Affirmation Judge rules Fashion Blacksmith is owed $1.9 million by harbor district.
SERVING DEL NORTE COUNTY SINCE 1879 Crescent City, CA
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2023
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Crescent City looking to add third K9 officer able to utilize the AKC Reunite adopt a K9 Cop matching grant program, which is focused on the purchase of police K9’s throughout the country and must be co-sponsored through a local K9 Kennel Club. The new addition will replace Lt. Kai, who is up for retirement at the end of next year. “The K9 program is invaluable. It’s astronomical in terms of what we actually get out of it,” Griffin said. “The dogs take some of the risk away from the officers. Most of the time, it’s a call-out. We use the dogs to search rather than person-to-person. They work together with a common goal.” City Manager Eric Wier agreed. “They are such a valuable tool in keeping our officers safe,” he said. “I can’t say enough about the K9 program the good in saving time, saving effort, decreas-
BY RODNEY HARWOOD Country Media
CRESCENT CITY – They still have to obtain grant funding, but one of the newest additions to the Crescent City Police Department will soon join an elite task force to help take a bite out of crime in the coastal city. The Crescent City Council and the Measure S Committee authorized the purchase of a third police K9 dog for deployment on patrol in Fiscal Year 2023-2024 at its Oct. 2 meeting. The police department has a contractual agreement with Meyer’s Police K9 Training, LLC, in Chico and is currently working with them for the purchase of a third K9. It is a work in progress, council had already approved the third dog for the fiscal budget year. The action (Oct. 2) was to provide the department direction to seek out the grant money. Chief Richard Griffin was
Please see K9, Page A4
Contributed photo
In 2022, the Crescent City Police Department added a second K9 officer, Sgt. Kostya, who is handled by Officer Daniel Sander. The police are hoping to add a third K9 officer in the coming months.
Crescent City man conquers the R3 Wakefield to be honored at firefighters memorial BY RODNEY HARWOOD Country Media
Contributed photo
David Hatton II, center, celebrates with fellow hikers from Man Made after completing the rim to rim hike at the Grand Canyon.
Second time’s the charm as Hatton goes rim-to-rim-to rim David Hatton II, of Crescent City, nearly became one of them. In March 2023, David set off on an R3 attempt as an optimistic 18-year-old. He was underprepared for the extreme late-winter weather and found himself wet, stranded, and alone. Whether by divine intervention or immense luck – fate brought David together with a group of elite thrill-seekers on
BY STEPHANIE BRADLEY For the Triplicate
The rim-to-rim-to-rim (R3) hike through the Grand Canyon is famous for its majesty and difficulty. While the vistas are stunning – the terrain is dangerous and quickly fatal to the novice outdoor enthusiast. Sadly, an average of 12 lives are claimed by the canyon annually.
an R3 expedition that night. A group of adventurers led by the founders of Man Made – an organization aimed at helping men find purpose through challenging experiences – were arriving at the Manzanita mid-way rest point just as David was giving up hope. The group leaders comprised former Colorado Rockies Please see R3, Page A10
SACRAMENTO – People in and around Crescent City came to know that former Crescent City Fire & Rescue chief Steve Wakefield represented all things good. First on the scene with a volunteer force with a long history of tradition dating back to 1900 where it was established as the Crescent City Volunteer Fire Department. He was instrumental in the merger of the Crescent City Volunteers Fire Department and Crescent Fire Department into Crescent City Fire and Rescue in 2015. It wasn’t all that odd to see his fire truck parked at a high school football game so he could watch his sons play, still ready to answer the call of the need arise. He was on the front line of fire protection for 43 years with the department, the past 20 as the chief, starting back in 1995. Tragically Chief Wakefield gave the ultimate sacrifice suffering a massive stoke in 2018 while serving as chief and passed away in 2019. On Oct. 14, Wakefield will be honored at the 21st Anniversary California Firefighters Memorial Ceremony in
Former Crescent City Fire & Rescue Chief Steve Wakefield Sacramento. The California Firefighters Memorial is a unique and stunning tribute to the more than 1,500 firefighters who have died in the line of duty since California became a state in 1850. The California Firefighters Memorial was unveiled on April 6, 2002, and is a lasting tribute to the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect their fellow Californians. “Steve followed his father Bob into the fire service. He was especially proud that his Please see CHIEF, Page A10
Two-way traffic resumes at Last Chance Grade A new construction wall is planned for the Wilson Creek area in 2027. The agency will make a project presentation to the Transportation Commission before year’s end. The Draft Environmental Document (DED) will be released to the public shortly. Early next year, after the DED has been released, the public will have opportunity to weigh in on the document. The Stakeholders Mitigation Workshop was held this past May. Yet to be determined is identifying the long-term solution. Two options remain active: consideration of a two lane tunnel or utilizing the existing road. You can read more about work toward the long-term solution at lastchancegrade.com
BY ROGER GITLIN The Triplicate
Good news for U.S. Highway 101 at Last Chance Grade. Traffic is now open for two way traffic for the first time in nine years. The area remains prone to landslides but remains open for now, according to Cal Trans. Cal Trans reports the removal of tens of thousands of cubic yards of slide materials, the installation of wire mesh on slopes, geotechnical investigations, portable signal installations, construction of multiple stability-enhancing walls, wall repairs, drainage system installations, roadway realignment, paving, striping, installation of advanced warning beacons, signage installations and flagging operations.
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Finalizing construction of Retaining Wall No. 5B at Last Chance Grade.
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