The directors of the Pine Cove Water District have scheduled a hearing for May 9 to listen to public comments about, to discuss and, possibly, to decide on a five-year rate increase. The bi monthly charge could grow about 33 percent and the cost per 1,000 gallons almost four times after five years.

The extremely cold, freezing weather at the beginning of last week took its toll on the water supply in Pine Cove when warmer temperatures arrived Thursday and Friday. Water usage was significantly higher than normal for this time of year, said Pine Cove Water District General Manager Jerry Holldber. Total system demand approached 125 gallons…

Two previous explanations offered by Cal Fire public information officers as to why the Cal Fire investigation reports of last year’s Mountain Fire (“potential future litigation under Government Code section 6254, subdivision (b)” and “one more step left in the investigation”) did not answer the Town Crier’s questions regarding the extent of the agency’s redactions…