Skip to main content

River Valley Times

Politics

Last Updated: Jun 05, 2026 09:13AM • Subscribe via RSS • ATOM

District Repairs 35,000-Gallon Sewage Leak

Jun 05, 2026 09:13AM ● By Gail Bullen, River Valley Times Reporter

An estimated 35,000 gallons of sewage escaped from a failed sewer connection near Rancho Murieta's Yellow Bridge on May 17, triggering a 15-hour emergency response that cost the Rancho Murieta Community Services District $106,189.

Read More »
Water Vision Fight Sparks Accusations of Developer Influence, Secret Meetings

Jun 03, 2026 09:15AM ● By Gail Bullen, River Valley Times Reporter

Accusations of secret committees, developer influence, anti-growth politics and even a “horrible memory” flew between directors and audience members on May 27 as a Rancho Murieta Community Services District discussion about the Water Vision Working Group devolved into one of the board’s most contentious exchanges in recent months.

Read More »
What’s Wrong with the Legislature Can be Explained in these Two Bills

Jun 02, 2026 10:25AM ● By National Federation of Independent Business News Release

How Can Measures Passing 78-0, 34-2 in One House Never Get a Hearing in the Other Chamber?

Read More »
Developer Threatens Lawsuit Against CSD Over Water Meters

Jun 01, 2026 08:41AM ● By Gail Bullen, River Valley Times Reporter

A threatened lawsuit by a Rancho Murieta developer moved into public view after Rancho Murieta Community Services District counsel released a government claim and draft complaint filed by River Canyon Properties LLC, which alleges the district is improperly withholding water meters needed for residential construction.

Read More »
Senator Roger Niello
Sacramento’s Own Lawsuit Machine Shows Why SB 84 Can't Wait

May 27, 2026 10:46AM ● By Victor Gomez and Sen. Roger Niello

If you want to understand why California's Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) lawsuit crisis has gone on so long without a fix, look no further than your own backyard. For years, one of the state's most prolific serial lawsuit filers operated his litigation empire out of a home office in Carmichael.

Read More »
Homeless Camp Near Rancho Murieta Raises Concerns

May 20, 2026 11:44AM ● By Gail Bullen, River Valley Times Reporter

Concerns about a growing homeless encampment near Rancho Murieta surfaced during Sacramento County Supervisor Rosario Rodriguez’s first community meeting in Rancho Murieta on May 4, after Rodriguez discussed a new county ordinance allowing authorities to clear illegal camping on both public and private property.

Read More »
Gere Pushes New Tank Site

May 20, 2026 11:31AM ● By Gail Bullen, River Valley Times Reporter

A sharp debate over the location of Rancho Murieta’s proposed emergency water storage tank and a broad review of next year’s capital improvement projects dominated the Rancho Murieta Community Services District Improvements Committee meeting on May 6.

Read More »
Security Operation Faces Financial Crunch

May 20, 2026 11:10AM ● By Gail Bullen, River Valley Times Reporter

Rancho Murieta Community Services District officials warned during a May 6 Security Committee meeting that the district’s security operation is facing a major financial crunch, with members considering nighttime gate automation, reduced staffing and the need for community input on the future of security services.

Read More »
Remote Accessible Voting Available in Sacramento County

May 19, 2026 08:48AM ● By Sacramento County Voter Registration and Elections Office News Release

Voters can request and receive access to the Remote Accessible Vote by Mail (RAVBM) system.

Read More »
voting
You’ve Voted! What’s Next?

May 18, 2026 05:00PM ● By Sacramento County Voter Registration and Elections Office News Release

oters can use the My Voter Portal (MVP) to ​check the status of their voted ballot.​

Read More »
taxes. calculator
Local Taxpayer Protection Act Eligible for November 2026 Ballot

May 12, 2026 09:31AM ● By California Business Roundtable News Release

Voters to Decide on Critical Measure to Restore Their Rights on Taxes

Read More »
Rodriguez Outlines County Challenges

May 11, 2026 03:54PM ● By Gail Bullen, River Valley Times Reporter

Sacramento County Supervisor Rosario Rodriguez used her first community meeting in Rancho Murieta on May 4 to outline countywide challenges ranging from homelessness and illegal fireworks to budget pressures tied to federal funding cuts.

Read More »
Supervisor Rodriguez Honors Rod Hart

May 11, 2026 03:40PM ● By Gail Bullen, River Valley Times Reporter

Sacramento County Supervisor Rosario Rodriguez honored retiring former Rancho Murieta Association General Manager Rod Hart during her first community meeting in Rancho Murieta on May 4, while Hart – despite officially retiring days earlier – used the occasion to outline major projects and concerns facing the community.

Read More »
Supervisor Rodriguez Announces Scott Road Paving Plan

May 11, 2026 03:33PM ● By Gail Bullen, River Valley Times Reporter

Supervisor Rosario Rodriguez used her first community meeting in Rancho Murieta on May 5 to deliver what she called a “surprise” announcement: Sacramento County will now repave the full length of Scott Road between the area north of Boys Ranch Road and Latrobe Road, completing a long-sought project for Rancho Murieta residents.

Read More »
Mai Vang’s Bid for Congress

May 06, 2026 12:01PM ● By Idaly Valencia

Candidate Highlights Priorities for District 7 Campaign

Read More »
County Selects Inspector General

May 04, 2026 12:30PM ● By Sacramento County News Release

The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve a one-year agreement appointing Eric Kane as Inspector General, ensuring continuity of independent oversight of the Sheriff’s Office while the County evaluates long-term options for the position. The contract begins May 1 and extends through April 30, 2027.

Read More »
voting primary election
Office Tours and Election Observation Available

May 04, 2026 12:07PM ● By Sacramento County Voter Registration and Elections Office News Release

For those interested in learning more about how the complex processes of elections work, tours and opportunities to observe are offered by the Voter Registration and Elections office.

Read More »
My Voter Portal
Accessing My Voter Portal (MVP)

May 04, 2026 12:01PM ● By Sacramento County Voter Registration and Elections Office News Release

My Voter Portal (MVP) is a dynamic online tool that allows voters to access their voter registration history, view ballot status and voting participation history.

Read More »
voting
Ballot Drop Box and Vote Center Locations Posted

May 04, 2026 11:53AM ● By Sacramento County Voter Registration and Elections Office News Release

Voter Registration and Elections (VRE) has posted the list of Ballot Drop Box and Vote Center locations for the June 2, 2026, Primary Election on the VRE website at elections.saccounty.gov.

Read More »
Assembly Republicans Demand Special Session to Combat California’s $180 Billion Fraud Epidemic

Apr 21, 2026 10:14AM ● By Megan Barth, California Globe

Are California Democrats ‘Complicit or Complacent?’

Read More »
No Kings Protests Draw Turnout in Rancho Murieta, Wilton

Apr 08, 2026 11:49AM ● By Gail Bullen, River Valley Times Reporter

As part of a nationwide day of protest that drew an estimated 8 million participants, residents in Rancho Murieta and Wilton took to local intersections March 28 to make their voices heard.

Read More »
Water Supply, Safety Center are CSD Topics

Mar 11, 2026 11:41AM ● By Gail Bullen, River Valley Times Reporter

Conserving existing water and identifying new sources for Rancho Murieta dominated the discussion at the March 3 meeting of the Rancho Murieta Community Services District Improvements Committee.

Read More »
CSD Tables Security Department Changes

Feb 25, 2026 11:04AM ● By Gail Bullen River Valley Times Reporter

Security policy took center stage at the Feb. 18 meeting of the Rancho Murieta Community Services District board, where directors spent nearly an hour weighing a proposed restructuring of the Security Department, revisions to job descriptions and authorization of Tasers.

Read More »
Water Emergency Declaration Stalls after Packed, Divided Hearing

Feb 13, 2026 12:50PM ● By Gail Bullen, River Valley Times Reporter

Following a year and a half of organized community efforts urging a development moratorium, the Rancho Murieta Community Services District board took no action Feb. 10 on whether to declare a water shortage emergency.

Read More »
CSD Board Reviews Options for Lake Clementia, Recycled Water

Feb 11, 2026 11:29AM ● By Gail Bullen, River Valley Times Reporter

The Rancho Murieta Community Services District Board on Jan. 21 held a wide-ranging discussion on what it would take to convert Lake Clementia into a drinking water source, revealing both the regulatory complexity of the process and differences over whether the effort is worth pursuing at all.

Read More »
CSD Board Debates Groundwater Numbers

Feb 11, 2026 11:08AM ● By Gail Bullen, River Valley Times Reporter

A long-running debate over Rancho Murieta’s water future shifted to groundwater wells at the Jan. 21 meeting of the Rancho Murieta Community Services District board, as directors and advisers wrestled with a fundamental question: how much well water the community actually needs, and how confidently that number can be determined before millions of dollars are spent.

Read More »
CSD Discusses Repairs to Gate Arms, Culverts, Lift Station

Feb 11, 2026 10:42AM ● By Gail Bullen, River Valley Times Reporter

Although the agenda appeared light, the Rancho Murieta Community Services District Board discussed a range of issues at its Jan. 21 meeting, including repairs to a lift station and gate arms, as well as the need to update the district’s water conservation plan in the event of a drought.

Read More »
Capital Caucus Members Elect Inaugural Leadership Team

Feb 04, 2026 08:59AM ● By Capital Caucus News Release

The Capital Caucus announced Jan. 28 that its members have elected the new Sacramento-based regional caucus’s first leadership team.

Read More »
CSD Moratorium Debate Heats Up Ahead of Feb. 10 Hearing

Jan 26, 2026 10:32AM ● By Gail Bullen, River Valley Times Reporter

Although not on the agenda, a potential development moratorium dominated public comment at the Rancho Murieta Community Services District Board meeting on Jan. 21.

Read More »
RD 800 Receives FEMA Funds, Advances Flood Planning

Jan 26, 2026 09:32AM ● By Gail Bullen, River Valley Times Reporter

Three years after the January 2023 Cosumnes River floods upended its finances, Reclamation District 800 is finally beginning to see relief while still confronting the limits of a small assessment district responsible for aging levees.

Read More »
Development Moratorium Debate Began in July 2024

Jan 21, 2026 09:44AM ● By Gail Bullen, River Valley Times Reporter

Efforts to declare a water emergency began in July of 2024. Here are direct links to past River Valley Times coverage.

Read More »
Supervisors Elect Rodriguez Chair, Hume Vice Chair

Jan 20, 2026 02:24PM ● By Sacramento County News Release

The annual vote to elect a new a new Chair and Vice Chair of the Board of Supervisors was held on Tuesday, Jan. 13. This year’s elected Chair is Supervisor Rosario Rodriguez of District 4, and Supervisor Pat Hume of District 5 was elected Vice Chair.

Read More »
Community Gets First Look at Jackson Highway Resilience Study

Dec 04, 2025 04:21PM ● By Gail Bullen, River Valley Times Reporter

Rancho Murieta residents received an early look at Sacramento County’s new Jackson Highway Resilience Study during two sparsely attended workshops held Nov. 17 and Nov. 18 at Rancho Murieta Community Church.

Read More »
Supervisors Approve Solar Facility Despite Protests

Dec 04, 2025 11:22AM ● By Gail Bullen, River Valley Times Reporter

Over the objections of environmental advocates, off-roaders and tribal representatives, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a massive solar facility on Nov. 18. The six-hour hearing drew an overflow crowd, with most of the 130 speakers opposed.

Read More »
State Dismisses CSD Conflict Complaints

Dec 04, 2025 11:15AM ● By Gail Bullen, River Valley Times Reporter

Three Rancho Murieta Community Services District board members have essentially been cleared of conflict-of-interest allegations by the California Fair Political Practices Commission.

Read More »

Current Issue

Read It Now

View Past Issues
Place an Obituary in the River Valley Times
Sacramento River Valley Arrest Records
Donate now and help to keep local journalism alive in the Sacramento area
Single Again - Serving the widowed divorced and recently single mature adults
Achieves of local newspapers
Upcoming Events Near You