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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 6, 2002)
Page 5 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, November 6, 2002 Rice honored posthumously Body located in wilderness possibly man long missing Unidentified human re- mains found at the western edge of the Kalmiopsis Wil- derness could be those of a hiker caught by the massive Biscuit Fire, it is indicated by Josephine County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s office was notified on Saturday, Nov. 2 that hikers had found human remains. It was revealed on Monday, Nov. 4 that the re- mains were taken to an au- topsy facility after detectives Jerry Rylander and Jim Mason went to the site via helicopter. The location of the re- mains “is about two or three air miles from where Michael Woods was last seen on or about July 8, when he left on an extended hiking trip. The location is generally consis- tent with the intended hiking route of Woods.” It is not known, said the sheriff’s office, if the person perished in the Biscuit Fire or by some other means. Some animal depredation had oc- curred. Other information will be released after an autopsy and further checking, said the sheriff’s office. Assistance with power bills likely The Josephine County Community Action Agency has started the 2002 Low In- come Energy Assistance Pro- gram (LIEAP) to help low- income seniors and people receiving disability income with their heating bills. LIEAP is a federally funded program to assist Jose- phine County residents to pay for heating their homes during winter months. All other low-income Jo- sephine County residents will be able to phone as of Mon- day, Nov. 4 to schedule an appointment. There are in- come guidelines: To be eligi- ble, the income for a family of four cannot exceed 60 percent of the median (Oregon state- wide average) of $2,915.75 per month. This program is not meant to be the sole source of pay- ment for heating bills. People who are anticipating receiving LIEAP help should talk to their fuel providers and make payment arrangements while waiting to receive LIEAP. People may phone (541) 474-5445 for more informa- tion, or to schedule an ap- pointment. FALL RECYCLE ROUND-UP - Illinois Valley Community Response Team and Southern Oregon Sanitation, with many community volunteers, conducted a Fall Recycle Round-Up (Can Slam) on Saturday, Oct. 26 at the I.V. Visitor Center. Some 8,820 pounds of recyclable items were deposited; filling two 30-yard dumpsters and half filling a third. (Photo by Sam Newton) Jobless rate declines to 6.8% The Beaver State’s sea- sonally adjusted unemploy- ment rate declined to 6.8 per- cent in September from 7.0 percent in August, said Ore- gon Employment Dept. (OED). September marked the first time in a year that Ore- gon’s rate has been below 7.0 percent. The last time the state’s rate was below 7.0 per- cent was in September 2001 when the rate was 6.9 percent, said OED. Oregon’s unemployment rate has been on a downward trend throughout the year after peaking at 8.1 percent in Janu- ary and February. The decline in the September rate was similar to the drop in the U.S. rate, which ticked down from 5.7 percent in August to 5.6 in September, reported OED. In September 113,026 Oregonians were unemployed, and 1.7 million were em- ployed. This was the lowest number of unemployed since July 2001, when 112,289 were unemployed. Besides data covering Oregon’s civilian labor force, OED also released data from the business survey. This sur- vey indicates that seasonally adjusted total non-farm pay- roll employment was flat in September. Looking at the longer- term view, this measure of employment essentially has been flat for the past five months, with a gain of only 400 jobs during that time. “Oregon has had essen- tially the same employment level for the past five months, but at least the unemployment rate has moved very slightly downward,” said state em- ployment economist Art Ayre. “Still, I don’t see convincing evidence that the recession has ended and that we’re in a pe- riod of recovery.” In September, the start of the school year meant in- creases in employment fol- lowing summer break. Private education posted a gain of 5,200 jobs and is now close to its year-ago level of 22,200 jobs. Similarly, local govern- ment education added 12,500 jobs as employment rose to near its peak autumn level. Despite the job gains in local government education, em- ployment there is 1,300 jobs below its September ‘01 level. Lumber and wood prod- ucts had been one of the few manufacturing sectors posting over-the-year job gains until September. Now the industry employs 46,800, which is identical to its level in Sep- tember ‘01. Electronic equip- ment manufacturing has suf- fered through a retrenchment of employment. Employment reached a high of more than 42,000 jobs in early ‘01. Starting in June last year, employment started to drop until reaching a level close to 38,000, where it has remained since February of this year. In September, 37,400 were employed in the industry. On the non-durable goods side of manufacturing, food and kindred products posted a gain of 200 jobs in September to finish the summer process- ing season. This industry em- ployed 27,700 in September, about the same level as in September 2001 when em- ployment was 27,400. Love never fails. The toys and blocks with which we play are houses, lands, and gold. Their values quickly pass away, as does a tale that’s told. But kindly, gracious deeds abide, their wealth will not depart, their flowers of joy are multiplied in gardens of the heart. - Charles Russell Wakeley - Jared and I would like to thank everyone who donated their items, their time, and/or their money to help us through our time of need. All the love and generosity is deeply appreciated. A special thanks to: Dr. Joe Hoelzle Katie Asling Terry & Glenn Baker Thom & Charlotte Baker Fred & Sara Ball Roger & Pat Brandt Chani & Chris Brewer Genie Carwitz Bob & Ila Clark Lila Cochran Marilyn Cochran Bill & Catherine Dunham Russ & Rita Dyer Erica Eldred Evelyn Evans Merit Evans Cathy Falletta Kathy, Lori & Grandma Terri & Victoria Granville Tom & Bonnie (& Louise) Greener Tom & Peggy Housel Liz Johnson Fran Jolly Sally Jones David & Allison Keil Angela Kehoe Debbie Larson Betty Longman Blair & Lynn McIntire Melissa Marsh Lisa & Daniel Martinson Michelle & Shane Navarro Eileen Noggle Larry & Pam Pera Bernie Pinard Nick & Liz Prendergast Big Springs Ranch Michelle & Jimi Richardson Gerald Rosenblum & Chen Li Lan Jerry Rosenblum Laura & Rod Sharp Georgia Sheets Elaine & Larry Stein Dave Stricklan Rosana Thornhill And to all others that showed your support… Thanks so much. Any future donations can be made to Jared’s Medical Fund Savings Account at SOFCU Employment in food proc- essing can be volatile in the summer months, depending on weather patterns and conse- quently the timing of harvest for various agricultural prod- ucts, said OED. In September, many other industries performed in line with seasonal expectations for the month. Construction dropped by 300 jobs; whole- sale dropped by 400 jobs; transportation and public utili- ties added 700 jobs; and ser- vices grew by 4,600 jobs. All these changes were close to the typical trends for the time of year, OED noted. Within services, two in- dustries stand out for persis- tent growth. Health services, at 118,200 jobs (+900 jobs), posted a strong monthly gain. This industry has averaged a gain of nearly 400 jobs per month more than the past year, OED said. Social services added 1,400 jobs in September and has grown by an average of 150 jobs per month in the past year, said OED. Josephine County Marine Patrol Deputy Tom Rice has been honored posthumously by the Oregon State Marine Board for his efforts in train- ing fellow marine officers and for outstanding service as a marine deputy. Rice died in the line of duty on May 23, when a heli- copter in which he was a pas- senger hit a wire and crashed into the Rogue River near Grants Pass. The pilot, a civil- ian, also died during the mis- sion to find a missing woman. The "2002 Dave Hill In- structors Award” was given Rice posthumously for dem- onstrating strong ability and tireless dedication to training fellow marine patrol officers and new recruits. Rice also was honored with the "Award of Merit for Outstanding Ser- vice." The awards were ac- cepted by Rice's wife and daughter, who attended the awards ceremony in Hood River last month. "These awards are a fit- ting tribute to this very capa- ble and highly respected ma- rine officer," said Pat Row- land, law enforcement coordi- nator for the marine board. "His contribution to his fellow officers, the marine board, his community, and to boating law enforcement and safety will be sorely missed." The Dave Hill award is named in honor of a former Yamhill County marine dep- uty and longtime U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteer.