Wildfire is getting some prominent and fresh attention in major newspapers. Both the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times have published thoughtful articles this summer examining the larger issues involved. (They are catching up to this newspaper, which has had great reporting on fire for as long as I can remember.) It seems…
With Avery Field’s photography, others saw Idyllwild … Picture postcards are an ever-popular item in scenic areas such as Idyllwild. We certainly have had our share of commercial photographers, and the most talented was Avery Edwin Field. A family history just published by his grandson, Sidney Edwin Field, brings Avery’s life (1883-1955) and career into…
Editor: I agree with everything Nathaniel West wrote about structure-fed wildfires. I believe fire abatement is like a chain and no stronger than the weakest link. That weakest link, my friend, is our fire-trap homes. It doesn’t make sense to denude the forest floor and deprive the soil’s ability to retain moisture only to live…
Each Wednesday morning (except when Monday is a major holiday), our little news staff — me, J.P. and Jay — and Dolores gather to plan the next issue of the paper. Years ago, I opened this meeting up to the public, gathering at various cafes throughout Idyllwild because our office lacked space. J.P. continued the…
Fire danger in Southern California is significantly higher this weekend. A Santa Ana wind event combined with near record low fuel moisture is posing a substantial fire threat until Monday or Tuesday. The National Weather Service has forecast a red flag warning from early Friday morning, Oct. 4 through Sunday evening, Oct.6 State and federal…
This week we launch a new feature — a weekly reader-participation contest in which you are challenged to identify a particular spot in the greater Idyllwild area from a somewhat limited photograph. The prize is two tickets to the Rustic Theatre for use any week, your picture in the Town Crier taken at the location…
Editor: A heads up for our fire chief, Patrick Reitz. Do you know how fortunate we are to have a man of his caliber working with us? At a very recent accident I had at a dinner for the jazz festival volunteers, he did not leave me for a second until he must have known…
Emax’s “As We Were Saying” column from Sept. 20, 1963, expresses perfectly my sentiments this Tuesday as I write this. In fact, Jack and I took a walk around the block on deadline just to shake the cobwebs out and clear my head before coming back and reading his skinny little column back when the…
By Vince Lovato Crier Interim Operations manager (Editor’s warning: Some of the content in the following column might not be suitable for some readers. Reader discretion is advised.) When I was much younger, I was left alone a lot to produce weekend newspapers so the vets could have their days off. But I had a…
Reunited this week were Chacarro and Zoe, and the three related dogs lost in Pine Cove. Ladybug can be a lady most of the time. But bring out the football, Frisbee or anything that even looks like a toy, and she’s ready with all fours to play. She is a young shepherd/husky-mix abandoned at our…
