Category Archives: Regional News

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, 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.”

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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, 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.

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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, Education, Klamath, Youth

‘This Situation Could Make Us Fail Our Finals’; Klamath Students, Parents Approach School Board, Again, About Late Buses

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Thumbnail photo by Jessica Cejnar Andrews

Skylar Lambeth was blunt — the bus being late 48 times is inexcusable.

The Del Norte High School student said her first grade has suffered and she’s missing “entire units” of history due to the late bus. Her peers could have made similar statements to the school board, she said Thursday, but they rely on the bus to return home.

“I feel Klamath kids have been forgotten about too many times,” Skylar said. “Klamath kids often get seen as lazy and not caring about grades, but that’s just not true. Us Klamath kids have bright futures, but this takes education away from us and that’s just not fair. This situation could make us fail our finals.”

Continue reading ‘This Situation Could Make Us Fail Our Finals’; Klamath Students, Parents Approach School Board, Again, About Late Buses →
Articles, Emergencies, Local Government, Smith River, Tribal Affairs

Del Norte Supervisors Take Issue Tolowa Dunes SP Closure; Praise Tax Relief Bill Named For LaMalfa

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Thumbnail photo by Paul Critz

District 1 Supervisor Darrin Short was absent. Among the items discussed at Tuesday’s Del Norte County Board of Supervisors meeting.

Tolowa Dunes SP Closure: Three county supervisors said they fielded calls and complaints regarding the temporary closure of parts of Tolowa Dunes State Park over the weekend.

The California State Parks North Coast Redwoods District authorized the closure of several access points and trails to allow the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation to observe the Lhuk Rite Ceremony. The annual ceremony celebrates the importance of salmon and its annual return to its river habitat.

Continue reading Del Norte Supervisors Take Issue Tolowa Dunes SP Closure; Praise Tax Relief Bill Named For LaMalfa →
Articles, Crescent City, Emergencies

City Council Approves Moving Incentive For New Fire Chief, Increased Stipends For Volunteer Firefighters

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Thumbnail photo courtesy of Crescent City Fire & Rescue

Though two members of the public, including a Del Norte County Supervisor candidate, criticized the additional expense, Crescent City councilors authorized a moving incentive of up to $10,000 to recruit a new fire chief.

That incentive will be split between Crescent City and the Crescent Fire Protection District, Human Resources Manager Sara Barbour told councilors Monday. It will be paid to the new recruit as a reimbursement for their moving costs, she said. The cost to each agency will be about $5,000 maximum, Barbour said.

In response to county resident Sam Strait and District 4 Supervisor candidate Margaret Sargent, who asked why the community should pay for the new fire chief’s move, Mayor Pro Tem Candace Tinkler said such assistance is standard practice for her previous employer, the federal government.

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Articles, Crescent City, Housing, Infrastructure

DANCO Communities To Take Over The Redwood Downtown Mixed-Use Development

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Thumbnail image courtesy of City of Crescent City

DANCO Communities President Chris Dart said his company is trying to alleviate parking concerns associated with the 36-unit residential development that is expected to replace the old Daly’s building in Downtown Crescent City.

Dart noted that Community System Solutions had already done a lot of design work on The Redwood Downtown. It will now be up to Crescent City 3rd Street LP, a DANCO Communities limited partnership, to move the project forward. 

The new developers will be open to “any changes that make sense,” Dart said, including parking.

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Articles, Crescent City, Housing, Infrastructure

Developer Says Construction Will Resume on Battery Point Apartments

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Thumbnail photo by James Brooks

The Los Angeles-based nonprofit developing Battery Point Apartments has obtained the additional grant dollars it needs to pay its subcontractors and resume construction, its president told Crescent City councilors Monday.

Bill Rice told councilors that Synergy Community Development Corporation closed on an additional $9.7 million in federal HOME Investment Partnership Program dollars from the California Department of Housing and Community Development. 

In addition to paying its subcontractors by the end of the week, Synergy is bringing in additional construction management to help its general contractor get back to work on the 162-unit affordable housing development at Gary and E streets, Rice said.

Continue reading Developer Says Construction Will Resume on Battery Point Apartments →