Category Archives: Articles

Articles, Community News, Local Government

At Greenough’s Request, Crescent City Council Observes Moment Of Silence For Charlie Kirk

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Kirk | Author: Gage Skidmore via Wikimedia Commons. Creative Commons License

Thumbnail photo: Screenshot

(Updated at 2:56 p.m. to clarify that Greenough served as Crescent City Mayor in 2021 and 2022.)

Before asking his colleagues to observe a moment of silence for his death, Crescent City Councilor Jason Greenough said he modeled his leadership style on fallen right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk.

“I have struggled with this all week, that in a country where we value our freedoms so much, that someone would be willing to kill another human being for their opinion,” Greenough said Monday. “And I know when I was mayor I pushed that every single person that stepped up to that microphone would have their time to bring their mind and their thoughts and their beliefs to us.”

Stumbling a bit over his words, Greenough, who was Crescent City mayor in 2021 and 2022, recapped the events that led to Kirk’s killing at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10. The city councilor also praised Kirk for his practice of going onto college campuses and engaging youth in “civilized debate” and said his killing was despicable.

Continue reading At Greenough’s Request, Crescent City Council Observes Moment Of Silence For Charlie Kirk →
Articles, Economy, Local Government

A Quarter of Del Norte County’s Positions Are Vacant, HR Director Says

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Updated at 4:37 p.m. to correct the spelling of Samantha Reagen’s name.

After weighing in on a compensation analysis they said fell short of expectations, county supervisors learned that Del Norte’s overall vacancy rate is 25%.

Out of a total of 482 positions countywide, 121 are empty, Human Resources Director Kerri Vue said last week. This represents a significant staffing shortage that is more pronounced in the Social Services and Behavioral Health branches of the Department of Health and Human Services as well as the District Attorney, Probation and Sheriff’s Offices, she said.

“We also see several smaller, yet important, single vacancies across various departments such as the administrative office, animal control, the assessor and the auditor-controller,” she said. “All these numbers are smaller, [but] each vacancy represents a critical gap in a specific function, potentially impacting efficacy and the ability to meet department objectives.”

Continue reading A Quarter of Del Norte County’s Positions Are Vacant, HR Director Says →
Articles, Local Government

Comp Study Shows Del Norte County’s Overall Base Salaries 10% Below Market Rate; Supervisors Say Analysis Fell Short Of Expectations

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Thumbnail photo by Paul Critz

Norma Williams summed up SEIU 1021’s assessment of the Gallagher report in four words: We told you so.

The president of the Del Norte County Employees Association told supervisors Tuesday that the results of Gallagher’s compensation analysis — which showed that the county’s base salary is 10% below the market median though its overall compensation package is 2.1% above the market median — is nothing new.

Following a subsequent presentation from Human Resources Director Kerri Vue, who stated that there were 121 staff vacancies out of a total of 482 positions, Williams called for an across-the-board cost of living adjustment. She also urged them to address substandard salaries by ensuring the positions’ pay is in line with the market rate.

Continue reading Comp Study Shows Del Norte County’s Overall Base Salaries 10% Below Market Rate; Supervisors Say Analysis Fell Short Of Expectations →
Articles, Community News, Health, Local Government

Working Group Battling Opioid Calls Using Settlement Dollars to Build Treatment Capacity, Increase Naloxone Access

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Thumbnail photo courtesy of Jermaine Brubaker

Editor’s note: Rx Safe Del Norte and KFUG Community Radio LLP — Redwood Voice’s parent organization — are currently partnering together on TACOCAT, a teen-based program aimed at spreading awareness about opioid abuse in Del Norte County.

Calling the roughly $4 million in opioid settlement dollars Del Norte County is set to receive a “once-in-a-generation opportunity,” members of a local coalition stated that it plans to use that money to close the gaps that contributed to the crisis.

The opioid litigation work group’s plan calls for increasing treatment capacity in the jail as well as inside and outside of Del Norte County, according to Behavioral Health Deputy Director Shiann Hogan. The plan also aims to use settlement dollars to better equip law enforcement, emergency personnel and other providers to meet the community’s needs.

According to Hogan, the group’s plan focuses on using opioid settlement dollars Del Norte County currently has.

Continue reading Working Group Battling Opioid Calls Using Settlement Dollars to Build Treatment Capacity, Increase Naloxone Access →
Articles, CC Harbor, Local Government

CCHD Debate Over USDA Loan Continues; Board Rejects Nehmer’s Appointment To Ad Hoc Committee

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Nehmer | ccharbor.com

Thumbnail photo by Paul Critz

Crescent City Harbor commissioners rehashed whether one of their colleagues acted outside her scope for the second day in a row at a meeting that culminated in raised voices and a recall threat from the public.

Ultimately, a motion to appoint Annie Nehmer as one of two commissioners on an ad hoc committee related to renegotiating a U.S. Department of Agriculture loan failed Wednesday with three of her colleagues casting no votes. 

Their decision came ahead of a third special meeting that had been scheduled for Thursday but has since been canceled. Nehmer’s censure and removal from her vice chair position was on the agenda.

Continue reading CCHD Debate Over USDA Loan Continues; Board Rejects Nehmer’s Appointment To Ad Hoc Committee →
Articles, Crime, Local Government

Hooper Pleads Not Guilty to Felony Hit & Run, DUI; Trial Set For October

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Hooper |LinkedIn

Thumbnail photo: Randy Hooper’s hit and run and DUI charges stem from a collision that took place near Sand Mine Road and U.S. 101 on April 19. | Photo by Heather Polen.

Assistant County Administrative Officer Randy Hooper pleaded not guilty to felony DUI and hit and run charges on Tuesday.

Hooper was arraigned before Del Norte County Superior Court Judge William Follett, according to Keith Morris, who is prosecuting the case for the California Attorney General’s office. Follett set a jury trial for Oct. 27 through 30, Morris told Redwood Voice Community News on Wednesday.

Hooper entered his not guilty plea via his attorney, George Mavris, according to Morris. About two weeks prior, Mavris unsuccessfully petitioned Judge Karen Olson to reduce Hooper’s charges from felonies to misdemeanors. 

Continue reading Hooper Pleads Not Guilty to Felony Hit & Run, DUI; Trial Set For October →
Articles, CC Harbor, Local Government

Though Taken Off The Agenda, Potential Censure of Annie Nehmer Dominates CCHD Special Meeting

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Nehmer

Thumbnail photo by Amanda Dockter

Linda Sutter urged Gerard Weber to call the police on Tuesday, refusing to leave the Crescent City Harbor District’s special meeting until she had her three minutes to speak.

Stepping to the rostrum after Weber, the CCHD’s chairman, told the public to stick to items that weren’t on the agenda, Sutter addressed the potential censure of one of his colleagues when he stopped her.

“We should not talk about items that are on the agenda,” he said.

When Sutter protested, pointing out that she is speaking about Harbor District business and accusing Weber of disrupting her right to free speech, Weber called a halt to the meeting. 

Continue reading Though Taken Off The Agenda, Potential Censure of Annie Nehmer Dominates CCHD Special Meeting →
Articles, Community News, Environment, Health

Animal Rescuers Wonder Where Pets Will Fit In At New Homeless Shelter, Micro Village

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Thumbnail photo courtesy of Del Norte County; Above, Camp Berry founder Rhonda Berry says that of the 150 puppies she’s rescued in about a year 80% of them have come from the homeless encampments. | Photo courtesy of GoFundMe

Gloria Bobertz says she understands that for some people struggling with homelessness, their dog is often their only friend.

She doesn’t think they shouldn’t have pets, but after nearly 20 years working as a behavioral health specialist for Del Norte County, Bobertz, who’s now retired and works with cadaver and search and rescue dogs, said she’s seen the conditions some of these animals are in. She said she had a particularly hard time with a litter of puppies she brought to Camp Berry in July

“They were starved,” Bobertz told Redwood Voice Community News. “I don’t know what they were given to eat, but I can tell you it smelled so rotten. And just the look in their eyes — how can you do this to another living creature?”

Continue reading Animal Rescuers Wonder Where Pets Will Fit In At New Homeless Shelter, Micro Village →
Articles, Crime, Law

Del Norte County Sheriff Speaks Out On Randy Hooper Character Reference, Says He Disagrees With How It Was Used

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Thumbnail photo: Randy Hooper’s felony hit-and-run and DUI charges stem from a collision that occurred at Sand Mine Road and U.S. 101 on April 19. | Photo by Heather Polen

Though he provided a character reference for Randy Hooper, who faces felony hit-and-run and DUI charges, Del Norte County Sheriff Garrett Scott said he disagrees with how it was used during an Aug. 26 preliminary hearing.

In an email to Redwood Voice Community News on Aug. 27, Scott said he did not support efforts by George Mavris, Hooper’s attorney, to reduce his client’s charges from felonies to misdemeanors. Scott said he also refrained from using his title when signing the character reference, though he acknowledges that he “inherits the title.”

He said he also took issue with a comment prosecuting attorney Keith Morris made during the hearing, that he was “disappointed that a sitting sheriff submitted a letter.”

Continue reading Del Norte County Sheriff Speaks Out On Randy Hooper Character Reference, Says He Disagrees With How It Was Used →
Articles, Community News, Crescent City, Economy, Infrastructure, Local Government

Crescent City Takes First Step On Long Path Toward Revitalizing Its Downtown

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Thumbnail image courtesy of Crescent City; YouTube video by Heather Polen

Karen Betlejewski choked up a little when she described her dad’s impression of Downtown Crescent City as a 40-plus year resident returning home after being away.

“He said, ‘I wanted to cry,’” she told a gathering of business owners, elected officials and other stakeholders with interest in the downtown area.

Betlejewski, who manages the Del Norte County Historical Society’s museum and says “she’s into old,” said she enjoys shopping in Downtown Crescent City and she loves the people. But the vacant buildings make the area look sad.

“You know that it just needs help,” she said. “And I would like to see that.”

Don Arambula agreed. The project manager, principal planner and urban designer for Portland-based Crandall Arambula PC presented a preliminary assessment to Betlejewski and about 80 other residents on Wednesday.

Continue reading Crescent City Takes First Step On Long Path Toward Revitalizing Its Downtown →