The Mountain Community Fire Safe Council’s Town Hall Homeowners’Insurance Workshop on Thursday September 12 was well attended, with over60 local homeowners seeking information and help with rising insurancerates and cancelled policies. The featured speakers were CaliforniaDepartment of Insurance representative Sharon Smith and Hemet insuranceBroker Bob Severns. MCFSC Executive Director Callie Squires introducedthe speakers and briefed…

For the 14th consecutive year, the Idyllwild Town Crier is requestingnominations for the annual Ernie Maxwell Community Spirit Award. Bringyour nomination to the Town Crier office at 54440 N. Circle Drive, Ste.F, mail it to P.O. Box 157, Idyllwild, CA 92549, or send by emailto suzanne@towncrier.com by 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26th. The honor is given to…

Riverside County and the University of Riverside, School of Medicine,have been awarded grant money to support programs to address and toprevent elder abuse in the County. According to Todd Bellanca, AssistantDirector of the County’s Department of Public Social Services, “Eachyear in Riverside County, we receive about 15 000 referrals on abuse orneglect for our seniors…

Two thirsty hikers who took a dangerous short cut off the Pacific CrestTrail on the flank of San Jacinto Peak discovered the remains of missinghiker Robert Budinski early last week, according to a Facebook post fromthe Fowler O’ Sullivan Foundation, a nonprofit group that helps thefamilies of missing hikers. Budinski had entered our local trails…

The Planning Department is a critical contributor and regulator ofRiverside County’s growth and change. Its role is critical to progressand oversight of many projects on the Hill, from short-term rentals tonew construction. At their Sept. 10 meeting, the Board of Supervisors approved thecreation of a Board Ad Hoc Committee for the continuous improvement ofthe Transportation…

An accident on Highway 243 on the curve just north of Mountain Centersent two motorcyclists to the hospital this last weekend. JohnathonTorres of Beaumont CHP provided these details. The accident occurredaround 10:045 a.m. on Sunday, September 15, when a blue 2020 JeepWrangler, driven northbound by a 55-year-old female from Winchester,crossed into the southbound lane. The…

Last week’s hot spell only enhanced the chances of wildfires this fall.On Thursday, Sept. 5, the low nighttime temperature in Idyllwild was 64degrees tying the 2019 record low. Two days later, the low nighttimetemperature was 63 degrees which tied the 2023 record for that date. Cal Fire’s Predictive Services unit had already issued its Septemberwildfire…

At its Sept. 10 meeting, the County Board of Supervisors held a publichearing to consider a new agreement with CR&R, the waste collectionservice for residents and businesses on the Hill. This also included arate increase. Implementation of Senate Bill 1383, originally approved in September2016, is the principal reason for the need for higher rates. The…