Category Archives: Local Government

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 →
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, 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’ →
Articles, Local Government

Del Norte Supervisors Discuss Juvenile Detention MOU With Sonoma County; A Dispatcher’s Salary; District Attorney Staffing

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Thumbnail photo by Paul Critz

Among the items discussed at Tuesday’s Del Norte County Board of Supervisors meeting:

Juvenile Offender Placement: Del Norte County supervisors approved adding Sonoma County Juvenile Hall to the list of potential detention facilities it can use to house youthful offenders in Del Norte’s care.

Del Norte County Probation Chief Lonnie Reyman’s request comes about three years after the Board of Supervisors officially eliminated his department’s juvenile hall division  in 2023. 

The probation department continues to use the Humboldt County Juvenile Hall as its primary detention facility for youth with Mendocino, Shasta and El Dorado counties acting as a backup. According to Reyman’s staff report, contracting with the Sonoma County Probation Department also enables Del Norte youth to access its sexual offender treatment program and secure track treatment program.

Continue reading Del Norte Supervisors Discuss Juvenile Detention MOU With Sonoma County; A Dispatcher’s Salary; District Attorney Staffing →
Articles, Crescent City, Economy, Local Government

Crescent City Faces Tough Budget With Stagnant Revenue, Increased Expenses

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Thumbnail photo: Crescent City Manager Eric Wier told councilors last week that the city doesn’t have the staff to keep its Val Polyanin art exhibit open. | File photo by Amanda Dockter

Crescent City 2026-27 budget workshop

Eric Wier warned councilors to brace for difficult decisions as they and staff look to make Crescent City’s 2026-27 budget and general fund work amid stagnant revenues and increased costs.

At a 3-hour and 18-minute budget workshop on Wednesday, the city manager and his staff recommended holding off on filling several vacancies within the public works, police and fire departments.

Councilors and staff discussed whether the city could contribute funding for airport projects, if sending planning commissioners to League of California Cities training was feasible and whether other funding could be found to avoid skipping special events and swim camps at the pool this fiscal year.

Continue reading Crescent City Faces Tough Budget With Stagnant Revenue, Increased Expenses →
Agriculture, Articles, Community News, Environment, Local Government

Special District Focused On Resource Conservation Expands Boundaries To Include All Of Del Norte County

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Thumbnail photo: The Del Norte Fire Safe Council held a workshop in March 2025 to teach people how to harden their properties against wildfire. | File photo by Ethan Caudill-DeRego

A special district previously focused on agricultural issues in the Smith River and Fort Dick areas received the green light to annex all of Del Norte County into its jurisdiction on Monday.

The Del Norte Resource Conservation District’s expanded boundaries allows for greater collaboration with organizations focusing on wildfire resiliency, stream and forest health restoration and those that support new farmers, District Manager Becky Crockett told Redwood Voice Community News.

The expanded boundaries also means the Del Norte RCD can pursue state and federal grant dollars, which in turn can lead to larger projects, she said.

Continue reading Special District Focused On Resource Conservation Expands Boundaries To Include All Of Del Norte County →
Articles, Health, Local Government

Del Norte DHHS Nets $33 Million State Grant For Behavioral Health Campus

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Thumbnail: This conceptual comparison of a new Behavioral Health Campus versus the current Behavioral Health Branch facility was included in the county’s grant application for BHCIP dollars. | Image courtesy of District 2 Supervisor Valerie Starkey

Shiann Hogan sees many possibilities for Del Norte County’s new Behavioral Health Campus, but one thing it won’t be is a locked facility.

The deputy director for the county Behavioral Health Branch says the new facility will allow for expanded substance abuse and mental health programming. There will be a new sobering center and a mental health crisis respite center and the facility will complement the new EmPATH unit Sutter Coast Hospital is developing.

But those will be voluntary services, Hogan told Redwood Voice Community News on May 11. 

Continue reading Del Norte DHHS Nets $33 Million State Grant For Behavioral Health Campus →
Articles, Crescent City, Crime, Local Government

Crescent City Council Approves 10-Year Contract With Axon For Cameras, Tasers, Data Storage

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Despite calling Axon the “best company out there,” Police Chief Richard Griffin couldn’t convince everyone on the City Council that entering into a 10-year contract for Tasers, body cameras, dashboard cameras and data storage was the best thing for Crescent City.

According to Griffin, Axon has great equipment, their data storage capabilities frees up the city’s server and allows for easy searching. The company also offers the ability to upgrade to new cameras and Tasers without needing to pay extra, the chief said. 

Appointed Councilman Steve Shamblin had misgivings.

Continue reading Crescent City Council Approves 10-Year Contract With Axon For Cameras, Tasers, Data Storage →
Articles, CC Harbor, Infrastructure, Local Government

Harbor District Proposes New Plan To Make USDA Loan Payment And Fund Maintenance Needs

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Thumbnail photo: Crescent City Harbor’s inner boat basin. | Photo by Gavin Van Alstine

Harbor Board Chairman Rick Shepherd insisted that a plan to both make a loan payment to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and address maintenance issues would “save our ass,” though he admitted it was convoluted.

The plan involves a trust account with the county that houses the transiency occupancy tax (TOT) revenue the Measure C has generated for the Harbor District since voters approved it in 2018.

On Wednesday, CCHD Fiscal Officer Sandy Moreno informed commissioners that there is $602,396 in that trust account — more than enough to make two loan payments to the USDA. She proposed using roughly $263,888 to satisfy a delinquent payment the Harbor District should have made to the USDA in September 2025 and using $129,841 to address the district’s maintenance needs.

Continue reading Harbor District Proposes New Plan To Make USDA Loan Payment And Fund Maintenance Needs →