Breaking News

IFDP special meeting Nov. 30

2011-11-22T13:26:00.000-08:00

For its Nov. 30 special meeting, the Idyllwild Fire Protection District commission has three items on the proposed agenda:

Special Session Item(s)

Interim Election of Board Officers – due to resignation of Commissioner Killingsworth and reseating of Commissioner Capparelli

Resolution 510 – Resolution is required for acceptance of Cal Fire Grant for wildland fire equipment and the deadline falls prior to the next regularly scheduled board meeting.

Closed Session Items

Chief Walker’s Annual Evaluation – the annual evaluation of the fire chief

Cal Trans delays on SR 74 today

2011-11-15T07:56:00.000-08:00

This notice was just received.

An accident involving a fuel spill occurred yesterday on SR 74 at the Vista
Point (about 6 miles above Palm Desert). Caltrans Maintenance crews along
with a hazardous material contractor will be cleaning up the residual today
from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. As a result flagging will be necessary at this
location.

Motorists are advised to take an alternate route if possible to avoid
delays.

Daylight savings time ends Sunday morning

2011-11-03T11:03:00.001-07:00

Please remember to turn your clocks or other time pieces, other that your hour glasses, back one hour Saturday night or early Sunday morning. We return to standard time this weekend.

The official time change is occurs at 2 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 6. As the adage says, fall back.

Riverside County Fire Department also suggests that this is a good time to check your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and their batteries.

CSA 38 cancels Nov. 10 meeting

2011-11-03T11:01:00.000-07:00

County Service Area 38 Advisory's committee has canceled its November meeting and will try to reschedule the meeting in December.

ICC public meetings

2011-10-25T13:13:00.000-07:00

Town Meeting!

Thursday October 27, 2011 6-8 p.m.
OR
Saturday October 29, 2011 10-12 a.m.

Idyllwild School Multi-purpose room

Presented by the
Leadership Team
for the Idyllwild Community Center Project

Town Meeting!
Weʼre a small town,
itʼs a Big Idea.

Weʼre a small town,
we have a Bright Future.
Come and meet the team
that will lead the project to
build the Idyllwild Community
Center.

We want to meet you, hear
from you, share with you.
Plan and project updates.
Everyone is invited.
Bring your neighbors

Hemet High School safe

2011-10-06T13:21:00.000-07:00

Earlier this morning, construction at Hemet High School accidently hit a propane pipeline causing the gas to leak.

For safety, the school was evacuated and student congregated at the football stadium.

After emergency officials investigated, a repair was made and classes resume. Although there had been some discussion of an early dismissal, this was not necessary.

Gilman Spring Road ramps closed to SR 60

2011-09-28T10:47:00.000-07:00

The eastbound and westbound on and off-ramps at SR-60 and Gilman Springs Road are closed due to an on-going law enforcement investigation. Law Enforcement has advised they will be closed until further notice.

IFPD Sept. 26 special meeting agenda

2011-09-25T14:58:00.000-07:00

The Idyllwild Fire Protection District Commission will meet 6 p.m., tomorrow evening (Monday, Sept. 26) to discuss and approve its budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012.

The proposed agenda follows:

Idyllwild Fire Protection District

Board of Commissioners

Special Meeting

Monday, Sept. 26 2011

AGENDA

Meeting to be held at the Idyllwild Fire Protection District conference/training room

54160 Maranatha Drive, Idyllwild, CA. The meeting begins at 1800 (6:00 pm) the meeting will be recorded.

Special Session Action Items

1. Review and adopt 2011-12 final budget from Chief Norm Walker.

2. Official acceptance of Commissioner Killingsworth’s resignation. Review and discussion of appointment process.

3. Discussion of future planning sessions should the county funds be delayed or limited.

4. Letter of engagement to Rogers, Anderson, Malody, & Scott, LLP to begin the 2010-2011 audit process.

IFPD Sept. 20 special meeting

2011-09-19T10:48:00.000-07:00

SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA (corrected)

Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 6:00 PM

Meeting to be held at the Idyllwild Fire Protection District conference/training room

54160 Maranatha Drive, Idyllwild, CA. The meeting begins at 6:00 pm PST. The meeting will be recorded.

Call to Order: Please silence cell phones and/or pagers

Roll call: Commissioners: President Capparelli, VP Riggi, Treas.Killingsworth, Schelly, Stigall

Chief Walker and Administrative Assistant Andrewson

Pledge of Allegiance

Citizens’ Comments

Citizens may comment on any matter as contained on the Agenda. Individual citizen’s comments will be contained to five (5) minutes each as timed by a member of the Board or IFPD’s Administrative Assistant.

Request to citizens making public comments:

You are not legally required to state your name and address, however, it is appreciated.

Special Session Action Item(s)

Cash Shortfall:

1. The Board to discuss and make a decision regarding cashing in a Certificate of Deposit (CD) to cover immediate funding shortage.

2. Board to discuss and make a decision regarding borrowing money from Riverside County to cover expenses through December 2011.

Motion to adjourn

Meeting Adjourned

Another Special meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 26, 2011 at 6:00 PM.

Next regularly scheduled meeting will be on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 6:00 PM.

ICRC meeting Tuesday, Sept. 20

2011-09-16T13:47:00.000-07:00

Dawn Sonnier, acting Idyllwild Community Recreation Council (ICRC) chair, announced that ICRC has rescheduled its September meeting to 5:30pm, Tuesday, Sept. 20 and it will be at the Creekstone Inn.

The originally scheduled meeting for Sept. 13 had to be canceled. The agenda is below:

Idyllwild Community Recreation Council (ICRC)

Meeting AGENDA—September 20th, 2011

5:30 pm, Creekstone Inn

Visit www.idyllwildrecreation.org for more information

1. Call to order

2. Approve Aug 9th, 2011 ICRC meeting minutes

3. Treasurer’s Report - JoAnn Graham

4. Revision of Bylaws: to amendment Article III, Section II, of the ICRC Bylaws (refers to directors being residents of County Service Area 36), revised 6/10/10

5. Addition to Bylaws: Article VI – Section 1. Amendments (refers to establishment of Board vacancies)

6. Discuss/Nominate ICRC Board members

7. Town Hall

8. Skate Park

9. Ice Rink

10. Community Center Site-

A. Ghost Town

B. Earth Witness-Project Peace

11. Idyllwild Community Center Committee- Dawn Sonnier

12. Speaker Series

13. Playground Project Update - Dawn Sonnier

14. Website

15. Other Business/Comments

16. Set next Meeting/Regular scheduled meetings

17. Adjourn

Afternoon weather forecast

2011-09-14T13:40:00.000-07:00

SHORT TERM FORECAST
 NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN DIEGO CA
12:26 PM PDT WED SEP 14 2011

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY MOUNTAINS-RIVERSIDE COUNTY MOUNTAINS-  NOW...
THUNDERSTORMS WILL BEGIN DEVELOPING OVER
THE SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAINS AND THEN ALSO
FORM OVER THE RIVERSIDE COUNTY MOUNTAINS.

 THUNDERSTORMS WILL HAVE THE POTENTIAL
FOR HEAVY RAIN...HAIL AND FREQUENT CLOUD
TO GROUND LIGHTNING. STORMS WILL BE
SLOW MOVING
AND TEND TO REMAIN OVER
THE SAME AREAS BEFORE DISSIPATING.  SLOW MOVING THUNDERSTORMS CAN CAUSE
RAPID RISES TO CREEKS AND DRY WASHES...
AND LOW LYING FLOODING.

Quake near Beaumont

2011-09-14T07:52:00.000-07:00

After yesterday's rain and hail, the sky is clear and sunny. The morning moon is visible. Then the building shook.

A 4.2 magnitude earthquake occurred about 7:45 a.m. The epicenter was reported between Yucaipa, Beaumont, Moreno Valley and Mentone

Cal Trans emergency warning for eastern Riverside County

2011-09-13T11:01:00.000-07:00

Motorists traveling between the Arizona state line to Riverside or San Bernardino counties are advised to stay on Interstates 10 and 40.

Do not use routes 95, 177, 62 or 111.

Route 95 in Riverside and San Bernardino counties is subject to closure.

CSA 38 cancels Wednesday's meeting

2011-09-12T08:09:00.000-07:00

The County Service Area 38 (Pine Cove) meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 14 has been canceled.

Slow moving on Hwy 74 next two weeks

2011-09-09T14:40:00.000-07:00

Idyllwild commuters to Hemet and west might be interested in the following information that Cal Trans just sent.

Cal Trans will be conducting maintenance work on Highway 74 over the next two weeks. On Mondays through Fridays, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Sept 7 to 20, there will be flagging on Hwy. 74 between Cranston Station and State Route 243 (Mountain Center). Cal Trans and Cal Fire will be doing landscape work.

I assume its more likely related to fire abatement than highway beautification, despite Lady Bird’s urging.

Dead crow infected with West Nile virus

2011-08-18T10:53:00.000-07:00

Given the large number of crows inhabiting the Idyllwild environs, I thought this press release from the Riverside county Depatment of Environmental Health would be of local interest.

Contact: Keith Jones, Deputy Director
Department of Environmental Health
(951) 358-5172

Dead crow infected with West Nile virus found in Wildomar

A dead crow found in the Baxter Road area of Wildomar has tested positive for the West Nile virus, the Riverside County Department of Environmental Health announced today (Aug. 18).

The California Department of Public Health confirmed the crow that county Environmental Health officials submitted for testing on Aug. 1 was infected with the virus. The bird had what was described as a chronic infection, which means it had been infected for some time. Because crows’ daily flight patterns typically extend more than several miles from their roosting place, it is very difficult to determine exactly when and where the bird became infected.

It is not unusual for birds to become infected with the virus. The bird in Wildomar was the first confirmed case this season in central section and most of the western section of Riverside County.

The Department of Environmental Health is an active participant in the state’s Dead Bird Surveillance Program, monitoring the virus’ transmission cycle among adult mosquito populations and birds. Surveillance is important because an increase in the number of birds that die from the virus may indicate increased infection among adult mosquitoes, which poses a potential health risk to humans and horses. Individuals who find any crows, ravens, magpies or jays that have been dead less than 24 hours are asked to call the toll-free line 1-877-WNV-Bird to have them tested.

Residents can take steps to reduce their exposure to mosquitoes and the diseases they may carry:

· When outdoors, especially at dawn and dusk, apply insect repellent according to the label instructions.

· Eliminate all sources of standing water on your property that can support mosquito breeding.

· Report stagnant swimming pools in your area to your local mosquito and vector control agency, or municipal code-enforcement agency.

· Contact your local mosquito and vector-control agency if there is a significant mosquito problem where you live or work.

For more information, contact the Department of Environmental Health Vector Control Program in Hemet at 951-766-9454.

Brendan Steele leading PGA Championship

2011-08-13T12:55:00.000-07:00

Half way through the 2011 PGA Championship, Idyllwild's Brendan Steele has taken the lead. He is currently six under par, through six holes of the third round.

In October, Mt. San Jacinto State Park closing two days a week

2011-08-11T17:22:00.001-07:00

The California State Parks just announced service reductions due to the spring budget cut.

Mt San Jacinto State Park is currently open seven days a week. In October, the park will be open five days — Friday through Tuesday each week. The Idyllwild Campground, Day Use and Sector Office will closed Wednesday and Thursday each week until April 30, 2012.

Beginning May 1, 2012, all Mt. San Jacinto State Park facilities will return to being open seven days a week.

But on Oct. 1, 2012, Park operations will return to the five days open and two days closed cycle.

Stone Creek Campground near Idyllwild is normally closed for the winter season and will be open during the summer season. Mount San Jacinto Wilderness Area and Long Valley Ranger Station (Palm Springs Tram area) will remain open year round as usual.

IFPD schedules public hearing on Measure G

2011-08-05T14:56:00.000-07:00

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

MONDAY AUGUST 15, 2011 1800 (6:00 PM)

I.F.P.D - BAY AREA

PROPOSED INCREASE OF

STANDBY CHARGE - UNIT FEE

BALLOT MEASURE G

IFDP re-schedules August meeting

2011-07-28T16:02:00.000-07:00

The Idyllwild Fire Protection District has rescheduled its August commission meeting to 6. p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 16. It will still be held in the IFPD conference and training room. The regular monthly meeting would have been Tuesday, Aug. 9.

Smoke from Eagle Fire wafts through Idyllwild

2011-07-23T09:43:00.000-07:00

Your senses are not fooling you. The presence of smoke (visual and aromatic) exists in Idyllwild today. But it is emanating from Eagle Fire, burning 7 miles east of Warner Springs. Location and weather conditions are causing smoke to migrate to Southwest Riverside County through the Coachella Valley.

Located on Los Coyotes Indian Reservation near Warner Springs, the fire has burned 4,000 acres and is only 30 percent contained according to the CAL FIRE incident information.

Residents and visitors who are sensitive to smoke may elect to stay indoors, however there is no threat to Southwest Riverside County, Coachella Valley or the desert communities.

Thirty-five engines, air attack and more than 800 fire personnel are combating the blaze.

For further information on the “Eagle” incident, please contact the incident information line at 619-590-3160 and visit the San Diego Cal Fire website at calfiresandiego.blogspot.com.

Future delays driving Hwy 243

2011-07-22T13:32:00.001-07:00

Beginning Monday, July 25 through the end of August, CAL TRANS will be do maintenance on Highway 243 from Saunders Meadow Rd to Black Mountain Road.

The maintenance work will occur from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.on days during this period and they estimate delays could be up to 15 minutes due to flagging at various locations.

Pony Fire in Anza contained

2011-07-22T09:13:00.000-07:00

About noon, Thursday, July 21, a wildland fire broke out in Anza. The Pony Fire burnt nearly 35 acres, but was contained by 8:30 p.m, according to the Riverside County Fire Department. The Fire was located near the intersection of Howard Road and Pony Trail.

Although local structures were evacuated, the Incident commander has reported that fire damage was limited to the loss of one un-occupied outbuilding.

When the first engine arrived, the fire was about two acres in heavy fuels. Within an hour the fire was about ten acres and expanded to the current 35 acres by 2:45.

The report indicated 18 engines responded and 174 firefighters were already on site. Air attack and tankers were part of the fire fighting force. By 6:30 p.m., the fire containment was sufficient enough that the night curew was limited to one handcrew and one engine.

Pony Fire burns 35 acres in Anza

2011-07-21T15:55:00.000-07:00

About noon, a wildland fire broke out in Anza. The Pony Fire covers nearly 35 acres, but is already 50 percent contained acoording to the Riverside County Fire Department. The Fire is located near the intersection of Howard Road and Pony Trail.

Although Local structures were evacuated, the Incident commander has reported that the threat to structures has been mitigated and no losses occurred.

When the first engine arrived, the fire was about two acres in heavy fuels. Within an hour the fire was about ten acres and expanded to the current 35 acres by 2:45.

The report indicated 18 engines responded and 174 firefighters were already on site. Air attack and tankers were part of the fire fighting force.

IFPD schedules special meeting July 1

2011-06-30T11:16:00.000-07:00

Idyllwild Fire Protection District
Board of Commissioners
Special Meeting

AGENDA
July 1, 2011

Meeting to be held at the Idyllwild Fire Protection District conference/training room

54160 Maranatha Drive, Idyllwild, CA. The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. and the meeting will be recorded.

Pledge of Allegiance

Citizens’ Comments

Optional request to citizens making public comments: You are not legally required to state your name and address, however, it is appreciated.

Special Session Item(s)

Active Ad HOC Committee – Discussion/vote on modified Idyllwild Career Firefighters Association MOU

Motion to adjourn

Meeting Adjourned

Next regularly scheduled meeting will be on July 12, 2011

Highway 243 hard as nails, traffic slow like snails

2011-06-27T14:30:00.000-07:00

Thanks to former publisher and editor, but forever a news reporter, Becky Clark, we have photos of the Highway 243, near Banning, covered in nails. Traffic is now limited to one lane while CAL FIRE works to clear and clean the highway.

According to Ms. Clark, Riverside County Sheriff's Deputy Ron Esparza, "A truck lost a load of nails near Banning, causing lots of flat tires." He estimates traffic will be impeded at least two hours while clean up proceeds and temperatures exceed 94º.

Idyllwild Historic District

2011-06-24T14:29:00.000-07:00

The Idyllwild Historic Preservation District is on the cusp of approval. The county Board of Supervisor’s has a resolution approving the establishment of the district on its agenda for Tuesday, June 28.

A public hearing on the district’s creation is scheduled for Tuesday, July 12.

About 152 properties fall within the district’s boundaries. According to Keith Herron, chief preservation officer for the Riverside County Park and Open Space District, about 65 of these have unique historic value.

The Riverside Historic Commission evaluated the proposal on March 17 and recommended its approval.

If the district is established, Herron said Ordinance 578 requires the following steps:

Notice all property owners within the District

Convene a local review board;

Develop district guidelines;

Conduct several community meetings; and

Integrate the Historic District Alteration Permit (which will need to be developed) procedures within the existing permit process.

Supervisor Jeff Stone has already set aside funding if the district is approved.

2011 Ernie Maxwell Community Sprit award

2011-06-23T12:37:00.000-07:00

The Town Crier is pleased to announce the three finalists for the 2011 Ernie Maxwell Community Spirit Award:

Idyllwild Community Fund for their grants to many local nonprofits affecting and supporting the whole community;

Mountain Community Patrol because it would be very difficult for organizations to hold community events without their traffic and crowd control help. They also remove graffiti on Highways 74 and 243 and check to see if town businesses are secure at night; and

The Woodies, from the Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council for creating fuelbreaks, helping elderly and disabled residents fire abate their properties, and cutting logs into firewood for the needy clients of the Idyllwild Help Center.

The Idyllwild community is invited to express its choice for the first Maxwell community spirit award. You can choose one of the finalist sby going to http://towncrier.com/ernie-maxwell-award. The voting will end 5 p.m., Wednesday, July 6 and the award will be presented Friday, July 8 at the Idyllwild Nature Center dinner in honor of EMAX.

We are also pleased to acknowledge that readers suggested five other notable and deserving nominees:

Idyllwild Art Alliance for its efforts and contributions to create an image and identification for Idyllwild as a nationally recognized fine arts center for education, creativity and exhibition;

Idyllwild Animal Rescure Friends, for the many many efforts to help lost and abandoned pets, especially cats and dogs.;

Cindy and Sparky Allert for their personal commitment to rescue and save hundreds of helpless raccoons;

Pete Capparelli, for being a true backbone of the community for countless years; and

Grace Moore, for her years of help and assistance to local residents and the Cottage Thrift Shoppe.

IFPD schedules special meeting June 22

2011-06-21T12:52:00.000-07:00

The Idyllwild Fire Protection District has called a special meeting for 12:30 p.m., tomorrow June 22. The board will address three topics:

1. Its preliminary 2011-12 budget

2. A Memorandum of Understanding with the Mountain Disaster Preparedness group

3. A report from its Ad Hoc Committee negotiating with the Idyllwild Career Firefighters Association.

Idyllwild Fire Protection District

Board of Commissioners

Special Meeting

AGENDA

June 22, 2011

Meeting to be held at the Idyllwild Fire Protection District conference/training room

54160 Maranatha Drive, Idyllwild, CA. The meeting begins at 1230 pm, the meeting will be recorded

Roll call: Commissioners Capparelli, Killingsworth, Riggi, Schelly, Stigall

Chief Walker and Administrative Assistant Andrewson

Pledge of Allegiance

Citizens’ Comments

Optional request to citizens making public comments: You are not legally required to state your name and address, however, it is appreciated.

Special Session Action Item(s)

Action Items: The Board may approve or take action on any items contained under “Action Items” In the event of time conflict, Action Items with guest speakers may be taken out of order.

MDP (Mountain Disaster Preparedness) MOU – Discussion and vote on MOU
Draft 2011-2012 Budget and cover letter – Discussion and vote
Active Ad HOC Committee – Discussion/vote on modified Idyllwild Career Firefighters Association MOU

New Business

Acknowledge 2010-2011 Grand Jury Report – Review and discussion

Next regularly scheduled meeting will be on July 12, 2011

County Grand Jury reports on IFPD

2011-06-17T14:55:00.000-07:00

For the third time in three years, a Riverside County Grand Jury has investigated and issued a report about the operations of the Idyllwild Fire Protection District (IFPD).

The Grand Jury addressed five separate issues. The general themes were how the board conducts its business and oversight of operations; although one specific recommendation concerned Commissioner Dr. Charles “Chip” Schelly’s dual relationship as commissioner and paid-call firefighter.

The preponderance of the report addressed the IFPD Commission’s responsibilities for financial oversight of the agency’s operation and its own responsibilities as a Brown Act body.

Recommendations No. 4 (Brown Act compliance) and No. 6 (a cost analysis of services) are essentially a reiteration of recommendations from 2008, which the Grand Jury felt had not been effectively handled.

The six areas, which the Grand Jury investigated and issued recommendations for are summarized below:

1.Inadequate Financial Bookkeeping System — implement a double-entry bookkeeping system for recording financial transactions and internal controls to maintain adequate records

2. and 3. Annual Audits and Lack of Compliance with Requirements of AR IFPD #107 — [commission] members attend mandatory annual training to review and discuss the requirements in AR IFPD #107

4.Violation of the Brown Act — comply with the provisions of the Brown Act at all times and receive annual training on the Brown Act to minimize any violations

5. Conflict of Interest by a Board Member — elected official on the IFPD Board must resolve the current conflict of interest

6. Use of Volunteers and/or Cal-Fire — hire a consulting firm to conduct a cost analysis for:

• IFPD and Cal-Fire

• Ambulance Service

• Career Firefighters and Volunteers

As of this posting, Friday afternoon, none of the commissioners were available to comment on the report.

Since 2005, Riverside Grand Juries have issued four reports about the county Sheriff’s Department and two reports each on the Moreno Valley School District and the Blythe Airport. These are the only other public agencies to have been investigated more than once during the past six years.

Click here to download the Grand Jury Report.

Gov vetos budget

2011-06-16T11:26:00.001-07:00

Today, Gov. Edmund G. Brown, Jr. vetoed the state budget, which the state legislature adopted yesterday. The state Legislature complied with Proposition 25, approved in Nov. 2010, requiring that a fiscal year budget be adopted prior to June 15, otherwise legislators would not receive their salaries.

The Legislature adopted a budget that eliminated a $10 billion gap between revenues and expenses on a simple majority vote, without any Republican support.

Local Assemblyman Brian Nestande (R 64) supports the governor’s decision, “Obviously, the governor is dedicated to a no BS budget,” Nestande said today.

More than a billion dollars of taxes and fees were part of the package, including a new $150 fee on property owners with structures within a state responsibility area (SRA).

According to Riverside County Fire Chief John Hawkins, Idyllwild and Pine Cove are within a SRA. The legislation defines a structure as “building used or intended to be used for human habitation. ”A mobile home or manufactured home specifically qualify as structures. Any building that would require no fire protection would be exempt.

The fee’s future is in abeyance because of Brown’s veto. Nestande believes that this fee, which is new and not an extension of an existing tax, should be approved by two-thirds of the Legislature. If it were enacted, Nestande expects a legal challenge to its legality.

Governor’s Veto message:

“I am returning Senate Bill 69 and Assembly Bill 98 without my signature.

“In January, I presented a balanced budget solution with a mix of deep spending cuts and temporary tax extensions subject to voter approval. My plan would put these extended revenues in a lockbox, ensuring that they are only used to protect education and public safety. It would also address California’s long term fiscal crisis by substantially paying down the $35 billion wall of debt built up over the last decade.

“Yet Republicans in the Legislature blocked the right of the people to vote on this honest, balanced budget.

“Meanwhile, Democrats in the Legislature made valiant efforts to address California’s budget crisis by enacting $11 billion in painful cuts and other solutions. I commend them for their tremendous efforts to balance the budget in the absence of Republican cooperation.

“Unfortunately, the budget I have received is not a balanced solution. It continues big deficits for years to come and adds billions of dollars of new debt. It also contains legally questionable maneuvers, costly borrowing and unrealistic savings. Finally, it is not financeable and therefore will not allow us to meet our obligations as they occur.

“We can – and must – do better. A balanced budget is critical to our economic recovery. I am, once again, calling on Republicans to allow the people of California to vote on tax extensions for a balanced budget and significant reforms. They should also join Democrats in supporting job creation and ending tax breaks for out-of-state companies. If they continue to obstruct a vote, we will be forced to pursue deeper and more destructive cuts to schools and public safety– a tragedy for which Republicans will bear full responsibility.”

New state fire protection fees

2011-06-16T10:31:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, the state legislature complied with the November proposition requiring that a fiscal year budget be adopted prior to June 15. The legislature adopted a budget that eliminated a $10 billion gap between revenues and expenses on a simple majority vote, without any Republican support.

More than a billion dollars of taxes and fees were part of the package, including a new $150 fee on property owners with structures within a state responsibility area (SRA).

According to Riverside County Fire Chief John Hawkins, Idyllwild and Pine Cove are within a SRA. The legislation defines a structure as “building used or intended to be used for human habitation.” a mobile home or manufactured home specifically qualify as structures. Any building that would require no fire protection would be exempt.

The fee will go into effect this fall if Gov. Jerry Brown signs the legislation. He has 12 days to make his decision.

Idyllwild 2011 special district elections

2011-06-10T15:29:00.001-07:00

Special District elections.

Tricia Clark, local real estate agent will succeed Ron Korman on the Fern Valley Water District board of directors. During the extension period, she was the only resident to file papers for candidacy. The Board of Supervisors will appointed her and incumber Diana Johnson for term beginning December 2, 2011.

None of the three local water districts will need a vote to select the next group of directors since the number of candidates equals the number of seats up for election in each district.

As we reported Wednesday, the newly re-elected Directors for the Idyllwild Water District will be Jim Billman, W. Warren Monroe and Allan Morphett. For the Pine Cove Water District, Directors Mike Esnard and Tom McCullough are re-elected.

The Idyllwild Fire Protection District will have an election to fill two seats from six candidates — incumbents Pete Capparelli and Paul Riggi and challengers Jerry Buchanan, Larry Donahoo, Paul Miglin and Mark Spehar.

tape recording a meeting: Calif law

2011-06-10T15:20:00.000-07:00

California Penal code section 630 to 638 addresses the topic

of eavesdropping or illegally recording a conversation (or meeting).

Below I have copied sections 632 (a) to (f).

Please not that 632 (a) is clear that consent is needed. But the issue

really turns on whether the individuals had an expectation of a

confidential communication (632 (c)).

Government Code section 54953.5 (of the Brown Act) specifically

states that open and public meetings of a legislative body of a

local agency may be recorded (audio or video). The seniors’ meeting

 at Town Hall are not an extension of local public agency.

Since several now feel uncomfortable returning to Town Hall,

one night infer that they were expecting their meeting to be

confidential, i.e., limited to the participants. But I’m neither

a lawyer or judge.

 632.  (a) Every person who, intentionally and without the

consent of all parties to a confidential communication, by means of

any electronic amplifying or recording device, eavesdrops upon

or records the confidential communication, whether the communication

 is carried on among the parties in the presence of one another or

by means of a telegraph, telephone, or other device, except a radio,

shall be punished by a fine not exceeding two thousand five hundred

 dollars ($2,500), or imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding one

year, or in the state prison, or by both that fine and imprisonment. If

the person has previously been convicted of a violation of this section

 or Section 631, 632.5, 632.6, 632.7, or 636, the person shall be punished

 by a fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10,000), by

imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding one year, or in

 the state prison, or by both that fine and imprisonment.

(b) The term "person" includes an individual, business association,

partnership, corporation, limited liability company, or other l

egal entity, and an individual acting or purporting to act for

or on behalf of any government or subdivision thereof, whether

federal, state, or local, but excludes an individual known by all

parties to a confidential communication to be overhearing or r

ecording the communication.

(c) The term "confidential communication" includes

any communication carried on in circumstances as

may reasonably indicate that any party to the communication

desires it to be confined to the parties thereto, but excludes a

 communication made in a public gathering or in any legislative,

judicial, executive or administrative proceeding open to the

public, or in any other circumstance in which the parties to the

communication may reasonably expect that the communication

may be overheard or recorded.

(d) Except as proof in an action or prosecution for violation

 of this section, no evidence obtained as a result of

eavesdropping upon or recording a confidential communication

 in violation of this section shall be admissible in any judicial,

administrative, legislative, or other proceeding.

(e) This section does not apply (1) to any public utility engaged

 in the business of providing communications services and

facilities, or to the officers, employees or agents thereof,

where the acts otherwise prohibited by this section are for the

purpose of construction, maintenance, conduct or operation of the

services and facilities of the public utility, or (2) to the use of any

instrument, equipment, facility, or service furnished and used pursuant

 to the tariffs of a public utility, or (3) to any telephonic communication

system used for communication exclusively within a state, county,

city and county, or city correctional facility.

(f) This section does not apply to the use of hearing aids and

similar devices, by persons afflicted with impaired hearing, for

the purpose of overcoming the impairment to permit the hearing

of sounds ordinarily audible to the human ear.

Ramona Bowl concert — Riverside County Philharmonic

2011-06-10T11:08:00.000-07:00

Third District Supervisor Jeff Stone is sponsoring a performance of the Riverside county Philharmonic Orchestra. The event is 8 p.m., Saturday, June 18 at the Ramona Bowl Amphitheatre in Hemet. Supervisor Stone has 100 free tickets for this performance and is offering them to the Idyllwild community.

If you are interested in attending this performance, please call Lori VanArsdale, Ramona Bowl director, at (951) 492-8344.

Santa Rosa Mtn fire

2011-06-01T17:11:00.000-07:00

Veronica Alt shared the attached photo of a fire and smoke near Santa Rosa Mountain in Pinyon.

According to John Miller, deputy public affairs officer for the San Bernardino National Forest, said it is about a quarter of an acre. Although on Forest Service land, the Bureau of Land Management is responsible for managing this fires in this area, according to Dan Felix, San Jacinto Ranger District Fire Chief.

The Forest Service helicopter crew was the first on scene and reported the blaze.

Mt. San Jacinto State Park stays open, 70 others closed

2011-05-13T13:46:00.000-07:00

Mt. San Jacinto St Park is not among the 70 state parks to closed over the next 14 month. John Laird, Secretary of the California Department of Natural Resources and Ruth Coleman, Director of California State Parks, announced today Gov. Jerry Brown’s budget reductions proposals which the legislature approved in March will require the agency to close the 70 parks by July 1, 2010.

Use, revenues, significance and ability to ensure no access were all criteria used to determine which of the state’s parks would be closed.

Both laird and Coleman were adamant that this decision was solely based on the March budget decisions. Whatever the governor proposes Monday in his may revised budget will be an additional decision with which they must grapple.

Coleman did say the agency would try to honor all existing reservations at these areas. If a park or campground were closed, State Parks will try to find a comparable and nearby site.

List of 70 park closures:

Anderson Marsh SHP

Annadel SP

Antelope Valley Indian Museum

Austin Creek SRA

Bale Grist Mill SHP

Benbow Lake SRA

Benicia Capitol SHP

Benicia SRA

Bidwell Mansion SHP

Bothe-Napa Valley SP

Brannan Island SRA

California Mining & Mineral Museum

Candlestick Point SRA

Castle Crags SP

Castle Rock SP

China Camp SP

Colusa-Sacramento River SRA

Del Norte Coast Redwoods SP

Fort Humboldt SHP

Fort Tejon SHP

Garrapata SP

George J. Hatfield SRA

Governor's Mansion SHP

Gray Whale Cove SB

Greenwood SB

Grizzly Creek Redwoods SP

Hendy Woods SP

Henry W. Coe SP

Jack London SHP

Jug Handle SNR

Leland Stanford Mansion SHP

Limekiln SP

Los Encinos SHP

Malakoff Diggins SHP

Manchester SP

McConnell SRA

McGrath SB

Mono Lake Tufa SNR

Morro Strand SB

Moss Landing SB

Olompali SHP

Palomar Mountain SP

Petaluma Adobe SHP

Picacho SRA

Pio Pico SHP

Plumas-Eureka SP

Point Cabrillo Light Station

Portola Redwoods SP

Providence Mountains SRA

Railtown 1897 SHP

Russian Gulch SP

Saddleback Butte SP

Salton Sea SRA

Samuel P. Taylor SP

San Pasqual Battlefield SHP

Santa Cruz Mission SHP

Santa Susana Pass SHP

Shasta SHP

South Yuba River SP

Standish-Hickey SRA

Sugarloaf Ridge SP

Tomales Bay SP

Tule Elk SNR

Turlock Lake SRA

Twin Lakes SB

Weaverville Joss House SHP

Westport-Union Landing SB

William B. Ide Adobe SHP

Woodson Bridge SRA

Zmudowski SB

ICRC forced to postpone playground work

2011-05-07T12:50:00.001-07:00

This unfortunate news arrived late yesterday afternoon. Construction of the ICRC playground will be delayed while ICRC pursues a county Conditional Use Permit. Here's the full message.

Dear Playground Supporter,

The Idyllwild Community Center Playground build date of June 22 - 26 has been postponed due to additional permitting required by the County of Riverside for the project.

After our initial consultation with the Riverside County Planning Department last fall regarding the playground build, we prepared our application for permit review on March 4. At that time ICRC was advised that the project would require even more extensive review by the Planning Department.

Then on Wednesday, May 4, the Planning Department notified ICRC that because of zoning regulations at the Community Center property a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) would be required in order to move forward with installation of the playground and associated equipment in its current design.

The Idyllwild Community Center land where the playground is to be built is currently zoned as CPS (Commercial Zoning) which requires that recreational uses such as sports and recreational facilities, playgrounds, gymnasiums and the like obtain the CUP for further development beyond the standard uses designated in the CPS.

ICRC has already begun the process of seeking the CUP and anticipates that it will take four to six months once the application has been submitted which is scheduled for June 1st. An announcement of when the new playground build date will be set is forthcoming once ICRC is able to determine when the new permitting process will be completed.

We would like to thank Riverside County 3rd District Supervisor Jeff Stone for his assistance in helping ICRC navigate this process and Supervisor Stone's Legislative Assistant Olivia Barnes for her invaluable guidance.

We also thank all of our contributors and donors for your generous support of the project as we look forward to bringing this world-class facility to Idyllwild.

John Simpson, ICRC President
Dawn Sonnier, ICRC Vice President

IFPD agenda for Tuesday May 10

2011-05-07T12:48:00.000-07:00

Idyllwild Fire Protection District

Board of Commissioners

Regular Board Meeting with Closed Session

AGENDA

May 10, 2011

Meeting to be held at the Idyllwild Fire Protection District conference/training room

54160 Maranatha Drive, Idyllwild, CA. The meeting begins at 1800 (6:00 pm)

Call to Order: Please silence cell phones and/or pagers

Roll call: Commissioners Capparelli, Killingsworth, Riggi, Schelly, Stigall

Chief Walker and Administrative Assistant Andrewson

Pledge of Allegiance

Consent Calendar

Review and approve meeting minutes from April 12, 2011 and Special Meeting Minutes April 21, 2011
Review and acknowledge payment of bills from April 2011

Reports

President Capparelli - Idyllwild Firefighters’ Association (B .Clark)
Vice President Riggi - Idyllwild Career Firefighters’ Association (Peckham)
Financial Officer Killingsworth - Active Ad HOC Committee(s) CLOSED SESSION
Chief Walker

Action Items: The Board may approve or take action on any items contained under “Action Items” In the event of time conflict, Action Items with guest speakers may be taken out of order.

Action Items

Chief Walker’s Contract – Rescind decision on contract made in closed session March 26, 2011. Discussion & vote on Chief’s Walker’s contract.

New Business

Personnel Files & Update of Certifications – Review of department process
Office equipment inventory – Review of inventory, age, ID numbers and any missing items
Resolution Process – Follow up and archival

Old Business

Alleged employee violations made by J.P. Crumrine – Follow up from previous request

Citizens’ Comments

Optional request to citizens making public comments: You are not legally required to state your name and address, however, it is appreciated.

Regular Meeting ended __________ Non-Board members excused

Closed Session began ___________

Closed Session Items

Active Ad HOC Committee – Conference with labor negotiators pursuant to Government Code 54957.6

District Negotiators – Commissioners Killingsworth and Riggi
Employee Organization – Idyllwild Career Firefighters Association

Closed session ended __________

Returned to Regular Meeting ____________

Announcement of any actions taken during closed session

Motion to adjourn

Meeting Adjourned

Next regularly scheduled meeting will be on June 11, 2011

Future meetings: HUSD Tuesday, May 10

2011-05-07T12:42:00.000-07:00

Three new notices arrived yesterday. Special HUSD meeting Tuesday, May 10, IFPD agenda for May 10 meeting and notice of delay for constructing the ICRC playground. I'll be posting all three.

Special Meeting of the Governing Board of the Hemet Unified School District
May 10, 2011 Tuesday, 03:15 PM

The Professional Development Service Center Board Room
1791 W. Acacia Ave., Hemet, CA 92545

Closed Session at 3:00 p.m. Open Session at 3:15 p.m.
A - Call to Order
B - Roll Call
C - Announcement of Closed Session
D - Closed Session

E - Reconvene to Open Session
F - Pledge of Allegiance and Moment of Silence
G - Hearing Session-Opportunity to Address the Board
1. G-1 Hearing Session

H - Action Items
1. H-1 Adoption of Resolution Terminating Services of Certificated Employees [ this means teachers] As a Result of Reduction or Discontinuation of Particular Kinds of Services (Acting upon Proposed Decision of Administrative Law Judge) (V)
Approve Adoption of Resolution No. 2064 Terminating Services of Certificated Employees As Meeting on May 10, 2011 Tuesday, 03:15 PM Page 1 of 2
http://hemet.csbaagendaonline.net/cgi-bin/WebObjects/hemet-eAgenda.woa/wo/15.1.7.3.1.1 5/6/2011

Board distributed less than 72 hours prior to the meeting will be available at the Professional
Development Service Center, currently located at 1791 W. Acacia Avenue, Hemet, CA 92545, and through the online agenda which can be accessed through http://hemet.csbaagendaonline.net or the district website at www.hemetusd.k12.ca.us.
a Result of Reduction or Discontinuation of Particular Kinds of Services (Acting upon
Proposed Decision of Administrative Law Judge).
I - Adjournment
1. I-1 Adjournment Action

Casey leaves with class

2011-04-29T07:17:00.000-07:00

With consummate class and a showman's flair, Idyllwild's Casey Abrams left the American Idol stage, leaving an impression that will last for many seasons. Singing "I Put a Spell on You," Abrams showed why this "Jazz Messenger" has found his way into the hearts of not just his Idyllwild fans but fans the world over.

What's next? Perhaps, like Jennifer Hudson, he'll snag that movie roll. He has acting chops. But what he did, more than any other contestant in recent memory, was push the envelope, by bringing his quirky intelligence and sense of humor along with an awesome fearlessness to each week's song interpretation.

More in this coming week's article.

Hemet Unified sets hearing on class size

2011-04-21T11:28:00.000-07:00

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING OF THE GOVERNING BOARD OF HEMET UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the Governing Board ("Board") of the Hemet Unified School District ("District") will hold a public hearing in accordance with California Government Code Section 4217.10 et seq. ("Public Hearing") regarding a General Waiver Request to waive EC 41376 and increase the class size cap to maintain the instructional integrity of our educational program in response to the current state-wide budget crisis and reduced revenue to the school district. The Public Hearing is to be held on May 3, 2011, at 6:30 p.m. or as soon thereafter as practicable, in the Board Room at the Professional Development Service Center, 1791 W. Acacia Avenue, Hemet, California, 92545. The Public Hearing will be open to the public, and all interested persons in attendance will have the opportunity to be heard. Written comments may be submitted to the District either during or prior to the Public Hearing. Written comments submitted prior to the Public Hearing should be sent in time to arrive at the District no later than the morning of May 3, 2011, and should be sent to: Hemet Unified School District, Attention: Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, 1791 W. Acacia Avenue, Hemet, California, 92545. For additional information, you may contact the Assistant Superintendent of Business Services via telephone at (951) 765-5100, ext. 5000.

Idyllwild Fire Protection District Special Meeting

2011-04-20T16:14:00.000-07:00

Idyllwild Fire Protection District
Board of Commissioners
Special Board Meeting
AGENDA
Thursday April 21, 2011
Meeting starts at 12:00 pm
Open to the Public

Meeting to be held at the Idyllwild Fire Station conference/training room, 54160 Maranatha Drive, Idyllwild, CA.

Call to Order: Please silence cell phones and/or pagers

Roll call: Commissioners Capparelli, Riggi, Killingsworth, Stigall, Schelly
Chief Walker and Administrative Assistant Andrewson

Pledge of Allegiance

Action Items

The Board may approve or take action on any items contained under “Action Items”.

• Sign Resolution 504 – Registrar of Voters requires resolution on Candidates Statement for the General Elections. Idyllwild Fire Protection District Board of Commissioners have resolved the CANDIDATE(s) will pay the cost of printing and handling of said statements.

Citizens’ Comments

Citizens may comment on any matter as contained on the Agenda. Individual citizen’s comments will be contained to five (5) minutes each as timed by a member of the Board or IFPD’s Administrative Assistant. Optional request to citizens making public comments: You are not legally required to state your name and address, however, it is appreciated.

If you challenge any decision in court, you may be limited to raising only those items you or someone else raised at the public meeting described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to this agency, at or prior to, the public meeting.

Next regularly scheduled meeting will be on Tuesday May 10, 2011 1800 (6:00 pm)

"The People of this State do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies which serve them. The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know. The people insist on remaining informed so that they may retain control over the instruments they have created." ~Preamble from “The Brown Act”

Brendan Steele Wins first PGA tourney

2011-04-17T14:42:00.000-07:00

Today, Idyllwild's Brendan Steele won the Valero Texas Open. He was the leader going into the final round and he held the front despite a challenge from fellow Californian Kevin Chappell.

Steele shot a tournament total of 280, which was 8 strokes under par. He finished a stroke ahead of Chappell and veteran Charley Hoffman.

The winner's share is $1.1. million.

Congratulations to Brendan.

Forest Service shutdown

2011-04-08T09:21:00.000-07:00

In the event, the federal government can not avert a shutdown of activities becasue of the lack of authority to spend money, the San Bernardino National Forest and specifically the San Jacinto Ranger District will be affected.

Fire suppression activities will be exemptd from the shutdown, but normal recreation programs will be closed until the government reopens. The following is from the U.S. Department of Agriculture web site:

US Forest Service
April 7, 2011

Contingency Plan for Agency Close Down Procedures

This plan assumes that some Agency activities will continue and are essential to protect life and property and are excepted from close down procedures, such as:

1. Fire Suppression including fire fighters and all necessary equipment costs to protect life and property.

2. Law Enforcement personnel and all necessary equipment costs to protect life and property.

3. Emergency and Natural Disasters Response (i.e., floods)

4. Protection of Federal lands, buildings, waterways, equipment and other property and investments owned by the United States when the suspension of such activities would cause an imminent threat to human life and property. This includes nurseries, insectaries, tree seed labs, and the minimum level of staffing to administer permits and contracts needed for protection of National Forest lands.

5. All contracts in support of cyber security and infrastructure operations to support key positions and essential personnel.

6. Protection of Research studies where lack of continuation measurements or maintenance would destroy or endanger validity of research findings. Includes green houses, growth chambers, etc.

7. Job Corps operations unless directed otherwise by Department of Labor.

8. Collection and Payment activities for previous legal obligations.

9. Excepted positions and support of excepted personnel as needed for close down procedures

10. Emergency and Defense Preparedness

Emmerson says budget talks collapse

2011-03-29T16:38:00.000-07:00

Republican State Sen. Bill Emmerson (R 37) said with discouragement that budget negotiations with Gov. Jerry Brown have ended. Emmerson does not see any further discussion between the parties at this time.

According to Emmerson, he and his colleagues negotiated over 50 issues and found agreement on all but two or three. Pension and regulatory reform were areas in which the politicians found common ground. But the spending cap proposal proved too high a hurdle to mutually clear.

“I think the discussion we’ve had came to an end. The Governor was not able to get to a plan on a spending cap proposal or agree on a single sales tax,” Emmerson said. “We had a pathway to improving California’s budget problems. I’m extremely disappointed.”

Emmerson is not sure what Brown will do next — majority vote budget, a fall initiative or another alternative. He was genuinely positive about Brown’s willingness to negotiate.

“I think the governor was extremely honorable. There was no contention,” Emmerson said. “He’s a stand-up guy.” Emmerson said he believed the governor was, in the end, unable to convince his stakeholders.

Brown faulted the larger Republican caucus which, in Brown’s words in a March 25 letter to Republican leader Bob Dutton, “added almost two dozen new topics [to those originally under negotiation] including obscure aspects of labor law and shifting the Presidential primary to March. In addition, your list of demands — if met — would undermine my entire budget proposal by undoing major elements and extending the taxes for only 18 months [rather than the five years the governor had proposed].”

Emmerson himself may get involved in possible initiatives for pension reform and spending caps.

At this point, Governor Brown said he would focus his efforts “on speaking directly to Californians and coming up with honest and real solutions to our budget crisis.”

Where were Casey's fans? Abrams nearly eliminated!

2011-03-25T15:34:00.000-07:00

It made for great television, but American Idol early favorite Casey Abrams’ near elimination on Thursday, March 24 was a shock to his fans and to Idyllwild. How did a guy pegged to go the distance by many in the blogosphere and the media, celebrated for his originality and musicianship, wind up with the fewest viewer votes? Where were his fans and why didn’t they vote? Has something diminished the “Casey” fan infatuation factor from the headiness of the early weeks of the contest or have fans, including locals, grown complacent, convinced he would sail safely through?

Had it not been for a once-a-season “save,” when judges can override the wisdom or digital dexterity of voters, Abrams would have exited and been denied the post-season national tour.

On Thursday’s show, Abrams, with the fewest votes of the bottom three of eleven finalists, had to “sing for his life” for a possible judges’ reprieve. Abrams had only sung a few bars of “I Don’t Need No Doctor” when judge Randy Jackson stopped him. “We know who you are,” said Jackson. “You deserve to be here,” said Jennifer Lopez. “This is crazy wrong,” said judge Steven Tyler. “We made the decision to keep you on.” And with that unanimous decision, a shocked Abrams survived. But as host Ryan Seacrest darkly noted, two finalists will be eliminated next week.

In the end, those who win do so because of viewer votes, and only if the viewers vote. Talent plays a role, but it is not necessarily determinative. Think Jennifer Hudson, the only Idol contestant to win an Oscar who didn’t even make it to the top three in season three. Left standing after her elimination were six more finalists: Fantasia Barrino (who went on to win), Diana Degarmo (runner up), and George Huff, La Toya London, John Sevens and Jasmine Trias. Only Barrino went on to some measure of sustained career success.

According to Idol lore, Idol producers created the once-a-season judges’ save in season eight, partly because of Hudson’s early elimination and subsequent successes. How many times in the first nine seasons did viewers choose those most likely to have successful recording careers? Judged by subsequent career success, not many. Which of the first nine winners (Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino. Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks, Jordin Sparks, David Cook, Kris Allen and Lee DeWyze) became household names? Again, not many.

Does Casey have a chance from this point on? Have finalists in the bottom three ever gone on to become the American Idol? For the most part, they have not, with two exceptions. Check out this headline from tampabay.com and the St. Petersburg Times: “American Idol shocker: [name deleted] hits bottom three.” That was Adam Lambert, season eight’s leader throughout the entire competition until a close and controversial final vote in which Kris Allen won the competition. In the week of season eight’s Top Five elimination, both Allen and Lambert landed in the bottom three.

In season three, eventual Idol winner Fantasia Barrino was in the bottom two in the Top Seven telecast when Jennifer Hudson was eliminated, and was again in the bottom two in the Top Four elimination round.

Sam Miller, a Hill resident for over 30 years and proud lady of the Red Hats said she wants the town to know they have to support this talented and fine young man. “He’s one of our own and we need to take care of him,” she urged. “This town needs to push itself a little bit more and vote to support Casey.” Miller said she spent a half hour on Thursday casting votes by telephone. “Let Casey know [by voting] that he has a town that backs him, that loves him, and that’s proud of him."

And, as an “Only in Idyllwild” aside, Miller said that because we’re a small town, where many know Casey, his schoolmates, his parents and friends, we have to work harder to compete against finalists from large metropolitan areas with potentially larger home town fan bases.

weather Tuesday

2011-03-22T07:47:00.000-07:00

This morning is partly sunny, especially to the east. As the weather moves west, meets the mountain and is pushed higher the clouds form to the west of us.

Here's picture taken about 7:30 am.

Today: A 20 percent chance of snow showers. Partly sunny,
with a high near 43. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. West wind
between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm.

Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of rain after 11am. Increasing clouds,
with a high near 46. Calm wind becoming west between 5 and 10 mph.

Wednesday Night: Rain likely before 11pm, then a chance of snow
showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. West wind between 5
and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation
is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Thursday: A 30 percent chance of snow showers, mainly after 11am.
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43. West wind around 10 mph.
Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Thursday Night: A chance of snow. Cloudy, with a low around 33.
Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less
than one inch possible.

Friday: A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with
a high near 44. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Little or no snow
accumulation expected.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 45.

Saturday Night: A slight chance of rain. Snow level 5400 feet.
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33.

Sunday: A slight chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly sunny,
with a high near 49.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 55.

Hwy 74 locally okay, but damage in and near Orange Cty

2011-03-21T13:02:00.000-07:00

From CalTrans:

State Route 74 in Riverside and Orange Counties was damaged over
the weekend by the storm. There are two locations where the
route sustained slipouts: One just below the "Dome House" or post
mile 9.6 in Riverside County (Caltrans District 8), and one between
the "Candy Store" and San Antonio in Orange County (Caltrans District 12).

Orange County Update:
Damage to the location in Orange County is now under emergency
contract and the completion date is unknown at this time. Below are
the hours the route will be open to through traffic by direction only
(to accommodate commuter traffic):

Eastbound traffic will be given access between 2:30 pm and
5:30 am until further notice.

Westbound traffic will be given access between 6:00 am to
2:00 pm until further notice.

For future updates to the emergency repairs on the Orange County
section of Hwy 74, please contact Caltrans District 12, Public Affairs,
at (949) 724-2000 or go to Facebook under "Caltransdistrict12".

Riverside Update:
There is no emergency contract for the Riverside location of
damage. Maintenance crews will be working to make repairs
tomorrow, Tuesday, March 22, from 8:30 to approximately noon.
During this time the route will be under one way traffic control.
These repairs are expected to be completed tomorrow.

Snow!! not spring

2011-03-21T07:38:00.000-07:00

For those of you who awoke to a nice warm spring rain. Enjoy, count some blessings because we in Idyllwild are still in the midst of winter. At least 4 inches of snow covered my deck this morning and it is still coming down.

Here is the National Weather Service outlook for today and the week:

Today: Snow showers likely. Some thunder is also possible. Patchy fog. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 38. West wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Tonight: A chance of rain and snow showers before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. West wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Tuesday: A slight chance of rain and snow showers before 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 42. West wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 31. Northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly sunny, with a high near 45. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy and breezy, with a low around 31.

Thursday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43.

Thursday Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32.

Friday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46.

Friday Night: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29.

Saturday: A slight chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 46.

Saturday Night: A slight chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 50.

Oh yes, I forgot the CalTRANS warning:

Chains are required on all commercial vehicles (trucks or buses). All other vehicles (cars, pick-ups, vans, etc.) must have either snow tread tires or chains on the drive axle.

Run on potassium Iodide fuels health advisory; “If you’ve bought potassium iodide pills already, don’t take them.”

2011-03-19T07:50:00.000-07:00

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) conducted a press conference in Sacramento on Thursday, March 17 to address potential health concerns raised by a run on drug stores’ stocks of potassium iodide (KI). Drug stores throughout the state, including Idyllwild Pharmacy, are reporting depleted stocks of potassium iodide, as customers rush to stock the radiation-combating pills as a precaution against spread of radioactivity from Japan’s growing nuclear crisis. “ Customers have bought me out and my suppliers are out,” said Barry Shapiro, owner of Idyllwild Pharmacy.

Dr. Jonathan Fielding, Director of Public Health and Heath Officer, Los Angeles County, said to assembled journalists, “If you’ve already bought potassium iodide, don’t take it. Even with the most severe incidences [anticipated] in Japan, that does not translate to danger in California. Taking potassium iodide will confer no benefit and can be toxic in high doses.”

Jessica Wehrman, a spokeswoman for the American Association of Poison Control Centers, reported seven cases of bad reactions to the drug, including two with serious symptoms of vomiting, racing heart and vertigo.

Fielding explained that 5,000 miles separate California’s west coast from Japan and that radiation will be diluted before reaching California. In addition, the United States government is monitoring possible radiation spread on navy ships offshore from the compromised reactors, by high altitude aircraft across the Pacific, and in monitoring stations along the West Coast. Fielding said nothing indicates, at this point, that any significant radiation levels will reach the U.S. Should that change, alerts would be issued, but officials stressed that is not anticipated.

Dr. Howard Backer, CDPH interim director, noted, “We are in wet weather period [across the Pacific and in California] that pulls radiation out of the atmosphere.” Both officials advised that a more likely peril, for which California residents should be preparing, is a major quake here. “Buy emergency kits for car, home and an outbuilding, with water, food, three to five days of necessary medications, cash, important documents, and battery or crank-operated radios and flashlights,” said Fielding. “If you have other money, send it to Japan, rather than buying unneeded [and potentially harmful] pills.”

By way of comparison of worst-case scenarios, Backer referenced the April 26, 1986 Chernobyl nuclear reactor explosion that initially sent large amounts of radioactivity into the upper atmosphere and released more as the plant continued to burn for a week. Chernobyl is classified as the only class 7 nuclear accident (7 is the most severe accident on the Atomic Energy Commission scale). By comparison, 1979’s partial meltdown at Pennsylvania’s Three Mile Island (TMI) plant bears more similarity to Fukishima. Fukishima is currently rated class 5 (one with more than local consequences), as was TMI. Both centered on reversing a loss of cooling water in the reactor core that exposed highly radioactive fuel rods. Japan had automatic shutdown controls in place, but the tsunami following the 9-point quake wiped out backup power contingencies within a day. TMI involved one reactor. Fukishima involves multiple reactors.

As of Friday, March 18, power had been restored to the stricken Japanese site, aiding engineers in their battle to cool the reactors.

Government investigations following the TMI accident concluded that no radiation deaths or illnesses resulted from the crisis. With 5,000 miles separating Japan and California, unless conditions in Japan change dramatically, it is unlikely that significant radiation increases attributable to the Japanese crisis will affect the U.S.

"We have not detected any increases beyond what you'd expect historically. Nothing you can attribute to Japan," said Philip Fine of the South Coast Air Quality Management District in a public statement.

Check http://homelandsecuritynewswire.com/topics/radiological-threats for more information on radiological threats.

Saturday super moon a natural occurrence

2011-03-18T15:18:00.001-07:00

Just in case the unusually large full moon on Saturday night might seem oddly related to current events, and consequently raise anyone's anxiety levels, there is no reason for concern.

A "super moon" is a regular natural occurrence. Every 18 years, the moon passes closer to Earth than at any point in its eccentric elliptical orbit. On Saturday, March 19, it will be 211,567 miles from Earth and will look 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter than your average full moon. At its farthest point from Earth, the moon is 252,088 miles away.

If you miss the close encounter on Saturday, you will have to wait until 2029 for another "super moon."

Emmerson says door is still open

2011-03-15T13:34:00.000-07:00

Marshall Smith and I just concluded a phone interview with St. Sen. Bill Emmerson (R 37). The entire article will be in the print edition.

Republican State Sen. Bill Emmerson (CA 37) and four colleagues have been dubbed the “Gang 5” or the “GOP 5”, but he prefers the “Reform 5”. For almost two weeks, they have been deliberating and negotiating with Gov. Jerry Brown to achieve a meaningful breakthrough on the state’s financial crisis and put tax extensions on a June ballot.

Although the conferences have stopped without that achievement, Emmerson says, “The door is still open with the Governor.”

Emmerson said the five senators hope to accomplish several objectives as a result of these political risky negotiations: “Spending caps, rainy day funds, pension reform and regulatory changes to improve the state’s job creation capability.

Although no meetings are scheduled, Emmerson remains open to further talks. “I’m optimistic, that’s my nature,” he said. He said Brown indicated a willingness to address these key issues during his campaign and on his website. “It’s an opportunity to make California work,” he said.

Emmerson noted that risks and impediments are building on both sides of the legislative aisle. The formation of the “Taxpayers Caucus” two weeks ago created some division within his party, Divisions that Emmerson dubbed “destructive”. But he shared his position with his party’s legislative members. “I looked at that [formation of the Taxpayers’ Caucus] as campaigning,” he said. “Now it’s time to govern.” Emmerson believes that his group’s position has now gained respect within the larger Republican caucus.

Emmerson is unsure Brown has the full support of his party’s legislators. For example, Sen. Leeland Yee (San Francisco) has publicly opposed the governor’s plan without raising income taxes on millionaires and taxes on oil severance.

There will be more in the full article

Casey Abrams out of hospital and eager for Wednesday

2011-03-14T09:07:00.000-07:00

American Idol finalist and Idyllwild resident Casey Abrams was released from the hospital today and is eager to sing in Wednesday's American Idol competition.

Abrams suffers from ulcerative colitis, an intestinal condition that can be both genetically influenced and stress aggravated.

Abrams was able to work from the hospital using Skype on the arrangements for this week's performance with AI producer Don Was. He will be in rehearsal on Monday for Wednesday's show.

According to mother Pam Pierce, Casey "sends his bear hugs to the town and Idyllwild Arts and to everyone who helped by their thoughts, wishes and prayers."

American Idol airs on Wednesday, March 16 at 8 p.m. Viewers will have a two hour window at the telecast's conclusion to vote for Casey.

Results air on Thursday, March 17, St. Patrick's Day. One contestant of the remaining 12 will be eliminated if not saved by a unanimous vote of the judges.

HUSD rescinds temporary contract for elementary teachers

2011-03-07T16:28:00.000-08:00

The Hemet Unified School District is rescinding an announced plan to hire qualified substitute teachers for a one-month contract from March 14 through April 15, 2011. The reasons offered by Deputy Superintendent Dr. LaFaye Platter and Assistant Superintendent Vince Christakos were legal — a formula by which the number of temporary hires needed to qualify for state money under class size reduction laws would have exceeded numbers of three categories of teachers, currently out but eligible to return. Those eligible to return categories include: teachers on special assignment, those on a 39-month rehire list, and teachers on leave.

Had the district not run into the legal roadblock, it could have netted $300,000, according to Christokas. “It was a good idea,” said Platter. “But a [legal] glitch,” observed Christakos.

Rock slide Thursday, March 3

2011-03-03T09:39:00.000-08:00

Mike Freitas submitted this photo of the notorious rock that slid on to Highway 243 this morning. As you can see, the obstacle has already been moved off the road.

Casey Abrams voting alert: American Idol voting procedure for Tuesday, March 1

2011-02-28T10:00:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday, March 1 the top 12 men sing for viewer votes for the first time this season. The 12 male semifinalists will perform Tuesday, March 1 8/7c, and the 12 female semifinalists will perform Wednesday, March 2 8/7c on FOX. Then, tune in to see who America picks to become a finalist on the season’s first LIVE results show Thursday, March 3 8/7c.

At the end of each performance show, the phone lines will open for at least two hours and American Idol viewers will be able to vote for their favorite contestant(s) via the branded toll-free telephone numbers (1-866-IDOLS-01, -02, etc.). AT&T wireless subscribers can use their cell phones to vote by texting the word “VOTE” to the four-digit short code (5701, 5702, etc.) that corresponds with the contestant of their choice. Additionally, fans will be able to cast their votes online right here on AmericanIdol.com.

To vote online during the voting window, fans should visit americanidol.com and follow the directions. Fans will be required to log in using their Facebook account to access the American Idol voting page, which will feature the name and photo of each of the current contestants. To vote, fans will simply choose their favorite contestant, complete the security verification and submit their choice. After each performance show and during the online voting window, fans may cast up to 50 total online votes for that evening's performances. Only fans with a registered Facebook account in the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands will be able to cast their vote(s) online.

Weather the week of Feb. 28

2011-02-27T10:26:00.000-08:00

According to the National Weather Service, the sun and snow will be here for a many days:

Today: Sunny, with a high near 38. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 18. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 46. East wind around 5 mph.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 26. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 52. West wind around 5 mph.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 51.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 52.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 54.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 35.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 60.

Lauren "Skeleton" Salter earns a medal

2011-02-27T09:41:00.000-08:00

Idylwild's lauren Salter competed in the 31st Empire State Winter Games, which is a pretty big deal in the state of New York (as you can guess from the title). In a field of 13 women, she placed third, winning the bronze medal, only 0.67 seconds behind the leader.

Snow at 5,300 feet Sunday, Feb. 27

2011-02-27T09:11:00.000-08:00

N. Circle looks clear as the sky already.

The eagle and bear are fine this morning, just cold.

Tahquitz got snow yesterday, but it's sunny today in Idyllwild.

Snow all the way down to 9,000! Oh yea, we've "been there and done that!"

So this is what we do with excess snow.

And sometimes the snow monster stays hungry!

Mike Pearson still working before 8 am and helping.

Roads and shops look open.

Notice the writing on the windows!

Snow pictures Saturday, Feb. 26

2011-02-27T08:59:00.000-08:00

Casey Abrams makes the top 24 on American Idol

2011-02-25T11:35:00.000-08:00

Casey Abrams made it to the top 24 of American Idol’s (AI) season 10. On Thursday Feb. 24, Abrams was one of the last contestants to take the long “Green Mile” warehouse walk to face the three AI judges on their elevated platform. Abrams is now one of 12 men remaining in the competition. Welcoming Casey afterward were his parents Ira Abrams, Pam Pierce and jazz mentor Marshall Hawkins.

Joining Abrams among the top 24 is Idyllwild Arts one-year veteran Julie Zorrilla, one of 12 women remaining.

On Thursday’s show, Abrams was again given a feature spot, with his bass accompanied “I’m here to prove people like me can be sexy” take on “Why Don’t You Do Right?” Afterward, it fell to Randy Jackson to deliver the news to Abrams. With sincerity and no traditional judge-fake out, Jackson observed, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen in my life, on this show, a musician as talented as you.” And with that, Abrams jumped to his feet knocking his chair off the platform. Glancing down at the fallen chair and with characteristic Abrams quickness, Casey said,” Don’t worry, I’ll pay for that.”

Surprise eliminations include 15 year old Jacee Badeaux and cowboy John Wayne Schultz.

The 12 remaining men are: Abrams, Jovany Barreto, Jordan Dorsey, James Durbin, Clint Jun Gamboa, Tim Halperin, Stefano Langone, Brett Loewenstern, Jacob Lusk, Scotty McCreery, Paul McDonald and Robbie Rosen. The 12 women are: Naima Adedapo, Lauren Alaina, Kendra Chantrelle, Ashton Jones, Thia Megia, Haley Rinehart, Karen Rodriguez, Pia Toscano, Lauren Turner, Tatynisa Wilson, Rachel Zevita and Julie Zorrilla.

On Friday, Feb. 25 the remaining men taped an episode to be aired Tuesday, March 1. After airing, viewers can vote for the first time, by phone or online (through Facebook.) Reliable sources confirm that Casey was released from the hospital and did tape on Friday.

Viewers will have a two hour window after the Tuesday episode concludes at 10 p.m. to vote for Casey.

Hemet High Girls soccer team advances

2011-02-25T10:52:00.000-08:00

The Hemet High School girls' soccer team plays its CIF semi-finals game at Hemet Stadium, 3 p.m., Tuesday, March 1. Hemet is the final Mountain Pass team remaining in the CIF playoffs.

This is the Segerstrom goalie trying to block a Hemet shot on goal. Hemet's coach Craig Dwinnell expected this one to go in, instead it hit the post and careemed back past the goalie, see second photo below.

More game action.

IFPD schedules special closed session, Friday Feb. 25

2011-02-24T19:44:00.000-08:00

Idyllwild Fire Protection District

Board of Commissioners

Special Meeting with Closed Session

AGENDA

February 25, 2011

1800 (6:00 pm)

The meeting will be held in the conference/training room of the Idyllwild Fire Protection District

54160 Maranatha Drive, Idyllwild, CA

Call to Order: Please quiet your cell phones and pagers.

Roll Call: Commissioners Capparelli, Riggi, Killingsworth, Stigall, Schelly

Chief Walker and Administrative Assistant Andrewson

Citizens’ Comments:

If you challenge any decision in court, you may be limited to raising only those items you or someone else raised at the public meeting described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to this agency at, or prior to, the public meeting.

Special Session Item(s)

Rescind prior action of February 8, 2011 election of officers for Board of Commissioners
Election of officers for Board of Commissioners
Approval minutes of February 8, 2011
Approval of Resolution 501 – IFPD Compensation Report

Special Session ended at

Non-Board members excused

Closed Session started at

Closed Session Item(s)

· Chief Walker’s evaluation

· ICFA MOU and other salary issues

· Administrative Assistant contract

Closed Session ended at

Announcement of any actions taken during closed session

Return to Special Session at

Meeting Adjourned

Next regular Board meeting is on Tuesday March 8, 2011

Hemet High Girls soccer team wins quarterfinals

2011-02-24T19:34:00.000-08:00

At 3 p.m., the score was 0-0, the CIF quarterfinal game between Hemet High Scholl and Segerstrom High School had just begun.

At 5 p.m., the score had not changed, 0-0. But dozens of cold anxious fans were still watching and twenty-some players were nearly empty on adrenalin.

Midway through the first half, 0-0. After twenty minutes, the halftime

score was 0-0. In the thrilling last 5 minutes, neither team could score and both goalies had hit the turf hard and needed time to recover.

Eighty minutes of excitement and drama, but still no score. Then a 10 minutes scoreless overtime followed by the second overtime without the ball crossing either goal, but several spectacular saves.

Segerstrom had the first penalty kick, no score. Hemet goalie – one critical save.

Hemet’s first kicker is Jennifer Gordon, boom! Goal!! 1-0. The goalline is not impregnable.

Segerstorm’s second kicker scores, 1-1. Then Hemet’s next two are stopped. It’s still 1-1 and Sarah Hooper approaches the ball, stutter steps and puts it to the keepers left, 2-1. S

Segerstrom’s final kicker, eyes the goalie, the ball and puts it in, 2-2.

Now Hemet’s final kicker comes to the ball, Destiny (her name), kicks, … G O O O O A A A A L L L !! makes the final and winning penalty kick, Hemet 3-2.

The semi-final game will be Tuesday. Location to be decided, depending upon their opponent.

Runnels convicted of first degree murder

2011-02-24T13:43:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday, Feb. 23, a Riverside County Superior Court criminal jury convicted Jason Howard Runnels and co-defendant Lucia Janet Martinez of premeditated murder in the first degree of Rick Macias. Sentencing is set for April 5 for both defendants.

Macias was killed on Dec. 31, 2008 during or after a New Years Eve party at Runnels' Poppet Flat residence. His body was subsequently dumped in Lake Fulmor.

Casey Abrams hospitalized for dehydration, expected to continue in competition

2011-02-24T10:50:00.000-08:00

American Idol top 24 season 10 semifinalist Casey Abrams is hospitalized, suffering from dehydration but is expected to fully recover, according to reliable sources. At this point, Abrams is expected to tape an Idol episode on Friday, Feb. 25 in which the final 12 men perform.

Idol has kept a tight lid on reports but other news media broke the news of Abrams' hospitalization in Los Angeles.

Abrams' and the other male contestants' taped performances will air next week and, according to schedules published in TV Guide, and confirmed by Idol PR's Jennifer Sprague, the men's episode will air on Tuesday, March 1, a change from normal Wednesday, Thursday Idol airings. After the Tuesday and Wednesday telecasts, viewers will have two hours to vote by phone or online (through viewers' Facebook accounts).Viewers who want to vote for Casey must do so immediately after the Tuesday, March 1 telecast.

Check this blog for confirmation of whether Abrams taped on Friday.

The picture used above was taken at Idyllwild Arts during the telecast of Abrams' Austin audition.

Hemet High Girls soccer team wins #2

2011-02-22T17:03:00.000-08:00

The Hemet High School girls soccer team won its second round CIF game 4-1, according to our on the scene reporter, Shelby Read. At halftime, Orange County's Garden Grove High School had a 1-0 lead, but the Hemet women roared in the second half.

HHS Girls Soccer CIF play-offs

2011-02-21T08:55:00.000-08:00

On Thursday, the Hemet High School girls soccer team won its first round game. They defeat Coast Union 8-0.

The second round game tomorrow against Garden Grove of Orange County, is 3 p.m. at Hemet. Originally, it was scheduled to be at Garden Grove, but CIF changed it to Hemet.

Forecast and Streets of Idyllwild Feb 19

2011-02-19T11:10:00.001-08:00

Below is the NWS winter storm warning from early this morning. But first some photos the roads and streets in Idyllwild this morning.

Hwy 243 from in front of Idyllwild School.

The center of town, from in front of the Fort.

N. Circle from in front of Café Aroma. Notice the crowd crossing the street.

Fern Valley Road near the Fern Valley Inn.

Fern Valley Road at Forest, near entrance to Humber Park.

Here's the Weather Service early forecast:

Winter Storm Warning

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN DIEGO CA 
542 AM PST SAT FEB 19 2011

 ...SNOW SHOWERS IN THE MOUNTAINS TODAY AND TONIGHT...  .

A COLD UPPER LOW WILL BRING SCATTERED SNOW SHOWERS TO THE MOUNTAINS.
THE SNOW WILL INCREASE IN COVERAGE AND INTENSITY THIS EVENING
AS A SECOND FRONT MOVES THROUGH. SHOWERS WILL TAPER OFF SUNDAY MORNING.

RIVERSIDE COUNTY MOUNTAINS- INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS......
GARNER VALLEY...IDYLLWILD...PINE COVE...VISTA GRANDE

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM PST SUNDAY...

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW REMAINS
IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM PST SUNDAY.

* ELEVATION: ABOVE 4500 FEET.

* SNOW LEVELS: SNOW LEVELS WILL LOWER TO 4000 FEET TODAY.
MINOR   ACCUMULATIONS DOWN TO 3500 FEET ARE POSSIBLE AT
TIME DURING SNOW   SHOWERS.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS:

A FEW INCHES BELOW 5000 FEET
...6 TO 12   INCHES FROM 5000 TO 6500 FEET
...AND OVER 12 INCHES ABOVE 6500   FEET.

* TIMING: THROUGH 4 AM PST SUNDAY.

* WINDS: SOUTHWEST TO WEST WINDS OF 25 TO 35 MPH
 WITH GUSTS NEAR   50 MPH.

* VISIBILITY: LESS THAN ONE-QUARTER MILE AT TIMES IN
   SNOW...BLOWING SNOW AND FOG.

* IMPACTS: SNOW ACCUMULATIONS WILL IMPACT
TRAVEL ON INTERSTATE 15   THROUGH THE CAJON PASS
AS WELL AS ALL MOUNTAIN HIGHWAYS.  PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER
WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING.  
SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE
TRAVEL DANGEROUS. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN EMERGENCY.
IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT...
FOOD...AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

Private Management at Lake Hemet Campground

2011-02-18T14:53:00.000-08:00

At its Thursday Feb. 17 meeting, the board of directors of the Lake Hemet Municipal Water District approved a 25 month contract for private management of the Lake Hemet Campground and lake recreational facilities. The contract takes effect on April 1, 2011.

The board voted to award the management contract to the California Parks Company (www.calparksco.com), a company that currently provides management services for : Angel Island State Park and the Big Basin Redwoods State Park for California State Parks; the Los Vaqueros Watershed for the Contra Costa Water District; Lake Chabot and Little Hills Ranch for the East Bay Regional Park District; Diamond Valley Lake for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California; Camanche Reservoir and San Pablo Reservoir for the East Bay Municipal Utility District; UPC Gate Services for the Santa Clara County Parks; Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area for the U.S. Forest Service; and Lassen Volcanic National Park for the U. S. National Park Service.

The board stated that they were happy to be out of campground management and could now concentrate exclusively on their primary portfolio — water management.

In business since 1975, the California Parks Company markets itself as expert in providing: campground, conference center and resort management and facility support services; event management; automated gate and parking systems; retail services; water recreation management; and food services.

The contract approved by the board sanctions a three year (36 month) automatic extension if the contractor is performing to board and contract expectations.