Controlled burns are slated to begin before the end of the month throughout the San Bernardino National Forest, including near Mountain Center and Idyllwild, where federal fighters will be igniting piles of dead vegetation and burning off excess foliage from the ground and air.
The Hemet/San Jacinto Student of the Month program held its most recent recognition breakfast at the Maze Stone at Soboba Springs Golf Course on Oct. 26. Seven local high school seniors were recognized and honored for their character, love of learning and commitment to academics in addition to their involvement in school and community activities and their ability to overcome difficult life circumstances.
The Department of Veterans Affairs released the National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, the largest national analysis of Veteran suicides through 2021 (the latest year for which we have data).
On September 19, 2023, about 3:00 pm, deputies from the Lake Mathews Sheriff’s Station responded to the 12000 block of Magnolia Avenue regarding a commercial burglary.
On November 15, 2023, at 9:46 pm, deputies from the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station responded to a major injury traffic collision at the intersection of Portola Avenue and Fred Waring Drive.
The Hemet Police Department cited 28 drivers Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, in a distracted-driving operation from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Twelve citations were for hands-free cell phone violations and 16 for dangerous driving behaviors.
Reese Whitney, 21, of Hemet died Friday on McCall Park Road in Mountain Center, the Riverside County coroner said. CHP is investigating under Log No. 9655. Next of kin have been notified.
A Hemet man, Alex Mancia-Caceres, 54, died early Friday in a single-vehicle crash at Ramona Expressway and E Seventh Street in San Jacinto. Deputies responded at 2:24 a.m.; the driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause remains under investigation.