Idyllwild Town Crier

Last week, Idyllwild Fire Commissioner Chip Schelly failed again to get the issues of transparency and board evaluation on the agenda. The other four commissioners feign deafness when he broaches the subject. Apparently, they suffer blindness when he appeals in writing, too. After years of the TC barking at local boards about open government, Pine Cove Water District got the message,...

The contractor evaluating Riverside County’s emergency medical system is constructing several options for the county’s consideration before a new ambulance contract request is completed next year. “Our goal is to recommend the right resources at the right time for the right patient,” said Mike Williams, president of Abaris Group, who is doing the work. The Idyllwild Fire Protection District is unlikely...

Fire danger in California is above normal levels. Significantly dry conditions are present due to historically low precipitation and high temperatures. The U.S. Forest Service is urging everyone to be responsibile in preventing human-caused wildfires, and to use caution when traveling on highways. The Kyburz Fire impacted a highway last week east of Placerville on the Eldorado National Forest....

Diana “De” Eskew was chosen to fill the vacant seat on the Pine Cove Water District Board of Directors. She was the only applicant to apply to fill the vacancy created with the unexpected death of President Thomas McCullough. In response to a question from Director Lou Padula, who asked if her medical billing business might be a problem or...

The Art Alliance of Idyllwild is starting the Second Saturday Art Fair beginning Aug. 10 at the Idyllwild Community Center site. Coordinator Scott Finnell said if it’s successful, the event will run from May to October each year. Finnell, a glass artist, said AAI artists are organizing the event. He said the goal is not to take anything away from...

Harvey Mason and the Chameleon Project will be one of the new faces at the 20th Jazz in the Pines next month. Mason is a world-renowned drummer who has appeared on more than 1,000 recordings. He also is one of the original members of Fourplay, a widely popular jazz quartet. While Mason has not performed here, Idyllwild has been a...

Adopted and ready for their new adventure this week were Teddy Bear and Tyler II, two males from the litter of gray kittens. They went to their new home together, so the brothers will always have each other to play with. Found: a small female husky-mix. Call ARF to identify at 951-659-1122. Reunited this week to their very worried owners were...

Financial issues and problems continue to dominate and to plague the Idyllwild Fire Protection District’s commission meetings. The commission unanimously authorized Chief Patrick Reitz to negotiate a financial services contract with Robert Dennis, a Rancho Cucamonga certified public accountant. The idea to seek full-service financial assistance surfaced after the district discovered its on-going double payment for firefighter healthcare. Only three...