During the August 26 meeting of the Del Norte County Board of Supervisors, several comments were made regarding the fiscal management of the Border Coast Regional Airport Authority (BCRAA) during my tenure as Airport Director. Some of these remarks placed the blame for current cash flow challenges squarely on my shoulders. With respect, I feel compelled to respond—not to spark a flame war, but to clarify the record and to ensure the community understands the factual issues at stake.
Inherited Projects and Financial Conditions
When I assumed the role of Director in November 2021, several major projects were already in progress. The grant for the Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) vehicle and ancillary gear had been secured by my predecessor, and the rehabilitation of Runway 18-36 was already moving through the preliminary design phase, with grants awarded for both preliminary and final design. I was to see the design through to completion and apply for the construction grant. I also secured the required 5% local match—nearly half a million dollars—which was provided collectively by all members of the Joint Powers Authority that make up the Border Coast Regional Airport Authority, ensuring every partner participated in funding the project.
After viewing video footage from Elk Valley Casino and hearing from the alleged victim in the case, a Del Norte County Judge denied a motion to reduce hit and run and driving under the influence charges against County Administrative Officer Randy Hooper from felonies to misdemeanors.
During a preliminary hearing on Tuesday, Judge Karen Olson said it would be up to the people to decide whether the charges against Hooper should be reduced.
“[It’s] not in the interest of justice,” Olson said. “Accountability and justice go hand-in-hand regardless of how many Board of Supervisor members or sheriffs you know. This is not a core issue of the case. Reducing charges may occur in the future, but that is on the people.”
Thumbnail photo: Though it’s owned by the state, the Del Norte County Courthouse houses the District Attorney’s Office and the Probation Department. | Amanda Dockter
Pointing out that Del Norte County has 23 youth under its supervision, according to her most recent statistics, District 2 Supervisor Valerie Starkey said a feasibility study to determine how their needs would be met during the rehabilitation of the county jail seemed unnecessary.
Coming about a month after she and her colleagues approved a proposal to house adult inmates at the Youth Opportunity Center building while the jail is under construction, Starkey said Tuesday she worried that having to go through a feasibility study would delay the process.
“I feel it’s one extra layer,” she said before voting against the county’s proposal. “And I don’t know necessarily why we’re doing this now and in this process.”
July 17th, 2025 – For Redwood Voice Community News, a production of Redwood Voice Youth Media, today’s news: roadwork updates from Caltrans District 1; Triplicate editor faces scrutiny for bias in wake of harbor commission article; California Congressman Jared Huffman will hold a town hall this Saturday at Lucky 7 Casino’s Tolowa Event Center; Oregon to receive $10.1 million for drug prevention services as part of a nationwide opioid settlement; the Curry County Evacuation Plan Committee is working to improve public safety and disaster readiness; a PSA from CalFIRE on knowing your evacuation zone; tribal youth complete the first 310-mile descent down the undammed Klamath River; the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation is seeking public comment on their Long Range Transportation Plan; the Pacific Northwest is currently battling 15 wildfires; the ODFW put out the final draft of their 2025 State Wildlife Action Plan; and further updates from Caltrans District 1. All this and our regular segments from the Pacifica Radio Network and National Native News.
We’re broadcasting on KFUG 101.1FM and kfugradio.org every day at 12PM, with a rebroadcast at 5PM. We’re also airing on KZZH 96.7FM at 6AM, and KCIW 100.7FM at 6PM!
Today’s news card image is courtesy of Ken Lund via Wikimedia Commons, which has been edited.
July 16th, 2025 – For Redwood Voice Community News, a production of Redwood Voice Youth Media, today’s news: roadwork updates from Caltrans District 1; quillback rockfish is definitely not overfished; California Congressman Jared Huffman to hold a town hall this Saturday at Lucky 7 Casino’s Tolowa Event Center; Battery Point Senior Apartments are expected to be open for occupancy in October 2025, and applications are accepted starting today; the Curry County Evacuation Plan Committee is working to improve public safety and disaster readiness; a PSA from CalFIRE on knowing your evacuation zone; tribal youth complete the first 310-mile descent down the undammed Klamath River; the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation is seeking public comment on their Long Range Transportation Plan; the Pacific Northwest is currently battling 15 wildfires; the ODFW put out the final draft of their 2025 State Wildlife Action Plan; further updates from Caltrans District 1; and updates on the Orleans Complex. All this and our regular segments from the Pacifica Radio Network and National Native News.
We’re broadcasting on KFUG 101.1FM and kfugradio.org every day at 12PM, with a rebroadcast at 5PM. We’re also airing on KZZH 96.7FM at 6AM, and KCIW 100.7FM at 6PM!
Today’s news card image is courtesy of the Yurok Tribe via their Facebook Page, which has been edited.
July 15th, 2025 – For Redwood Voice Community News, a production of Redwood Voice Youth Media, today’s news: roadwork updates from Caltrans District 1; quillback rockfish is back on the menu; California Congressman Jared Huffman to hold a town hall this Saturday at Lucky 7 Casino’s Tolowa Event Center; a body was found in the Klamath River that matches the description of a missing person; Crescent City receives $2 million to finish the Tolowa Cultural Trail in Beachfront Park; Battery Point Senior Apartments are expected to be open for occupancy in October 2025; Del Norte County Board of Supervisors discuss preparing Bar-O Ranch for sale; an update on the Orleans Complex; and further updates from Caltrans District 1. All this and our regular segments from the Pacifica Radio Network and National Native News.
We’re broadcasting on KFUG 101.1FM and kfugradio.org every day at 12PM, with a rebroadcast at 5PM. We’re also airing on KZZH 96.7FM at 6AM, and KCIW 100.7FM at 6PM!
Today’s news card image is courtesy of CDFW/MARE, which has been edited.
July 14th, 2025 – For Redwood Voice Community News, a production of Redwood Voice Youth Media, today’s news: roadwork updates from Caltrans District 1; the Measure R Oversight Committee seeks new members urgently; California Congressman Jared Huffman to hold a town hall this Saturday at Lucky 7 Casino’s Tolowa Event Center; a body was found in the Klamath River that matches the description of a missing person; Crescent City receives $2 million to finish the Tolowa Cultural Trail in Beachfront Park; Battery Point Senior Apartments are expected to be open for occupancy in October 2025; Del Norte County Board of Supervisors discuss preparing Bar-O Ranch for sale; this Saturday is Annual Arts Advocacy Day; high temperature warnings for Oregon this week; an update on the Orleans Complex; and further updates from Caltrans District 1. All this and our regular segments from the Pacifica Radio Network and National Native News.
We’re broadcasting on KFUG 101.1FM and kfugradio.org every day at 12PM, with a rebroadcast at 5PM. We’re also airing on KZZH 96.7FM at 6AM, and KCIW 100.7FM at 6PM!
Today’s news card image is taken as a screenshot from Crescent City’s Special Council Meeting, which has been edited.
July 10th, 2025 – For Redwood Voice Community News, a production of Redwood Voice Youth Media, today’s news: roadwork updates from Caltrans District 1; the Measure R Oversight Committee seeks new members urgently; Del Norte County Board of Supervisors discuss the potential sale of Pacific Shores properties; President Trump orders higher fees for foreign visitors to our National Parks; Red Sky Roofing contracted to patch the holes in the Fred Endert Municipal Pool roof; Crescent City Chamber of Commerce recaps the Independence Day festivities; Del Norte County’s No Tolerance campaign makes 4th of July quieter this year; Oregon bans students from using cell phones at school; US Coast Guard changes station designations from numeral to geographical; white sturgeon populations continue to decline according to CDFW; anti-hunger advocates warn that Oregon lawmakers need to backfill SNAP benefits; and further updates from Caltrans District 1. All this and our regular segments from the Pacifica Radio Network and National Native News.
We’re broadcasting on KFUG 101.1FM and kfugradio.org every day at 12PM, with a rebroadcast at 5PM. We’re also airing on KZZH 96.7FM at 6AM, and KCIW 100.7FM at 6PM!
Today’s news card image is courtesy of the California Department of Fish & Wildlife, which has been edited.
July 9th, 2025 – For Redwood Voice Community News, a production of Redwood Voice Youth Media, today’s news: roadwork updates from Caltrans District 1; Curry County brings on the Rogue Valley Council of Governments for financial oversight; Red Sky Roofing contracted to patch the holes in the Fred Endert Municipal Pool roof; Crescent City Chamber of Commerce recaps the Independence Day festivities; Del Norte County’s No Tolerance campaign makes 4th of July quieter this year; over two thousand pounds of trash were removed during the 5th of July Beach Cleanup; Oregon bans students from using cell phones at school; US Coast Guard changes station designations from numeral to geographical; the Yurok Tribe and Department of Defense collaborate on infrastructure improvements; anti-hunger advocates warn that Oregon lawmakers need to backfill SNAP benefits; and further updates from Caltrans District 1. All this and our regular segments from the Pacifica Radio Network and National Native News.
We’re broadcasting on KFUG 101.1FM and kfugradio.org every day at 12PM, with a rebroadcast at 5PM. We’re also airing on KZZH 96.7FM at 6AM, and KCIW 100.7FM at 6PM!
Today’s news card image is taken as a screenshot from Google Maps, which has been edited.
July 8th, 2025 – For Redwood Voice Community News, a production of Redwood Voice Youth Media, today’s news: roadwork updates from Caltrans District 1; Curry County brings on the Rogue Valley Council of Governments for financial oversight; Curry County also begins filling out its workforce after adopting this year’s budget; public commenters remember the negative experiences with past investors after two new developers pitch their revitalization ideas for Crescent City Harbor’s RV parks; the Del Norte Sheriff’s Department and surfing samaritans save swimmers from the wave break in South Beach waters; over 2,000 pounds of trash were picked up during Crescent City’s 5th of July Beach Clean-Up; the Department of Health and Human Services will be holding their 29th Annual Health Fair at the end of July; the Department of Pesticide Regulation is offering free groundwater testing to Californians; campfire programs have begun throughout the California State Parks’ North Coast Redwoods District; the U.S Coast Guard renames its districts from numerical to their geographical designation; the Yurok Tribe and Department of Defense improve Redwood National Parks’ facilities as part of the Air National Guard’s Innovative Readiness Training Program; more funds are allocated toward the Last Chance Grade tunnel project; and further updates from Caltrans District 1. All this and our regular segments from the Pacifica Radio Network and National Native News.
We’re broadcasting on KFUG 101.1FM and kfugradio.org every day at 12PM, with a rebroadcast at 5PM. We’re also airing on KZZH 96.7FM at 6AM, and KCIW 100.7FM at 6PM!
Today’s news card image is courtesy of the Redwood Parks Conservancy via their Facebook Page, which has been edited.
Telling the untold stories of Del Norte and Tribal Lands through amplified youth voices.
