Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (May 26, 2004)
Page 7 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, May 26, 2004 O’Brien resident writes ‘fish story’ (Editor’s Note: The following is from James “Jim” Tucker, 47, who became a Christian in 1994. He’s in a South Carolina prison, and sent the letter to Cave Junction-based Life Lines, a prison ministry.) WRITE STUFF - Marissa K. Litak, 11, has earned a runner-up citation in The Creative Crayon Award writing contest for her story, ‘The Dragon.’ Ma- rissa is in fifth grade at Evergreen Elementary School, and the daughter of rural Cave Junction residents Bob and Caro- lyn Litak. Winners noted in May primary Following are results of Josephine County bal- loting in the Tuesday, May 18 primary election, ac- cording to the county elec- tions office. *County commission Position 2: Jim Raffenburg 29 percent; Jim Brock (Position 3 incumbent who chose to seek this spot) 26 percent; Harold Haugen (incumbent) 18 percent; Gayle Shane 11 percent; William Turrell 9 percent; James Rossi 7 percent. *County commission Position 3: Cherryl Walker 41 percent; Dwight Ellis 39 percent; Paul Walter 9 percent; Lance Noble 6 percent; Douglas Beck 5 percent. *Library levy: “No” 52 percent; “yes” 48 per- cent. *U.S. president: (Republican) - George W. Bush (unopposed incu- ment). *U.S. president: (Democrat) - John Kerry 81 percent (Kerry also was the top choice statewide); Dennis Kucinich 16 per- cent; Lyndon LaRouche 2 percent. RCC student art displayed An exhibit of artwork produced by students at Rogue Community Col- lege will be shown at the Wiseman Gallery through Saturday, June 12. The Wiseman Gallery is on the RCC Redwood Campus, 3345 Redwood Hwy., approximately 5 miles west of Grants Pass on Hwy. 199. The gallery is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mon- days through Thursdays, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fri- days. I’m writing to bring you good news. I will shortly be going home. I have finally run out of appeals, and will be executed on Friday, May 28, 2004. Let’s have no consternation! Hear what I said? I finally get to go home. That’s good news to me, and I have no distress at the prospect. I just wanted y’all to know that you’ve been a blessing to me in one way or another, and I thank you. Maybe you can have a “going home” picnic for me sometime around the 28th; that would be good. Maybe I’ll see y’all around New Jerusalem later. Truly, please be at ease, as I am, about this execution. I cannot be at all distressed about my mortal demise when my hope and faith lay in the Biblical promises of Jesus that, through Him, I’m assured a happy, eternal future. Besides that, we all know that prison is, at best, an un- pleasant experience, and that I will finally be able to es- cape that existence forever. Hooray for that too. What comes to mind is that, “He works all things to the good of those who love the Lord,” and I find it ironic that what these people consider “punishment,” I find to be a final release to a glorious, eternal life through God’s grace and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Ain’t life funny? I just wanted to let y’all know what was happening. Thanks again for all the kind thoughts, encouragement, prayers and blessings. May you all live long, happy, pros- perous lives; and may you always remember to do all that you do to the glory of God. (Easier said than done until you get into the habit of it.) As they say: Until we meet up yonder -- peace and God bless. Padraic Cotta, a senior at Illinois Valley High School, is June Josephine County Commissioners Student of the Month. Cotta is the son of Morgan Cotta. He has maintained a 3.8 grade- point average. He is a member of the IVHS Chapter of National Honor Society, the Brain- bowl team, Mathletes, Pep Band, Honor Choir and Honor Band. He was band president last year. Cotta placed fourth in science at the Academic Masters competition this year. The top student plans Illinois Valley High School senior Kristen Bir- mingham is May Josephine County Commissioners Student of the Month. She is the daughter of Jill Birmingham, and she is the mother of 2-year-old Josalyn Nichols. She has maintained a 3.66 grade- point average She is a member of the IVHS Chapter of National Honor Society, Fishwatch, 4-H, Drama Club, Pas- sages, Key Club, and the Teen Theater. She has participated in the Day of Respect and held the offices of Fresh- men Class secretary, Prom Committee chairman, Jun- MANSFIELD R. CLEARY Attorney at Law General Practice in Illinois Valley since 1980 Practice includes but not limited to: Bankruptcy - Eliminate financial problems Living trusts - Avoid probate Estate planning - Wills, power of attorney Domestic relations Auto accident - Personal Injury Criminal - DUII Real Estate contracts - Foreclosure 592-2195 200 W. Lister Padraic Cotta to attend Rogue Commu- nity College to earn his associate’s degree. He will transfer to Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls to specialize in com- puter science. O’Brien resident Gary Luerding has written a fishing story that is in- cluded in the latest book published in the popular “Chicken Soup for the Soul” series. “Beyond the Breakers” was one of only 88 stories to be selected for “Chicken Soup for the Fisherman’s Soul” from more than 1,500 stories submitted. “It takes a really won- derful story, with a bit of luck tossed in, in order to make the final cut,” said Dahlynn McKowen, who along with her husband, Ken, and the series origi- nators’, Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen, ed- ited and co-authored “Chicken Soup for the Gary Luerding Fisherman’s Soul.” The book series has sold more than 85 million copies since the parent book was published 10 years ago with many of the titles reaching the best- seller lists. “Chicken Soup” sto- ries are selected based on several key criteria, includ- ing their ability to instill inspiration, promote posi- tive life changes and subtly teach lessons. “Originally I wrote this story for my children with no intent in having it published,” said Luerding. “Beyond the Breakers” is about “my childhood experiences fishing with my dad and the lessons in life those experiences taught me.” The book became available this month at most bookstores or online at the co-authors’ website: www.fishsoul.com or at Amazon.com. Luerding, the former attendance officer at Illi- nois Valley High School, is retired from that job. More money advised for sheriff’s office A recommendation for more funding to the Josephine County Sheriff’s will be sent to county com- missioners by the county budget committee. Under the proposal, part of the proposed $113.4 million county budget for the next fiscal year, there could be a law enforcement levy on the general election ballot in November, and possible temporary funding for three correctional deputies at county jail. The recommendation also includes a suggestion to charge a fee for deputies having to respond to bur- glar alarms that turn out to be false. Sheriff Dave Daniel told the committee that three jail deputies gradu- ated from training on April 30, but that he would have to lay them off unless more money is found. With the three new officers, the jail is able to handle 140 in- mates; but without the ‘Illinois Valley News.’ The only newspaper especially for the Illinois Valley community money, persons who should be jailed would have to be released, the sheriff said. Another suggestion to commissioners is that plan- ning fees for various ser- vices be increased from 18 percent of the cost of pro- viding such services, to 30 percent. This would, it is indicated, make the cost of providing them more equi- table. Extra money sought for the district attorney’s office, also said to be lack- ing enough staff, was not part of the recommenda- tions. The recommendations could be considered by county commissioners as early as late-June. The 2004-05 fiscal year will begin on July 1. GRANTS PASS SHOPPING CENTER- (541) 474-1060 Stores also in Medford and Roseburg Kristen Birmingham ior Leader in 4-H and president of the 4-H Club. Birmingham has earned her CIM Certifi- cate. She has been awarded the Kiwana’s and Gilmore Scholarships. After graduation, Bir- mingham plans to attend University of Oregon at Eugene in the fall. She would like to major in inte- rior architecture design. Vandal causes $750 damage at LDS church A vandal caused an estimated $750 to $1,000 damage to the LDS Church in Cave Junction early Thursday, May 20, said Josephine County Sheriff’s Office. Someone with a metal pole was beating on the building, a caller said at 12:21 a.m.. The suspect then went into Jubilee Park, it was reported.. The case of first- degree criminal mischief is under investigation. Tell your friends to read the ‘I.V. News’ Taylor’s Butt Bacon $2.99 lb. Linguica - Portuguese $2.99 lb. Wild River Nut Brown Ale $5.99 six pack + deposit EVENTS: *Thursday, May 27: Open Mic with host Fred Epping UBA Dinner Special: Barbecue Boneless Pork Ribs - $8.95 *****Friday & Saturday Dinner Special:***** Sauteed Shrimp with Rice or Pork Tenderloin in Pineapple Sauce - $9.95 *Friday, May 28: Earnest Adam & Rudy Fontez Covers and Originals *Saturday, May 29: Jake Thompson - Solo Originals *Sunday, May 30: Dinner Special: Chicken Breast in Wine - $8.95