Subscribers Caught in the Crossfire of the Triplicate's Refund Feud

The previous owners of the Triplicate, Country Media — a nine-paper chain headquartered in Salem, Oregon — and the new owner in Crescent City, Dan Schmidt, are pointing the finger at each other over who is at fault for returning the balance of refunds requested by disgruntled subscribers unhappy with the current paper.

The recalcitrant parties are acting abominably.

The final Country Media Triplicate was published on September 17, 2025, with a closing report and a promise to return all subscriptions with balances of $10 or more.

Joe Warren, an executive with Country Media—the parent company of the Curry Coastal Pilot—told office manager Shawn Hedgecorth to direct refund requests to new Triplicate owner Dan Schmidt. Schmidt immediately pushed back, blaming Country Media for the unpaid balances.

Subscribers who paid in advance and later requested refunds after the paper changed hands say they’ve been caught in the middle — with all parties involved insisting the other is responsible.

Eye on Del Norte understands the number of cancellations is substantial.
For the record, the Triplicate had a balance of fewer than 500 subscribers.

The behavior of both parties is disappointing and unethical. It would appear subscribers have just one choice: Del Norte Small Claims Court.

If you would like to attempt to contact either party to request your refund
Joe Warren — (940) 372-1008
Daniel Schmidt — (760) 953-5321

Good luck.

Recent Timeline of the Triplicate

• June 2019 — Country Media, Inc., a Salem-based newspaper chain, acquires the Curry Coastal Pilot in Brookings, Oregon, and the Del Norte Triplicate in Crescent City, California, from Western Communications.
• September 17, 2025 — The Triplicate prints its final issue under Country Media ownership, announcing closure and promising refunds to subscribers with prepaid balances of $10 or more.

Late September 2025 — Crescent City Harbor Commissioner Dan Schmidt announces he has taken over the Triplicate and will relaunch it under new local ownership.