Instead of Establishing Their Own Regulations, Crescent City Harbor Plans To Ask County to Modify Its Fireworks Ordinance

Thumbnail photo by Jessica Cejnar Andrews

Though he anticipates room for improvement, Del Norte County Sheriff Garrett Scott says there will be enhanced law enforcement on patrol to avoid a repeat of last year’s explosion that sent 14 people to the hospital.

But while Scott and a committee of other local officials continue to prepare for this year’s Independence Day festivities, the Crescent City Harbor commissioners have decided they don’t have the resources to enforce their own fireworks regulations.

Though Harbormaster Mike Rademaker submitted a draft ordinance modeled on the State Fireworks Law to the Harbor District Board, commissioners on Tuesday directed staff to ask Del Norte County officials to modify the ordinance they’ve had on the books since October.

Continue reading Instead of Establishing Their Own Regulations, Crescent City Harbor Plans To Ask County to Modify Its Fireworks Ordinance

State Scolds Former Del Norte County Judge Robert Cochran For Making Demeaning Comments to a Domestic Violence Victim

Former Del Norte County Superior Court Judge Robert Cochran received a public reprimand from the California Commission on Judicial Performance for making demeaning comments to a domestic violence victim. | Photo by Paul Critz

A retired Del Norte County judge received a public reprimand from the California Commission on Judicial Performance for making demeaning comments to a domestic violence victim during hearings in 2023.

The commission found that former Del Norte County Superior Court Judge Robert Cochran “conveyed the appearance of embroilment and bias and exhibited discourtesy” toward the victim at a domestic violence restraining order hearing in May 2023 and later at a change of plea hearing in October 2023 after her partner was convicted for his actions.

The Commission on Judicial Performance concluded that Cochran’s treatment of the victim “constituted serious misconduct,” according to its decision and order imposing public admonishment published Wednesday. Cochran, the commission stated, “did not appear to fully appreciate the impropriety of his comments.”

Continue reading State Scolds Former Del Norte County Judge Robert Cochran For Making Demeaning Comments to a Domestic Violence Victim

“Still, We Live On” To Show At Mother Tongue Festival – Redwood Voice Community News

February 21st, 2025 – For Redwood Voice Community News, a production of Redwood Voice Youth Media, today’s news: roadwork updates from CalTrans District 1; weather updates for Southern Oregon and Northern California; EPA grant freezes cause the Crescent City Harbor to seek other funding avenues; Del Norte Unified School District moves to sell their surplus vehicles; information on the officer involved shooting at the Surf Apartments; the Del Norte Unified School District is unable to contact out of area phone numbers; the Humboldt Area Foundation and Wild Rivers Community Foundation open their scholarship applications; the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation seeks input from tribal citizens on the use of Tribal Transportation Plan money; the Tolowa language film Still, We Live On is being shown at the Mother Tongue film festival; West Coast Game Park Safari in Bandon, OR received more than eight citations for violations of the Animal Welfare Act; new Oregon bill hopes to provide free school lunches to all kids in Oregon; advice on bears from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife; items discussed at the most recent California Fish and Game Commission meeting; Bigfoot might become California’s official state cryptid; and the marine update from Fishing the North Coast. All this and our regular segments from the Pacifica Radio Network and National Native News.

We’re broadcasting on KFUG 101.1FM and kfugradio.org every day at 12PM, with a rebroadcast at 5PM. We’re also airing on KZZH 96.7FM at 6AM, and KCIW 100.7FM at 6PM!

Today’s newscast image is courtesy of the trailer for “A-t’i Xwee-ghayt-nish: Still, We Live On,” which has been edited.

Local Family Responsible for Community Scares Is Met With Love After House Fire

“I woke up to flames six feet from my bed,” JoAnn Holcomb said. “I could spend hours listing the things lost, I want to list the things we have received. We are blessed to have homeowners’ insurance. While it may not cover the cost of everything, it gives us hope that rebuilding our home is possible.” 

JoAnn and David Holcomb are the owner-operators of David’s Haunted Manor, the only haunted house attraction in Del Norte County. Every year they and their two kids spend weeks putting on a show for the community, and donate a portion of their proceeds to a scholarship fund in collaboration with the Humboldt Area Foundation. 

On Feb. 12, the master bedroom and hallway of their family home was engulfed in flames, forcing them to flee. Luckily, the Holcombs survived with minimal injury.

“Our Haunt family reached out immediately to ask what they could do for us. Some brought clothing, others gave us a place to keep our reptiles and amphibians until a long-term solution is found. Others have offered their hands and all have sent their love,” Holcomb said via text Thursday.

Continue reading Local Family Responsible for Community Scares Is Met With Love After House Fire

Rainbow Regent Issues “Royal Decree” Rebuffing Executive Order 14168

Rainbow Regent Amanda Dockter posing in full regalia at the 2024 DNATL Pride celebration.

The executive DNATL Pride planning committee appointed me to be parade Grand Marshall for our first ever Del Norte and Tribal Lands Pride celebration last year. This title was bestowed upon me through a super serious selection process. (I lost a game of “not it”…) It seemed to me as though the nature of the role called for a more fabulous title, and Heather Polen suggested “Rainbow Regent”, so we ran with it.

In light of recent actions taken and narratives pushed by the current federal administration I felt a responsibility to address the attempted erasure of gender diversity. If the sitting president can declare himself King, why can’t I use my Rainbow Regent title to issue a decree of my own?

Continue reading Rainbow Regent Issues “Royal Decree” Rebuffing Executive Order 14168

Several School Vehicles to Be Scrapped or Sold – Redwood Voice Community News

February 20th, 2025 – For Redwood Voice Community News, a production of Redwood Voice Youth Media, today’s news: roadwork updates from CalTrans District 1; worn and rusted from decades of use in the coastal air, DNUSD will be selling off its surplus vehicles; DNUSD prepares for the potential US Department of Education shutdown; local law enforcement commences investigations into the shooting at Surfside Apartments; beware of bitcoin scams; the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation is seeking input from tribal citizens on the usage of their Tribal Transportation Program funds; the Tolowa language film A’-t’i’ Xwee-ghayt-nish (Still, We Live On) will be shown at the Smithsonian’s 2025 Mother Tongue Festival; California educators speak out against Medicaid cuts; new Oregon legislation will ensure all students get a proper breakfast and lunch; bear safety tips from the California Department of Fish & Wildlife; and fish-related items discussed at the California Fish & Game Commission’s recent meeting. All this and our regular segments from the Pacifica Radio Network and National Native News.

We’re broadcasting on KFUG 101.1FM and kfugradio.org every day at 12PM, with a rebroadcast at 5PM. We’re also airing on KZZH 96.7FM at 6AM, and KCIW 100.7FM at 6PM!

Today’s newscast image is courtesy of Redwood Voice Reporter Persephone Rose, which has been edited.

Trump’s Freeze on EPA Grants Forces Crescent City Harbor Officials To Pursue Other Funding Options For Boatyard

The Crescent City Harbor District was pursuing an EPA Climate Change grant to revitalize its boatyard following Fashion Blacksmith’s departure. | Photo by Gavin Van Alstine

Crescent City Harbor commissioners say revitalizing the port’s boatyard is still among their top priorities, though the federal grant they hoped to use for the project isn’t likely to arrive.

The Crescent City Harbor District had applied for a $20 million Environmental Protection Agency Climate Change grant. Officials planned to use $13 million of those funds to pay for dredging, new equipment and boat haul-out and pier improvements.

Other proposed uses included securing a long-term source of ice for the fishing fleet and hiring new staff to spearhead construction projects at the harbor.

But, due to a Trump administration decision, that EPA grant program will likely end, Mike Bahr, CEO of Community System Solutions told commissioners on Tuesday.

Continue reading Trump’s Freeze on EPA Grants Forces Crescent City Harbor Officials To Pursue Other Funding Options For Boatyard

DNSO Releases Name Of Surf Apartments Resident Killed In Officer-Involved Shooting

The Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office has released the name of a Surf Apartments resident who was killed in an officer-involved shooting on Monday.

The deceased is 67-year-old John Spencer, Sheriff Garrett Scott told Redwood Voice Community News on Wednesday. Spencer’s next of kin has been notified, Scott said, and the incident is still under investigation. According to Scott, the CHP from the Southern Division is heading the investigation.

Continue reading DNSO Releases Name Of Surf Apartments Resident Killed In Officer-Involved Shooting

DNUSD Preps for Possible Dept. of Ed Shutdown – Redwood Voice Community News

February 19th, 2025 – For Redwood Voice Community News, a production of Redwood Voice Youth Media, today’s news: roadwork updates from CalTrans District 1; Del Norte’s Open Door Health Center shows off its new mobile clinic; Crescent City Harbor commissioners discussed mirroring the County’s firework ordinance; DNUSD braces for potential shutdown of the U.S. Department of Education; Oregon lawmakers consider a moratorium for factory farm permits; Josephine County Sheriff’s Department warns of a Bitcoin scam; items discussed at the recent Brookings City Council meeting; a look at the Yurok Tribe’s ongoing restoration of Prairie Creek; California Educators speak out against Congress plans to cut Medi-Cal funding; 12 more Gray wolves receive satellite collars from the California Department of Fish & Wildlife; and rewards for the report of fishing infractions double in Oregon. All this and our regular segments from the Pacifica Radio Network and National Native News.

We’re broadcasting on KFUG 101.1FM and kfugradio.org every day at 12PM, with a rebroadcast at 5PM. We’re also airing on KZZH 96.7FM at 6AM, and KCIW 100.7FM at 6PM!

Today’s newscast image is taken as a screenshot of Google Maps, which has been edited.

DNUSD To ‘Sell or Junk’ Dilapidated Vehicles; New Vehicles Are On The Way, Superintendent Says

Thumbnail photo by Persephone Rose

Del Norte Unified is planning to sell or junk a plethora of surplus vehicles, the newest of which is a 17-year-old Chevrolet van.

Though most of the vehicles run, none are in good, or even fair condition, DNUSD Superintendent Jeff Harris told trustees on Thursday. They include six vans, three pickup trucks, a box truck and two buses. Their condition grading ranges from zero to two.

“Zeros are scrap, one is inoperative and two is severe wear and tear,” Harris said. “We don’t have any vehicles on this list that are normal, fair or good. They’re all basically not something we want to put staff or students in.”

Continue reading DNUSD To ‘Sell or Junk’ Dilapidated Vehicles; New Vehicles Are On The Way, Superintendent Says