On December 12, 2024, RCRC honored Tedd Ward, Director of the Del Norte Solid Waste Management Authority, with the RCRC President’s Award. RCRC’s President & CEO Patrick Blacklock presented Mr. Ward with the award at...
The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) is seeking input from community members, developers, and local permitting agencies on the challenges associated with permitting large-scale renewable energy projects, including solar, wind, and battery...
On Tuesday afternoon, December 17th, House Republicans released H.R. 10445, a continuing resolution aimed at averting a government shutdown, but the plan quickly unraveled due to opposition from Elon Musk and President-elect Donald Trump. The proposed...
On December 17th, Representative Jared Huffman (D-Del Norte) was announced as Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee for the 119th Congress. Representative Huffman has served on the House Natural Resources Committee for the...
Today Artificial intelligence (AI) tools are no longer just futuristic concepts—they are reshaping how local governments operate. From theoretical ideas to practical solutions, tools like ChatGPT are enabling more efficient, impactful public service delivery. In...
A monthly update regarding the important work of RCRC’s affiliate entities, providing innovative services for the benefit of rural communities.
December 19, 2024
ESJPA - December 2024 UpdateThe Rural Counties’ Environmental Services Joint Powers Authority honored outgoing Chair, Siskiyou County Supervisor Michael Kobseff. Supervisor Kobseff has served as ESJPA’s Chair since 2013 and has guided the organization through several new mandates and...
December 19, 2024
GSCA - December 2024 UpdateRCRC-affiliated entity Golden State Connect Authority (GSCA) has reached a significant milestone, receiving its first complete Low-Level Design package for the city of Gonzales in Monterey County. This package, developed using LATA Grant funding from...
Announcements regarding hearings, grants, and public comment notices of rural county importance.
Billions of dollars are up for grabs to public agencies and other entities, including tribes and businesses. Grant seekers can access a centralized portal of grant and loan opportunities here, or sign up to receive new grant opportunities...
Announcements regarding key staffing changes of importance to California’s rural counties.
James Harden, of Camino, has been appointed Chief of the Office of Correctional Safety at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, where he has been Special Agent in Charge since 2022, and held several positions since 2015, including Senior Special Agent and Special Agent. Harden held several positions at Kern Valley State Prison from 2005 to 2015, including Correctional Lieutenant, Captain, and Correctional Sergeant. He was a Correctional Officer at Wasco State Prison from 2004 to 2005, and at Correctional Training Facility from 2002 to 2004. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $193,776. Harden is a Republican.
Bryan D. Phillips, of San Luis Obispo, has been appointed Associate Director, High Security Males at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Phillips has been Warden of Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison since 2024, where he was previously Acting Warden from 2022 to 2024. He was Chief Deputy Warden at California Men’s Colony in 2022, where he held several positions since 2008, including Associate Warden, Captain of Adult Institutions, Correctional Counselor II Specialist, Correctional Lieutenant, and Correctional Sergeant. Phillips was Associate Warden and Acting Chief Deputy Warden at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in 2020. He was Correctional Sergeant at California Correctional Institution from 2004 to 2008, and was a Correctional Officer at Avenal State Prison and California Correctional Institution from 1996 to 2004. This position requires Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $203,196. Phillips is a Republican.
JaRita B. Pichon, of Rocklin, has been appointed Chief Equity Officer, Service Access and Equity at the Department of Developmental Services. Pichon has been a Manager for the Healing, Equity for All, Anti-Racism, and Trauma-responsive Transformation (HEART) Section at the Department of Public Health since 2024, where she has held several roles since 2018, including Health Equity Liaison at the Center for Family Health and Health Equity Strategist and Lead of the COVID-19 Guidance & Policy Unit. She was a Research Program Specialist at the Department of Social Services from 2014 to 2018. Pichon was a Senior Evaluation Coordinator for School Health at the Louisiana Public Health Institute from 2010 to 2014. She is President of the Board of Directors of Sharing Parents of Sacramento, a Fellow of the Nehemiah Emerging Leaders Program, member of the American Public Health Association, and member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Pichon earned a Master of Public Health degree in Health Education and Communication from Tulane University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Southern Mississippi. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $151,548. Pichon is a Democrat.
RCRC press releases and related news clips about RCRC and our member counties. Please note that a subscription may be required to read some external publications.
Improved weather conditions aided firefighters Tuesday as they battled a rural northern California wildfire that destroyed two structures and threatened the community of Palermo, which is near where the state’s deadliest wildfire struck six years ago.
California continues to close the digital divide with the state on track to surpass 3,000 miles of broadband network construction and expansion by the end of the year. New partnerships were signed in both Northern California and Southern California in recent weeks.
Biden administration granted two requests from California to enforce strict standards for vehicle emissions, including a rule aimed at banning sales of new gas-powered cars by 2035 in a move that Donald Trump is expected to roll back immediately.
