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SERVING DEL NORTE COUNTY SINCE 1879 Crescent City, CA

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2025

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Merced County Sheriff’s Posse to Lead the Inauguration of President-elect Trump Sheriff Scott underscored the political party one belongs to is irrelevant. The honor bestowed on Merced is monumental. Here’s the Release from Sheriff Wernke: “ We submitted for a request to participate in the 47th Presidential Inaugural Parade that will be held January 20, 2025. It is with great honor that we received the news on the evening of December 22, 2024 that the Merced County Sheriff’s Posse was once again selected to participate in this prestigious event. During our trip to Washibgton, DC to celebrate the 47th Inauguration, I and the Sheriff’s Posse will be flying flags representing Central Valley Sheriff’s Offices in this monumental Parade. As you know and event of this magnitude is going to require some funding. We are hoping to mitigate the cost to each member and hoping community stakeholders Please see POSSE Page 4

BY ROGER GITLIN Country Media, Inc.

Del Norte Sheriff Garrett Scott has announced Merced County Sheriff’s Posse will be participating and leading the parade on the Inauguration on President Donald J. Trump. Merced County Sheriff Vern Wernke released this amazing news and acknowledged Sheriff Scott and the Del Norte County Sheriff’s Posse will be helping with financial donations. Merced County Sheriff’s Posse is setting up its mounted posse unit, expediently. Funds are sought for horse feed and shelter for the Merced team. This is not the first Rodeo for the Merced Posse. The Posse participated in President Trumps first Inauguration in 2017 and were in fact the only representatives from the Golden State for this historical event.

Photo credit - Merced County Sheriff Posse

Is This the Year We Control Devastating DUI? BY ROGER GITLIN Country Media, Inc.

Is this the year California finally grabs the attention of vehicle operators who drink and drive? The California Highway Patrol (CHP) investigation in collaboration with the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) have launched a year long $6.1million campaign focused on reducing impaired driving incidents up and down the State. The “Bring Impairment Down” campaign, funded by the OTS grant runs through September 30, 2025, and combines education and enforcement to make California’s roads safer. These efforts aim to remove impaired drivers from the road and increase awareness about Driving Under the Influence (DUI). The local CHP Area Office in Crescent City provided the following 2024 statistics for vehicular collisions: • Total crashes: 311 • Possible injuries: 71 • Minor injuries: 81 • Serious injuries: 18

Devastating fatal crash by a drunk driver.

Please see DUI Page 8

Elected Check in with New Year’s Resolutions

Plea Bargain Agreement raises eyebrows BY ROGER GITLIN Country Media, Inc.

Courtesy graphic

New Year’s Resolutions. governance you serve under?

BY ROGER GITLIN Country Media, Inc.

HERE ARE THE POLITICIANS RESPONSES:

New Year’s Resolution: we all make them and mostly break them, in short order. Take off weight, Be kind, Save $$ and many more. The Triplicate posed the question to 15 elected and a few more appointeds, “ What is your New Year’s Resolution 2025 for the

Harbor Commission • Annie Nehmer, Vice Chair: “As a newly elected Harbor Commissioner, I’m committed to answering the many ‘Why’ questions that arise when driving around the Harbor. These ques-

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Phone Number: 707-460-6727

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tions reﬂect the community’s curiosity, concerns and applications and I aim to ﬁnd meaningful resolutions to them. I deeply value and encourage the continued participation of our community at Harbor meetings. Your voices are vital and together we can ensure the Harbor to thrive for everyone.” • Dan Schmidt: “For 2025, I Please see RESOLUTION, Page 2

32 year old Dhruv Mehta, a Little Caesar’s Crescent City restaurant manager pleaded guilty to having sexual intercourse with a 17 year old store employee earlier this year. Judge Robert Cochran presided over this troubling case and was palpably disturbed by the emotional delivered comments of victim and her parent Nonetheless, Judge Cochran accepted the recommendations of the Del Norte Probation Department. The original rape charge was negotiated down to Penal Code violation 261.5c, a felony, Unlawful Sexual Intercourse with a minor more than three years younger than the reported age of the assailant. Convicted Mehta was immediately remanded to the Sheriff’s Dept. to begin a 90 sentence which, per policy, will be reduced to 45 days. The question begs to be asked: Was justice served? The written victim statements from the child and father were powerful and profound. Fear, shame, confusion and humiliation were painfully evident in the

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Dhruv Mehta child’s statement to the Court. The father underscored the change in his daughter’s behavior since the incident. The parent underscored his daughter’s loss of innocence and the future impact on his child. The parent called Mehta a predator, a monster. The circumstances revealed how the employee was lured to the now-felon’s residence under questionable circumstances where the illegal sex acts were committed. The testimony was unsettling. Both the District Attorney and Mehta, through his attorney, agreed to the reduction in charges. Judge Please see AGREEMENT, Page 4

• Address: 445 Elk Valley Road, Crescent City, CA 95531 • Email: Circulation@CountryMedia.net

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