Tag Archives: crescent city news

Del Norte Marks America’s 250th Birthday By Celebrating ‘The Decades We’ve Been A Community’

Above photo: Del Norte County’s public health nurses and those who gave out COVID-19 vaccines were the grand marshals in the 2021 Independence Day parade | Photo by Jessica Cejnar Andrews. Thumbnail photo: Members of the Crescent City Emblem Club wrapped themselves up in the flag for the 1998 Independence Day parade as shown on the Triplicate’s front page. | Photo by Aisling Bludworth

Valerie Starkey still remembers the Bicentennial at Beachfront Park, and while she doesn’t want to out do that celebration, she hopes the Semiquincentennial will be just as memorable.

“Two hundred and fifty years — that’s a huge milestone for this country,” she said. “We are really celebrating something that’s special to Del Norte County. It’s special to the nation. I think we all felt that way.”

The Del Norte County District 2 supervisor heads the Fourth of July committee for the Crescent City-Del Norte County Chamber of Commerce. This year instead of asking the community to select a theme for the festivities in Downtown Crescent City, Starkey and her colleagues wanted to recognize “the decades that we’ve been a community together.”

Continue reading Del Norte Marks America’s 250th Birthday By Celebrating ‘The Decades We’ve Been A Community’

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

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

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

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

Protest Efforts Fail To Stop City Water, Sewer Rate Increases

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

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

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’

Del Norte Supervisors Extend Deadline On Line of Credit to Airport Authority For Wildlife Fence Project

Thumbnail photo courtesy of Andrew Goff

County supervisors agreed to a year’s extension of the deadline on a line of credit they offered to the Border Coast Regional Airport Authority to replace roughly 1,800 feet of chainlink fence.

The fence project is in an environmentally and culturally sensitive area along the beachfront at Del Norte County Regional Airport, Director Sean Rosenthal told Redwood Voice Community News on Tuesday. It’s needed to keep elk from getting onto the tarmac, he said.

“Right now we’re in the design phase and that should be approved any day,” he said. “And then we have to get a Coastal (Development) Permit. And, hopefully, we get all of our plant studies done in time for September construction.”

Continue reading Del Norte Supervisors Extend Deadline On Line of Credit to Airport Authority For Wildlife Fence Project

Crescent City Faces Tough Budget With Stagnant Revenue, Increased Expenses

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

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

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

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

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