Jazz in the Pines Says its Final Farewell
By David Jerome Correspondent
Dr Marshall Hawkins’ Seahawk Modern Jazz Orchestra presented the concluding headline concert of the 30th and fnal Jazz in the Pines Festival on Friday July 12.
See Final Farwall, page B1
Gasoline Sales Tax Rose
Nearly 3% on July 1
By JP Crumrine Correspondent
On July 1, the State’s excise tax on gasoline increased, 1.7 cents, from 57.9 cents per gallon to 59.6 cents per gallon. In addition, California drivers pay a federal fuel tax of 18.4 cents per gallon.
As of July 14, the average cost of a gallon of gasoline in California was $4.752 per gallon, the highest in the nation. The national average cost of a gallon of gasoline was $3.522. Both are according to the Automobile Association of America. California is followed by Hawaii and Washington. Mississippi has the lowest average price of $3.007 for regular gas.
According to the California Energy Commission, nearly half (46% of the cost per gallon) was the cost of crude oil. The State’s excise tax was the second highest cost component, followed closely by the costs for distribution, marketing and profts.
For regular gas, the average cost of a gallon is about 11 cents less than a month
ago and down 15 cents since July 2023.
Worrying about the cost of buying gas for the car will begin to be history, as California gradually eliminates the sale of gas-powered vehicles in favor of zero emission vehicles in the next 10 years.
The California Air Resources Board approved regulations that would prohibit the sale of new gas-powered vehicles in 2035 or later. Over the next 10 years, the percentage of new gas-powered vehicles sold in the State must gradually decline to zero in 2035.
However, gas-powered vehicles may still be owned and registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles. Only used gas-powered vehicles may be sold in 2035 and afer.
The sales of new zero-emission vehicles and plug-in hybrid emission vehicles, which was 24% of new vehicles sold in California during the frst quarter of 2024, must reach 35% in 2026, 68% in 2030 and 100% fve years later. Nearly 2 million ZEV have been sold in California.
State Prepared for
Wildfres – Staf and Equipment
By JP Crumrine CorresPondent
Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom and his State Fire Chief and emergency director gave a briefing on the State’s preparation and readiness for the current fire season. The setting was Cal Fire’s McClellan Air Tanker Base in Sacramento.
“The last couple years brought welcome relief for California as we saw historically low levels of wildfre,” Newsom began. “This season is shaping up to be very active, bringing the threat of dangerous wildfre to many parts of our state. California is ready with the world’s largest aerial frefghting feet and new technology that helps us fght fre smarter – and we’re already seeing our investments pay of.”
Cal Fire Chief and Director Joe Tyler stated what many already believe, “We are not just in a fre season but in a fre year.”
But ofcials stressed that the absence of a drought does not limit the threat or danger of wildfres. As of July 13, there have been 3,737 wildfres in California, that is nearly 575 (18%) more than the same time as last year and 83 less than the fve year average through July 13.
But the 2024 fres have already burned nearly 221,540 acres. In 2023, through July 14, only 20,131 acres had been burned and the fve year average of acreage burned is slightly more than 105,000 or less than half of this year’s burn.
Tyler noted that in the 24 hours leading up to the briefng, 44 wildfres had been reported. “These fres started in light fashy grasses and expand to the brush and timber,” he said.
“Climate change is real. Mother Nature bats last and she bats 1.000,” Newsom warned. “She is chemistry, biology and physics. . . If you don’t believe science, believe your own eyes.”
Tyler and Newsom assured the public that Cal Fire is prepared for this year’s fres. “We’re fully stafed and have our fre engines, hand crews, bull dozers, air tankers and helicopters,” he stressed. “The new Black Hawk helicopters are capable of night fying. The Administration has added 20 more privately owned helicopters for our exclusive use and four fxed wing aircraf.”
“Afer I became Governor in 2018, I visited the Paradise Fire site,” Newsom related. “At that time, Cal Fire had 6,700 staf. Today it is 9,700. And we’ve commited to an additional 2,400 over the next fve years.”
Nancy Ward, the State’s Director of Emergency Services, stated that her agency has already pre-positioned equipment throughout the State in collaboration with their mutual aid partners.
“Most of the State is in high risk and or extreme highrisk temperatures,” she warned.
Both Tyler and Ward advised residents to use www. ready.ca.gov to fnd information about emergencies, including preparation.
CAL FIRE’s redesigned website (fre.ca.gov) now provides more essential information, faster– including
See Wildfre, page A3
PHOTO COURTESY OF IDYLLWILD ARTS
Two Missing Hikers; One deceased, one still missing
By David Jerome Correspondent
The body of a 61-year-old Chula Vista man, Hantae Kim, was recovered near mile 195 of the PCT on Wednesday, July 10 according to Riverside County Sherif’s Ofce. He had been missing since Saturday. No cause of death has been released, but he was hiking on a day of record-breaking heat. Jon King, founder of the San Jacinto Trail Report (SanJacJon.com), was in contact with Kim’s family and provided some background to the Crier. He said that Kim was an experienced hiker who had hiked local sections of the PCT. Kim parked at Fuller Ridge Campground, near mile 191, set out southbound on Fuller Ridge trail, then went north towards Snow Creek. King said Kim began the route early, in a wooded and shady section of the trail, but ended up on a an “extremely exposed” section of the trail at a lower elevation in the afernoon. “Even in winter it is extremely important to plan hikes, choosing route and equipment carefully. Please take heat warnings seriously.”
September Public Hearing for Waste Collection Rate Increase
By JP Crumrine Correspondent
At its July 9 meeting, the County Board of Supervisors set a public hearing for Sept. 10 to consider a new agreement with CCR, the waste collection service for residents and businesses on the Hill. This will also include a rate increase.
In his memorandum to the Board, Jef Johnson, Director of Environmental Health, indicated that the rates were being adjusted for solid waste organics and recycling services.
Implementation of Senate Bill 1383, originally approved in September 2016, includes the requirement to “cut the amount of organic material going into landflls.” An initial reduction occurred in 2020. Now the County must reduce this waste going into landflls by anoth-
er 75%. More of this enforcement will affect residential waste, according to Johnson.
One of the changes will be an efort to establish an edible food recovery program. Its intent is to divert edible food from waste to useful end uses. This may include “periodic waste evaluation of sampling and testing for organic residual in containers meant for the landfll, Johnson told the Board.
In order to comply and enforce the new regulations, including an increase in the oversight of the waste system, the County is proposing to increase residential waste fees on the Hill from $18 to $19.74. Commercial rates will also increase. There is no single commercial rate. They vary based on a several factors, but will also be increasing in October, the efective date for the new rates.
King also brought a second missing hiker to our atention, Robert Budinski, a Washington state resident in his 60s, who went by the trail name “Ambassador.” He has been missing since April 15th.
According to King, Budinski began the PCT at Campo on April 1, made it to Mount Laguna, and got a ride to Idyllwild. Afer a stay at the State Park Campground, a trail angel known as “Leo” dropped Budinski of at Black Mountain Road on April 15. Budinski was taking an alternate route to avoid snow on Fuller Ridge, and King notes that he himself hiked Budinski’s route three days later, fnding the frst fve miles free of snow, with patchy snow on the next three before descending. Budinski was only reported missing when the “bounce box” he had waiting for him in Cabazon went unclaimed. He had hiked Southern California sections of the trail before.
Riverside Sherif’s Ofce would only say that Budinski is still listed as missing. Those with information should call RSO at (951) 766-1099.
Photo by Mike Ferro
PHOTO BY PETER SZABADI
Robert Budinski PHOTO PROVIDED BY FOWLER O’SULLIVAN FOUNDATION
Pine Cove Water District Meeting Looks at the Budget
By David Jerome Correspondent
Pine Cove Water District’s July 10 meeting was brief. Final fgures for fnancial year 2023-24 showed a surplus of over $100,000. President Robert Hewit and Vice President Lou Padilla were both absent, but a quorum was made by directors Vicki Jacubac, Rose Venard and Becky Smith. GM Poter was engaged in dealing with the afermath of a house fre, and so Ofce Manager Jennifer Hayes presented his operations report.
The meeting was also a formally noticed public hearing regarding the existing $30 per acre or portion thereof standby fee on undeveloped parcels. This is an annual formality, and the fee will continue unchanged.
June was the last year of fnancial year 2023-24, and so the annual fgures were available. The district stayed within its budget, adding $111,893 to its reserves, a number Smith called “beautiful.” With income 9% over budget and expenses kept 10% under, the 12% increase in payroll, mostly salary and medical insurance, was covered. Hayes said that GM Poter will apply the reserves towards tank repair and vehicles.
The operations report showed production up a half percent over June of last year, at 3,208,711 gallons. The district’s static well #10 continued its rise from high-country runof, up 2.48 feet to 60.62 feet.
Hayes also briefed the board on her search for options as the company that provides the district billing and front ofce sofware, UBMax, has been purchased by gWorks. The services also include public alert notices. These alert customers of shutofs, boil alerts, emergencies like fre evacuations, and even things like lost pets. The service includes emails, calls to land lines and cell, and text messages to customers who sign up. The alerts are pinpointed by area.
Last month the board heard that gWorks will cost about $4,000 per year more than UBMax. Armed with a list of companies whose systems are compatible with their meters, she arranged three product demos. One of the companies missed their appointment and was eliminated. The other two provided plans that, although attractive, were signifcantly more expensive than that offered by gWorks, one in terms of set up, and the other in ongoing fees.
Hayes recommended that the district stay with gWorks. The board members concurred, with director Smith noting that although the board will share their opinions, this is a decision for Poter and Hayes.
The next meeting will be on Wednesday, August 14.
total emergency response, wildfres, acres burned, fatalities, and structure damage. This includes the integration of ALERT California Cameras for anyone to view, and real-time aircraf tracking as well as comprehensive incident map of fres over 10 acres, in real-time.
Riverside County’s emergency site can be accessed at rivcoready.org/.
“My plea to you is to please create a wildfre action plan that addresses escape route, meeting places, animal arrangements, and a communication plan with family and friends,” Tyler urged residents.
Both again recommended that homeowners create defensible space around structures and make home hardening improvements to reduce the risk of a fre in the house.
Newsom also mentioned that his administration requested funding to begin the use of full-time monitoring of forests with the aid of artifcial intelligence. These innovations include: the establishment of the Wildfre Threat Intelligence Center, which serves as California’s integrated hub for wildfre and weather intelligence; The Fire Integrated Real-Time Intelligence System to map wildfre information in real-time; and a partnership with the Department of Defense to use satellites for mapping wildfres, as well as the use of drone technology while fghting fres.
Life Tribute Darlene Sherry 1935 - 2024
Darlene Sherry, age 89 passed away Friday, July 5 2024. She was born in Washington on March 25, 1935. She met her husband Michael Sherry who was in the navy, and they raised four children together.
Darlene lived in Idyllwild for many years and was involved in the Rotary Club, Church, and the community. She and her husband built multiple homes on the hill.
Darlene is survived by her three daughters, Darnell of Idyllwild & Chino, AZ, D’Anne of College Station, TX, and Pamela of Idyllwild: twelve grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband and son Michael. Darlene devoted her life to her children and grandchildren.
A memorial will be held to celebrate Darlene’s life on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Miller Jones Menifee Memorial Park and Mortuary, 26770 Murrieta Rd., Menifee, CA 92585. Following the funeral will be a commital service from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM at Riverside National Cemetery. In Lieu of fowers please send any donations to ARF (Animal Rescue Friends) in memory of Darlene Sherry and her beloved German Sheperd Gretchen.
DEAR IDYLLWILD COMMUNITY,
On Saturday, July 13, 2024, Idyllwild Arts bid farewell to 30 years of Jazz In The Pines, an adventure that began with Barbara Wood, Lin Carlson, and the vision of Dr. Marshall Hawkins.
The 2024 Jazz In The Pines Festival & Student Clinic began each week with concerts featuring Grammy winners, LA recording session players, and great Jazz practitioners from across Southern California who served on the faculty. Students also ended each week of the festival by playing in combos and big bands, and a new feature this year, Latin bands!
John Daversa’s Big Band had listeners in awe as they played the Grammy-nominated album, “Kaleidoscope Eyes: Music of the Beatles” with singer Maiya Sykes bringing down the house with her soulful voice and sheer enjoyment as a performer.
The two-week festival also featured backstories and interviews that surprised and delighted many festival-goers. Highlights included Steve Proffitt’s reading from an excerpt of Dr. Hawkins’ memoirs followed by an interview that focused more on the life of Dr. Hawkins versus his career. Also featured was John Daversa’s podcast interview with Dr. Hawkins (spoiler alert: Marshall reveals how much Miles Davis actually paid him!), and the panel discussion with Marshall and a few of his friends, where you could hear a pin drop during the exchange of these amazing musicians.
This year’s festival was dedicated to the memory of legendary guitarist Bob Boss, who passed away earlier this year. The Seahawk MoJO concert on Friday, July 12th lifted Bob in song as his family and a grateful crowd watched from the audience. Longtime favorites including singers Yve Evans and Sherry Williams, clarinetist Evan Christopher, pianist Joshua White and several others joined Seahawk to celebrate Bob’s life and incredible career. The evening concluded with a rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday” to Dr. Hawkins on the eve of his 85th birthday.
We are grateful to our sponsors who helped make this year possible: The Associates of Idyllwild Arts Foundation, Robin & William Rhoads, Heimark, LLC, La Quinta Brewing, Matin du Bois Vintners, Sparkling Ice, Corbeaux Wine & Tea House, media sponsor The Town Crier, and Premiere sponsors, Linda and Manny Rider, whose love and support of our students knows no bounds. All proceeds from the festival support Academy and Summer Program student scholarships.
The mission of Jazz In The Pines was to support and empower the students of Idyllwild Arts through an inter-generational teaching-artist model anchored in the strategies of jazz music and the artistry of its greatest practitioners. This mission will certainly live on as we continue to teach Jazz to many generations to come. As for the festival, Dr. Hawkins said it best, “Mission Accomplished!”
I extend a heartfelt thanks to the community of Idyllwild for the support that the festival has received throughout the years.
With deep gratitude,
Pamela
Jordan President, Idyllwild Arts Foundation
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
LEGEND $10K
Linda and Manny Rider
MASTER $5K
Robin and William Rhoads
Peter Heimark, Heimark, LLC
MEDIA SPONSOR
The Town Crier
“ASK SPIRITUAL WORKOUT”
• Editor’s Note: Spiritual Workout is a practice of these 15 concepts: Be Compassionate • Beliefs Mater • Be Present • Choices Abound • Everything Is Energy • Have an Atitude of Gratitude • Intentions Mater • Judgments Separate Us • Listen to Inspiration • Mind & Body Are Connected • Take Responsibility • The Law of Atraction Is Always On • We Are All Connected • We Are Here for a Reason • We Belong to the Planet, Not the Planet to Us. More at spiritualworkout.com.
One thought: intentions mater. Why would/wouldn’t you? But I want to talk more about listening to inspiration and how beliefs mater. We all know that some birth/blood families are happy, well-functioning ecosystems. For the most part, family members love and respect one another and enjoy each other’s company. They maintain ties when they are geographically apart and gather regularly when they are geographically close. Laughter and warm connections always outweigh garden variety annoyances. Some birth/blood families, however, are not like that at all. When family interactions leave one feeling hurt, sad, confused, unsafe, guilty, ashamed — and the like — the feelings themselves are evidence that something is out of alignment for that person. In virtually all such cases, beliefs like “family is everything” and “you must watch out for your sister” and “we don’t talk about that” can paralyze a person in your situation. Choosing estrangement — or no contact — is something one must decide for oneself. But geting clear about why you’d do it and, then, undoing beliefs that might be preventing it, will help that decision-making.
California AG Bonta Releases Crime Data Reports for 2023
By JP Crumrine Correspondent
Earlier this month, California Atorney General Rob Bonta released several annual reports which included various crime data and statistics. These are Homicide in California, Crime in California, Use of Force Incident Reporting, Juvenile Justice in California, and Crime Guns in California. The information contained in the reports refects statistics and data from 2023, which multiple California law enforcement agencies and other criminal justice entities provided to the State’s Department of Justice.
“These data are considered essential for understanding, preventing, and combating crime,” according to Bonta.
“I encourage local partners and law enforcement to review the data and recommit to taking action,” he said in his press release. “. . . While crime rates remain signifcantly below their historical highs, there is always more work to be done to protect public safety in our communities. . . Accurate statistics and the data in the annual crime reports are a critical part of calibrating our response, ensuring policymakers and law enforcement are able to make informed decisions.”
Each year, the DOJ publishes these reports on various criminal justice statistics in California.
Each report is described below along with some key fndings:
In this report, data about homicides, such as demographic data of victims, persons arrested for homicide, persons sentenced to death, peace ofcers feloniously killed in the line of duty, and justifable homicides, are available.
The homicide rate, defned as the number of homicides per 100,000 people in the state, decreased 15.8% in 2023 (from 5.7 per 100,000 in 2022 to 4.8 per 100,000 in 2023).
Firearms continue to be the most common weapon used in homicides. In 2023, 72.8% of homicides, where the weapon was identifed, involved a frearm.
This report presents a summary overview of use of force or the discharge of a frearm by a civilian, a peace ofcer, or both.
In 2023, there were 638 incidents that involved the use of force resulting in serious bodily injury or death of a civilian or ofcer, or the discharge of a frearm.
In 2023, 658 civilians – half were Hispanic, and a quarter were white – were involved in incidents that involved the discharge of a frearm or use of force resulting in serious bodily injury or death.
In 2022, 1,406 ofcers were involved in incidents that involved the discharge of a frearm or use of force resulting in serious bodily injury or death. Only 16% of the involved ofcers were injured and 0.2% died.
This report provides insight into the juvenile justice process. The data includes the number of arrests, referrals to probation departments, petitions fled, and dispositions for juveniles tried in juvenile and adult courts.
In 2023, more than 43,085 juveniles were referred to probation, of which half of the referrals were made by law enforcement personnel. Of more than 32,000 juvenile arrests, half were for felony ofenses. Of the 48 juveniles tried in adult court, half resulted in a conviction.
This report provides data on the insight into patterns and trends relating to recovered frearms used in a crime or suspected to have been used in a crime.
Approximately 137,400 unique crime guns with identifable serial numbers were recovered by law enforcement agencies in California. An additional, 36,000 crime guns had no recorded serial number.
The largest number of recovered crime guns was 11,800 in Los Angeles County. And San Bernardino County had about 50% more recovered crime guns than its neighbor Riverside County, which had 3,100 guns recovered, the third greatest in the State.
Of 1,597 distinct California frearm dealers, 87 were associated with roughly half of all crime guns recovered in 2023.
On average, each licensed dealer sold or transferred 21.5 frearms that were later identifed as a crime gun between 2021 and 2023, which is nearly twice a month.
While law enforcement agencies across the state are in the process of transitioning to the new data collection system known as the California Incident-Based Reporting System, the format of the information made available in this year’s reports remains consistent with previous years. Through CIBRS, policymakers, law enforcement, and members of the public will eventually have more detailed information, context, and specifcity about crime in the state. To date, more than 600 reporting agencies have completed the transition and are in the process of becoming certifed by DOJ, according to the DOJ press release.
As one who shares your small town as well as your penchant for privacy, it’s helpful frst to re-afrm the choice you’ve made to live in a small town, which means accepting its charms and limitations if that’s a big part of this for you. Also, an issue underneath the issue, as I hear it, could be a desire you have to be the writer of your own narrative: to say what’s happening with you afer which everyone falls in line and repeats your narrative. Good luck with that because people will universally believe what they believe whether it’s true or not. (I don’t make the rules!) So instead of trying to control an uncontrollable narrative, control what you can: intention. Spiritual Workout encourages anyone with a serious medical diagnosis/condition to create an intention for their overall health and well-being — to articulate what’s wanted. Then, talk with your friends from that position and solicit their support for it. You might say something like, “Look, this thing had me a bit freaked out at frst, but now I’m on it. I am focused on living as full and happy a life as I can while I adjust to some new realities. I will readily welcome any and all energy that supports me in all of this, but I will shy away from the energies that don’t — like fear or disagreement.” This should put you in a position of strength and help you see who might/might not be of help to you.
Steven’s Note: Let’s communicate more directly! Please send your questions and comments to “dearspiritualworkout@ spiritualworkout.com.” That includes any that pertain to previously-published q’s and a’s.
Nearly half of homicide victims were killed by a friend or acquaintance. Another 15% were killed by their spouse, parent, or child. Only 30% met their death from the hands of a stranger.
This report includes data about a variety of reported crimes. This includes arrests and their disposition. Other related statistics, such civilians’ complaints against peace ofcers, domestic violence-related calls for assistance, anti-reproductive rights crimes, and law enforcement ofcers killed or assaulted, are also included in this report.
The violent crime rate — i.e., the number of violent crimes per 100,000 people — increased 3.3% from 494.6 per 100,000 people in 2022 to 511 in 2023, remaining signifcantly below California’s historical high of 1,103.9 in 1992, nearly 30 years ago. The property crime rate decreased 1.8% from 2,313.6 per 100,000 people in 2022 to 2,272.7 in 2023.
The arrest rate increased 3% from 2,535.2 in 2022 to 2,611.2 in 2023.
In the interim, to ensure the annual criminal justice reports remain complete and accurate to the fullest extent possible, DOJ continues to accept data in both the legacy and CIBRS formats. The information made available in this year’s reports is a combination of data collected under both reporting methods.
The Homicide in California report is available at data-openjustice.doj.ca.gov/sites/default/fles/2024-07/Homicide%20In%20CA%202023f.pdf.
The Crime in California report can be found at data-openjustice.doj.ca.gov/sites/default/fles/2024-07/ Crime%20In%20CA%202023f.pdf.
The Use of Force Incident Reporting report website is data-openjustice.doj.ca.gov/sites/default/fles/2024-07/ use-of-force-2023.pdf.
The Juvenile Justice in California report is available data-openjustice.doj.ca.gov/sites/default/fles/2024-07/ Juvenile%20Justice%20In%20CA%202023f.pdf.
The Crime Guns in California Report website is oag.ca.gov/system/fles/media/ab1191-crime-gun-report-2024.pdf.
The underlying data associated with the annual reports is available on the OpenJustice website (//openjustice.doj.ca.gov/).
poetry.
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The IDYLLWILD TOWN CRIER (USPS 635260) is published weekly by AVALON MOUNTAIN PUBLISHING, LLC, PUBLISHER, P.O. Box 157, 54440 N. Circle Dr. Unit F, Idyllwild, CA 92549. Standard postage paid at Idyllwild, CA. Send subscription and change of address requests to the above address. Please allow up to
• Mountain Communities Mutual Aid food distribution, 1-2 p.m. Camp Maranatha, 54162 Maranatha Dr.
Hwy. 243.
• Narcotics Anonymous, 3-4:30 p.m. Idyllwild Water District, 54255 Pine Crest Ave.
Hall, 25925 Cedar St.
Feeding America, 10 a.m.noon. Town Hall, 25925 Cedar St. Bring box for food.
Wednesday, July 17
• Codependents Anon, noon. St. Hugh’s Episcopal Church, 25525 Tahquitz Dr.
• Fit Afer 50, noon-1 p.m. Town Hall, 25925 Cedar St.
• Philosophy Discussion Club, 5 p.m. in the Spirit Mountain Retreat Hill House, 25661 Oakwood St
• Narcotics Anonymous, 6 p.m. Spirit Mountain Retreat, 25661 Oakwood St.
Thursday, July 18
• Fit Afer 50, 10-11 a.m. Town Hall, 25925 Cedar St.
• AA discussion & birthdays, noon. St. Hugh’s Episcopal Church, 25525 Tahquitz Dr.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Hemet Station responded to the following calls
IDYLLWILD
• July 4 — Alarm call, 8:01
a.m. N. Circle Dr. Handled by deputy.
• July 4 — Animal abuse, 10:49 a.m. 54000 block of Ridgeview Dr. Handled by deputy.
• July 4 — Alarm call, 6:36 p.m. 26000 block of Pine Dell Rd. Handled by deputy.
• July 4 — Follow-up, 7:14 p.m. Address withheld. Handled by deputy.
• July 4 — Follow-up, 7:46 p.m. Address withheld. Handled by deputy.
• July 5 — Public disturbance, 12:29 a.m. 25000 block of Hwy. 243. Handled by deputy.
• July 5 — Suspicious person, 2:50 a.m. 54000 block of Village Center Dr. Handled by deputy.
• July 5 — Alarm call, 3:11 a.m. 54000 block of Marian View Dr. Handled by deputy.
• July 6 — Alarm call, 3:34 a.m. 54000 block of Pine Crest Ave. Handled by deputy.
• July 6 — Vandalism, 3:16 p.m. 55000 block of San Jacinto Rd. Handled by deputy.
• July 6 — Public assist, 5:13 p.m. 54000 block of Linger Ln. Handled by deputy.
• July 8 — Alarm call, 4:25 a.m. N. Circle Dr. Handled by deputy.
• July 8 — Alarm call, 5:07
• Idyllwild Community Zen, 6 p.m. Text/call Valerie Velez at 951-392-6507 for information.
Friday, July 19
• Idy A’s (AA, NA, Alanon, CODA, etc.), noon. St. Hugh’s Episcopal Church, 25525 Tahquitz Dr.
Women’s Writing Group with fellow writers, 2-4 p.m. Spirit Mountain Retreat. Call 951-659-2523 for Zoom info
• AA meeting, 5:30 p.m. Ark of Light, 54445 N. Circle Dr. (behind Idyllwild Acupuncture)
Saturday, July 20
• American Legion Post 800 meeting, 10 a.m. Post 800, 54360 Marian View Dr.
• Healing Rooms, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Shiloh Christian Ministries, 54295 Village Center Dr.
• AA, discussion, noon, St. Hugh’s Episcopal Church, 25525 Tahquitz Dr.
• Dog Park Saturdays, 3-4 p.m. Rick Barker Dog Park, 26375
a.m. 26000 block of Hwy. 243. Handled by deputy.
• July 8 — Suspicious circumstance, 2:34 p.m. 26000 block of Delano Dr. Report taken.
• July 8 — Check the welfare, 5:09 p.m. 26000 block of Delano Dr. Handled by deputy.
• July 8 — Assist other department, 11:35 p.m. Address undefined. Handled by deputy.
• July 9 — Suspicious circumstance, 12:23 p.m. 26000 block of Canyon Dr. Report taken.
• July 9 — Suspicious person, 3:50 p.m. 25000 block of Hwy. 243. Handled by deputy.
• July 9 — 911 call, 4:33 p.m. 26000 block of Delano Dr. Handled by deputy.
• July 9 — 911 call, 11:43 p.m. 26000 block of Delano Dr. Handled by deputy.
• July 10 — Public disturbance, 10:41 a.m. 54000 block of Village Center Dr. Handled by deputy.
• July 10 — Alarm call, 10:14 p.m. 26000 block of Live Oak Ln. Handled by deputy.
• July 11 — Trespassing, 10:51 a.m. N. Circle Dr. Handled by deputy.
• July 11 — Noise complaint, 6:05 p.m. 55000 block of Pine Crest Ave. Handled by deputy.
• July 11 — Assist other department, 8:51 p.m. 53000 block of Double View Dr. Handled by deputy.
• July 11 — Vandalism, 11:21 p.m. 26000 block of Delano Dr. Report taken.
• July 12 — Suspicious circumstance, 9:06 a.m. 54000 block of Pine Crest Ave. Report taken.
• AA happy hour & birthdays, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Behind Idyllwild Water District, 54255 Pine Crest Ave. (bring chair)
Sunday, July 21
Peace Meditation Practice, 10 a.m. Tibetan Buddhist Dharma Center, 53191 Mountain View, Pine Cove.
AA, discussion, noon, Idyllwild Water District, 25945 Hwy. 243.
Mixed Nuts, 5:30-7 p.m., Spirit Mountain Retreat, 25661 Oakwood St.
Monday, July 22
• Fit Afer 50, noon-1 p.m. Town Hall, 25925 Cedar St.
• Codependents Anon, 6 p.m. Zoom. Call Mary, 951-6344048.
Tuesday, July 23
• Riverside County Board of Supervisors, 9:30 a.m. Board Chambers, 4080 Lemon St., First Floor, Riverside.
• Fit Afer 50, 10-11 a.m. Town
• July 12 — Public assist, 9:17 a.m. 26000 block of Crestview Dr. Handled by deputy.
• July 12 — Business & professions code viol, 1:41 p.m. Address undefined. Handled by deputy.
• July 12 — Public disturbance, 5:28 p.m. 26000 block of Bicknell Ln. Handled by deputy.
• July 13 — Petty theft, 8:46 a.m. Address undefined. Unfounded.
• July 13 — Unattended death, 12:36 p.m. Address withheld. Report taken.
• July 13 — Assault w/ deadly weapon, 8:35 p.m. 26000 block of Delano Dr. Arrest made.
• July 13 — Noise complaint, 10:14 p.m. 55000 block of Circle Wy. Handled by deputy.
• July 14 — Check the welfare, 4:28 a.m. 55000 block of Dickenson Rd. Handled by deputy.
• July 14 — Trespassing, 1:04 p.m. 54000 block of Village Center Dr. Handled by deputy.
• July 14 — Public disturbance, 11:50 p.m. 53000 block of Marian View Dr. Handled by deputy.
MOUNTAIN CENTER
• July 6 — Public assist, 8:59 p.m. Address undefined. Handled by deputy.
• July 8 — Alarm call, 6:45 a.m. 28000 block of Mccall Park Rd. Handled by deputy.
• July 9 — Trespassing, 2:03 a.m. 29000 block of Hwy. 243. Handled by deputy.
• Tai Chi for Seniors, 10 a.m. Spirit Mountain Retreat, 25661 Oakwood St.
AA, noon. St. Hugh’s Episcopal Church, 25525 Tahquitz Dr.
• Lovingkindness Meditation Group, 5-5:30 p.m. Spirit Mountain Retreat, 25661 Oakwood St. Call 951-659-2523.
• Palms to Pines Chapter of Citizens Climate Lobby, 6-6:50 p.m. https://zoom. us/j/4391478344
• Return to Yourself Virtual Support Group for Women Vets with PTSD, 6-7 p.m. Spirit Mountain Retreat
• Al-Anon, 7 p.m. Town Hall, 25925 Cedar Street.
Wednesday, July 24
• Rotary International of Idyllwild meeting, 7:30 a.m. American Legion Post 800, 54360 Marian View Dr.
• Grief Support Group, 11 a.m.12:30 p.m. Spirit Mountain Retreat, 25661 Oakwood St.
• Codependents Anon, noon. St. Hugh’s Episcopal Church, 25525 Tahquitz Dr.
• July 9 — Public disturbance, 3:15 p.m. 29000 block of Hwy. 243. Handled by deputy.
• July 10 — Alarm call, 10:52 a.m. 28000 block of Mccall Park Rd. Handled by deputy.
• July 10 — Alarm call, 10:52 a.m. 28000 block of Mccall Park Rd. Handled by deputy.
• July 10 — Vandalism, 6:22 p.m. 29000 block of Hwy. 243. Unfounded.
• July 11 — Suspicious person, 1:10 a.m. 29000 block of Hwy. 243. Handled by deputy.
• July 13 — Shots fired, 7:44 p.m. Address undefined. Handled by deputy
PINE COVE
• July 7 — Battery, 6:14 p.m. 25000 block of Wrightwood Dr. Handled by deputy.
• July 9 — Vehicle theft, 2:43 p.m. 23000 block of Hwy. 243. Report taken.
• July 12 — Indecent exposure, 3:27 p.m. Address withheld. Report taken.
• July 14 — Public assist, 5:44 p.m. 24000 block of Marion Ridge Dr. Handled by deputy.
PINE MEADOWS
• July 5 — Missing person, 10:14 a.m. 59000 block of Courtesy Dr. Unfounded.
• July 7 — Alarm call, 9:37 p.m. 37000 block of Gold Shot Creek Rd. Handled by deputy.
• July 8 — Check the welfare, 3:08 p.m. 36000 block of Gold Shot Creek Rd. Handled by deputy.
• Fit Afer 50, noon-1 p.m. Town Hall, 25925 Cedar St.
• Narcotics Anonymous, 6 p.m. Spirit Mountain Retreat, 25661 Oakwood St.
Community service hours
• California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (bark beetle issues), 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. Mountain Resource Center, 25380 Franklin Dr., 659-3335.
• Idyllwild Area Historical Museum, 54470 N. Circle Dr., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Fri., Sat. & Sun. (Mon. holidays.) Group tours by appt. 659-2717.
• Idyllwild Help Center, 26330 Hwy. 243, 10 a.m.-noon & 1-4 p.m. Tues.-Fri. 659-2110.
• July 9 — Unknown trouble, 11:01 p.m. 35000 block of Pathfinder Rd. Handled by deputy.
POPPET FLATS
• July 4 — Area check, 8:55 p.m. 46000 block of Poppet Flats Rd. Handled by deputy.
• July 5 — Alarm call, 3:22 a.m. 46000 block of Poppet Flats Rd. Handled by deputy.
• July 5 — Public disturbance, 5:46 p.m. 46000 block of Poppet Flats Rd. Report taken.
• July 14 — Danger to self/ other, 8:31 p.m. Address undefined. Handled by deputy.
SAN BERDO NAT FORS
• July 4 — Alarm call, 10:15 a.m. 61000 block of E. Hwy. 74. Handled by deputy.
• July 4 — 911 call from business, 11:28 a.m. 58000 block of Apple Canyon Rd. Handled by deputy.
• July 5 — Public assist, 4:32 p.m. 58000 block of Apple Canyon Rd. Handled by deputy.
• July 6 — Vandalism, 5:31 a.m. 56000 block of E. Hwy. 74. Handled by deputy.
• July 6 — Brandishing a weapon, 6:34 a.m. 51000 block of Quail Dr. Report taken.
• July 6 — Assist other department, 8:29 p.m. Address undefined. Handled by deputy.
• July 6 — Battery, 10:25 p.m. 56000 block of E. Hwy. 74. Handled by deputy.
• July 7 — 911 call, 10:11 p.m.
Town Crier Membership Application:
• Idyllwild Library, 54401 Village Center Dr., Strawberry Creek Plaza, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Tues.-Wed.; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Turs-Sat., 659-2300.
• Idyllwild Nature Center, 25225 Hwy. 243, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Wed.-Sun. 659-3850.
• Idyllwild Ranger Station, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Fri.-Mon., 8 a.m.noon Tues.
• Idyllwild Transfer Station, 28100 Saunders Meadow Rd., 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Turs.-Mon. (Closed New Year’s Day, Easter, Fourth of July, Tanksgiving and Christmas Day); Grinding Facility, 8 a.m.-noon & 1-4 p.m. Mon., Wed. & Fri.
22000 block of Eagles Nest Dr. Handled by deputy.
• July 8 — Alarm call, 12:19 a.m. 24000 block of Hwy. 243. Handled by deputy.
• July 8 — Miscellaneous criminal, 1:04 p.m. 56000 block of E. Hwy. 74. Handled by deputy.
• July 8 — Follow-up, 3 p.m. Address withheld. Handled by deputy.
• July 9 — Assist other department, 11:28 p.m. Address undefined. Handled by deputy.
• July 10 — Disoriented subject, 2:24 p.m. Address undefined. Handled by deputy.
• July 12 — Man down, 10:41 a.m. Address undefined. Handled by deputy.
• July 12 — Trespassing, 2:55 p.m. 61000 block of E. Hwy. 74. Handled by deputy.
• July 12 — Suspicious circumstance, 3:01 p.m. 24000 block of Canyon Trl. Handled by deputy.
• July 12 — Assist other department, 6:27 p.m. Address undefined. Handled by deputy. • July 13 — Check the welfare, 2:42 p.m. Address undefined. Report taken. • July 13 — Missing child, 8:51
Transportation Commission Nixes Sales Tax Proposal
By JP Crumrine Correspondent
In January, the Riverside County Transportation Commission released a new draf of its “Trafc Relief Plan”. The plan serves as a long-range strategy to improve transportation opportunities throughout Riverside County. Not only does it address highway and roadway changes and improvements, but the Plan includes passenger rail and bicycle prospects.
The RCTC adopted a Trafc Plan in 2020, but for a variety of reasons, such as funding, COVID and others, the Commission did not implement any of the recommendations. In 2023, since the need for transportation improvements still existed, the Commission felt it was time to revise the Plan.
The Commission also proposed to address a fall ballot measure requesting County voters to approve an increase in the sales tax by one cent to fund the projects included in the plan. Despite extensive outreach efforts in the past fve months, the RCTC staf felt there would not be sufcient support to approve the tax increase and the Commission concurred.
Funding for County transportation projects is currently provided by a half of a cent sales tax. This was originally approved in1988 when voters adopted Measure A. Before the 20-year duration of Measure A, in
2002, 70 % of County voters supported an extension of Measure A through 2039.
“While community support for funding transportation improvement is overwhelming by most standards, the support does not confdently meet the high voter-approval threshold needed to pass a new sales tax measure under the RCTC authorized statues,” David Knudsen, RCTC’s deputy executive director, told the Commission at its July 10 meeting.
“Your staf is not confdent the measure would be approved in 2024 and does not recommend seeking voter approval,” he concluded.
The RCTC staf conducted two public opinion surveys since January. In each, the initial approval was 58 to 60%. The person asking the questions then provided more information on the reason and need for the projects and the concomitant funding. In both surveys, the “Yes” percentage rose to 63%.
But current laws would require 67% percent approval, which is why the staf recommended that the Commission defer seeking any tax increase this fall.
Chair of the Commission, Lloyd White of Beaumont, lamented the outcome. He noted that the Plan identifes ways to reduce trafc congestion throughout the County.
“But timing is everything,” he lamented. “Now is not the time to seek new rate ap-
proval. We’ll look at a future election.”
“Time to work on education. Two years to educate the people about why we need this,” added Chuck Conder of the City of Riverside.
The commission vote was 28 votes in favor of adopting the plan but not pursuing any tax measures. Five members abstained. All fve Riverside County Supervisors voted to defer any tax action.
In January, Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez described the plan in an email to the Town Crier. “This can include the need to expand roads and bridges, and projects such as a bypass by Morongo so the 10 freeway doesn’t get botlenecked,” wrote. There’s also a balance here. We have to look at other ways that can reduce trafc congestion, such as how we can use rail, public transportation, rideshare programs, and active transportation projects. It’s going to require resources to expand our transportation eforts on all these fronts.”
These are the eight types of projects which are included in the TRP: highways, public transportation, regional connections, commuter assistance, active transportation, food and blowing sand control and environmental mitigation.
The 30-year cost to implement the plan was estimated to be $125 billion. Western Riverside County’s portion of this cost was estimated to be $20 billion.
A solo vehicle accident around 11:30 p.m. on the night of Monday, July 8, lef minor damage to the Freewyld property at the corner of North Circle and River Drive. Ofcer Johnathon Torres of the Indio CHP described the accident as “A 2006 Ford Explorer driven by a 26 year old male versus a few small trees.” The next morning, two trees were lying by the side of the road, and another had lost a signifcant amount of bark. Some of the landscaping brick features were also disturbed, damage that was repaired that day. The driver sufered minor injuries and was arrested under suspicion of DUI.
On Friday, July 12, a driver eastbound on highway 74 near Pinyon Crest lost control and crashed into the mountain side. Officer Johnathon Torres of the Indio CHP provided these details: A 28-yearold male from San Diego in a white 2017 Subaru Outback failed to negotiate a curve. There were no injuries but the driver was arrested under suspicion of DUI.
Matter of Fact
of the
The photo
crowd at the Idy Park Lights the Night event in last week’s paper was incorrectly credited to Peter Szabadi. The photo was actually taken by Joel Feingold. We regret the error.
On July 13, 2024, at 8:37 p.m., deputies were dispatched to the 26000 block of Delano Drive in Idyllwild regarding a female reporting she had been threatened with a hatchet. The female said she was able exit the residence with no injuries, but the man was still inside and was very intoxicated. Deputies arrived, surrounded the residence, and after a few minutes of making announcements, the male stepped out and was taken into custody without incident. He was booked into a county jail for criminal threats.
PHOTO BY JOEL FEINGOLD
Final Farwell
Continued from A1
Dr Marshall Hawkins’ Seahawk Modern Jazz Orchestra presented the concluding headline concert of the 30th
Vicki, with a plaque and a ceramic bowl
The concert opened with elementscan drum solo, and pianist Joshua White These choices underline Hawkins’ ded-
Seahawk is an orchestra, combiningtended percussion section, and a cast of the ranks of the brass section, including
schools, and there is still a sense that it is -
Jordan described Dr Hawkins as the
By DaviD Jerome CorresponDent
utes to Dr Hawkins, Jordan noting that
most artful statement is also the most
other song about parting from an unforfrom soloists to small ensembles, with
oped Seahawk MoJO to bring jazz to
him with a plaque with his epigrammat-
program, and the Summer Clinics, will continue to bring great musicians and
The good news is that the restoration
Jamie Guthre
PHOTO BY DAVID JEROME
Dr. Marshall Hawkins
YOU! Complete the page and then hang it in your room so that you can remind yourself every day of how wonderful you are!
Step Into Stardom
For many decades, famous movie stars have put their handprints and footprints in wet cement in front of Hollywood’s Chinese Theater in California. After the cement dries, the prints are left for visitors to see.
When You Depend Upon a Star
Wishes made on stars may not always come true. But when you look at what you do every day, you’ll find that you are a star who can be depended upon. Fill in this calendar to show your weekly responsibilities. The idea stars at right can help.
through the newspaper for adjectives that describe you. Paste them under
© 2024 by Vicki Whiting, Editor Jef Schinkel, Graphics Vol.
LIVE MUSIC
PHOTO BY MIKE FERRO PHOTO COURTESY OF TARYN’S PLACE
By DaviD Jerome CorresponDent
Summer Concert Series Continues
or 1 (800) 339-7233.
cord; Hard and Soft Mix $325/cord; Green Pine $285/cord. 909800-1352.
HANDYWORK Light electrical, plumbing, carpentry, painting,
Caron 951-315-1887.
Dryer. Semi/Partially Furnished No pets. $1750 per month plus deposit. Call 951-4888482.
Caron 915-315-1887.
hauling, DUMP RUNS , raking and cleaning yards, wooden fence and deck repair and about gutter cleanScott 951-260-7137.
APT FOR RENT 2 bd. 1 full ba, central heat, pp
access from 243, Paved Flat Prkng, 4prox. 900 sq ft. $1,800
Smoking/Pets, $1,800 Security Dep. Credit/ Bckgnd check/proof of income required. (716) 219-5600. you may call Living Free Haven at (951) 654-8002, 1230 S. State St., San
PHOTO BY JOEL FEINGOLD
Past Tense
75 years ago - 1949
Street lights came to Fern Valley Corners.
70 years ago - 1954
Members of the Riverside Community Settlement Association were the first guests to enjoy the facilities of Camp Lawler, an 80-acre estate given to the county by a Los Angeles attorney.
65 years ago - 1959
Chamber of Commerce trustees voted to have the necessary work done to make Town Hall suitable for school classes pending completion of a new classroom at Idyllwild Elementary School.
60 years ago - 1964
Ella Lewis, 86, and
Edith Poore, both of Hemet, made their seventh-annual hike to Tahquitz Peak.
55 years ago - 1969
Following the astronauts via TV as they walked on the moon, Ernie Maxwell noted that they left litter behind, and feared the Milky Way was in danger of becoming the Murky Way.
50 years ago - 1974
The long-hoped-for expansion of Idyllwild County Park got under way officially with an informal groundbreaking on the site. The addition would add 120 acres to the park.
Smokey: -
Pepper: of summer are hot, sul-
rising of the star Sirius, which was known as
Stretch:
Pepper: Hellenistic as-
Eeyore: Henri:
Pepper:
Harley:
Whiskey:
Eeyore:
Smokey:
45 years ago - 1979
Bus service between Idyllwild and Hemet was approved by the Riverside Transit Agency Board of Directors.
40 years ago - 1984
Dialing a five-digit number on the Hill no longer worked. Residents
were required to dial the full seven digits because of changes made in the local telephone switching office.
35 years ago - 1989
It was reported that the Fern Valley Water District for years had disregarded state regulations and diverted more water than allowed from Strawberry Creek away from downstream users.
30 years ago - 1994
A report by the Riverside County grand jury recommended that the Hill’s three main water districts — Idyllwild, Pine Cove and Fern Valley — merge, citing a savings of
$390,000.
25 years ago - 1999
With more than 400 visitors, the Art Alliance’s first all-member exhibit with 43 artists presenting 108 works of art was hailed as a triumph.
20 years ago - 2004
Idyllwild had a new 951 area code.
15 years ago - 2009
The 16th-annual Jazz in the Pines was only a few weeks away and was to feature saxophonist Mindi Abair on Saturday, and the legendary jazz and salsa percussionists Pete and Sheila Escovedo, father and daughter, on
Sunday.
11 year ago - 2013
The Stars and Stripes greeted Idyllwild residents as they returned from the previous week’s evacuation from the Mountain Fire. Idyllwild Fire hung the flag on its ladder truck as people arrived Sunday afternoon
5 year ago - 2019
Historic restaurant, Gastrognome, catches on fire. The cause of the fire was accidental due to materials being stored improperly after deck maintanence. The restaurant was closed and no one was injured.
Eeyore:stand that if we are adopted, it frees up room for Harley:
Eeyore:
Creature Corner is looking for sponsors! If you’d like to be a sponsor, please contact ARF. Be sure to keep up with the animal antics of Days of our Nine Lives each week. And please stop in to say hello to the entire adoptable cast at the ARF House, 26890 Hwy 243. ARF is open Saturdays 10-3, Sundays 10-2, and during the week by appointment. Please call 951-659-1122.
Kitten a Kitten b
A beautiful sunsest in Idyllwild
PHOTO BY JOEL FEINGOLD
Officers and directors of the Idyllwild Lions Club for 1977-78 were, front row, from left, Charlie Kretsingand ; back row, from left, Bob Thomas, Gene Price, Albert Ausinstalling officer and New president George Hoffman was not pictured. FILE PHOTO
PHOTOS BY PETER SZABADI