Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, Local News

A Crescent City man has been identified as the victim of a Aug. 25 deadly shooting in Hoopa. According to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, emergency personnel responded and found 33-year-old Leonard Zakary Vanwormer with a gunshot wound. He died at the scene. On Aug. 27, deputies located suspect Eric Marshall, age 19, and took him into custody on charges of homicide and robbery. A second suspect, 17-year-old Joseph Eugene Marshall – also known as Joseph Reed – voluntarily surrendered and was booked on homicide charges in the Humboldt County Juvenile Hall. The investigation continues.

The California Department of Transportation has approved spending approximately $218 million toward the design phase of the Last Chance Grade Tunnel Project on U.S. Highway 101 south of Crescent City. The long-sought tunnel – with an estimated cost of more than a billion dollars – would replace the current Last Chance Grade, which requires significant maintenance on a yearly basis. Also approved by Caltrans was $3.7 million for the construction of a retaining wall on U.S. 101 at the Wilson Creek Bridge near Klamath.

A special meeting of the Crescent Fire Protection District board is planned for 5 p.m. today. A public hearing regarding the 2026-27 fiscal year budget, with the board expected to approve the final budget at that time. The meeting will be held at the district headquarters on Washington Boulevard in Crescent City.

In sports news:

Brookings-Harbor High started its football season this past Friday with a 35-12 victory over Gold Beach on the Bruins’ home field. Next up on the schedule is a road trip to Rogue River for a 7 p.m. battle Friday night.

Del Norte gave up too many big plays last Friday, as the Warrior football team fell at Oakland High 34-20 in the season opener for both teams. Del Norte will celebrate Hall of Fame Night on Friday when Ashland comes to Mike Whalen Field at 7 p.m.