Suspends environmental rules for high priority projects On March 21, Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in California for the approaching fire season. As part of his proclamation, Newsom is suspending state contract regulations and environmental regulations in order for the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) to complete fuels reduction…
At its March 26 meeting, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors approved a new contract with Laborers International Union of North America, Local 777. The new contract, approved on a 4-1 vote, expires in two years. LIUNA members ratified the new terms on March 18. Provisions of the new contract limit step and merit increases…
In January, Riverside County Auditor Controller Paul Angulo alerted the Board of Supervisors to a current and growing financial and emergency situation. His staff had been studying the cost of multiple legal settlements for Riverside County. In comparison to the other five Southern California counties — Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Santa…
The Hemet Unified School District budget for fiscal year 2018-19, which ends June 30, continues to be in a safe and sound condition, the financial staff reported to the Board of Trustees in March. The current projection is that expenses ($294.1 million) for the year will exceed revenue ($291.8 million) by about $2.3 million. HUSD…
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway reopened Monday, April 1, after damage during the Feb. 14 rains and storm resulted in a 46-day closure. In addition to a section of the road being washed out over a drainage culvert, a second section of road also was replaced due to subsidence from rain run-off. Additional repairs included…
Local Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz shared with the Town Crier his thoughts about President Donald Trump’s State of the Union speech. Ruiz acknowledged that the inconsistency between the president’s actions and statements creates a basic skepticism about the intent of the speech. Nevertheless, “There are some topics we’re very willing to work with him,” Ruiz…
By Lois Greisman Federal Trade Commission, Elder Justice Coordinator You might have read media stories about older people losing lots of money to scams. It does happen — and FTC data show that when people over 80 report losing money, the amount they lose is a lot higher than the amount younger people lose. But…
While revenues are increasing for Riverside County, future expenses seem to be growing even faster than revenues. This is one conclusion Riverside County Executive Officer George Johnson said in his report to the Board of Supervisors on the results of the first quarter of fiscal year 2018-19. Johnson said the current estimate for full-year revenue…
Assembly District 71 stretches from Idyllwild in Riverside County to the California border. Consisting mostly of rural mountain country or desert, much of the population is clustered in the southwestern suburban part of the district near San Diego. The voting population of the district is skewed heavily Republican with nearly a 9-point registration edge (37…
There is a new option for Californians who missed the Oct. 22 deadline to register or update their voter registration for the Nov. 6 general election, according to the California Secretary of State. A new option known as conditional voter registration allows eligible citizens to register and vote on the same day through election day. …
