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On stage Jarabe Mexicano bringing music to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.

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SERVING DEL NORTE COUNTY SINCE 1879 Crescent City, CA

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2023

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Convicted killer sentenced to 21 years to life BY ROGER GITLIN The Triplicate

Gabriel Joseph Hughes was formally sentenced to 21 years to life for the second-degree murder of Rick Nations, 69 and the assault on Nations’ daughter Lindsey, 23. Superior Court Judge Darren McElfresh sentenced Hughes to

15 years to life for the murder of Nations (PC 187(a), three years for the knife attack (PC 245(a) and an additional three years enhancement for great bodily injury (PC 1202.7, on Lindsey Nations. The state requested the sentences run consecutively. Judge McElfresh concurred with the DA after listening to defense counsel and probation and pro-

nounced sentences for Hughes, 43. The convicted Hughes was also assessed a $300 court fine. The state was represented by Del Norte County Assistant District Attorney Todd Zocchi. District Attorney Katy Micks oversaw and approved the plea agreements with the Superior Court. Hughes was represented by defense attorney Karen

BY ROGER GITLIN

odically. The changes will save approximately $640,000 in general fund expenditures. Reyman spoke about mostly cosmetic changes but underscored the necessity to remove (and store) and replace the many security doors with conventional access portals. Reyman allocated a budget to implement those changes for the new Youth Opportunity Center. Reyman predicted the opportunity to do good work for Del Norte youth. He continued, “The restructure of the department and creation of a Reentry Unit will provide the opportunity to leverage those resources and experience of existing staff to increase programing and education for justice-involved at-risk youth.” Supervisor Chris Howard asked about partnership with the Del Norte Unified School District. Reyman responded positively but when asked about the inclusion of 5150 youth (mental crisis affected), Reyman was reluctant to engage in the discussion, stating he was unsure of who or what agency assumes

Olson. Hughes originally entered not guilty pleas in the December 2022 unprovoked attack on Rick Nations and the attempted murder charge on Lindsey but changed his pleas to guilty to 2nd degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon, respectively, in July. The attacks took place in front of the Nations’ home on

West Keller Ave. During an emotional victim impact statement, family member Tera Nations read a moving letter from her younger sister Lindsey, who was unable to attend today’s sentencing. Lindsey continues to recuperate from serious hand and neck wounds inflicted by Hughes. Lindsey’s words spoke Please see SENTENCE, Page A12

Juvenile Hall declared ‘Unoccupied’ Board poised to adopt 2023/24 budget The Triplicate

The Board of Supervisors has eliminated the Juvenile Hall Division within the Del Norte Probation Department and all associated staff positions within. Supervisors then declared Juvenile “Unoccupied,” and directed staff to notify the Board of State and Community Corrections of this change in status. Chief Probation Officer Lonnie Reyman requested the change. “After much work and effort, we’ve reached the point of elimination of the Juvenile Hall Division and the closure of the hall as a custody institution,” Reyman lamented. The Chief Probation Officer called the closing of the hall “a loss to the community.” Supervisor Valerie Starkey, a three decade retired Probation officer asked, “What’s next?” Reyman stated, “options will remain open by the declaration of ‘unoccupied’ status.” The building will continue to be inspected by the BCCS peri-

BY ROGER GITLIN The Triplicate

The Board of Supervisors opened the public hearing on the recommended final balanced budget for fiscal year 2023/2024. The various county departments and the public have 14 days to amend, increase, decrease or transfer funding, per board approval. The two-week period has expired. The adopted budget must be submitted to the State Please see BUDGET, Page A2

Please see JUVENILE, Page A12

Photo by Roger Gitlin/The Triplicate

Juvenile Hall in Del Norte County is now officially unoccupied as the county sends its juvenile offenders to other counties.

Insurance crisis threatens California economy BY ROGER GITLIN The Triplicate

Contributed photos

The Del Norte girls soccer team prior to a match last year. Both Del Norte soccer teams have big expectations entering the season. Below, Geovani Alvarado head the ball.

Soccer teams hungry for success BY RAY HAMILL For The Triplicate

Del Norte High School might not be known as a soccer powerhouse, but both of this year’s teams are taking steps to change that perception. It’s not going to happen overnight, but the boys and girls programs appear to be trending in the right direction as they head into league play. The boys team is junior heavy and will likely not peak for another year, but they have been competitive through the early going. And they have done so despite losing their top striker to a season-ending injury right before their season opener. The girls team, meanwhile, took a huge step forward last year with a young roster of mostly freshmen, and with those Please see SOCCER, Page A12

INDEX

Phone Number: 707-460-6727

Obituaries

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During his board report at the supervisors meeting last week, Supervisor Chris Howard brought up the subject of insurance carriers pulling out of California. The 3rd District supervisor cited his greatest fear revolved around addressing the crisis. “The alternative for homeowners securing insurance is the California FAIR Plan (Fair Access to Insurance Requirements) is vastly underfunded by about $1 billion,” according to Howard. 5th District Supervisor Dean Wilson added the FAIR Plan coverage is double (the cost) or more of a traditional homeowners plan and coverage is limited to fire only coverage. Public Speaker Dave Powell of Alder Point Realty told supervisors many of the current escrows are unable to successfully close for lack of providing insurance buyers’ coverage. The crisis centers around the citizen-passed initiative Prop 103. Insurance carriers must apply for rate increases through the California Department of Insurance. The Insurance Commission has been slow to respond and insurance carriers have reluctantly pulled out of the California market due mainly to rampant inflationary costs in providing coverage to homeowners. Farmers, State Farm, All State and several other companies are not writing new client policies, whatsoever. Limited service coverage remains for existing clientele.

During its recent legislative session in Sacramento, lawmakers chose not to address this dilemma. The impact on Del Norte County Yana is dramatic. Valachovic In the wake of the devastating Smith River Complex fires, homeowners are now faced with no options but to turn to the reportedly underfunded FAIR program. Yana Valachovic, county director-forest advisor for the University of California Extension, addressed and updated the Board on ongoing legislation, and shared her take on the insurance crisis. “We’re at a tipping point. Most of our wealth is tied to our homes,” she said. “California is the largest real estate market in the nation. The risk to fundamentally destabilize the economy is real. The crisis has to worsen before people have the political will to take on Prop. 103.” Valachovic has worked closely at the legislative level in Sacramento to help craft laws to address this insurance conundrum. “This is a complicated dynamic and involves Prop. 103,” Valachovic said. “…the crisis must worsen before legislators will address this crisis. More pressure must be applied to our state legislators to address the insurance crisis.” The board meets again, Tuesday, September 26, at 10 a.m. at the Flynn Center.

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