislative initiatives that hisadministration is preparing. One is an effort to limit the appropriation of expected higher revenueuntil it is collected and the State assured of its availability. This isintended to avoid expansive budgets which later need to be trimmedbecause…
Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced his May revision for the comingfiscal year (FY) budget. For FY 2024-25, beginning July 1, Newsom’srevised total expenditures, including federal, special and bond funds,will be nearly $288 billion, of which $201 billion will be for theGeneral Fund accounts. This is about $25 billion less than available forthe current FY,…
By JP Crumrine Correspondent Another rainstorm approached Southern California Friday and over the Easter weekend. While most of the previous storms have dropped some rain on the San Jacinto Mountains, the 2024 winter has not been as wet as a year ago. But this storm could bring 2 to 2.5 inches of rain by Easter…
By JP Crumrine Correspondent It’s the morning after the election. The Riverside County registrar of voters has posted preliminary results. Conditional ballots, drop off ballots and vote-by-mail ballots that are postmarked on or before election day also remain to be counted. As of 3 a.m., the registrar is reporting voter turnout in yesterday’s Presidential Primary election was…
The outlook for a relatively lower-level wildfire season this year isvery positive. Cooler temperatures and more precipitation areresponsible for the reduced chance of major fires this spring. The National Interagency Fire Center’s Predictive Services unitprojects, “The potential for significant fires will be near normalacross the entire region through April. The lower elevations will likelysee a…
• Proposition 1: Feb. 1 • Riverside County Board of Education Bruce Dennis: Feb. 1 • U.S. Congress, California District 41 Ken Calvert: Feb. 22 Anna Nevenic: Feb. 8 Will Rollins: Feb. 29 • California Assembly, District 36 Joey Acuna: Feb. 15 Jeff Gonzalez: Feb 22 Kalin Morse: Feb. 29 • California Assembly, District 47…
