Drawing down Water is being released from Iron Gate Reservoir.
SERVING DEL NORTE COUNTY SINCE 1879 Crescent City, CA
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2024
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Erosion worsens under Pebble Beach Drive BY ROGER GITLIN The Triplicate
Heavy rain and storm surge have eroded bluffs along Pebble Beach. Crescent City has closed through- traffic on iconic Pebble Beach Drive between 7th and 8th streets until further notice. Unusually heavy rainfall and storm surge tides along the Pacific continue to endure damage on the bluffs along Pebble Beach Drive and pose a vehicle safety hazard along this prominent route. City Manager Eric Wier said, “Public Safety is our primary concern. We ask pedestrians to respect the orange barriers blocking road access until the city deems it safe to return.” The recent history of coastal bluff stabilization goes back to December 2016. Wier related the city council took advantage of, in his words, “a once in a lifetime opportunity” to fund a bluff stabilization project along Pebble Beach Drive. Wier stated severe storms seven years back caused significant coastal banks damage from 6th Street north to Preston Island. The event prompted a funding request from the Federal Highways Administration, California Department of Transportation and local participation to restore Pebble Beach Drive. The breakdown of the funding is FHHA: 88 percent, California Transportation: nine percent and the city’s contribution of three percent to
Photo courtesy of Doug Westfall
Please see EROSION, Page 4
Erosion of the bluff along Pebble Beach Drive is threatening the popular Crescent City street, which forced the city to close the road down until repairs can be made.
Teacher arrested on child porn charges BY ROGER GITLIN The Triplicate
A criminal investigation is underway after sheriff’s deputies executed a felony search warrant at the home of sixthgrade Crescent Elk teacher Dennis Jace Drury, age 57. Deputies discovered child pornogJace Drury raphy images on a computer located at the suspect’s Gingers Way home in Hiouchi. Drury was arrested on Penal Code violation 311.11 Possession of Child Pornography. The suspect posted bail late in the evening the day he was Please see CHARGES, Page 11
Del Norte Wilson prepares to set the table New board chair seeks GOP condemns proactive rather than Hamas reactive governance BY ROGER GITLIN
BY ROGER GITLIN
The Triplicate
The Triplicate
At last Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting, the Del Norte County Republican Central Committee addressed supervisors and delivered a support resolution, “Standing with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric attacks launched by Hamas and other terrorists.” With four separate paragraphs, the resolution declares the following: • WHEREAS on October 7, rocket attack perpetrated by the terrorist organization, Hamas, began to hit major cities including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Within the hour, Hamas fighters poured into Israeli territory. They viciously and cruelly targeted civilians, kidnapping, killing and leaving a trail of terror; and • WHEREAS the Hamas attacks have targeted Israeli Jews and Arabs undermining the peaceful coexistence and harmony that must undergird any resolution to the ongoing political conflict; and • WHEREAS the Committee recognizes the importance of supporting the State of Israel, a democratic nation
Upon assuming the gavel for the chairperson of the 2024 board of supervisors, Dean Wilson shared his thoughts on the need to address the strategic plan for Del Norte. His statement is attached. Chairman Wilson addressed his colleagues and the public in preparing the board to better serve county needs. Wilson referenced state funding and its $37.86 billion in deficit red ink as falling back on the counties. “We must be proactive rather than reactive in an effort to drive economic development.” Wilson spoke of how “we (Del Norte County) must set the table,” for the immediate future. At the December 29 board meeting, Assistant County Administrative Officer Randy Hooper addressed supervisors on the federal earmark update, after decades-long absence of earmark funding. Hooper shared the earmark program will be returning for fiscal year 2025. Here’s what might be on Chairman Wilson’s table: Bar O access project, community wayfinding program, county parking facility EV upgrade project, county workforce housing development feasibility study,
Please see GOP, Page 4
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Phone Number: 707-460-6727
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Florence Keller county water conservation and electrical efficiency upgrade project, Hamilton Park public space improvement project, Del Norte justice center, Recreation Gymnasium ADA improvement project, Red Mountain replacement site acquisition, South Beach coastal welcome center project and Veterans Memorial Hall Improvement project. Last year, Del Norte County learned of optimistic earmark funding for jail rehabilitation, the Del Norte Sheriff’s Office dispatch system and a House Transportation Housing and Urban Development bill for Pyke Field. Upon Board approval, Hooper forwarded the list of priorities to the county’s federal advocate, Thorn Run Partners, in
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Randy Hooper told the board of supervisors he ius confident the county can get federal funding to rehab the county jail. Washington D.C. In December, Thorn Run evaluated the list and recommended the board consider two specific projects: • The South Beach Welcome Center project should be consolidated with the Community Wayfinding project, as a single project. • The Veterans Memorial Hall Improvement project. Thorn Run’s advocate Greg
Burns is reasonably optimistic the $3.08 million jail appropriation should be anticipated, according to Hooper’s board report. On a federal level, Wilson’s table may be set. Hooper updated the board in developing these ideas into projects. The assistant administrative officer said county engineering Please see WILSON, Page 3
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