Last week, the California Public Utilities Commission revealed a plan to tax text messages and intends to vote on it next month. Since 1994, the state imposed an “All End User Surcharge” on telecommunications services. The exception was the Universal Lifeline. The revenue was used to fund the Universal Services program for low-income residents. However,…
Two unions — Laborers’ International Union of North America, Local 777, and Service Employees International Union, Local 721 — represent about two-thirds of Riverside County’s 22,000 employees. Their agreements with the county expired in 2016. Negotiations between the county and the two unions have not resulted in mutually acceptable agreements. Last week, the Board of…
Covered California announced that California residents have through Friday, Dec. 21, to select a health insurance plan that will start on Tuesday, Jan. 1. This extension of the first major deadline to have health insurance starting Jan. 1 is in response to a surge of interest in enrollment. Also, Covered Cal wants consumers to have…
Highway 243 is closed in both directions just north of Lake Fulmor. However, a second project on Highway 243 between Skyland Ranch and Mt. Edna Road will result in a flagging operation. One lane will be open and a pilot vehicle will guide traffic through the work zone, but only in that area. Highway 243…
State Sen. Jeff Stone will hold two Holiday Open Houses at his district offices. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, an Open House and Sock Drive will be held at his district office in Indio. From 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, he will have an Open House at his Murrieta…
Volunteers are needed in communities throughout Riverside County to help with the 2019 Point-in-Time Homeless Count and Survey. The Riverside County Department of Public Social Services conducts the survey each January. The 2019 survey is a one-day, street-based and shelter-based effort to identify how many people in the county are homeless on a given day….
Caltrans is reporting that it will start emergency culvert repairs on Highway 243 in both directions near Lake Fulmor starting at 9 a.m. Friday, Dec. 7, with anticipated re-opening mid-morning Friday, Dec. 14. Traffic will be turned around during maintenance work.
All federal offices, including the Idyllwild Post Office and the Idyllwild Ranger Station will be closed Wednesday, Dec. 5, to observe a national day of mourning for former President George H.W. Bush.
The California Department of Transportation is alerting the traveling public that a significant winter storm will arrive in the Inland/Mountain/Desert communities of Riverside and San Bernardino counties Wednesday evening. The National Weather Service is forecasting rain and snow during the storm events. Caltrans is advising motorists of winter driving tips and some possible impacts during…
Editor’s note: Chad Hanson, Ph.D., is the director and principal ecologist for the John Muir Project in Big Bear City. He spoke at the Idyllwild Library on Oct. 16 about “The Effects of Post-fire Logging on Wildlife Habitat.” Although the Town Crier could not attend his presentation, this story is from an interview with Hanson….
