Articles, Community News, Crime

Former Airport Director’s Home Burgled Before His Family’s Cross-Country Move

Leave a comment

Thumbnail image courtesy of GoFundMe

Updated at 7:33 p.m. Friday to remove the address.

Ryan Cooley has begun a new chapter in his career, but he hopes his friends and former neighbors can help right a wrong that occurred just before he and his family left Del Norte County.

Cooley, the former Border Coast Regional Airport Authority director, said the home he and his family rented on Joaquin Street was burgled. The perpetrators forced open a sliding glass door and made off with everything they were going to take to their new home in Keene, New Hampshire.

“Specifically clothes, laptops, birth certificates that were in our safe, our marriage license, a longboard (and) cash that was in the safe for vehicle delivery. Even toothbrushes and razors,” Cooley told Redwood Voice Community News via text message on Thursday.

Continue reading Former Airport Director’s Home Burgled Before His Family’s Cross-Country Move →
Articles, Crescent City, Local Government

Crescent City Council Recap, March 2, 2026

Leave a comment

Thumbnail photo courtesy of Andrew Goff

Among the items discussed at Monday’s Crescent City Council meeting.

Swimming Pool Score Board:

Recreation Director Kelly Feola looked to Medford’s Rogue X aqua center to show Crescent City Councilors what the new LED display will look like at the Fred Endert Municipal Pool.

With the Crescent City Swim Club spearheading the purchase, the new Colorado Timing System and digital score board will enable them to hold professional meets, Feola said. She also envisioned using the display for movie nights and, potentially, a Del Norte High School swim club. 

Continue reading Crescent City Council Recap, March 2, 2026 →
Articles, Crescent City, Infrastructure, Local Government

(UPDATED) Crescent City’s Sewer Plant Needs $50 Million Upgrade, City Manager Says

Leave a comment

Thumbnail: Crescent City has five, up to 10, years to bring its wastewater treatment plant up to date, City Manager Eric Wier said. | Photo by James Brooks

Updated at 10 a.m. Thursday to make some corrections. Crescent City hasn’t been under a cease and desist order since 2011 and it didn’t receive a cease and desist order in August, though it was fined. City Manager Eric Wier also said that the rotating biological contactors aren’t able to meet the stricter NPDES standards on total Coliform.

Crescent City Manager Eric Wier blamed aging infrastructure and stricter pollutant discharge limits for the $228,000 fine the cease and desist order the sewer plant received last August.

But he differed from a member of the public who argued that the city’s 76 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit violations were due to new connections.

The sewer plant can meet new NPDES permit requirements governing total Coliform bacteria limits during dry weather, the city manager told Councilors on Monday. When it storms, however, the plant’s rotating biological contactors — equipment installed in the 1970s — are overwhelmed can’t produce effluent that complies with those stricter standards, he said.

Continue reading (UPDATED) Crescent City’s Sewer Plant Needs $50 Million Upgrade, City Manager Says →
Articles, Education, Infrastructure, Local Government

DNUSD Board Wary Of $5 million SitelogIQ Solar Array Proposal, Urge Superintendent To Pursue Financing Options For Discussion

Leave a comment

Thumbnail photo: SitelogIQ says a solar array near Bess Maxwell Elementary School could offset energy costs for six Del Norte Unified School District facilities. | Image courtesy of SitelogIQ

Local education officials expressed misgivings about a SitelogIQ proposal to install a solar array near Bess Maxwell Elementary School.

They didn’t shoot the proposal down. But they raised concerns about the $5 million price tag, especially after Del Norte County Unified School District Superintendent Jeff Harris said without a $1 million federal rebate, “it makes zero sense to move forward.”

After SitelogIQ representatives outlined their proposal at a Jan. 22 study session, the Board of Trustees had asked Harris to return with potential financing options. On Thursday, the superintendent said the firm had options for the school district that they wanted to discuss, but he wasn’t sure what they were yet. 

Continue reading DNUSD Board Wary Of $5 million SitelogIQ Solar Array Proposal, Urge Superintendent To Pursue Financing Options For Discussion →
Community News

Del Norte Unified School District Recap, Feb. 26, 2026

Leave a comment

Thumbnail photo courtesy of Michael Hawkins. Video by James Brooks

Among the items discussed at Thursday’s Del Norte County Unified School District meeting.

Sign Policy: Parent volunteers at Smith River Elementary School thanked administrators for coming out with a clear policy for installing “non-standard artwork and signage” at DNUSD campuses.

Lauryn Cortez, who is on the school’s parent Local Organizing Committee, said the committee has been working to install a land acknowledgment at the school since April 2025. She thanked Superintendent Jeff Harris and Assistant Superintendent of Education Services Tom Kissinger for being willing to work with her and leaders Amanda O’Connell and Sarah Campbell.

Continue reading Del Norte Unified School District Recap, Feb. 26, 2026 →
Articles, Community News, Education, Local Government

DNUSD Trustees Raise Concerns About Interference, Division During Point of Contact Discussion

Leave a comment
DNUSD’s trustee area boundaries coincide with Del Norte County’s supervisorial boundaries

Thumbnail photo by Monique Camarena

The longest-serving member on the Del Norte Unified School District Board of Trustees on Thursday dissuaded his colleagues from designating primary points of contact for each campus

But, though Don McArthur, who represents Trustee Area 1, raised concerns about interfering with school management, Trustee Area 5 representative Mike Greer had a different take.

Greer, whose trustee area encompasses only one school, ‘O Me-nok Learning Center in Klamath, said he visits school sites regularly and has established a relationship with teachers and administrators, but he’s clear that he has no authority as an individual.

Continue reading DNUSD Trustees Raise Concerns About Interference, Division During Point of Contact Discussion →
Articles, CC Harbor, Infrastructure, Transportation

Could Trump’s Maritime Initiative Make the Crescent City Harbor Great Again? Commissioners, Harbormaster Hope So

Leave a comment

Thumbnail photo: Former Fashion Blacksmith boatyard facility at the Crescent City Harbor. | Photo by Paul Critz

The local harbormaster on Wednesday unveiled a desire to open a satellite campus of the Cal Poly Maritime Academy at the Crescent City Harbor District.

Mike Rademaker included that hope in a letter to Congressional representatives supporting the Trump administration’s America’s Maritime Action Plan, which seeks to revitalize the nation’s domestic shipbuilding capacity. But he acknowledged that the idea is just a concept at this point.

“It’s kind of my pet project,” the harbormaster told Redwood Voice Community News. “We’re just trying to be very creative and identify new revenue sources. The average age of fishermen, it’s getting up there, and we want to provide a pathway for the younger generation to get into the fishing industry. A huge part of that is workforce training and having something local that’s affordable so they can get hands-on experience.”

Continue reading Could Trump’s Maritime Initiative Make the Crescent City Harbor Great Again? Commissioners, Harbormaster Hope So →
Articles, CC Harbor, Infrastructure, Local Government, Transportation

Crescent City Harbor District Recap For Feb. 25, 2026

Leave a comment

Thumbnail image: Crescent City Harbor commissioners chose a preferred option for Citizens Dock back in 2024. | Image courtesy of the Crescent City Harbor District.

Among the items discussed at Wednesday’s Crescent City Harbor District meeting.

2026 MARAD Grant: Harbor commissioners agreed to contribute 20%, or $2.8 million, toward the construction costs associated with the second Citizens Dock reconstruction phase.

Associated with a $11.25 million U.S. Maritime Administration Port Infrastructure Development Program grant, the Board unanimously approved a resolution agreeing to the match. The federal agency has increased the amount of funding small ports can apply for, Bahr said, but it means that the required contribution is larger.

Continue reading Crescent City Harbor District Recap For Feb. 25, 2026 →
Articles, Infrastructure, Local Government

Crescent City Settles Digital Sign Debate, Saves Billboard Discussion For Another Day

Leave a comment

Thumbnail photo by Heather Polen

A month after local bowling alley owner Dr. John Kirk argued that his digital sign is both a service to the community and generates revenue for his business, the Crescent City Council decided it could stay.

Four councilors who attended the Feb. 17 meeting approved an ordinance that sets restrictions on signs like the one on the Tsunami Lanes Bowling Alley. Councilors also agreed that digital signs could advertise other businesses, services or events.

But at the request of Mayor Isaiah Wright, concerns regarding billboards and other off-site advertising will be considered before the full Council at a future meeting. His colleague, Jason Greenough, was absent.

“Based on everything we heard from the public, we probably need to bring back off-site and just general advertising back to the Council for discussion,” Wright said. “We need to talk a little bit more.”

Continue reading Crescent City Settles Digital Sign Debate, Saves Billboard Discussion For Another Day →
Articles, Education, Youth

Five Months After Posting ECE Director Position, DNUSD Officials Consider Changes To Boost Interest

Leave a comment

Thumbnail photo courtesy of Michael Hawkins

Nearly two months after the early childhood education director retired, Del Norte Unified School District officials are considering turning the job into a position that requires a teaching credential.

Superintendent Jeff Harris presented the idea — and a job description for a certificated ECE director — to the Board of Trustees on Feb. 12. The district has been hiring for an ECE director as a classified position since October and has had no applicants, he said.

Harris referred to the proposed certificated ECE director position as another option for the Board of Trustees to consider as it looks to fill the two-month-long vacancy. DNUSD Assistant Superintendent of Education Services Tom Kissinger is currently the acting ECE director.

Continue reading Five Months After Posting ECE Director Position, DNUSD Officials Consider Changes To Boost Interest →

Telling the untold stories of Del Norte and Tribal Lands through amplified youth voices.