Regional News

In a unanimous 5-0 vote on Friday, July 3, the California Public Utilities Commission voted to significantly change electricity pricing for many California users – reducing the number of pricing tiers; phasing in time-of-use pricing; and adding a “super-user surcharge.” In a press release, the commission said the announced changes would create a “more cost-based…

Inappropriate, wrongful, dangerous or threatening behavior often elicits response from government. And now, today’s ground-bounded air navigators have crossed the line. Last week, state and federal legislators announced plans to control the use of unmanned aircraft systems, commonly known as drones, over wildfires. Owners of these aircraft interfered with air resources battling the recent Lake…

At the July 7 meeting, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a budget for fiscal 2015-16. While the budget is currently balanced, several department heads, including the Sheriff and District Attorney, acknowledged that additional funding will be necessary before the end of the fiscal year (June 30, 2016). But the Board Chair Marion…

On April 14, the Riverside County Department of Public Health came to Idyllwild to discuss and listen for ideas to improve community health. This was one of 17 community sessions across the county during March and April. The results of these sessions will be shared and discussed at a July 22 public meeting. The Health…

Gov. Jerry Brown has imposed strict vaccination rules on school children beginning next year. Senate Bill 277, which revokes the vaccination exemption based on personal belief, was approved by the State Assembly with amendments Friday, June 26. On Monday, June 29, the State Senate approved the bill (25-11) with those amendments. While vociferous and contentious…

A state budget for fiscal year 2015-16, which starts July 1, was enacted Friday, June 19, after a week of negotiations between Gov. Jerry Brown and the state legislative leaders. On Monday, June 15, the Legislature passed a budget that was substantially more than Brown proposed in May. With this action, the Legislature met is…

The state attorney general has interceded in the recent court decision concerning water rate tiers. While Attorney General Kamala Harris is not appealing the actual ruling, her letter argues that there are occasions when rates higher than actual costs are constitutional and necessary for conservation purposes. In the June 5 letter on behalf of the…

In the aftermath of last week’s Order to Show Cause hearing in which the grand jury found itself without actual legal representation before the court in a proceeding against county counsel, who normally would be representing the grand jury, the grand jury has petitioned the Riverside County Superior Court to appoint special counsel to represent…

Next year’s county budget will grow and much of the increase will be for public safety programs. However, supervisors are beginning to raise questions and consider the effect of public safety spending on other programs. On Monday, the board approved the county executive officer’s proposed budget for fiscal 2015-16, which begins July 1. But the…