Local Politics · Williams, CA
The Williams City Council voted 4-1 on Oct. 21 to increase City Manager Yvonne Kimball's annual salary from $175,000 to $178,500, double her monthly vehicle allowance to $500, and extend her contract through Feb. 18, 2031. Councilmember John Troughton Jr. cast the sole dissenting vote, questioning long-term financial commitments amid uncertain city revenue. City employees raised objections about fairness after experiencing furloughs while being told a 3% cost-of-living increase was unaffordable. Three outgoing council members who did not seek reelection voted to approve the amendments ahead of Nov. 3 elections.
Transportation · Williams, CA
Williams city officials held a groundbreaking ceremony Oct. 21 for the long-planned E Street improvement project, which will add sidewalks, protected bicycle lanes, improved lighting, and traffic-calming measures to one of the city's busiest routes. The project covers approximately 3,000 to 3,500 feet of E Street between Sunset Drive and Eighth Street, including a major roundabout at E and 11th Street and two smaller roundabouts at 12th Street and Pinewood Street. City officials said total grant funding exceeded $12 million, building on an initial $9.1 million Active Transportation Program grant secured after safety planning that began in 2016. Construction is expected to begin in spring 2027, with work near the school coordinated with summer break to minimize traffic disruptions.
Local Politics · Colusa County
The Colusa County Board of Supervisors unanimously appointed longtime county employee Jeannie Armstrong to lead the Behavioral Health Services Department on Oct. 20, following an outside recruitment process that attracted several qualified applicants. Armstrong, a licensed marriage and family therapist who joined the county in 2013, had served as interim director after predecessor Tony Hobson departed to lead behavioral health services in Butte County. In her new role, she will oversee mental health treatment, substance use recovery services, crisis intervention, counseling, psychiatric medication services, and community outreach for eligible adults and children. Armstrong will earn $143,976 annually under the county's department head compensation schedule.
Local Business · Butte County
The California Cooperative Rice Research Foundation released the M-212 Calrose medium-grain rice variety this season to replace M-211, which suffered lower milling yields and chalk discoloration. The foundation is also retiring the 23-year-old M-206 variety, with seeds for both unavailable after the 2029 season. The goal is limiting approved Calrose varieties to five to reduce variability at mills where medium-grain loads are frequently commingled. M-212 averaged 9,274 pounds per acre in a five-year statewide trial and yields 67% head rice when harvested between 18% and 22% moisture. The foundation also released Calamore-201, an arborio-type specialty rice, and Calamylow-202, a short grain for commercial food-service use.
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Social Events · Colusa County
Colusa County veterans organizations will hold multiple events on Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, in Colusa and Stonyford. The Colusa County Veterans Association hosts a golf tournament at the Colusa Golf and Country Club with registration at 9 a.m. and a shotgun start at 10 a.m., followed by a ceremony at Colusa Veterans Memorial Park at 1 p.m. In Stonyford, the Stonyford Museum will host a gathering at the Stonyford Community Hall from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring presentations and a free community lunch. The Indian Valley Fire Department holds its annual turkey shoot Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Stonyford Rodeo Grounds beginning at 9 a.m. Proceeds support Veterans Memorial Park, scholarships, veterans programs, and the fire department.
Community brief · Colusa, CA
The third annual Ruck for Vets will be held Saturday, Nov. 7, at Veterans Memorial Park in Colusa, CA, featuring a 22-mile weighted walk through Colusa and along Butte Slough Road toward Meridian. Registration opens at 7 a.m. with the main ruck beginning at 8 a.m.; a shorter "Ruck the Park" lap-walking option is available throughout the day with no time limit. The event includes live music from Black Pine Revival (1–3 p.m.), vendor booths…
