Measure U: HUSD funding
The Hemet Unified School District is requesting reauthorization of $49 million worth of borrowing power. Measure U, on the November ballot, would allow the district to borrow the funds at a lower rate than the current bonding authorizations provide, thus saving money.
In 2006, district voters approved Measure T, which authorized $149 million of borrowing. Most of these funds were...
State fire fee challenged in court
Litigation to nullify the $150 state fire fee was filed Thursday. The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association filed the class action suit in Superior Court in Sacramento alleging the fee is really a tax and as a tax, the state Legislature did not legally approve it.
Plaintiffs include a resident of the desert, a fire station classed by assessment as a...
MacArthur grant recipients have Idyllwild connections
Two of 23 MacArthur Foundation Genius Grant recipients for 2012 have Idyllwild connections — mandolin virtuoso, singer and composer Chris Thile grew up in Idyllwild and showed talent as a musician at a very early age. Thile is a New York City resident currently on a national tour with the Punch Brothers.
Claire Chase, a 1996 graduate of Idyllwild Arts...
Taxi goes over highway’s edge
Idyllwild Fire Protection District responded to an over-the-side motor vehicle on Highway 243 betweenMarian View Drive and Saundeers Meadow Road at approximately 9:50 a.m. Friday, Oct. 5.
IFPD personnel found a single car off the road, approximately 40 feet over the embankment, with two occupants.
CAL FIRE engines 23 and 53, along with California Highway Patrol were requested and responded...
INK marks Banned Books Week with series of events
Art Connor reads Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl” at INK’s Banned Book Read-in on Saturday, Oct. 5 ...
Great California Shakeout set for Oct. 18
The annual Great California Shakeout earthquake drill begins at 10:18 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 18.
The California Earthquake Authority asks local businesses, “Will your employees properly protect themselves in a powerful earthquake?”
The Authority encourages businesses to participate in the Shakeout by holding an earthquake drill and practicing “Drop, Cover, and Hold On.”
Organizations can register to participate in the Great California Shakeout...
Fire & Forest: More evidence on the danger of wood roofs and the value of mitigation …
Each major fire we have tells us something important. What we learn may be something new or it may be confirmation of something observed before.
Colorado’s Waldo Canyon Fire of June this year confirmed something we knew about shake roofs: they are dangerous in fires.
I have mentioned the Waldo Canyon Fire before in this space, but it is worth bringing...
Another Point of View: Compassionate conservatism in 2012?
I swear the Republicans are the stupidest people on the planet.
It’s the first time since I have been voting that we actually have a candidate with a higher disapproval rating than his approval rating.
Even in losing, McCain, Kerry and Gore enjoyed double digit approval ratings. Romney is negative five percent.
He is losing by 24 percent in California. Why?
The GOP...
Associates give Idyllwild Arts 2012 jazz festival profits
At left, Jim Newcomb, president of the Associates of the Idyllwild Arts Foundation, presents a check for $31,500 to Idyllwild Arts Foundation Chair Faith Raiguel (center). At Raiguel’s left is Head of School and Dean of Arts Doug Ashcraft and to her right is Idyllwild Arts Vice President and Director of the Summer Program Steve Fraider. The check represents profits from this year’s Jazz in the Pines. Associates also contributed an additional $7,000 to the foundation.
Idyllwild Fire commission discusses chief’s performance standards
In closed session, three members of the Idyllwild Fire Protection District Commission discussed possible performance standards with Fire Chief Patrick Reitz. Commissioners Jerry Buchanan and Larry Donahoo were out of town.
After the meeting, Commission President Jeannine Charles-Stigall reported the session would be continued in October so that Buchanan and Donahoo could participate in the discussion and decision.
No action was...