Articles, Community News, Education, Regional News, Smith River, Tribal Affairs

‘Respectful Recognition Of The Original People’; Smith River School To Acknowledge Its Place In Tolowa Territory

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Thumbnail photo courtesy of the Smith River School Local Organizing Committee

It took more than a year of “energy, passion and advocacy,” but the Tolowa community, parents, teachers and advocates finally received the green light to formally recognize that their school stands on Tolowa homeland.

Andromeda Lopez, a Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation citizen and a True North Organizing Network leader, called the unanimous approval from Del Norte County Unified School District trustees to install a public land acknowledgment sign at Smith River Elementary School a landmark moment in local history.

But the Board’s decision on Thursday came after its president, Charlaine Mazzei, cut the public comment period short amid outcry over what she and her colleagues said was a misunderstanding over the definition of the word territory.

Continue reading ‘Respectful Recognition Of The Original People’; Smith River School To Acknowledge Its Place In Tolowa Territory →
Articles, Infrastructure, Local Government

City Officials Pursue $50 Million Forgivable Loan For Major Sewer Plant Upgrade

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Thumbnail photo by James Brooks

Following a public hearing and the adoption of increased sewer rates, Crescent City City Manager Eric Wier said staff have begun pursuing the state funding connected to the utility’s next phase.

The next phase involves installing the infrastructure the sewer plant needs to meet updated National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit regulations. 

After fining the city $228,000 for not complying with those stricter permitting regulations last year, the state has given Crescent City five, potentially 10 years, to make those upgrades, according to Wier. 

Continue reading City Officials Pursue $50 Million Forgivable Loan For Major Sewer Plant Upgrade →
Articles, Elections, Local Government

Early Election Results Show Howard, Borges Leading Over Challengers in Del Norte Supervisor Races

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Thumbnail photo: The Veterans Memorial Hall served as one of the polling places for the June 2 Primary Election. | Photo by Monique Camarena

Chris Howard said he was ready for the “next leg of the adventure” after final election night results were posted Tuesday, though he lamented at the low voter turnout.

As the evening wound to a close, the Del Norte County District 3 supervisor was ahead of his challenger Lupe Gutierrez based on early results the Del Norte County Elections Office posted at about 9:50 p.m.

County Clerk Recorder Alissia Northrup and her staff will spend the week processing ballots, but Howard is already looking toward his fourth term.

Continue reading Early Election Results Show Howard, Borges Leading Over Challengers in Del Norte Supervisor Races →
Articles, Crescent City, Infrastructure, Local Government

Protest Efforts Fail To Stop City Water, Sewer Rate Increases

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Thumbnail photo: Margaret Sargent on Monday speaks out in opposition of Crescent City’s plan to increase water and sewer rates. | Photo by Aisling Bludworth

A Proposition 218 protest failed to halt water and sewer rate increases in Crescent City on Monday despite an effort to collect signatures by a local group who says residents can’t afford them.

Though he didn’t specify if it was water or sewer, county resident David Olkowski, said at $95.38, his bill currently consumes about 16.95% of his social security income. It’s set to account for about 30% of his monthly social security at $171.92 when the rate adjustments take effect next month.

“The assistance we get from the many food banks are dwarfed by these rate increases,” he said. “The savings from our gardens, growing vegetables, fruit trees and produce, berries, are dwarfed by these rate increases.”

Continue reading Protest Efforts Fail To Stop City Water, Sewer Rate Increases →
Agriculture, Articles, Crime

Animal Cruelty Charges Filed In Connection With Horse That Died In Fairgrounds Stables

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Thumbnail photo courtesy of dnfair.org

A 20-year-old Crescent City woman faces one count of felony animal cruelty in connection with the death of a horse that was housed at the Del Norte County Fairgrounds.

A complaint Del Norte County District Attorney Katherine Micks filed Wednesday alleges that between Feb. 1 and March 27, Kaydence Rose Farley “subjected the horse to needless suffering” by failing to provide it with the proper food and drink. 

Farley is scheduled to be arraigned in Del Norte County Superior Court at 1:30 p.m. on June 29, Micks told Redwood Voice Community News on Monday.

Continue reading Animal Cruelty Charges Filed In Connection With Horse That Died In Fairgrounds Stables →
Articles, Elections, Local Government

Howard Nets Big Donations, Gutierrez Outspends Opponent In District 3 Supervisor Race; Voting Closes Tuesday

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Thumbnail photo: Del Norte County elections staff began a live-stream as they processed on Monday. | Screenshot

Chris Howard received donations from big local names as he seeks to keep his District 3 seat on the Del Norte County Board of Supervisors.

Howard, who’s running against retired educator Lupe Gutierrez, boasts four-figure donations from Nick and Lisa Rail, Green Diamond Resource Company and Adam Goldstein, an entrepreneur from Burbank who moved to Crescent City.

The amount of the donations Gutierrez received between March 1 and April 23 pales in comparison to her opponent. However, she has spent $6,634.76 in literature, campaign paraphernalia and research, according to her California Form 460. 

Continue reading Howard Nets Big Donations, Gutierrez Outspends Opponent In District 3 Supervisor Race; Voting Closes Tuesday →
Articles, CC Harbor, Crescent City

Rural Human Services Out, Harbor District In As Saturday Market Primary Sponsor

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The Community Artisan Market will make its debut for the 2026 season next week, but it will be under new management — the Crescent City Harbor District.

Harbor commissioners unanimously approved being the primary sponsor of the market after Harbormaster Mike Rademaker said its previous sponsor, Rural Human Services, “decided not to do the farmers market this year.”

RHS employee Angel Hanson has volunteered to run the market for the Harbor District this summer, Rademaker told commissioners on Wednesday. 

“It’s going to be the same structure as it was last year in terms of timing and vendor fees,” he said. “The harbor would be the primary sponsor with Angel being the project manager.”

Continue reading Rural Human Services Out, Harbor District In As Saturday Market Primary Sponsor →
Articles, CC Harbor, Infrastructure

Harbor District Leaders Meet Firms Vying For Citizens Dock, Seawall Project Manager Role

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Thumbnail photo: Harbor commissioners met the firms hoping to provide project management during the reconstruction of Citizens Dock and replacement of its adjacent seawall. | Photo by Jessica Cejnar Andrews

Harbor commissioners met two of the three firms that have offered to fill the project manager role in the rebuild of Citizens Dock and its adjacent seawall.

It’s another step toward construction for the U.S. Maritime Administration-funded project. But, while the project management services fee will be paid for with grant dollars, the firms’ proposals exceed the $250,000 to $350,000 that was originally budgeted for the position. 

However, that budgeted amount wasn’t included in the original request for proposals, Community System Solutions CEO Mike Bahr told commissioners Wednesday.

“We wanted to see what the proposers would propose for what they believed the scope of work for the project manager would be and what those costs would be,” he said.

Continue reading Harbor District Leaders Meet Firms Vying For Citizens Dock, Seawall Project Manager Role →
Articles, CC Harbor, Crescent City, Infrastructure, Local Government

Three CCHD Commissioners Abstain In Vote To Oppose City Water, Sewer Hikes; Bearing Cost Will Be Difficult, Board Chair Says, But ‘Rates Are Valid’

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Thumbnail photo: Crescent City wastewater treatment plant | Photo by James Brooks

Three harbor commissioners declined taking a position on whether or not Crescent City’s water and sewer rates should increase.

Chairman Rick Shepherd, Vice Chairman John Evans and their colleague Gerhard Weber abstained from a vote to oppose the proposed rate increases. Though they toured the sewer plant with City Manager Eric Wier, Shepherd and Evans said taking a position on the issue would be difficult for them.

Shepherd echoed points Wier has made to the Crescent City Council — that it’s been about 10 years since water and sewer rates have increased and that the sewer system is in dire financial straits. But, Shepherd also noted that the increased water and sewer rates may cost the Crescent City Harbor District $10,000 to $12,000 a year.

Continue reading Three CCHD Commissioners Abstain In Vote To Oppose City Water, Sewer Hikes; Bearing Cost Will Be Difficult, Board Chair Says, But ‘Rates Are Valid’ →

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