Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, Local News

Del Norte County’s unemployment dropped slightly in September, according to figures released by the California Employment Development Department. Del Norte County saw 6.3 percent of the workforce without a job in September, down from the 6.6 in August and the 6.9 rate in July. Humboldt County came in at 5.3 percent, while Trinity’s jobless rate hit 5.6 percent. Imperial County continues to record the highest unemployment in California at 21.5 percent.

A fugitive from Washington was apprehended Dec. 11 by local law enforcement and the U.S. Marshals Service. Joseph Gopher was staying at a Crescent City motel when authorities made contact with him. Gopher attempted to barricade himself in the room, but officers from the Crescent City Police Department forced their way in and made the arrest. Gopher is wanted on child rape and molestation charges.

A public hearing regarding an annexation into an rural fire protection district petition will be covered today at the 6 p.m. business meeting of the Curry County Commissioners. A jail inspection report will also be presented. The meeting will be held at the courthouse on Moore Street in Gold Beach.

A light agenda awaits the Del Norte Solid Waste Management Authority when it meets at 4 p.m. today in the Flynn Center on H Street in Crescent City. One of the highlights will be a resolution honoring longtime commissioner Michael Tompkins.

In sports news:

Del Norte High’s girls’ basketball team is now 5-3 on this young season after taking on three Redding area schools this past weekend. The Warriors knocked off Shasta High, but fell to University Prep and Enterprise. Today, both the Del Norte boys’ and girls’ teams will travel to Ferndale for non-conference battles with the Wildcats.