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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 7, 2004)
Page 7 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, January 7, 2004 SNOW BUSINESS - Illinois Valley was hit hard late last week by a storm that dumped 6 to 10 inches of snow. Prior to the snow, the valley received a deluge in the form of a rain storm, causing Illinois River and its forks to run full and maybe a little beyond (top two photos by Michelle Binker). At one Cave Junction home (photo directly above) warm memories of sum- mer dining and relaxation were chilled by the frozen ice crystals. At Z Coffee at the north end of Cave Junc- tion a Pacific Power crew stopped just long enough to obtain hot coffee before moving on to the next call for help, as power was interrupted at several locations because of downed lines caused by heavy snowfall. Senate bills make driving safer and DUII tougher A number of new laws went into effect on Jan. 1 dealing with the crime of driving under the influence of intoxicants. The intent behind the new laws is to make the roads safer to the driving public, according to a news release from the Oregon Dept. of Transportation (ODOT). “These new laws will help reduce traffic fatali- ties and injuries,” said Gretchen McKenzie, coor- dinator of the ODOT im- paired driver program. “They give law enforce- ment, the courts, and drug and alcohol treatment pro- fessionals new tools to get impaired drivers off the road and into treatment.” New laws include the following: *Senate Bill 342 al- lows school district boards to request ODOT to sus- pend driving privileges for a student who has been suspended or expelled at least twice for using, deliv- ering or being under the influence of controlled substances on school prop- erty or at a school event. This aligns with a similar law regarding alcohol. The goal is to act as a deterrent for habitual drug abuse by minors and to get them into evaluation or treat- ment early on. *Senate Bill 348 al- lows a fine of up to $10,000 if a person is con- victed of DUII and has a passenger under 18-years- old who is at least three years younger than the driver. The goal is to pro- tect child passengers from death or injury caused by family members or others who are under the influ- ence of intoxicants. *Senate Bill 421 ele- vates criminally negligent homicide and manslaugh- ter in the second degree if caused by a driver under the influence of intoxi- cants. With the elevation of criminally negligent homicide to a Class B fel- ony, the state will be able to continue requiring three years of post-prison super- vision after a defendant is released from incarcera- tion. *House Bill 2885 re- quires a permanent revoca- tion of driving privileges for the third conviction of a misdemeanor DUII. The bill affords stricter and earlier consequences for repeat offenders. *House Bill 2900 sub- jects a person who refuses to take a breath test to a fine of between $500 and $1,000 in addition to any other consequences pre- scribed by law. *Senate Bill 302 re- quires a person charged with DUII to plead “guilty” or “no contest” as part of his or her petition to enter a diversion pro- gram. Diversion programs, offered as an alternative to a DUII conviction, give offenders information and methods to avoid reoffend- ing. The “guilty” or “no contest” plea requires the offender to admit responsi- bility, and therefore makes the consequences for drop- ping out of diversion more severe. Under the old law, a person could fail or drop out of diversion and then deny his or her guilt. The new law will streamline the legal proc- ess and reduce demands on the courts and law enforce- ment. Meidinger Concrete Construction Serving the Valley since 1974 * Licensed * Bonded * Insured Specializing in all types of Concrete and Masonry New - Foundations - Walks - Drives - Patios Mobile Home Runners and Foundations Bridges and Abutments - Slabs - Large or Small Exposed Aggregate - Retaining Walls and Basements Stamped & Colored Concrete Phone 592-4485 Mike Meidinger Elementary Schools Menu Sponsored by ‘Illinois Valley News’ 321 S. Redwood Hwy. 592-2541 THURSDAY, JAN. 8 *Chili & cinnamon roll, cheeseburger, pepperoni pizza, super sub sandwich, garden salad FRIDAY, JAN. 9 *Nachos, hamburger, sausage pizza, turkey & cheese sandwich, chicken Caesar salad MONDAY, JAN. 12 *Rib-b-que sandwich, hamburger, cheese pizza, peanut butter & jelly sandwich, chef salad TUESDAY, JAN. 13 *Chicken strip basket, cheeseburger, pepperoni pizza, ham & cheese sandwich, garden salad WEDNESDAY, JAN. 14 *Hot diggity dog, hamburger, cheese pizza, poor boy sandwich, Cobb salad (R) License #93173