Police Blotter, Convictions ..... A8
Celebrating Independence Day ........... A9
SERVING DEL NORTE COUNTY SINCE 1879 www.triplicate.com
FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2022
Crescent City, CA
Smith River man sentenced for possessing child porn BY DAVID RUPKALVIS The Triplicate
A Smith River man could spend the rest of his life behind bars after he was sentenced last week for possession and control of child pornography. Christopher Michael Macfarland, 39, was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison after being found guilty of possession of child pornography and posses-
sion/control of child pornography. The sentence was enhanced because Macfarland had two previous serious or violent felony convictions. According to the Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation into Macfarland was long and challenging. This investigation involved multiple victims under the age of 12 and included multiple sexual
offenses involving children. According to the sheriff’s office, Macfarland has an extensive history of sexually abusing children and being in possession of child pornography. Throughout this investigation, there were two search warrants and one arrest warrant written and served. The case was prosecuted by the Del Norte County District Attorney’s Office.
“An outstanding investigation was conducted by Del Norte County Sheriff’s Investigator Asbury,” Sheriff Garrett Scott said. “This case involved many complex components, including warrants, countless hours of research and interviews of both victims and suspects. A special thank you to the Del Norte County District Attorney’s Office for all of their hard work in prosecuting this case.”
Christopher Michael Macfarland
Wheel breaks off monster truck Measure R
Committee reports to supervisors BY DANIEL J. SCHMIDT Editor
Photos by Daniel J. Schmidt/The Triplicate
The monster truck Rock Star flies through the air during the first night of a monster truck show in Crescent City. On the second night, a mechanical failure led to a wheel breaking off Rock Star, which damaged a car and led to minor injuries for two spectators.
Two minor injuries reported after mechanical failure BY DANIEL J. SCHMIDT Editor
Two young girls received minor injuries at the Del Norte County Fairgrounds during last Saturday night’s Monster Truck Show when a wheel of the “Rock Star” monster truck broke loose following a jump and hard landing. Following the stunt, a “mechanical failure” occurred that caused the tire to detach from the monster truck. The tire continued to roll into and over a barricade fence, then crashed into a private vehicle. The girls were injured by flying fence debris. The incident occurred at 8:10 p.m. in the arena at the fairgrounds. According to Crescent City Fire & Rescue Battalion Chief James Weiland, the Monster Truck “Rock Star,” driven by Bill Payne, had just completed a jump over the large central berm in the arena and landed on its front tires. A “mechanical failure” caused the left front wheel and tire to detach from the truck. “The wheel rolled northbound within the arena, then struck the fencing barricades,” Weiland said. “The tire continued in its path and struck an unoccupied private vehicle,” damaging the vehicle’s front end and hood. The two youth females who were standing near the fencing were subject to indirect minor injuries, “mostly from fencPlease see MONSTER, Page A4
Balch recognized for saving Yurok officer THE TRIPLICATE Crescent City Police Officer Tyler Balch was commended by Chief Richard Griffin and Mayor Jason Greenough at last Monday’s city council meeting for saving the life of a Yurok Tribal Police officer exposed to Fentanyl. Yurok Officer Gibson was subjected to the unknown substance and collapsed. Officer Balch with prior training administered NARCAN antigens and was
recognized for saving the Yurok police officer’s life. Due to low staffing levels, the Yurok Tribal Police Department and the Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office have been teaming up to respond to reports of crime. Officer Gibson, came into contact with a “powdery substance” and subsequently lost consciousness while arresting a suspect who allegedly had drugs. Officer Balch administered NARCAN, an emergency medicine used to combat
suspected overdoses, to Gibson and took him to the hospital. Gibson was treated for Fentanyl exposure and was released. The Yurok Tribe Police Department urged persons to careful when interacting with uånknown substances because they can cause an overdose quickly, even though an aerosolized powder.” The Yurok Tribe Police Department also thanked the Crescent City Police Department for their “quick thinking and life-saving actions.”
The Measure R Oversight Committee submitted its report to the Del Norte County Board of Supervisors at the Board’s June 28 meeting. Committee member David Jones presented the report to the Board summarizing the committee findings following several meetings that were conducted during the past fiscal year. The committee report asked and answered three fundamental questions: Question 1. Were all Measure R funds spent on “vital local services,” as described in the Ballot Question for Measure R? Answer: Yes. Measure R funds have been spent in the following areas: Question 2. If any Measure R funds were not spent on “vital local services,” what were they spent on? Answer: The Measure R Committee did not identify any misspending or misuse of Measure R funds. Question 3. Was any Measure R funding used to supplant or displace another funding source in any department’s budget? Answer: We have not identified that any funds were supplanted or displaced to another funding source in any budget. Measure R funds are not added to the General Fund and are a separate fund. The Measure R Committee, as well as the public, has access to budget items in Del Norte County via the County Website. The Measure R Committee receives the most current financial statements listing funds available and what funds have been spent and where. The Measure R Committee has requested that random audits be completed on departments and/ or funds spent and provided to the committee for review. Explanation of Measure R Expenditures by Department The Oversight Committee monitored the Measure R revenue that has been generated up to this point. The Oversight Committee also monitored the expenditures to by the various county departments that have received Measure R funds. Those departments submitted reports in response to a formal request by the Oversight Committee. Sheriff’s Department: • Salary Increases for Sheriff’s Deputies to narrow the salary discrepancies with other agencies to reduce out migration of trained department staff. • Addition of Dispatch position. This will provide adequate staffing and coverage so staff may utilize their vacation days, etc. • Addition of a Records Clerk. Prior to addition there was only one Records Clerk reducing the timeliness of service due to workload. • Salary Increases for Jail staff to narrow salary discrepancies with other agencies to reduce out migration of trained jail staff. Probation Department: Please see MEASURE R, Page A4
INDEX
AT TRIPLICATE.COM
Obituaries ............................... A3, 4 Crossword .................................. A8 Classifieds .................................. A6 Crossword Answers ................... A7 Weather ...................................... A4
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