Beavers on the prowl For the first time in decades a family of beavers was released in California.
SERVING DEL NORTE COUNTY SINCE 1879 Crescent City, CA
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2024
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Crescent City woman killed, her son arrested thew Rickner, 29, who fled the scene after the elder Rickner, previous to the incident, called the Sheriff’s Dept to report her .45 caliber pistol was reported missing about 10:45 p.m. Matthew Rickner was stopped by California Highway Patrol officers and reportedly was in possession of a .45 caliber pistol and methamphetamines. He was arrested by deputies about midnight off Bertch Avenue. Rickner
BY ROGER GITLIN The Triplicate
A homicide investigation is underway following the death of a Crescent City woman last Friday night. Phyllis Rickner, age not reported, was discovered deceased at her home on Humboldt Road in the late evening of December 29. Rickner has been identified as the mother of suspect Mat-
listed his residence at the Humboldt address where both his parents reside. Matthew Rickner’s father has been identified as a witness in the investigation. Sheriff Garrett Scott released the following statement on the DNSD Facebook site: “We are deeply saddened by the events that took place last Friday night. Our hearts go out to the friends and family of the victim. I would like to send a huge thank you
to Dispatcher Ruggles, who handled the incident and all the Del Norte Sheriff’s Office staff who responded and all the allied agencies who responded to assist as well.” The investigation is being handled by Del Norte Sheriff Sergeant McClafin and investigator Balch. No arraignment date has been announced at the time of posting this story.
Dungeness Crab season gets underway In a rarity,
consent agenda item pulled and tabled
Fishermen and Wildlife balance whale safety with financial considerations
BY ROGER GITLIN The Triplicate
What began as a simple request to approve new procedures for the Volunteer Camp Host and Volunteer Caretaker programs, has been pulled for additional discussion and several options on county policy for the legal concealed carry permit. Risk Manager Whitney Pincomb requested supervisors approve and adopt the new Volunteer Camp Host and Volunteer Caretaker programs and authorize the director of Building and Maintenance and Parks to implement both programs. “Not so fast,” according to at least three supervisors, who agreed to table the consent agenda item for additional discussion and consideration of options associated with a legal concealed carry weapon permit. Most of the language presented to supervisors on both documents was fairly tame and non-controversial until Pincomb’s revelation of the
BY ROGER GITLIN The Triplicate
The commercial Dungeness crab season commenced in Del Norte County this week. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFWD) announced the Dungeness season is now open in zones 1 and 2 from the Sonoma County line to the Oregon border. The delay in zones 3-6, South of the Sonoma/ Mendocino will continue to be restricted. Multiple delays in opening the Crab season have been attributed to excessive humpback whale entanglements and the high number of whale sightings, according to the DFWD Assessment and Mitigation program. Recently, an endangered Pacific Sea Turtle became entangled and drowned in commercial crabbing gear. The recreational fishery opened on November 4 with hoop nets and the recreational crab was lifted in zone 1, California’s most northerly zone.
Photo by Roger Gitlin/The Triplicate
Please see CRAB, Page 5
Crabbers prepare their pots before heading out for the opening day on Dungeness crab season.
Please see CONSENT, Page 3
Board approves Shasta as back up for juvenile services BY ROGER GITLIN The Triplicate
A special board of supervisors meeting was called to discuss and approve an expiring juvenile rehabilitation agreement with Shasta County for placement and back up services. Chief Probation Officer Lonnie Reyman reported to the supervisors that Humboldt Juvenile Hall is the primary facility used for detention for many reasons, and the desired location for detaining youth, However, there are occasions Humboldt Juvenile Hall may not be able to accept a ward due to over-population, under-staffing or poor road accessibility. Reyman addressed the board, “I’ve stated since we began discussions regarding the closure of our own Juvenile Hall, back up contracts are needed to ensure we have access to safe and appropriate detention facilities when that need arises.” Reyman worked to establish a contract with Shasta County after Sonoma County was under-staffed and unable to add a Del Norte ward to a Sonoma sex offender program. In late Sep-
INDEX
tember 2022, the board approved a contract with Shasta which expired December 21, 2023, thus requiring this special meeting. Probation has maintained the contract with the Shasta Juvenile Rehabilitation facility, as a redundant ward detention option. Del Norte County counsel expressed its opposition to the agreement. County counsel’s opinion was any contract is required to include and operate under joint powers language. The joint powers language is included with Del Norte’s agreement with Humboldt. 2nd District Supervisor Valerie Starkey expressed her “heartburn,” as she put it, and concern the board was not adhering to county counsel advice and the agreement should not be signed until counsel approved the additional joint powers language that, again, does exist in the Humboldt contract. Shasta County declined to alter or include in the current contract the joint powers language. The Shasta County youth facility was built with SB 81 funding and mandates all oversight be
File photo
Please see JUVENILE, Page 3
Chief Probation Officer Lonnie Reyman asked the board of supervisors to approve Shasta County as a backup for juvenile services.
Phone Number: 707-460-6727
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