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Police Blotter ..... A3

CR to host fire academy ........... A2

SERVING DEL NORTE COUNTY SINCE 1879 www.triplicate.com

FRIDAY, JULY 22, 2022

Crescent City, CA

Solution in the works for Last Chance Grade Experts say two-way traffic will flow on Last Chance Grade in 2023 BY DANIEL J. SCHMIDT Editor

A “unified front” of elected public officials, finance administrators, project engineers, scientists and public land managers provided project updates for Del Norte County’s notorious Last Change Grade along Highway 101 between Crescent City and Klamath. Sponsored and organized by State Senator Mike McGuire, this annual progress report was presented in a livestream Town Hall format last Tuesday, July 12, and gave the public an opportunity to question the experts. The biggest news, according to Sen. McGuire, is that the Last Chance Grade project is “on time and on budget.” In addition, the project has received $50 million in funding that has allowed the project to undergo geotechnical, environmental and engineering studies. McGuire stated that his number one goal is to present a unified front “so we can start

moving dirt as soon as possible.” Congressman Jared Huffman agreed, stating that “holding everyone together” will help to “avoid conflict, litigation and delay.” With passage of last year’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, “this is the best time to move forward,” Congressman Huffman said. “We are never going to have more resources than we do right now.” Huffman added that, among transportation infrastructure projects, “there is no higher priority” than the Last Chance Grade project. Once a consensus is reached, the project will move to environmental review, the permitting phase, project funding, and construction. State Assemblyman Jim Wood said the project represents “safe, reliable travel north and south, with reduced maintenance costs and road closures.” CalTrans District 1 Deputy Director Richard Mullen, a Yurok tribal member, said that even though Last Chance Grade is a Please see SOLUTION, Page A2

Triplicate file photo

Crews work to remove debris from the road after a slide closed Last Chance Grade in 2021. The road has since been limited to one lane while workers try to keep the road free from debris.

Supervisors agree to consolidate local and state elections in November THE TRIPLICATE The Del Norte County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution to consolidate the statewide general election on November 8 with all Crescent City and all Special District elections throughout the county. Each jurisdiction will be billed for the costs incurred on their behalf. The consolidated election will include: • City of Crescent City Council members and measures • All Del Norte County Governing Board Members and Measures on the ballot • Del Norte County Board of Education Trustee Areas 1, 2, and 5 • College of the Redwoods

Trustee Area 3 • Del Norte County Healthcare District • Crescent City Harbor District • Del Norte County Fairgrounds Recreation and Park District • Del Norte County Library District • Crescent Fire District • Fort Dick Fire District • Smith River Fire District • Big Rock Community Service District • Klamath Community Service District • Bertsch Ocean View Community Service District • Gasquet Community Service District • HRC Community Service District

CAL FIRE suspends burn permits Del Norte County Del Norte All-Stars qualify for T T

Contributed photo

The Del Norte Senior League All-Stars celebrate after winning the Oregon state championship to earn a berth in the Wesern Region Tournament.

HE

RIPLICATE

California has already experienced an unusually early start to wildfire activity amidst an ongoing drought and historically low rainfall and reservoir levels. While wildfires are a natural part of California’s landscape, wildfire activity in California and across the west is starting earlier and ending later each year. Warmer spring and summer temperatures, reduced snowpack, and earlier spring snowmelt create longer and more intense dry seasons that increase moisture stress on vegetation making forests more susceptible to severe wildfire. The increasing fire danger posed by dead grass and hotter, drier conditions in the region is prompting CAL FIRE to suspend all burn permits for outdoor residential burning within the State Responsibility Area of Humboldt, Del Norte, and Western

Trinity Counties. This suspension takes effect July 25th, 2022 and bans all residential outdoor burning of landscape debris such as branches and leaves. “California wildfires continue to threaten our communities,” said Chief Joe Tyler, CAL FIRE director. “With the conditions set for an early start of the 2022 fire season, it is imperative that we collectively take preventative steps now to prepare, and we ask all Californians to do their part in wildfire preparedness.” Humboldt – Del Norte Unit Chief Kurt McCray is appreciative of residents and various community groups as well as cooperating government organizations who have conducted their burning safely this year. Safe burning helps reduce hazardous wildland fuels and allows the burning season to continue longer. Now, warmer and drier weather across the state has Please see PERMITS, Page A2

2022 Western Region Tournament BY RAY HAMILL For the Triplicate

The Del Norte Senior Little League All-Stars will carry plenty of momentum into this year’s Western Region Tournament, as they look to secure a place in the 2022 Senior Little League World Series. The tournament was last weekend in Oakland and featured 10 state champions from throughout the Western United States, with just one team advancing. But after recently impressing on their way to the Oregon State title, the local all-stars are looking forward to the occasion and won’t back down from the challenge. “I hope we can go down there and be as competitive as we

can be,” coach Jon Nelson said. “And hopefully take home another banner.” If the team’s offense and pitching continue to play as effectively as they did on their way to the Oregon championship, they should be a difficult proposition for any opponent. The Del Norte players won two of their three games against OreCal in the championship series, rallying from an opening loss to win two straight elimination games. After dropping their opener 17-15, the Del Norte team dominated on their way to 18-2 and 22-3 victories. The Del Norte bats scored a very impressive 55 runs over their three games, while the pitching and defense effectively shut down their opponents’ of-

fense over the final two games. “We’ve got some exceptional pitchers,” Nelson said. “They’re throwing the ball really well and they’re able to locate it. We’re getting a lot of strikeouts.” Sylas Sampels has been the team ace so far and will be expected to play a key role in the Western Region Tournament. “He’s our go-to guy,” Nelson said. The versatile Anthony Cardenas also has been pivotal to the team’s success, playing catcher, shortstop and pitcher, as well as providing a big bat in the lineup. “He was pretty outstanding,” Nelson said. “He was on base 80 percent of the time the whole tournament.” Cardenas also had a home run, Please see ALL STARS, Page A3

INDEX

AT TRIPLICATE.COM

Obituaries ................................... A3 Crossword .................................. A2 Classifieds .................................. A5 Crossword Answers ................... A7 Weather ...................................... A9

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