FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020
SERVING OUR COMMUNITY SINCE 1879 • WWW.TRIPLICATE.COM
Another virus case in Del Norte By David Hayes The Triplicate
The first confirmed active case of the coronavirus in two weeks was registered on Del Norte County’s COVID-19 online information hub Tuesday. This came just one day after the Del Norte County Public Health Officer reported to the City Council
that he didn’t know the status of the virus in the community. “The cluster of cases that we had in mid-May has pretty much settled down as far as we can tell,” Dr. Warren Rehwaldt told councilors. “So, it does raise the question of how active is the COVID-19 virus in our community now? My answer is I don’t know. I don’t really know
for sure. I always worry about the fact that we’re so small and spread out as a community that it’s possible with all these precautions in place the virus could periodically shut down and have to be reintroduced. I don’t know if that’s the case here. I think we just need to wait and watch a little longer.” Rehwaldt’s report includ-
ed news from a June 12 press release from the California Department of Public Health allowing massage, tattoo, facial and manicure services to resume this Friday. The new openings follow on the heels of Rehwaldt’s June 11 order allowing RV parks, campgrounds and vacation rentals, aquariums and outdoor recreation businesses to
allow tourists and guided tours. In addition, hotels were allowed to open at 50 percent capacity to non-essential travelers. Rehwaldt said the newest openings “was actually pretty good timing because we opened up some businesses on the 12th, then we were staging a little more opening of businesses two
Please see Virus, Page A8
Claudia Elliott Photos, The Triplicate
The recently opened Redwood Canopy Trail Canopy Trail at Trees of Mystery features a 526-foot path over eight suspension bridges and 10 platforms that range from 50-100 feet above the ground.
Redwood Canopy Trail open at Trees of Mystery By David Hayes
Trees of Mystery
The Triplicate
Becky Jasperse is terrified of heights. However, she accepted her friends’ challenge to walk the new Redwood Canopy Trail at the Trees of Mystery with her husband P.J. “I thought, you know what? I love the trees, the atmosphere. I wanted to see the experience, see what it was like,” Becky said Jasperse said. So, they traveled from Redding last week to return to the park for the first time in 15 years. The Canopy Trail features a 526-foot path over eight suspension bridges and 10 platforms that range from 50-100 feet above the ground. “The experience puts you into the canopy of the redwood trees,” park office manager Brenda Lopez explained. “There isn’t another canopy trail in old
15500 U.S. Highway 101 Open 7 days a week except Christmas and half days on Christmas Eve and Thanksgiving. Trails entrance is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The gift shop is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission for ages 13-59 is $20. Seniors 60 and older or $16, children ages 6-12 are $11 and ages five and under are free. Admission includes the SkyTrail, Forest Experience Trail, Wilderness Trail, Trail of Tall Tails, Kingdom of Trees, Redwood Canopy Trail and The End of the Trail Museum. (Individual attractions are subject to closure depending upon weather and other conditions).
growth redwoods, anywhere.” She said groundbreaking for the project was in August 2019
and construction by Tree-Mendous Aerial Adventures finished in March 19, 2020. “That evening is when we got word California had to shelter in place,” Lopez said of the safety measures put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “So, we were not able to open to the public.” She said the park was allowed to reopen May 22 after submitting a safety plan to the Del Norte County Public Health Office. Just some of the safety measures Lopez said they’ve taken include: • Hand sanitizer was placed throughout the park. • Employees must wear masks at all times and have their temperatures checked each morning before coming in the door. • Social distancing is encouraged throughout the trails and giftshop. •Plexiglass was installed
Paul Bunyan and his Blue Ox Babe stand ready to help prevent spread of the coronavirus at Trees of Mystery in Klamath. between cashiers and the paying public. •The gondolas on the Sky Trail ride are sanitized after each use and given another full, empty ride around the loop before the next use.
The Canopy Trail has its own safety measures. It’s completely enclosed behind netting and undergoes daily inspection before anyone is allowed on board. Lopez said the trail also gets
Please see Trail, Page A6
Del Norte High Class of 2020 celebrates graduation Despite the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic created, 180 members of the Del Norte High School Class of 2020 joined with their families, teachers and other community members to celebrate graduation Friday evening, June 12. School administrators and the district’s Board of Trustees made a tremendous effort to allow students to have a traditional graduation, even taking the matter to state public health officials, but concern about large gatherings made it necessary for the school to stick with its “Plan B,” a drive-through graduation.
INDEX Crosswords..............................................A6 Crossword Answers..................................B3 Classifieds................................................B1 Weather....................................................A8
Principal Randy Fugate presided over the ceremony, his last at the high school. Among speakers were Valedictorian Rachel Appel and co-Salutatorians Bryce Howard, Ximena Velazquez and Brooke Winingham. Because of the public health restrictions, for the first time in 25 years, DNHS seniors were not allowed to graduate in the school’s football stadium. As a tribute to the students, two sets of 20 chairs, representing the class of 2020, were set up on the 50-yard line of the football field as a silent reminder of opportunities lost in the
pandemic. Still, a joyful mood prevailed, as students and their families drove around the field and cheered as graduates received their diplomas. With balloons, posters — and a few face masks — students and their families appeared to be enjoying one of their first chances to get together — albeit with social distancing — since school was shut down in mid-March because of the coronavirus. Additional photos and a link to a video of the graduation are available on the school district’s Facebook page. More photos at triplicate.com
David Hayes, The Triplicate
Valedictorian Rachel Appel was among speakers at the June 12 graduation of the Del Norte High School Class of 2020. Check online at triplicate.com for a slideshow from the graduation.
FORECAST TIDES
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
69 55
67 54
SUNDAY
70 55
HIGH LOW HIGH LOW
Friday Saturday Sunday -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -5:36 AM 6:13 AM 6:50 AM 12:11 PM 12:53 PM 1:34 PM 5:01 PM 5:42 PM 6:23 PM
$1.50