New Siskiyou County Courthouse: In 1997, the
courts became operated by the State of California.
At that time, the ownership of that portion of the county Courthouse occupied by the
courts became owned by the State of California. The rest remained in County ownership.
Originally, the courts wanted to modernize the old courthouse and add
several new courtrooms to the back of the building. They told the County that we would
have to move our departments out of the courthouse, (Auditor, Treasurer,
Assessor/Recorder.) They would pay us for our space. That is when we started negotiations
to purchase the old Klamath National Forest (KNF) building.
Eventually, because of the age of the building and other concerns,
the courts applied for funding from the State to build an entirely new courthouse. The
County would have to pay the State of California $600,000 for the value of their space at
the old courthouse when they vacated, plus we now owned the old KNF building.
The County, with support by the City of Yreka, was able to use some
specifically earmarked courthouse construction funds accumulated over the years to
purchase five private parcels on the block to the south of the courthouse on Fourth Street.
These will be combined into one parcel for the location of the new five courtroom 70,000
sq. ft. courthouse in a swap for the value of the vacated space in the old courthouse. The
new courthouse will be owned by the State of California. It will be located in the same
general downtown area, hopefully an economic stimulus to downtown merchants. The surplus
in excess of the swap deal will likely give the County a next gain sufficient to relocate
displaced County offices, like the Public Defender and to help renovate the KNF building
into County offices.
The KNF building will become a one stop Administrative center
eventually housing the County Assessor, Auditor, Treasurer, Clerk and others. The old
courthouse will become a Criminal Justice Center for court-related functions such as the
District Attorney, Investigators and perhaps Child Protective Services. This means that
some departments will be able to move from rented facilities into County-owned space. More
importantly, it means that County services of a similar nature will be co-located, making
it easier for residents to do business in one stop.
Proposed Ban on Hound Hunting
of Bear and Bobcat: State Senator
Ted Lieu has proposed SB 1221 that would ban the use of hounds to hunt bear and bobcat.
Currently, it is unlawful to allow a dog to pursue any big game mammal during the closed
season on that mammal. The exception is a training area specifically designated for that
purpose. SB 1211 would make it unlawful to use dogs to hunt bear and bobcat at any time.
Further, the bill would allow Department of Fish and Game employees
to capture or kill any dog found to be threatening or injuring a big game mammal out of
season, a bear or bobcat at any time, or any mammal on a refuge where hunting is not
allowed. The law will protect the employee from any civil or criminal liability for injury
or death of the dog.
California black bear numbers have more than doubled during the past
30 years. Hunting with hounds is an accepted and humane method of hunting, which helps to
control bear populations. The over-population of bear is one reason why deer herds are
depressed in Siskiyou County.
Currently, dog enthusiasts like the Siskiyou Houndsmen and Sportsmen
spend many hours training and working their dogs for tracking and hunting as a pack.
Hounds like the black and tan, blue-tick, Plott, Redbone, bloodhound, bassets, etc.
are all great bear hunting dogs due to their scent capabilities. Hunting is an important
recreational activity to Siskiyou County's economy.
The Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to send a
letter in opposition to SB 1221.
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