7.1.09 Rio Dell is proposing to increase the sewer base rate to $58.38. They will be sending a letter to residents notifying them of the proposal soon, as required. There will be a 45-day period before the increase goes into effect unless there are written protests from 50% of the residents plus one. There will be a public hearing on Thursday July 16th at 5:30pm regarding the rates. The increase will go towards the first phase of improvements to the wastewater treatment plant; the equipment will later be moved to the new plant the city plans on building in Metropolitan. The city is hoping to receive a $2.25 million dollar stimulus grant to help with the costs of this initial project. There will be increases later on to pay for the new Metropolitan plant as well.

Testing the system at Rio Dell City Hall; a Freedom of Information request is granted - Humboldt Beacon

Feds could seize California parks if closed by budget - Sacramento Bee

State IOU's loom as foes' battle lines harden - Los Angeles Times

Local advocate for “Digital Redwoods” offers comments on Federal rules Access
Humboldt joins national efforts for Broadband Media Access

6.30.09 Injury Investigation

6.29.09 Attempted Murder

Also on 6.30.09 Rio Dell City Council Special Session - Closed door session 4:00 - Public session 5:00pm

Closed door session to discuss City Manager contract negotiations and two potential cases of litigation.

Open door session includes approval of hiring and salary freeze for all employees and approval of an ad-hoc design review committee recommended by the Planning Commission.

and 7.1.09 Rio Dell City Council Public Hearing 5:30pm regarding wastewater rate adjustments. Past estimates by the city anticipate doubling the the wastewater base rate.

6.24.09 DOJ investigates alleged embezzlement at the Humboldt County Courthouse - Times Standard

California Department of Justice

State auditor hotline to report misconduct, fraud or abuse 1-800-952-5665

ex-Placer County court administrator under "review" for over $470,000 in compensation - Sacramento Bee

Placer County probe prompts review of court CEO salaries statewide - Sacramento Bee

Humboldt County CEO receives $173, 308 in total compensation

also Felony Vandalism 25, Shell's $110,000 Damage

Rio Dell Planning Commission Meeting 6:30pm re. Design Review

6.22.09 Armed Robbery Three Arrested

also Attempted Murder Arrest

6.16.09 Rio Dell City Council Meeting Closed Door Session 5:00pm Public Session 6:30pm Agenda

Closed door session includes: consultation with legal counsel over two potential lawsuits, City Manager contract negotiations, "public employment" Public Works Director/Water Superintendent and property negotiations for the Eel River Industrial Site.

Public session items include: approval of two contracts with Winzler & Kelly for the wastewater project totalling $207,665, Wildwood Ave. paving project status update and an update on the local impacts of the state budget crisis.

6.7.09 Current Freedom of Information Act Actions related to any investigations into city departments or missing public works equipment.

also:

New report finds big problems with war spending - MSNBC

Immediate Jeopardy: Horror stories and deep legal troubles at Humboldt County's for-profit nursing homes - Northcoast Journal

Big Pharma and Big Insurance go on the attack - Salon

6.2.09 Rio Dell City Council Meeting - Closed Door Session 5:00pm - Open Public Session 6:30pm - Agenda

Closed door items include: consult with legal counsel regarding significant exposure to a law suit, the employee evaluation of City Manager Nancy Flemming and contract negotiations with the City Manager.

Open door items include: annual adjustment to Eel River Garbage rates, addendum no. 1 to the final environmental impact report, Rio Dell wastewater reuse project and the notice of determination for the revised project, etc. (the final environmental impact report is not available online for review to our knowledge)

Also

Part 1 of the Rio Dell City Council Emergency Budget Meeting Online!!!

6.1.09 CANCELLED - Rio Dell City Council Public Hearing re. Sewer Rate increases 6:00pm

Previous estimates of the rate increase is nearly double; from $48 to $96.

5.29.09 Rio Dell resident and owner of J&J Earthmoving, Jordan Pyhtila pleads guilty in federal court to felony charges of maintainin property to grow marijuana and launder money. Pyhtila and Jessie Jeffries of Garberville are likely to be sentenced to 6 years in federal prison as well as having to give up $945,000 they received from the sale of the Dinsmore Plateau subdivision above Rio Dell. Times Standard article

Watch the 3.28.07 video chapter two of the Rio Dell City Council & Planning Commission during the general plan update process. Jordan Pyhtila presented his plan for a "green development" at the top of Dinsmore Plateau. It was a massive 110 lot subdivision plan with its own fire hall and truck, walking trails, wetlands, green homes and a much larger city water tank to accomodate the development.

5.27.09 Scotia co-gen power plant is up for sale - Times Standard

also:

June 1st Public Hearing re. Sewer Rate Increases 6:00pm

Previous estimates of the rate increase is nearly double; from $48 to $96.

also:

The American Cancer Society is seeking volunteers for Relay for Life July 11th-12th. Volunteers are not expected to fund raise. Contact Lou Moerner at fightback@mail.org or 825-8720.

Free Fresh Produce! Sponsored by Food for People! Thursday June 18th 12:00-2:00 in the parking lot at Food for People 307 West 14th St. Eureka. Available to all low income households. For more info call 445-3166.

Step-up for Youth jobs are available for youths aged 14-24 y.o. If qualified, youth can receive services such as resume' assistance, job coaching, interview practice and work experience at local businesses and agencies. Contact Employment Training Division at 445-6149.

Mexican Consulate will be in Eureka on Saturday May 30, 2009 at the Eureka Adult School. Appointments must be made by calling 1-877-639-4835 between 7am-4pm. Indicate your appointment is for the Eureka event.

Spanish speaking peer support group for diabetics every first Wed. of the month in Fortuna at St. Joseph Parish 2292 Newburg Ave. For more info call 834-9581.

Community events courtesy of the United Way

The city is preparing a reduced budget in anticipation of the State withholding funds and grants. The budget cuts approx. $100,000 in personnel costs by two employees leaving the city; including Public Works Director Jim Hale. The elimination of the computer maintenance/service budget is also on the table to reduce expenses.

The Roadmasters at the Scotia Winema Theatre - May 23rd - 8pm to Midnight- $7.00 Gen. Admission

Half of the proceeds go to the Town of Scotia

5.19.09 Rio Dell City Council Meeting Agenda Closed session 5:00pm Public session 6:30pm

Closed door session includes consultation with legal counsel regarding the significant exposure to two anticipated lawsuits and City Manager evaluation. Public session includes declaring Rio Dell in a state of severe fiscal hardship if State takes property tax revenue from city, acceptance of grant easement deed from Rio Dell Pilar, LLC, etc.

5.18.09 Brian Cole Fiore, 19 of Antioch booked into the Sacramento County Jail...

5.15.09 For Sale: Scotia Inn - Northcoast Journal

5.12.09 Shots Fired at Deputies + Additional Information

also:

FBI Whistleblower testimony to be presented to Congress tomorrow re. torture program ABC News

State-wide Special Election next Tuesday! Read the propositions - League of Women Voters

5.4.09 The Culpepper Merriweather Circus is coming to Rio Dell, Saturday May 9th! Sponsored by the Rio Dell Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxillary. Pre-sale tickets are available at multiple businesses around town.

also:

May 9th is Rio Dell Spring Clean Up Day - 9:00am to 1:00pm at Eagle Prairie Elementary School. Proof of residency is required.

also:

Saturday May 16th 12pm - 2pm Rio Dell Bike Rodeo at Fireman's Park. Parents/guardians must be in attendance. Free bike helmets while supplies last. Bicycle obstacle/skills course, BBQ, face painting and more.

5.3.09

Rio Dell City Council Meeting, May 5th 2009 Closed door session 5:30pm Regular Session 6:30pm Agenda

Closed door session includes discussion of pending litigation and performance evaluation of City Manager. Regular session includes the establishment of fees for development projects to go towards park development and a water bill claim adjustment.

also:

Access Humboldt executive director, Sean McLaughlin, to represent the North Coast in Washington D.C. May 13th & 14th promoting the Digital Redwoods initiative at two prestigious policy summits. More...

5.1.09 Here is the April 21st. Special meeting with the planning commission.

also the 4.21.09 Regular Meeting

and Anthony David Painter, 20 booked on multiple charges including intent to terroize with a hand gun.

+ 4.7.09 Regular Meeting now online!

4.26.09 Rio Dell Zoning Ordinance as amended Jan. 2009 can be read here. Scroll down under the agenda for the 4/21/09 joint session of the Planning Commission and City Council. Video will be coming soon.

also:

Swine flu confirmed in California, Kansas, Texas, Ohio and New York. 81 dead in Mexico; the epicenter. Those with flu symptoms are asked to stay home and not spread their germs to others as a state of emergency is declared in the United States. Reuters

The New York Times Op-Ed column by Frank Rich: The Banality of Bush White House Evil

Newsweek interview with Ali Soufan, a top FBI interrogator in Iraq: We Could Have Done This the Right Way

4.25.09 Iraq Veteran Kayla Williams "On Torture" VetVoice

Rio Dell sewer rates anticipated to double with the new treatment plant project; going from $48 to $96 at current projections. The overall cost of the project is estimated to be $16.7 million dollars. The city is hoping to receive grant or stimulus money to help reduce the costs. Read the minutes from the March 17th, 2009 special session here. You need to go down to page 9 of the council packet to get to the minutes.

also:

Humboldt Creamery's disorder was allegedly hidden for years - Times Standard

Creamery says books off at least $50 million - Ferndale Enterprise

Twenty-four years controlling Humboldt Creatmery's books; now former CEO accused of fraud - Ferndale Enterprise

4.22.09 Humboldt Creamery files for bankruptcy - Times Standard

also:

May 19th Special Election coverage - Sacramento Bee

4.19.09

The 4.21.09 Rio Dell City Council Meeting - Agenda

Joint Planning Commission/City Council Study Session at 5:00pm Regular Meeting at 6:30pm

There are a number of items on the agenda, including; annexation update, general plan/zoning update, code of ethics public hearing, etc.