Waddinxveen

This coming year the municipal housing costs will increase by an average of 3.4 percent. In 73 municipalities those costs are increasing by more than 10 percent. The waste tax in particular is increasing significantly, according to homeowners association VEH, NU.nl reports.

On average the municipal housing costs, which include waste tax and sewage tax, amount to 774 euros. Homeowners in Bloemendaal face the highest costs. Property owners there have to pay an average of 1,330 euros to their municipality, 200 euros more than last year.

After the municipal elections, the proportion of woman in the city councils of the Netherlands' 70 largest municipalities increased from 28 percent to 34 percent, newspaper Trouw reports based on its own research. 

Some municipalities, like Amsterdam and Heerhugowaard, now have an equal number of male and female councilors. In Heerenveen and Waddinxveen the municipal councils now consist of more women than men. Utrecht, Hilversum and Nieuwegein are very close to having the same number of women as men on the council. 

Paul Selier, a 39-year-old man who died after being arrested in Waddinxveen early this month, had cocaine in his blood. What influence the drug had on his death, is not yet clear, a spokesperson for the Public Prosecution Service said to NU.nl.

Exactly how much cocaine Selier had in his system, and when he had taken the drugs, is still under investigation. The cause of the Hague car dealer's death is also still unclear. 

An autopsy was scheduled to determine what killed a 39-year-old Den Haag man who appeared to be repeatedly punched when police tried to apprehend him, prosecutors said Friday evening. Paul Selier, a father of two children living in The Hague, was identified in media reports as the victim.

An autumn storm that hit the Netherlands on Thursday mostly caused damage in the east and north of the country. The biggest disruption caused by the storm, was when tents set up for horse event CSI Salland were blown down in Mariënheem, sending a number of expensive horses running, RTL Nieuws reports.

In the Randstad, the train traffic network is very disrupted on Monday. Due to faults in signals, switches and electricity, traffic from and to Schiphol is almost at a standstill. The Algemeen Dagblad reports that it is unclear when this problem will be solved.

The Dutch Meteorological Institute (KNMI) has issued a code orange for extreme weather in North and South Holland as well as North Brabant and Utrecht. The rain and thunderstorms in these areas can be very disruptive and even dangerous. Overnight, a lot of rain fell across the country, and more bad weather is expected for the rest of the day.

All around the Netherlands calls go out for a recount of the votes. In several cities victories are gained, or losses are suffered by a difference of just one vote.