Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-Palm Desert) represents California’s 36th Congressional District, which includes all of the Hill, is in danger, according to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Ruiz first won election to the House of Representatives in 2012 when he upset incumbent Rep. Mary Bono. In November 2014, he was re-elected defeating Republican challenger Assemblyman Brian…
A research report published on Feb. 12 predicts “megadroughts” for California, droughts much larger than historical droughts. Two NASA scientists and a colleague with the Earth and Atmospheric Sciences of Cornell conducted the research that covers weather patterns from more than 1,000 years ago. “Such ‘megadrought’ events exceeded the duration of any drought observed during…
Once again a state legislator is attempting to repeal the controversial state fire prevention fee. Last week, Sen. Mike Morrell (R-Rancho Cucamonga), introduced Senate Bill 198 to eliminate the fee, which was enacted in 2011. “While the legality of the fire tax is more than questionable, it is also fundamentally unfair,” said Morrell in a…
The $25 drop-off fee for certain e-waste recycling at the Idyllwild Transfer Station remains in place, according to Mike Williams of Waste Management Inc., who operates the station, and John Watkins, deputy director, Environmental Protection and Oversight, Riverside County Department of Environmental Health. Reasons cited include legislation that does not prohibit collection of the fees…
Nancy Layton, chair of the Idyllwild Fire Protection District Finance Committee, in consultation with fire Chief Patrick Reitz canceled the committee’s Feb. 17 meeting. The next scheduled committee meeting is Tuesday, March 17. “… we do not have pressing business or substantial regular business of the Finance Committee to attend to next week,” Layton said…
The Pine Cove Water District directors will hold a public hearing on April 1 to garner comments from residents and customers about proposed rate increases before making a decision. In January, General Manager Jerry Holldber discussed the need for more revenues and made some tentative recommendations that were submitted to the board at the Feb….
On Thursday, Feb. 12, the Hemet Unified School District announced the resignation of trustee Dr. Lisa DeForest, effective Feb. 11. She had served on the board for almost seven years. DeForest resigned because of her move from the district. The governing board will begin the process of filling the vacancy in Trustee Area 3 (Hemet)…
Friends of the Idyllwild Library The Friends of the Idyllwild Library announce the return engagement of Penelope Engard this year in the first of her bi-monthly PowerPoint presentations in the library’s Community Room from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23. The subject of the February program is “WPA Murals.” One of the more controversial…
During the third of four Saturday bald eagle counts this winter, two adult eagles were seen at Lake Hemet last weekend. A total of 17 bald eagles were seen in the San Bernardino National Forest on Feb. 14 during the count period, four more than the January count. Public volunteers and U.S. Forest Service biologists…
Fire log The Idyllwild Fire Station did not respond to requests for its fire logs this week. Sheriff’s log The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Hemet Station responded to the following calls, Sunday to Saturday, Feb. 8 to 14. Idyllwild • Feb. 8 — Public disturbance, N. Circle Dr. Handled by deputy. • Feb….
