FRIDAY December 27, 2019
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Gillespie named fire chief
Battling blaze
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he City of Crescent City announced Monday that William “Bill” Gillespie is the new chief for Crescent City Fire and Rescue. Gillespie has served as the department’s interim fire chief since April 2018. Before that, he worked for the Humboldt Bay Fire Department for more than 20 years, moving up the ranks as a firefighter, captain, assistant chief and, for almost two years, as chief. The city said Gillespie has a bachelor’s degree in occupational studies, with an emphasis on emergency services, from California State University Long Beach, and has completed the National Fire Academy’s executive fire officer program. To qualify for the Crescent City position, Gillespie interviewed with representatives of the Crescent Fire Protection District, Crescent City Police Department, the fire chief of the Office of Correctional Safety, the Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office, Fortuna Fire Department, the County of Del Norte Office of Emergency Services and the Del Norte Unified School District. He was also met with representatives of the Crescent City Council and the Crescent Fire Protection District. Gillespie’s contract will be reviewed by the Crescent City Fire Protection District on Jan. 13, and the city council on Jan. 21. The public has been invited to Gillespie’s swearing-in ceremony at 6 p.m. Jan. 21 at the Flynn Building, 981 H St. according to a city press release.
Crescent City Fire and Rescue responded to a residential structure burning Monday night. Photo by Jessica Goddard.
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Crescent City structure fire
rescent City Fire and Rescue was dispatched to 135 Leif Circle in Crescent City on Monday 7:23 Monday evening following reports of a residential structure fire. The resident’s dogs reportedly had alerted her to a fire in the exterior porch area of the home, allowing her to escape with her dogs. The fire department said the primary res-
idence was heavily damaged by fire. The residence to the south had exterior damage from the fire, as well as smoke damage to its interior carport, with smoke advancing into the living area. After preliminary investigation, the fire department said it appeared the fire started in the exterior covered porch area near the controls for a hot tub. The fire subsequently spread into the structure.
The cause appears accidental, according to a fire department press release. A department spokesperson said a nearby 5-gallon propane tank added to the fire. Crews worked to keep lames away from an approximately 125-gallon heating fuel oil tank. A second arriving Crescent City Fire and Rescue unit attached a large supply line to the
hydrant at the entrance to Leif Circle and to the first pumping engine. The Pelican Bay State Prison Fire Department also arrived to assist. Firefighters also found flames in the attic space and rear-bedroom areas. The fire department said no injuries were sustained by the occupant or neighbors, although one Fire and Rescue crewmember was treated at Sutter Coast Hospi-
tal for possible smoke inhalation. Crews had the fire under control by 8:15 p.m., and remained at the scene for due diligence and cleanup until about 10:45 p.m. A total of 19 Crescent City Fire and Rescue volunteers and five members of the Pelican Bay State Prison Fire Department fought the fire, according to the press release.
Fire Chief William “Bill” Gillespie. Photo courtesy City of Crescent City.
HERE ARE YOUR NEW YEAR’S EVE EVENTS Del Norte County’s Dec. 31 New Year’s Eve Events Roaring 2020s Speakeasy Party Lucky 7 Casino Live music, hot-seat drawings, dinner buffet, costume contest 3 p.m.-2 a.m.
Del Norte Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Enrique Ortega of the department’s boating safety team rushed on his jet ski to save a woman swept by waves from a Crescent City jetty. Photo courtesy Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office Facebook Page.
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he Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office boating safety team rescued a 70-year-old woman Wednesday after she was swept off the jetty into the bay at about 8:30 a.m. A department spokesperson said the woman was walking on the jetty - a structure that juts into the water to protect the
harbor during storms - when waves pushed her into the water between the jetty and the B Street Pier. She was able to climb onto rocks adjacent to the jetty, but unable to pull herself back onto the jetty itself. Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Enrique Ortega reached the woman by jet ski and brought her back to the boat ramp safely. She was taken to Sutter Coast
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Hospital in Crescent City by ambulance, but did not sustain any major injuries, according to Crescent City Police Chief Richard Griffin. However, she was bitterly cold and headed towards hypothermia, said police Sgt. Ed Wilson. “We always urge caution if you go out on the jetty,” said More Rescue on Page A2
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SATURDAY
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New Year’s Eve - Roaring ‘20s Party Port O’Pints Brewing Co. With DJ HeadCayce 9 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Curry County’s Dec. 31 New Year’s Eve More NYE on Page A2 P268809lP1224
The Gold Beach
Wishing You The Happiest of Holidays! 50% OFF Mon-Sat 10:30-5 Sun 12-4 • 541-247-2000 some exclusions apply 29975 Harbor Way #102 Port of Gold Beach, 97444
FORECAST FRIDAY
New Year’s Eve at RHC Redwood Hotel Casino Live DJ, beer pong, $75 hot-seats, balloon drop 6 p.m.-1 a.m.
Cosmic Bowling - New Year’s Eve 2020
Swept from jetty By Jessica Goddard Staff Writer
Marlo’s 4th-Annual New Year’s Eve Buffet Marlo’s Restaurant Greek & Italian Food Champagne or sparkling cider included with every meal 4 p.m.-9 p.m.
Tsunami Lanes, Inc. $20.20 for one lane per hour (up to 5 bowlers) 6 p.m.-1 a.m.
TIDES SUNDAY
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