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SERVING DEL NORTE COUNTY SINCE 1879 Crescent City, CA

WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2025

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Changing of the Guard at The Hamlet The Five Rivers Team, the Sohal family: Curpreet, Simar, Sharan and Jass, which also owns the Ft. Dick Market and other properties in Del Norte plan to continue to operate the Hamlet in the long-standing tradition of excellence and great service. Be sure to drop by and introduce yourselves to the family. You’ll see all the old staff and anything you might need, including scrumptious counter item delicacies, will continue to be offered.

BY ROGER GITLIN Country Media, Inc.

A half century to do one thing and do it well is quite special. That’s exactly what Mike and Myrna Finley did at the Hiouchi Hamlet for decades. July 13, 1975, Mike and Myrna assumed control of the Hamlet. Folks in Del Norte might remember Del Norte High School Senior Mike Finley pumping gas at the Furtado Shell Station on 2nd Street back in 1964. Now, Mike and Myrna are real seniors, again. Mike began his career at the McKay markets and a decade later, Mike and Myrna took over the Hiouchi Hamlet. Daughters Neva and Natalie came along. What are you going to do, Mike? The modest entrepreneur said with a humorous grin, “ I guess I’m going to paint my house.”

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(L-R) Myrna and Mike Finley, Hiouchi Hamlet owners for a half-century

The Hiouchi Hamlet

The Five Rivers team, the Sohal family: Simar, Sharan, Jass and Curpreet, assumed ownership of the iconic Hiouchi Hamlet, last week.

A Bridge to Somewhere BY ROGER GITLIN Country Media, Inc.

A dangerous bridge over remote Jordan creek is most deﬁnitely a bridge to two remote homes within east Railroad Trail…and it’s certainly precarious. With no guard rails and zero steel support, this bridge, one of two, poses a big problem for Del Norte County, deeded owners of both bridges. Homeowners Rick and Becky Coltra and Jim Harris have been bringing their complaints to the board of supervisors since 2019, to no avail. Back in 2012, the City was monitoring its public works hardware on east Railroad Trail and a City truck accidently damaged the second bridge.

Cal Fire Builds Its Fleet of

Aerial Fireﬁghters

What appears to resemble an inverted rail car, the City, under the capable hands of then-Public Works Director Eric Wier and City engineer Jim Barnts ﬁxed the damaged bridge at a cost of $80,000. The bridges are not owned or controlled by the City. County Engineer Jon Olson traveled out to take a look/see, after yet another citizen- frustrating visit three weeks ago to the Board. No return phone calls, no communications on how or what is happening continued to vex property owners Rick and Becky Coltra and Jim Harris. Neither homeowner can accept UPS, propane delivery, Del Norte Ambulance, Fire and Rescue or any vehicles with more than two axles and excesPlease see BRIDGE Page 4

Harbor Removes Interim, Appoints Harbormaster for Permanent Status

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Harbormaster Mike Rademaker BY ROGER GITLIN Country Media, Inc.

Courtesy photo

C-130 Hercules is expected to be very dry, after an above average rainy Winter. The California Forestry Association applauded this critical milestone in expanding Fire suppression efforts up and down the Golden State. The effort to secure this latest acquisition was made possible by bipartisan support in Congress and the Governor’s ofﬁce at the State

BY ROGER GITLIN Country Media, Inc.

Cal Fire has taken a huge step forward in adding a second C-130H Hercules aircraft to its fleet of firefighting tools. This second C-130 is part of what will be a seven member squad of the giant aircraft that will battle fires across the State. The upcoming fire season

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Opinion

level, this past Monday. The retrofitted aircraft is capable of dropping 4,000 gallons of fire retardant in less than five seconds. Also assisting in this enhancement of C-130 Hercules aircraft includes the United States Air Force and the United States Coast Guard in support in maintaining these aircraft, including the replacement of inner and

outer wing boxes and spare parts. Gov. Gavin Newsom was on hand at Cal Fire Aviation Headquarters in praising the acquisition of the C-130Hs air tankers and expansion of aerial firefighting including night-time capable Fire Hawk helicopters, touted California has the largest fleet of firefighting aircraft on the globe.

After serving as Interim Harbormaster, Commissioners voted for a five year contract term to the then-former Assistant Harbormaster Michael Rademaker. The Interim accepted the offer, effective May 1. Rademaker will earn $114,000 per year with annual colas (cost of living). The Harbormaster waived the health benefits package in lieu of a housing allowance, within the Harbor district. The personnel matter was handled in Closed Session at the last meeting. The District also reported major financial improvements during the first quarters of the current fiscal year which ends June 30, 2025. The reductions in expenses and its forward momentum, is promising, leading toward greatPlease see HARBOR Page 2

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