Cleaning up the beaches ..... A9
Little League champs ........... A8
SERVING DEL NORTE COUNTY SINCE 1879 www.triplicate.com
FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2022
Crescent City, CA
Sheriff to become Del Norte’s next dog catcher? BY DANIEL J. SCHMIDT Editor
Del Norte County Administrator Neal Lopez is seeking to shuffle the county’s organization chart to take supervision of the Animal Services (Control) Department away from the Agricultural Commission and place it somewhere else. The big question is, “Where?”
Lopez said that “over the past year, the Animal Services (Control) Department has struggled to meet the demand for services in our community due to severe staffing shortages and the lack of administrative support under the current structure.” According to the Del Norte County website, the Department of Animal Services enforces state laws, regulations, and county
ordinances relating to domestic animals. “Activities include dog licensing, operating the county dog shelter, maintaining dog license and rabies vaccination records, impounding stray dogs and livestock, investigating dog bites, quarantining dogs that have bit, investigating loose or nuisance dog complaints, and livestock complaints,” the website stated.
Other areas of responsibility include “licensing kennels, investigating potential violations of humane laws, picking up small dead animals for disposal from county roadways, and picking up injured domestic animals.” Lopez’s office has regularly worked with the Agricultural Commissioner Justin Riggs “in an attempt to address many of the gaps that have been identi-
fied, and have had some successes and failures along the way.” During this time, Lopez continued, “we have been unable to find a solution to resolve the additional administrative support we feel is needed for this department, and have determined the current structure has not adequately met the expectations of the community, the Board, the Please see SHERIFF, Page A2
Sheriff’s Department plans to change uniform colors BY DANIEL J. SCHMIDT Editor
Sheriff Garrett Scott has asked the Board of Supervisors to authorize the purchase of two uniform sets for each deputy and corrections officer in the department. Instead of the black-on-black tactical uniforms currently in use, Sheriff Scott seeks to “jump start a new and professional image for our Sheriff’s Office.” The new uniforms will be the traditional sheriff department colors of silver/tan shirts with green trousers. “Nearly all Sheriff’s Offices statewide have switched uniform colors” to these traditional colors, Sheriff Scott said. Sheriff Scott’s request is motivated less by fashion than by logistics. Fewer black uniforms have been produced because of the statewide color change, resulting in long back orders, especially in some sizes. Local officers have had to purchase uniforms that weren’t, well, uniform, with variations in name brand and style that don’t meet Sheriff’s Department policy and appearance standards, Scott said. “Some newly hired deputies have had to use hand-me-down uniforms from our supply of used uniforms while they wait for their new ones,” Scott added. “The new uniforms will bring forth a more professional and apPlease see UNIFORM, Page A2
Contributed photo
On Tuesday, condor A1 was released over the Redwood National Park, marking the fourth California Condor to be released this year.
4th condor soars over Redwood National Park BY MATT MAIS, Public Relations Director, Yurok Tribe
Contributed photo
Sheriff Garrett Scott is planning to replace the traditional black uniforms worn by deputies with tan shirts and green trousers worn by most department’s in the state.
Photo courtesy of Mike Cuthbertson
The Batmobile and others enjoyed a rough ride down Smith River during the 53rd annual Gasquet Raft Race.
Gasquet Raft Race draws hundreds of adventure seekers BY DEAN RICHARDS Contributor
Nearly 500 rafts floated down Smith River during the 53rd annual Gasquet Raft Race last Saturday. The rafts took off down the river starting at the bridge near the water pump station and floated down to Mary’s Bridge.
That was about two miles of white knuckle, white water, physical comedy. On shore was a continuous stream of onlookers starting at the American Legion Hall and fire station. Other activities ranged from a car wash given by the fire department to food at the American Legion Hall, as well as booths
that offered memorabilia and other food items. There was a musical appearance by a popular homegrown local band. This year was particularly busy due to the July 4 events with a parade sponsored by the Gasquet community. For more photos from the raft race, see Page A2.
On Tuesday, July 12, the Northern California Condor Restoration Program (NCCRP) will attempt to release a fourth California condor (prey-goneesh) into Yurok ancestral territory and Redwood National Park, where the critically endangered birds have been absent for more than a century. The timing of the release is contingent upon a few factors. The NCCRP will wait for free-flying prey-go-neesh to be present at the management facility before they initiate the release procedure. The presence of additional prey-go-neesh will ensure A1 is as calm as possible during the transition into the wild. Prior to the release, A1 must voluntarily enter and exit a staging pen with access to the outside world. The release can be viewed live via the Yurok Condor Cam, which can be found here: https://www.yuroktribe.org/yurok-condor-live-feed The NCCRP is a partnership between the Yurok Tribe and Redwood National and State Parks (NPS). A1 will join Ney-gem’ ‘Nechween-kah (A0), Poy’-we-son (A3) and Nes-kwe-chokw’ (A2), which represent the first preygo-neesh to soar over Yurok skies since 1892. A1 is the final member of the first condor cohort to be released into the redwood region. The second group of birds is expected to arrive next month for a late summer/early fall release. The NCCRP plans to reintroduce one cohort of preygo-neesh every year for at least the next two decades. The NCCRP released the first three prey-go-neesh on two separate days in May. The staggered reintroduction is one component of a comprehensive management plan for the new population. Monitored seven days a
week, the previously released prey-go-neesh are adjusting exceptionally well to their new environment. NCCRP biologists and technicians regularly observe the birds exhibiting healthy behaviors, such as feeding, soaring, and finding appropriate and safe roosts. The cultural and environmental restoration project is off to an amazing start. The Yurok Tribe and Prey-go-neesh For the Yurok Tribe, condor reintroduction is more than a rewilding project. In a very real way, restoring condor habitat and returning prey-go-neesh to the Yurok landscape signifies progress toward restoration of Yurok culture and traditions. Prey-go-neesh is prominently featured in the Yurok creation story. The condor is also an essential component of the Tribe’s White Deerskin Dance and Jump Dance, both of which aim to bring balance to the world. The Yurok Tribe started working in earnest on condor reintroduction in 2008. For the Yurok Tribe, the restoration of this sacred species is part of a larger effort to restore the temperate rainforest ecosystem. Initial funding from the US Fish and Wildlife Service allowed the Yurok Wildlife Department to implement a study to determine if Yurok ancestral territory is still capable of sustaining condors. The Yurok Wildlife Department completed a vast volume of work to prepare for the reintroduction of this imperiled species. Funding support came from Redwood National Park, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, as well as the Administration for Native Americans, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Global Conservation Fund, the Redwood National Park Foundation, and many more corporate, agency and private Please see CONDOR, Page A2
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Obituaries ................................... A3 Crossword .................................. A8 Classifieds .................................. A5 Crossword Answers ................... A6 Weather ...................................... A9
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