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SERVING DEL NORTE COUNTY SINCE 1879 Crescent City, CA

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2024

www.triplicate.com

Court assigns receiver to nuisance property The Triplicate, “The use of a court-appointed receiver gives the county a valuable tool in addressing dilapidated properties which impact our neighbors. The county hopes to use the Superior Court more often to help stabilize these neighborhoods. This particular property was among the worst five percent of our complaint-driven caseload.” Mello continued, “The use of a receiver will save Del Norte County thousands on each property it refers to the court in remediation, rehabilitation and recovery of these impacted properties.” The court assigned the California Receivership Group full control for inspecting, seeking licensed contractors, reconstructing and stabilizing this property with the intent to bring peace of mind to neighbors and save precious resources. Del Norte County will be reimbursed for all costs incurred by the receiver in

BY ROGER GITLIN The Triplicate

Del Norte Code Enforcement, the building department and the Crescent Fire Protection District, along with county counsel requested the Superior Court to assign the California Receivership group full responsibilities in control of a long-standing nuisance property in Crescent City. With no stigmatism attached, The Triplicate chose not to identify the site of this residential property which has, until now, impacted a quiet, law-abiding neighborhood. Judge Darren McElfresh granted the request on Friday December 15. What makes this request so unusual is the rarity of utilizing a court-appointed receiver to have absolute control in addressing health and safety code violations, reported illegal drug dealing and abuse and rodent infestation. Del Norte Code Enforcement Officer Dominic Mello told

Please see NUISANCE, Page A3

Photo by Roger Gitlin/The Triplicate

This property was recently declared a nusiance and the courts tasked the California Receivership Group with cleaning it up and making it safe again.

Fires, business news highlight 2023 Who is

running for the Board of Supervisors?

BY DAVID RUPKALVIS The Triplicate

A massive complex of fires in the fall, businesses closing and opening and other stories highlighted the news in Del Norte County in 2023. Some were good news, others devastating loss, but together they tell the story of a community that was resilient and strong for another year. The top stories of 2023 were chosen based on how many times they were viewed on our website, www.triplicate.com.

BY ROGER GITLIN The Triplicate

1 – Smith River Complex of fires In late September and early October, a series of fires broke out in Del Norte County. When the fires grew together, the combined blazes became known as the Smith River Complex of fires. For weeks, the fires ravaged Del Norte County, spewing smoke over almost the entire county, causing electricity to be shut off in Crescent City and

Contributed photo

In September and October, massive fires raged throughout Del Norte County, causing serious damage and shutting off electricity for weeks.

Please see TOP 10, Page A10

Del Norte basketball teams building momentum ahead of league play BY RAY HAMILL For The Triplicate

The Del Norte boys and girls basketball teams appear well positioned to challenge for a Big 5 championship this season after productive and successful Decembers for both that saw each win a tournament. The boys go into (went into) the Christmas break riding a five-game winning streak after overcoming a slow start to the season that saw them lose four of their opening five games, while the Del Norte girls are 9-2 after reaching a pair of tournament finals. New girls head coach Dylan Nelson, who takes over this year from Justin Clifton, believes the team will be a force when league play begins in the new year.

Contributed photo

Lyon Rigden takes a shot at the Anderson tournament.

Please see HOOPS, Page A4

INDEX

Phone Number: 707-460-6727

Opinion

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Community Calendar Crossword Puzzle Classifieds

Crossword Answers

5 6 9

Please see BOARD, Page A3

• Address: 445 Elk Valley Road, Crescent City, CA 95531 • Email: Circulation@CountryMedia.net Latest news can be found online at:

We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Send us your news, photos, and videos and let us know what's going on!

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Candidate filing has closed for the Del Norte County Board of Supervisors Primary election. • District 1 Incumbent Darrin Short will run uncontested. Short will begin his second term, Darrin Short January 2, 2025 • District 2: Valerie Starkey seeks her second term. Starkey spent her adult career in probation in Sonoma County. She returned home to successfulValerie Starkey ly run for the board in 2020. Starkey shares her vision. “It is with confidence that I assert the community’s desire for enhanced Healthcare accessibility, safer streets and improved road conditions.” Starkey touts her continuous communication with Sutter Coast Hospital and exploring avenues to mental health services. Addressing safer streets, Supervisors Starkey and Dean Wilson formed an ad hoc working group with the sheriff, addressing homelessness issues. Starkey notes her efforts in listening to her constit- Rivers Drown uents and bringing people together.

TriplicateNews1@CountryMedia.net

@TheTriplicate

www.Triplicate.com

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