Richard Halstead

Reporter at Marin Independent Journal

Marin Independent Journal reporter

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Articles

Marin County budget outlook: New spending and ‘economic uncertainty’

6 days ago | marinij.com | Richard Halstead

Marin County’s budget director has proposed a $865 million budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year that includes more than $10.4 million in one-time spending recommendations and $26 million in adjustments. “We’re seeing a downgrade in the economic forecast, really heightening a new level of economic uncertainty,” Josh Swedberg told the Board of Supervisors during a presentation on Tuesday. Supervisors will conduct three consecutive days of public hearings on the budget beginning on May 19.
Owner of Marin County commercial truck lender files for bankruptcy, citing $70M in debts

1 week ago | northbaybusinessjournal.com | Richard Halstead

David Stone, owner of Cornerstone Financial Services in San Rafael, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy with over $70 million in debts, alarming local investors.
Bay Area lender claims bankruptcy, citing $70 million in liabilities

1 week ago | mercurynews.com | Richard Halstead

The proprietor of a San Rafael lending business is seeking bankruptcy protection, leaving local investors worried about major losses. David Robert Stone, who runs Cornerstone Financial Services, reported more than $70 million in liabilities and about $24.9 million in assets. Many of his creditors are Marin County residents. “The investors are going to take a huge haircut on this,” said Robert Vogl, a retired business executive who lives in Fairfax.
Marin ranchers to Congress: Let land deal stand

1 week ago | marinij.com | Richard Halstead

Congressional Republicans who are investigating a settlement that barred agriculture at Point Reyes National Seashore have received letters from affected ranchers stating their views. The ranchers are united in their support of the agreement, which calls for the Nature Conservancy to pay all but two of them an undisclosed amount for giving up their leases.
Bolinas post office slated to reopen in fall

2 weeks ago | marinij.com | Richard Halstead

After a closure of more than two years, the Bolinas post office will reopen by early fall, the U.S. Postal Service announced. The agency has signed a 10-year lease for its former site at 20 Brighton Ave., said E. Patrick Morris, an attorney representing the building’s owner, Gregg Welsh. The post office closed in March 2023 amid a dispute between the Postal Service and Welsh. During most of the closure, Bolinas residents had to drive a 12-mile round trip to Stinson Beach to pick up their mail.
Point Reyes Station properties eyed for major changes

2 weeks ago | marinij.com | Richard Halstead

Demand for real estate in Point Reyes Station is heating up. The Petaluma Health Center is eyeing several spots in the town as a possible location for a two-story, 20,000-square-foot geriatric health center that would include housing for some of its employees. One location under consideration, the former Station House Cafe at the center of town, has raised concerns among members of the Point Reyes Station Village Association.
Novato affordable housing project battles funding gap

2 weeks ago | mercurynews.com | Richard Halstead

A Habitat for Humanity project that would make it possible for low- and moderate-income households to afford to purchase a home in Novato has received a $5.2 million allocation from Marin County supervisors. The county had previously committed more than $760,000 to the project so the new allotment increased its total contribution to about $6 million. The project, estimated to cost $84 million, still has a large funding gap.
Novato affordable housing project battles funding gap

2 weeks ago | marinij.com | Richard Halstead

A Habitat for Humanity project that would make it possible for low- and moderate-income households to afford to purchase a home in Novato has received a $5.2 million allocation from Marin County supervisors. The county had previously committed more than $760,000 to the project so the new allotment increased its total contribution to about $6 million. The project, estimated to cost $84 million, still has a large funding gap.
Marin economic summit spotlights recession prospects

2 weeks ago | marinij.com | Richard Halstead

The questions of whether the nation has entered a recession was a point of debate at a key economic summit in Marin this week. “There’s very little doubt that we are in a Trump recession, almost entirely self-inflicted, pretty different than almost any recession I can remember in my lifetime,” Rep. Jared Huffman told an estimated 300 people who attended a San Rafael Chamber of Commerce economic forecast event on Thursday.
Marin economic summit spotlights recession prospects

2 weeks ago | huffman.house.gov | Richard Halstead

The questions of whether the nation has entered a recession was a point of debate at a key economic summit in Marin this week. “There’s very little doubt that we are in a Trump recession, almost entirely self-inflicted, pretty different than almost any recession I can remember in my lifetime,” Rep. Jared Huffman told an estimated 300 people who attended a San Rafael Chamber of Commerce economic forecast event on Thursday.