The potential number of propositions Californian voters might have had to vote on in November was 15. However, on Thursday, June 28, the sponsors of three measures withdrew them after the state Legislature approved legislation accomplishing their goals and Gov. Jerry Brown agreed to sign the bills. Soft-drink manufacturers were upset with local governments. They…
t did help compliance with reducing prison population By JP Crumrine News Editor Nearly four years ago, November 2014, California voters approved Proposition 47, but that was not the beginning of a crime wave — of any proportion — despite some law enforcement officials’ concern about the effect of Prop 47. Prop 47 reduced certain…
Initiative to break up California on November ballot The November general election ballot will include a proposition that does not authorize new bonds, change criminal penalties, nor propose or modify taxes. Voters will be asked whether to split California into three separate states. Last week, the Secretary of State’s office announced that the initiative to…
Add funding for Sheriff and DA The Riverside County Board of Supervisors last week approved a tentative budget for fiscal year 2018-19, which starts July 1. With some debate, no acrimony and a spirit of optimism, the board unanimously approved, with slight changes, the budget, which County Executive Officer George Johnson presented. Expenses still exceeded…
Editor’s note: The Riverside County Planning Commission’s hearing on the proposed cannabis ordinance was 9 a.m. Wednesday, June 20. This story discusses the language in the proposed ordinance. Next week, the Town Crier will report on the results of the hearing. The Riverside County Planning Commission held a public hearing on a proposed ordinance regulating…
Without discussion, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors has given county staff 90 days to develop a false-alarm ordinance. Supervisors Kevin Jeffries (1st District) and Manuel Perez (4th District) asked the concurrence of their colleagues to pursue this action. In the proposal, the supervisors wrote, “One of the largest unnecessary uses of sheriff and fire…
Parental role in developing priorities grows, too Last week, June 5, the Hemet Unified School District held public hearings for its proposed 2018-19 budget, which begins July 1, and its 2018-19 Local Control and Accountability Plan. The proposed budget for next fiscal year is $290.6 million, which is $10.2 million more than the current year….
Spring and early summer is the peak time for much of California’s wildlife to bear their young. With this in mind, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife is asking well-intentioned members of the public to leave young wildlife alone. It may be hard to resist scooping up a young wild animal who looks vulnerable…
By Susan Cox Southern California Edison More Southern California Edison customers may qualify for financial assistance to help pay their utility bills through an assortment of income-qualified programs that offer bill discounts and free energy-efficiency products and services, SCE announced last week. Effective June 1, income guidelines for 2018-19 income-qualified programs — California Alternate Rates…
Riverside County residents with backyard chickens, and people with other birds, should take steps to protect the animals from virulent Newcastle disease, county agricultural officials urged last week. The disease has not been identified in Riverside County but recent outbreaks in Southern California demonstrate the need for precautions. “This disease is so virulent it could…
