Rep. Dr. Raul Ruiz, less than halfway through his second term, continues to receive substantial campaign contributions. Through the end of September, Ruiz had nearly $1.3 million in cash this year. During the period from July 1 to Sept. 30, he raised $415,000. At this point two years ago, Ruiz had raised $1.1 million for…
The role of drones near emergencies was the subject of a state Senate oversight hearing Tuesday, Aug. 18. Legislators have submitted several bills regarding the use of “unmanned aerial vehicles,” known as drones; but this was a general hearing to open discussion about a broad set of issues affecting regulation and use of this equipment….
As a result of the impending shortage of paper stock to print birth, death and marriage certificates, the Riverside County Department of Public Health announced it will limit the number of copies it will print. Effective Aug. 17, DPH will provide only three copies of birth or death certificates for each request of a registered…
A third candidate has entered the race for Riverside County’s 3rd District Supervisor. Earlier this month, Republican Shellie Milne, Hemet councilwoman, announced she would seek the seat currently held by Democrat Chuck Washington. Milne is not the career politician. She first sought public office in 2014 when she ran for and won a seat on…
Physicians for Healthy Hospitals, which operates both Hemet Valley and Menifee Valley medical centers, announced they would follow a national trend and begin allowing patients to make online emergency room reservations. Joel Bergenfeld, PHH CEO, said the move would relieve patients’ stress by allowing them to do their waiting at home, rather than in a…
The California Department of Water Resources has announced two new rebate programs to help Californians replace inefficient toilets and tear out water-guzzling lawns. DWR will oversee the two rebate programs, which provide a $100 consumer rebate to replace one old toilet per household and up to $2 per square-foot for lawn replacement. Californians may visit…
Last week, the Riverside County Superior Court announced several new systems to make obtaining court services easier and more convenient for the public. Public kiosk enhancement Court customers now have the ability to make a criminal payment at the public kiosks stationed in the court’s clerical offices. This enhances a system that previously took only traffic…
In the past week, Riverside County health officials have confirmed three cases of West Nile virus this year. The first two are a 37-year-old man and 53-year-old woman, according to Dr. Cameron Kaiser, public health officer. The individuals live in western Riverside County. Both patients were hospitalized but are expected to recover. The third case…
A fourth year of drought may be interrupted this fall and winter. The National Weather Service is forecasting “a significant and strengthening El Niño.” But while relief is expected, the water deficits of the last four years will not be overcome with one extremely wet winter. On Aug. 13, NWS predicted a 90 percent chance…
The National Fire Preparedness Level has been raised to its highest point — 5. On Thursday morning, Aug. 13, the National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group, which consists of top federal and state fire managers, raised the preparedness level to 5 (PL-5). They were concerned about the high degree of wildfire activity nationwide and the probability that…
