SERVING DEL NORTE COUNTY SINCE 1879 Crescent City, CA
WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2024
www.triplicate.com
Crescent City Prepares for Return of the Jedi
Submitted article The 2nd Annual Forest Moon Festival kicks off May 31-June 2 in Del Norte and Humboldt Counties. The Forest Moon Festival is a celebration that the Redwood coast was the film site for the Forest Moon of Endor and final battleground between the Rebel Alliance and Galactic Empire in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. Activities galore will cover Beach Front Park, starting Saturday June 1 at 11am at Beachfront Park. Epic events have been created for family enjoyment and celebration of the George Lucas 1983 film. Lucasfilm-approved costumers Rebels, storm Troopers appearances, Rebel training courses, scavenger hunts, passport discounts are planned. See you at the Forest Moon Festival.
Contributed Photo
Forest Moon Festival, last year
Will There Finally be a Proper Burial for Tri-Agency? comment to County Counsel, Jacqueline Roberts. “If we get together at a joint meeting to discuss ending Tri-Agency, we’re still at a standstill…an impasse, because we could not suspend the by-laws and reintroduce the discussion. This Board has had four or five bites at the apple.” Counsel Roberts stated, “Perhaps some might change their minds.” The Joint Meeting conundrum focuses on off-shore wind power development. Both the City and Harbor embrace wind power development; the County has rejected the discussion. Chairman Wilson reminded his colleagues the City and Harbor are not precluded from exploring off-shore wind power discussion, independently. “Either governance may proceed with individual efforts on wind power,” Wilson emphasized. The County has chosen not to participate.
by ROGER GITLIN Country Media, Inc.
Board Chairman Dean Wilson opened the discussion to consider and vote on the request to conduct and participate in a Joint Meeting of the entire Board of Supervisors, City Council and Harbor District Board of Commissioners and discuss the dissolution of Tri-Agency. 3rd District Supervisor Chris Howard expediently made the motion to approve attendance to the, as yet, unscheduled meeting. 1st District Supervisor Darrin Short made the second and praised the work Tri-Agency has contributed to economic development of Del Norte County. “It just makes sense for all three entities (to) get together on what could be the cusp of ending this (Tri-Agency) Board,” said Short. 2nd District Supervisor Valerie Starkey directed her question and
Public Speaker Sam Strait painted a much different picture of the perceived successful efforts of Tri-Agency. Strait disputed Howard’s praise of the efficacy of Tri-Agency. “I beg to differ with Supervisor Howard but stirring the pot again seems ludicrous when you are battling against a public that says No to Tri-Agency. This agency should be dead.” Strait referenced failure of off-shore wind development on the Atlantic Coast.
The vote to attend the Joint meeting was as follows: Starkey: NO Borges: NO Short: YES Howard: YES Stating no City councilor, nor Harbor Commissioner nor Supervisor should be deprived of
his / her voice, Wilson broke the tie and voted YES. Will all 15 members of the City, County and Harbor be poised to be pallbearers? The answer is unknown. Tri-Agency Joint Powers Economic Authority remains on terminal life support.
Sheriffs Erase Thin Blue Line
between California and Oregon
Matthew Rickner
Murder Trial Begins entered his plea during his arraignment in January. Jury selection began Monday, May 20 in Division 2, Superior Court Judge Darren McElfresh presiding. Rickner is represented by Public Defender Karen Olson. Del Norte Assistant District Attorney Todd Zocci is the prosecutor for the state. Rickner is charged with killing his mother, Phyllis, 68 in the home the family was residing in the 500 block of Humboldt Avenue. The incident took place, December 29, last year. Suspect Rickner reportedly fled the scene and was arrested by CHP officers about a quarter mile from the scene of the crime. The Jury selection process was tedious but very efficient
by ROGER GITLIN Country Media, Inc.
A trial is indeed a rare event…a murder trial even less common, occurs about as often as a solar eclipse. In 2023, from some 2000 Del Norte cases about a quarter of those cases were felonies. there were just seven cases that went to trial. Mostly for cost expediency, plea deals are almost the rule, again with rare exceptions. The Second Degree Murder and Drug Trial of Matthew Earl Rickner, 30, is one of those rare solar eclipse cases. Rickner entered a Not Guilty plea to several felony counts associated with the shooting death of his mother, last December. He
INDEX
Phone Number: 707-460-6727
Opinion
2
Community Calendar Classifieds Crossword Answers Crossword Puzzle
Booking Photo
Matthew Earl Rickner allowing for a fair unbiased jury to listen to and process all evidence. The 12 jurors from the community were screened and selected for this assignment. The trial is expected to run about one week.
5 9 3
Last week, Del Norte Sheriff Garrett Scott and Curry County (OR) Sheriff John Ward announced a Hands Across the Border agreement to join forces to help combat drugs and stolen property crossing state lines.
Two deputies from Del Norte and two deputies from Curry took their respective Oaths from California and Oregon, respectively. “Cross Deputization will allow investigation teams to conduct operations jointly.” Sheriff Please see BLUE LINE, Page 3
• Address: 445 Elk Valley Road, Crescent City, CA 95531 • Email: Circulation@CountryMedia.net Latest news can be found online at:
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Send us your news, photos, and videos and let us know what's going on!
2
by ROGER GITLIN Country Media, Inc.
TriplicateNews1@CountryMedia.net
@TheTriplicate
www.Triplicate.com
$1.50