TRP820 by C.M.I.

SERVING DEL NORTE COUNTY SINCE 1879 Crescent City, CA

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2025

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Fire and Rescue Conducts Training Exercise on Blighted Property BY ROGER GITLIN Country Media, Inc.

In months-long preparation, Del Norte Code Enforcement joined forces with Crescent City Fire and Rescue to remove a long-standing vacant blighted home what was formally 504 W. Cooper Ave. Months-long planning and seeking appropriate permits, the scheduled burn was set for August 13 at 6PM. The purpose of the burn was two-fold: a rare opportunity to conduct valuable training for some thirty volunteers and the removal of one blighted single family dwelling, besmirching the neighborhood. Battalion Chief James Weiland was on site since 1PM preparing every detail for the burn exercise. Retired Fire Chief Bill Gillespie set multiple igni-

tions about the structure avlaze and Chief Kevin Carey was on hand to explain the anatomy of the burn. “I’m so proud of our volunteer men and women who seamlessly worked in a team effort that eesembled a concert symphony. Eight fire units (apparati) were on hand to control street traffic ic and pumping of water. In all, four to six training fires were conducted during the exercise. Assisting in the training was Pelican Bay State Prison fire crew Special thanks to Cal Fire for answering all fireworks calls during the exercise. As the structure smolders to dust. Code Enforcement will clear the lot. The receiver of the property will hold title and prepare the lot to be sold or a comparable structure will be build a new home for sale.

Courtesy photo

permitted fire burn in process (AFTER)

Courtesy photo

404 Cooper (BEFORE)

Mills Sentenced to Five Years in State Prison

BY ROGER GITLIN Country Media, Inc.

The mood was somber in Darren McElfresh’s courtroom Monday for the sentencing of Levi Mills, 34, as he was sentenced to ﬁve years in state prison for violation of Penal Code 18715, the crime, The crime is a felony to recklessly possess such devices on a public street or highway, near any building, private habitat or near any vehicle or vessels carrying passengers. The sentence is ﬂexible for two, four or six years. Mills received a two year prison sentence

with an enhancement of additional three years for causing great bodily harm and aggravating circumstances. Last July 4th 2024 mortars and unclassed illegal ﬁreworks injured 14 individuals on South Beach and four year old Baby B, who survived critical injuries including a collapsed lung. Baby B has survived and his parents say his recovery was a miracle The still-four year toddler is undergoing skin grafting. Indeed, he is lucky to be alive. Victim survivor statements were stunning and emotional. Some of the victims

shared the impact stories on themselves. At least two victims blamed the premature deaths of their spouses because of the explosions. District Attorney Katie Micks showed her support for mitigating Mills’ sentence. Micks praised Mills cooperation in the investigation. Defense counsel David Cooper echoed a predictable similar empathetic statement. All, including Judge McElfresh, were quick to acknowledge, the offense was not intentional and was the ﬁrst and only crime ever committed by Mills; nonetheless,

Judge McElfresh followed the law and did his job well with complete professionalism. Mills, a new father, will serve at least 85 percent of his sentence, as the felony is a strike: four years, six months. Other court costs and civil damages totaled about $3600. Mills was taken into

custody after sentencing , to be transferred to Dept. of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The message was clear based on this past July 4th recognition. The event was sans private ﬁreworks, Courtesy photo, from Baby B family. celebrated America’s birthday was safe, Courtesy photo calm and quite enjoyTop Left - Convicted illegal fireworks / mortars individual (L) able. There were no Levi Mills with Megan Warner, not charged in mass casualty incidents. incident, July 4, 2024

Harbor Seems to have Difﬁculty in Making a Decision

BY ROGER GITLIN Country Media, Inc. Courtesy photo

Four rookies and new Lt. Commander join CHP office in Crescent City (L-R) and home towns. Franco Castro, Lt. Commander, La Quinta Edwin Velasquez, Los Angeles; Adam Garcia, Bakersfield; Kaio Ashcraft, Menifee; Alan Gonzalez , Alpaugh

130 CHP Officers Join State’s Law Enforcement Family New Lt. Commander starts his new position at Crescent City Office. been appointed the new commander of the CHP office. Lt. Castro oversees operations in Del Norte with 17 officers, three of whom are Sergeants. Lt. Castro s philosophy is a simple one. “Always treat the public with the utmost respect. You don’t what know what kind of day the driver you pull over is having. If that person is having a bad day, the officer’s contact with driver may very make the difference if the driver goes over that line.” Castro spent the majority of his career patrolling the Coachella and Morogo Valleys in hot. hot, hot southern California. He’s already embraced the cool climate of Crescent City. Lt. Castro is extremely proud

BY ROGER GITLIN Country Media, Inc.

In its quest to recruit 1,000 new officers, the California Highway Patrol graduated 130 recruits fresh off 26 week intensive training in all aspects of modern day law enforcement. Four of the now-CHP officers were dispatched to the Crescent City office, effective August 11. The New recruits are: • Kaio Ashcraft, Menifee • Adam Garcia.l, Bakersfield • Alan Gonzalez, Alpaugh • Edwin Gonzalez, Los Angeles The Crescent City Office has a new commander. 27 year-veteran Lieutenant Franco Castro has

INDEX

Phone Number: (707) 460-8655

Opinion

of the CHP reputation as.the premier law enforcement agency in the State. He encourages the public to contact him if the citizen experiences any negative encounter with a member of his staff. On a person note, Lt. Franco Castro is a huge AYSO fan where he helped organize the youth soccer league in the Coachella Valley. He cautions every stop his officers make is a possible DUI / Drug stop. One of the new charges implemented is all officers will be equipped with body cameras to monitor each and every call. Welcome to Del Norte Lt. Castro and the four rookies assigned to the Crescent City Office.

The frustration of the ﬁve member Board of Commissioners was palpable. The latest brouhaha involved the discussion of a competing Request for Proposal (RFP) by grants writer Mike Bahr. On record and submitted is a valid proposal from McGraw First Development, nine months in the making, for a lease to begin allowing expedient asphalt work on both RV parks, before the rainy season begins. A one hour discussion ensued initiated by Commissioner Dan Schmidt who spoke for almost 25 minutes, introducing seemingly endless minutiae which not only touched the current Bahr proposal but meandered the entire breadth of the necessity and purpose of RFPs in general. It was painful to observe or comprehend. One such RFP concern included a zoning issue that the current location of the parks should consider “preventing the construction of a skyscraper.” Crescent City has no skyscrapers The attorney for McGraw First Development Thomas Gruenbeck suggested this project need not employ the RFP process at all. His comments seemed to fall on deaf ears.

When it came to making a motion on the RFP, all parties were mired in a sea of ignorance and confusion. What were the changes to be made on the tedious document covering a myriad of items? Bahr attempted to cobble a new agreement, forthwith but the confusion was omnipresent. No decision was made and without knowing the proposed changes in writing, the item was passively tabled. Meanwhile, the endless discussion and chaos ensues. Breaking news at press time in a Special Meeting…Commissioners approved another RFP the next day of a one subject agenda, ﬁnally approving the RFP on a 4-1 vote, Commissioner Annie Nehmer dissenting. The commission next meets Wednesday, August 27 at 2PM at its Citizens Dock ofﬁce.

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