Richard Halstead

Reporter at Marin Independent Journal

Marin Independent Journal reporter

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Articles

Fairfax receives appeal against 243-apartment project

5 days ago | sacbee.com | Richard Halstead

A former Fairfax council member has filed an appeal against a proposed six-story, 243-apartment building at School Street Plaza. "While the town webpage for the project states that the application 'is currently under review,' I am concerned that formal action may have been taken by the (planning) Director to confirm that the application is complete," Lew Tremaine wrote in the appeal, which he filed Tuesday.
Fairfax receives appeal against 243-apartment project

5 days ago | marinij.com | Richard Halstead

A former Fairfax council member has filed an appeal against a proposed six-story, 243-apartment building at School Street Plaza. “While the town webpage for the project states that the application ‘is currently under review,’ I am concerned that formal action may have been taken by the (planning) Director to confirm that the application is complete,” Lew Tremaine wrote in the appeal, which he filed Tuesday.
Marin nonprofit launches to fill LGBTQ+ void

6 days ago | marinij.com | Richard Halstead

More than a year after the closure of the Spahr Center, Marin County once again has an organization devoted to serving the LGBTQ+ community. The new Marin LGBTQ+ Center opened its doors recently in a space leased from the Multicultural Center of Marin at 709 Fifth Ave. in San Rafael. The Spahr Center ceased operations in February 2024 because of financial problems. Jane Spahr, the Spahr center’s namesake, played a prominent role in creating the new organization.
Marin County hires new registrar of voters

6 days ago | marinij.com | Richard Halstead

An experienced election official from the Sierra foothills has been hired as Marin’s next registrar of voters. Natalie Adona, registrar of voters and clerk-recorder in Nevada County, will replace Lynda Roberts, who is retiring at the end of June. Adona’s starting annual salary will be $218,192, plus benefits comparable with other county department heads.
Marin supervisors approve major expansion of executive's staff

1 week ago | marinij.com | Richard Halstead

Marin County supervisors have approved an ambitious and costly expansion of the county executive’s staff. The move will add 17 new employees at an annual cost of $2.5 million, or $4.1 million with benefits. The supervisors backed the idea during recent discussions on the 2025-26 county budget.
San Rafael cracks down on illegal food vendors

2 weeks ago | marinij.com | Adrian Rodriguez |Adrián Rodríguez |Richard Halstead

San Rafael is ramping up enforcement of illegal food vendors in the Canal neighborhood after complaints about noise, health and safety. City Manager Cristine Alilovich announced Monday that the San Rafael Police Department will staff evening patrols with Spanish-speaking officers in the primarily Latino neighborhood. The enforcement patrols will be from 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays starting this week, Alilovich said.
Marin unions use new law to seek higher wages

2 weeks ago | sanluisobispo.com | Richard Halstead

May 18-A new state law has enabled Marin County workers to lobby the county for better pay. Assembly Bill 2561 requires that local public agencies present the status of vacancies, recruitment and retention efforts during a public hearing before their governing board at least once every fiscal year. The hearing must come before the adoption of the agency's final budget.
Marin unions use new law to seek higher wages

2 weeks ago | marinij.com | Richard Halstead

A new state law has enabled Marin County workers to lobby the county for better pay. Assembly Bill 2561 requires that local public agencies present the status of vacancies, recruitment and retention efforts during a public hearing before their governing board at least once every fiscal year. The hearing must come before the adoption of the agency’s final budget.
Marin homeowners might face fire buffer mandate

2 weeks ago | marinij.com | Richard Halstead

Many Marin residents might soon be required by the state to clear an ember-resistant zone within 5 feet of their homes. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 3074 in 2020 requiring the creation of such buffers in high fire hazard areas, but so far the requirement hasn’t been implemented. Newsom issued an executive order in February following devastating fires in Los Angeles directing the state Board of Forestry to accelerate its work to adopt regulations to require the zones.
San Rafael high-rise apartment tower plan grows taller

3 weeks ago | northbaybusinessjournal.com | Richard Halstead

The proposed apartment complex at 700 Irwin St. already would be San Rafael’s tallest building before the recent revision that would add one story and 20 more units.