WEEKEND EDITION
Remember to move your clocks ahead one hour at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 8.
FRIDAY, March 6, 2020 S E R V I N G O U R C O M M U N I T Y S I N C E 1 8 7 9 • W W W. T R I P L I C A T E . C O M
Primary: Berkowitz, Short win supervisor seats By Brian Williams Triplicate Editor
T
wo Del Norte County Supervisor elections will not be headed for runoffs in November as incumbent Bob Berkowitz and newcomer Darrin Short garnered enough votes to secure the District 5 and District 1 seats, respectively, according to the unofficial results from Tuesday State primary. “I think the main takeaway from this election is that the people
in the 5th District realize that I have been working hard on their behalf,” Berkowitz said. “From the ‘Daily Town Hall’ meetings to the community clean ups that seek to rid blight from the county, people want a supervisor who addresses their needs.” In the District 2 election, incumbent Lori Cowan was the top vote-getter and will be moving on to the Nov. 3 general election ballot. With 100 percent of the precincts reported, Cowan received 41.13 percent of the votes (436) and was followed by retired
probation officer Valerie Starkey with 30 percent (318) and Crescent City Harbor Commissioner James Ramsey with 28.87 percent (306). Cowan was excited to be moving on. “I had an amazing group of women on my team and support of the community who all played a big part of getting me to Tuesday's results,” Cowan said. “We have already started look forward to November. In the mean time I have a job to do and I will continue to More ELECTION on Page A5
The California primary was held Tuesday. Photo by Brian Williams.
Donkey business
(Left) Audrey Phillips shoots an airball while Jewel Pincombe and Kobe Mitchell look on. (Right) Del Norte High School hosts a donkey basketball fundraiser March 2 for the Del Norte Future Farmers of America and the Lake Earl Grange. (Below) Kobe Michell tries to coax his Donkey I-5 closer to the loose basketball. Photo by David Hayes.
Donkey basketball fundraiser nets nearly $1,000 T
Staff Report
he Del Norte High School gym hosted an unusual basketball game on March 2 as teams from Del Norte Future Farmers of America and Lake Earl Grange tried to play the sport atop donkeys. The groups hosted the event as a rollicking fundraiser. Donkey Sports Inc., of Entiat, Wash., providing the donkeys and the officials. One side of the gym
was roped off and the other packed with spectators. Baskets could only be scored while mounted atop a donkey. And loose balls could only be retrieved while maintaining a grip on the donkey’s reins. Jessica Chamberlain, Del Norte High School Agriculture Advisor, said she did not get a headcount for official numbers, but the turnout was better than she expected. “I loved it. I had fun, the
CCHA receives two honors C
By David Hayes Staff Writer
ity staff at the March 2 City Council meeting touted Crescent City Housing Authority (CCHA) receiving awards from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Veterans Affairs Administration. The awards were the 2020 Housing Choice Voucher Program of the Year and the 2020 Veterans Affairs Support of Housing VASH Program of the Year. City Manager Eric Wier said these are not Crescent City or Del Norte county awards, rather California awards, recognized over 98 other housing authorities across the state. “These people, day in and day out handle a huge caseload — there are 584 families that they assist every month, with over 400 on the waiting list," he said.
"Over the last year, they had 111 new vouchers. To say they go above and beyond is just a true understatement. There’s a lot of ways they could just punch the clock, but they don’t. They make sure that every family is assisted.” Program Director Megan Miller told the City Council the CCHA recently received 10 new vouchers through the Housing of Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUDVASH) program, allowing 23 veterans to find permanent housing since Crescent City began working with HUD-VASH. Miller praised the difficult job her staff does while maintaining cohesiveness. “Everybody is invested equally. Everybody comes to work every day ready to work. They care about their work and they care about the More CCHA on Page A2
Crossword Answers ....................................B4 Calendar.....................................................B1 Classifieds...................................................B3
Millsong Mercantile wishes the community farewell By Jessica Goddard Staff Writer
A
FRIDAY
48 39
Millsong Mercantile on Third Street will close permanently in March. Photo courtesy of the Facebook page.
n elderly man perused through isles of used books at Millsong Mercantile in his usual reticent manner. He was a regular at the used book and music shop, always kept to himself and always left with his arms full of books. This time, however, he stopped on his way out the door, looked back at owner Patti Pearcey and said, “You know, it is nice to go where somebody always knows your name.” Pearcey has held onto that moment, along with many other fond memories from the 27 years of running Millsong Mercantile (formerly the Bookcomber) on 840 Third St. in Crescent City, which is why she regrets having to close it. Millsong Mercantile is a lot smaller than it once was, according to Pearcey. It used to sit in a large building around the corner from its current location, a spot that allowed room for at least 12,000 more books than they carry now. It also served as a music venue in those days. Her brother Dale
FORECAST
INDEX Crosswords................................................ A5
kids had fun playing and are excited for next year. The crowd was the best and rooted our kids on. I think it was a great event,” Chamberlain said. Chamberlain said the event profited $958 to be split between the Lake Earl Grange and the FFA club. The funds will help pay for Grange rodeo fees and to help pay for students to attend the state FFA conference next month, Chamberlain said.
SATURDAY
46 36
Morgan also taught guitar lessons there, and the space worked well as a live music venue, seating 75 people. However, when the rent got too steep six years ago, they had to downsize to their current location. There was no longer performing space or room for guitar lessons, but its shelves still poured over with books, guitar string and vinyl records. And within its walls, one could still find the serene atmosphere of an old bookstore and a friendly business owner with whom to converse. “It’s like family. People stop in and say, ‘Oh, I just needed cheering up, so I thought I’d stop in,’’ said Pearcey. “It’s nice to have a place where people can go.” Then the rise of the internet encouraged people to purchase More Mercantile on Page A2
TIDES SUNDAY
48 39
LOW HIGH LOW HIGH
Sat Fri Sun 2:19AM 3:16AM 5:08AM 8:15AM 9:12AM 11:06AM 3:26PM 4:11PM 5:53PM 10:08PM 10:44PM M:12:19AM
$1.50