Editor: While I don’t have the legal expertise of Kent Steele for whom I have great respect, and I know this would probably not meet any legal standard in sentencing the Cranston Fire arsonist, but I think there is something else to consider, aside from the arsonist’s specific intent to burn structures. What about the…
Last week in “Days of Our Nine Lives,” ARF family members discussed the advantages to having a pet in the home. Thomas: Another quiet weekend. Mr. Gray: Yes, but we have a potential adoption happening. Tommy the dog is on a trial adoption. Thomas: Let’s all hope it works out! George: I would love to…
70 years ago – 1949 With the help of a slide rule, Larry Smith estimated he had removed 8 tons of snow from his roof. 65 years ago – 1954 The snow pack in Tahquitz Valley, the survey team found, measured only 28 inches in depth. 60 years ago – 1959 Planes and helicopters spent…
Mountain life was stressful during and after the Cranston Fire. Like the Bee Canyon and Mountain fires, it felt like being on the outside looking in on a war zone. I have never been in a war zone. I’ve only lived in a war zone through tales told through books, movies and documentaries. Looking back,…
Editor: The recent storms and road closures highlight a value that is often overlooked: local employees. People who live here know how to get around when there is snow or ice. Locals know when to have reserves of gas, food and supplies on hand. They have all-wheel drive vehicles or they know how to put…
Editor: We have just been informed by Caltrans that the road restoration of Highway 243 will take at least two months and of Highway 74, one month. Our isolation and the interruption of the usual traffic to our town will most likely have a devastating, short-term effect on our lives, but especially on the commercial…
Editor: This community deserves a further explanation, if not an apology, from the Riverside County District Attorney’s office for its handling of the Cranston Fire arson case. The logical result of the “plea bargain” given to this defendant is that a relatively young convicted arsonist will be turned loose in six or eight years to…
70 years ago – 1949 There were heated arguments at the Idyllwild Chamber of Commerce meeting regarding whether the Chamber acted properly in endorsing plans for a cocktail bar at the Idyllwild Inn. 65 years ago – 1954 During the opening weekend of Idyllwild Market, owner Joe Darnell rigged up an alarm set to go…
Editor: I’ve always known that Idyllwild is a place where people all look out for one another, and my wife and I are currently the recipients of this town’s care and generosity. On Friday, our beautiful neighbor’s entire family came over to dig trenches to redirect Thursday’s flooding away from our house and propane tank….
Editor: It will be some time before propane trucks will be able to fill your propane tank. I suggest turning your thermostat down to a maximum of 60 degrees or less if you can. Don’t use more than necessary just because you have it. When you’re tank is empty, you will have no heat or…
