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• Charges dropped against Rassbach, for now
• New Richmond YMCA set to transfer operations

By Wheeler News Service

St. Croix County prosecutors have dropped forgery and theft charges against a fuel delivery company owner accused of bilking farmers.

That's because the case involves multiple counties and jurisdictions and as a result, the state attorney general's office will handle it.

John Rassbach of Rassbach Oil in Glenwood City was due in a Hudson courtroom Jan.9 on a felony charge of forgery and four misdemeanor theft counts.

Authorities said Rassbach gave farmers less heating oil and diesel than they actually purchased, in part by pumping it back into his tanks before he arrived at the farms in August and September.

Because of that, the company's gauges reportedly showed that gallons were pumped before he arrived at a farm and farmers then unwittingly paid more for the fuel and oil they actually received.

A plea agreement had reportedly been in the works in November.

The New Richmond Area YMCA will transfer its operations to a new non-profit organization effective Thursday, Jan. 1.

The New Richmond City Council voted unanimously Monday night to terminate its lease with the YMCA organization. The Greater St. Paul YMCA has operated the community's pool and recreational facility for more than four years.

The Council then approved a new lease with the New Richmond Area Centre, Ltd.

But recent declines in membership have meant financial trouble for the local facility.

The non-profit organization, called the New Richmond Area Centre, has already reduced membership fees for 2009 in an effort to attract new and former members.

Bill Buell, a member of the Board of Directors for the new operating organization, said the goal is to reach a membership of 999 by the end of 2009. If that happens, he told the City Council, the facility can be self sustaining and continue to be a huge asset for the community.

The YMCA currently has about 800 members, down from a high of 1,300 in 2006. But fee hikes caused many former members to leave.

Centre officials say they plan on maintaining many of the current popular programs that the YMCA offers, but also seeks to add things that the community wants.

For a more detailed story on the switch over, see next week's New Richmond News.