2013 Small Business Archive Stories

The Grimes Library seems to be sinking. Thick weight-bearing beams in the 30-year-old building appear to be rotting, as the plaster around the beams is cracking and crumbling. "You look at something like this and you think it'll hold up the Earth. But really, the Earth will swallow it," said County Librarian Wendy Burke.

Economic development, financial stability and transparency were the main goals discussed at the special meeting of the Colusa City Council held at Rocco's Bar and Grill on Tuesday afternoon. In a special retreat, the council held a brainstorming session to identify general goals for the council over the next three years, strengths and we

River Rat Customs is not a typical Colusa County business. Then again, the owner is not a typical rice farmer. "Not too many rice farmers have long hair," said Rob Moriconi, who farms rice, has long hair and is the owner of River Rat Customs, which designs and builds motorcycles. It is at Bridge and Webster streets in Col

Dane Nissen was critical of all the solar company representatives in Priuses approaching Strain Ranch in Arbuckle where he is the warehouse manager. "I've seen 25 of these guys in a month. Almost all of these guys are selling contracts to larger companies," said Nissen. His boss, Rick Strain, had been equally frustrated.

From needlepoint classes to watercolor displays, a group of committed volunteers is working to enhance the role of the arts in Colusa County. The Colusa County Arts Council, with an infusion of energy and a new partnership with the California Arts Council, is creating programs to better support local artists and to make art more accessib

Large shading elm trees lining the broad streets in front of grand old homes give Colusa a special character. But five of those elms will be removed this month for hazard and liability reasons. Caltrans is scheduled to remove the trees on 10th Street near Oak Street on Feb. 19-21. Drivers can expect delays and possible ro

Gov. Jerry Brown promised to protect the North State’s water, but made it equally clear there were critical needs across the state. Brown’s comments came at the annual Ag Leadership Breakfast in Colusa Wednesday morning. “I promise we will protect the water on that land, and our water from anyone else in this st

Like many Maxwell High students, freshman Molly Dunlap cannot remember when she wasn't involved in some agriculture group or another. Of course, Dunlap and many students grow up on a farm or ranch. Stil, Dunlap admits she was surprised to finish second in the Light Horse Judging competition at the 15th annual FFA Field Day at Pie

Employers expect workers to be able to think critically, have better than adequate math skills and to be able to work on a computer. They also expect applicants to have a high school diploma — or what has always been viewed as an administrative equivalent — a general educational development certificate. "Most employer

Dan O'Connell is convinced that there are not many people who live in Colusa County who haven't been to the summer fair and left with a smile. He believes the tradition trails back generations. Now, the Colusa County Fair Board director and the other board members are hoping to tap into those fond memories and pride to generate f

All new development in the Sacramento River basin of Colusa County could be halted and flood insurance rates could soar. That is the extreme and highly unlikely result of a Federal Emergency Management Agency flood map that shows levee protection to be wholly inadequate. The reality is much more likely that the FEMA flood map wil

Samuel Reese has been coming to the Colusa gun show for years. "I think I have been here more years than they have actually had one," quipped the Roseville man, who took time out from his hunting to visit the show on Saturday. The former Yuba City resident was not alone. By 10 a.m. on the opening day, there was a line out

The Colusa City Council is considering whether to annex the state park — and possibly the larger surrounding area — as part of its general effort to turn the riverfront into a centerpiece attraction. The idea has been discussed in the past, but not with the current council. Councilman Greg Ponciano, who joined the cou

A 21-year dream came true with the snip of ceremonial scissors on Saturday — and life was restored with full remembrance of the veterans who had once called the new Williams Community Center home. "None of this would have been possible without the sacrifice of our veterans who have given so much to fight for the freedom that we all

The Colusa Unified School District will still need to cut close to $600,000 from its next budget, but the restoration of Proposition 30 funding into local school budgets has generated a cautious sigh of relief throughout the county. Despite the 2018 funding cycle written into the measure, districts like Pierce and Maxwell are viewing the

A board that stood together during the spring campaign was seated together on Tuesday. Supervisors Gary Evans, Tom Indrieri and Mark Marshall took their oaths of office after being re-elected in the June primary. Denise Carter was handed the gavel as the new chairwoman, replacing Evans, and Indrieri was selected as vice chairman.

The new Education Village in east Williams is taking shape, but when it will be completed will depend largely on Mother Nature — and more rain is expect today. "It is scheduled to be done on May 15, but we won't know until we get closer. It depends on the weather," said Stan Lentz, the field supervisor of the $11.5 million Colusa C

Short of going out of state, California consumers cannot avoid the new quarter-cent sales tax increase that went into effect on Tuesday. Consumers started paying 1 cent more in sales tax for every $4 spent. And at least in Colusa County, merchants do not seem to be terribly concerned that the increase will impact sales. "