Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (May 5, 2004)
City of Cave Junction looking at ‘boomtown’ development By MICHELLE BINKER Staff Writer Dramatic plans for growth on the city’s north side have been the recent topic of business for Cave Junction’s City Council. Specifically, zone changes and an annexation have paved the way for a pair of subdivisions off Hanby Lane; a home im- provement center on N. Redwood Hwy.; and a pro- posed, residential-style, assisted-living facility campus on Hanby Lane. During a lengthy meet- ing Monday, April 26, the council voted 5-0 to ap- prove an unorthodox zon- ing swap between proper- ties zoned Single Residen- tial (SR) and those zoned Employment General/ Light Industrial (EG/LI), located on Hanby off N. Old Stage Road. The swap, which re- quired a lot line revision and change to the city’s comprehensive plan map, was proposed by Manor Community Development LLC, which owns the af- fected properties. The effect of the deci- sion is to place the SR zone adjacent to existing residential zoning south of Hanby. That property, owned by PJW Properties Inc., of Coquille, Ore., was annexed April 12. Developer Larr y Osborn explained that the swap would facilitate im- mediate development of the SR property, as his company and the adjacent developer would share the cost of improving a west- ern extension of Hanby. The newly zoned EG/ LI portion of the swap lies at 301 Hanby, behind Val- ley Evangelical Free Church. Osborn explained that his intention is to reinvest money made from the housing development into an assisted-living facility, located in the EG/LI zone. Dick Converse, of the Rogue Valley Council of Governments, who pre- pared the staff report on the proposal, noted that the issue on the table was the zone change, not future development. However, the senior assisted housing idea sparked keen interest. Kenny Houck, who is coordinating the develop- ment efforts for the new Siskiyo u Communit y Health Center on land nearby, cited demographic data indicating that health services are a growth in- dustry. “This is an opportunity to maximize the best use for this area,” he said. “We have a chance to aggregate health-care services in close physical proximity for long-term viability.” While the proposal was warmly received by- and-large, councilmen and Evangelical Free Church (Continued on page 12) Parents of Tygrachet Rose Lorentz (bottom) planted two rosebushes at her memorial near the LBMS main entrance. (Photos by Shane Welsh) ST. MATTHIAS SATURDAY BLAZE - Illinois Valley Fire District firefighters and Josephine County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to an 11:45 p.m. alarm on Saturday, May 1. An unoccupied building behind St. Matthias Episcopal Church was destroyed by flames. Damage to the approximately 20-by-30-foot building and contents was estimated at $20,000. ‘Improper dis- posal of smoking material’ is a possible cause. Selmac fest set in June by ‘Stars’ By CHRISTINA HILL MONDALE VISIT - Former Vice President Walter Mondale (top) spent nearly an hour answering questions with about 80 I.V. High School students on Monday, May 3. He said he was impressed with the ques- tions about international and national is- sues. The students gave him two rousing ovations. Media representatives (center) covered his visit to help dedicate the Selma Center on Sunday, May 2. Joan Mondale (right) was hosted by Pam Coo- per on Monday at Clear Spaces Gallery. Correspondent Stargazing come true. That’s the realized goal of a talented group of nine Illinois Valley resi- dents, known as The Shin- ing Stars, who have made a difference in the lives of local children during the past three years. They comprise a not-for-profit, public benefit corporation. Amanda Groves, a board member of The Shining Stars, is consid- ered th e “foun din g mother.” It was Groves’ idea that led her and a few friends to meet in a Cave Junction coffee shop, where plans began -- and the rest is history. Besides Groves, board members are Crystal Schroeter, president; Gab- riella Salas, vice president; Nicole Doran, vice presi- dent/secretary; and Sandy Lilly, treasurer. Also, Ar- ley Tree, stage manager; “DJ” Zissen, a sophomore at Illinois Valley High School and teen-age liai- son for The Stars; Yogesh Zito, adviser to The Shin- ing Stars; and Bonnallee Ader, a valley artist and performer. (Continued on page 5) LBMS dedicates memorial to classmate in fatal crash By SHANE WELSH Staff Writer It’s been a year since 13-year-old Tygrachet Rose Lorentz died in the crash of a pickup truck on Dick George Road. Despite the passage of time, she is not forgot- ten. Tygrachet was re- membered by students, family and friends who gathered at Lorna Byrne Middle School (LBMS) on Friday afternoon, April 30, to dedicate a memorial to her. Among attendees were Lorentz’ parents, Bud and Wendy Lorentz, who received flowers, hugs, and kind words from those who knew their daughter. An arbor memorial was built in her honor by eighth-grade wood-tech students at LBMS. In ad- dition, two rosebushes and one tree donated by school bus drivers and students were planted. Nearly 100 students and friends attended the ceremony. Poetry and words of remembrance led the memorial dedica- tion officiated by Peter Maluk, LBMS principal. A final note for Tygrachet (Editor’s Note: Raina Phillips, a student at Lorna Byrne Middle School in Cave Junction, was a friend of Tygrachet Rose, who died in a crash on Dick George Road a year ago. She wrote the following in memory of her friend for her parents.) By RAINA PHILLIPS My friends hated me. My brothers hated me. My parents hated me. OK, I know they didn’t hate me, but it felt like they did. My new boyfriend was (Continued on page 3)