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Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, August 24, 2005
This week I was going to continue the cat and
dog tales, but have decided to give the feline-
canine connection a temporary rest. Instead, you
will be regaled with a couple of journalistic inci-
dents in which I was involved years behind. We’ll
get back to the animals another time.
Actually, speaking of animals, I also thought
of reminiscing about driving in low gear for two
years in the San Diego Zoo, where I learned to
imitate a number of critters including peacocks,
gibbons and gecko lizards. I also “learned” to
drink coffee there, but that’s yet another saga.
Back to those journalistic happenings. One of
the most dramatic occurred in Downtown San
Diego around 1964, I think. I was a copy boy at
the former San Diego “Evening Tribune,” itching
to get on the reporter trainee program, but that
came a bit later. Anyway, it was a rainy day, and
upon returning to the third-floor newsroom from
the fifth-floor employee lounge, I kept hearing
loud popping noises.
They sounded like those .22-powered tools
used by construction guys. I asked one of the
suits what was going on, and he said that there
was a gunfire situation a few blocks away. Being
prone to thinking everyone needed my help, I
asked somewhat facetiously if the breaking news
was being covered. He assured me that it was.
However, my interest got me the assignment
of running film from the scene to the darkroom.
This really ticked off the rest of the copy boy crew
because they all wanted to be involved. Using my
magical press pass I went through the police
lines, with the last officer telling me to keep a
large Coke truck between me and the site of the
offensive gunfire, which was a pawnshop.
At 19, I had never been under gunfire, so
when the whizzing sounds puzzled me, as I hud-
dled behind a car near the Coke truck with a re-
porter and two photographers, I got a most-
sarcastic answer from the reporter, who hap-
pened to be a U.S. Marine combat veteran. I made
several running in the rain round-trips hauling
used film to the photo lab, and returning with
fresh film.
San Diego Police were returning fire in great
volume, as the man in the pawn shop had
wounded or killed at least two of the owners. Plus
he had access to numerous weapons and ammo.
It took a few hours, but eventually the man
was arrested. However, it later was estimated that
many thousands of rounds had been fired by po-
lice officers and other law enforcement troops
who came to help, trying to halt the shooter.
Dramatic heroism was much in evidence, as at
least one SDPD officer, using a mechanic’s
crawler, rescued one of the wounded men in the
pawn shop while under fire. At one point, an ar-
mored car was driven onto the sidewalk, and
automatic weapons fired directly into the front of
the pawn shop. It turned out later that the shooter
had gone upstairs, so he survived that effort.
Eventually, the U.S. Navy sent a Shore Patrol
guy in with a concussion grenade. He got cover
fire, and got as close as he could before lobbing
the grenade. There was quite an explosion, and
as I recall, some officers rushed in and wounded
the shooter with a shotgun.
All through this it was raining -- some would
say cats and dogs. But I hardly noticed. So that’s
my exciting story for this week, although the cats
and dogs might return another week.
Oh, that second journalistic incident will have
to wait. It too involved a man with a gun, but I
think one story is plenty this time.
What would men be without women?
Scarce, sir, mighty scarce.
- Mark Twain -
Illinois Valley News
An Independent Weekly Newspaper Co-owned and published by Robert R. (Bob) and
Jan Rodriguez - Bob Rodriguez, Editor El Jefe
Entered as second class matter June 11, 1937 at Post Office as Official Newspaper for
Josephine County and Josephine County Three Rivers School District, published at 321
S. Redwood Hwy., Cave Junction, OR 97523
Periodicals postage paid at Cave Junction, OR 97523
Post Office Box 1370 USPS 258-820
Telephone (541) 592-2541, FAX (541) 592-4330
Volume 68, No. 23
Staff: Kacy Clement, Michelle Binker,
Becky Loudon, Bryan Harley, Tabitha Jackson, Nina Holm Consulting.
Member: Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association
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News, Classified & Display Ads, Announcements & Letters
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accepted until Noon, Friday with an additional charge.)
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they are of general interest, in good taste, legible and not libelous. All letters must be
signed, using complete name, and contain the writer’s address and telephone number.
The latter need not be published, but will be used to verify authenticity. The ‘News’
reserves the right to edit letters. Generally, one letter per person per month at publish-
ers’ discretion. Letters are used at the discretion of the publishers. Unpublished letters
are neither acknowledged nor returned. A prepaid charge may be levied if a letter is
inordinately long in the publishers’ opinion.
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tion. Submissions must be resubmitted weekly if the item is to run more than one week.
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POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to
P.O. Box 1370, Cave Junction, OR 97523
(Editor’s Note: Views and
commentary, including state-
ments made as fact, are strictly
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Typed, double-spaced let-
ters written solely to this news-
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also can be considered.
Cards of thanks are not
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Blackberry Festival
From Bear Marston
Cave Junction
As a participant of the
Blackberry Festival I can
say I guess not everyone
gets better the more they do
something.
A very good example is
this year’s festival.
Now, I’m not saying
that vendors didn’t make
money. People did. A per-
son can’t control that.
Several people were
moved. One man was in-
formed after he paid for the
spot that he had been at for
eight years. When he was
asked by the organization
what he wanted to do, he
suggested a refund. Organi-
zation said: I quote, “Yeah,
that’s not going to happen.”
I was lied to, then
threatened with no spot and
no refund.
What’s going on?
Where’s the money going?
How much came in? What
went out and where? An
accounting must be made.
Change must be imple-
mented, and I’m full of
ideas. How about you? Let’s
get together, and save the
festival.
Cave Junction area. They
had many area friends, but
time took its toll, and Nona
was very alone, ill and un-
able to get out on her own.
Unfortunately, some
unscrupulous people exerted
undue influence on her, and
just before her death she
was persuaded to change to
will to benefit them, and
disinherit her immediate
family.
I did not and do not
stand to profit in any way
from her death. But we have
found that certificates of
deposit are being held by
Evergreen Federal Bank for
my grandson and grand-
daughter. These certificates
will be redeemed and are
appreciated.
But because of confu-
sion and devious notifica-
tion, two certificates might
not be claimed. Those
named on these certificates
are Judy Milam and Glenn
Niekamp. Someone may
know how to contact them
or their heirs.
Knowledge of Nona’s
situation could be warning
to others. Before making
any drastic changes in wills,
extravagant gifts or changes
in deeds, people should con-
sult with a trusted adviser.
They could include a minis-
ter, priest, social worker or
genuine friend, but not an
employee. Lawyers are not
advisers.
People who are alone
and ill, and sometimes not
mentally stable because of
illness, can make some out-
rageous and wrong deci-
sions, especially when
wrongful influence is ex-
erted.
POW/MIA
Recognition Day
From Tina Haemmerlein,
Public Relations chairman,
American Legion
Auxiliary, Glenn Morrison
Unit 70
Cave Junction
Each year our nation
has one day set aside that
not too many people know
about to honor the commit-
ment and sacrifices made by
our nation’s Prisoners of
War and those still Missing
in Action, as well as their
families.
POW/MIA Recognition
Day is the third Friday in
September. This year POW/
MIA Day will be observed
Sept. 16 to salute those men
of Josephine County, Inc.
and women unaccounted
for, and missing from Amer-
ica’s wars:
From Vietnam, from
Korea, from World War II,
from the Cold War, from
Desert Storm, from Iraqi
Freedom.
Families and friends of
Americans missing suffer
from “not knowing.” It is
emotionally difficult and
painful, and many POW/
MIA families, have had to
endure such agonizing suf-
fering for decades. Today,
more than 88,000 Ameri-
cans worldwide remain un-
accounted for, due to hostile
action, but are not forgotten.
We need to show sup-
port and acknowledge these
American families. Let our
community, the families and
our nation know we care
and have not forgotten. Fly a
POW/MIA flag, fly the U.S.
flag, or wear a poppy to
show that we a nation will
“Never Forget” … “You
Are Not Forgotten.”
1314 NE Foster Way, Grants
Pass, OR 97526
www.cccsgrantspass.com
Hours: 9-2:30. After hours
appointments are available.
We are a local, non-profit agency that can help you solve
your debt problems, avoid bankruptcy and learn how to
handle your money!
Credit reports & credit reviews available.
Phone 479-6002 today.
Warning on wills
Summer Fun
With Llamas
From Ann Dodge
Cincinnati, Ohio
My sister-in-law,
Wynona “Nona” Dodge,
died recently.
She and her deceased
husband, Jim Dodge, were
longtime residents in the
Call or email and
come for a visit.
Joyce & Harry Abrams
592-6078
llamuz@forestedgefarm.com
American Legion Auxiliary,
Glenn Morrison Unit 70
Assistance with bingo at
the I.V. Lions Labor Day
Festival is needed. Those
who can help on Sept. 3, 4,
or 5.should contact Laurel
Warden at 597-2979.
Membership renewals
are showing up in the mail.
Questions on membership
or renewal can be directed
to Michele Colbert at 592-
3704.
The Southern Oregon
National Stand Down for
homeless and disadvantaged
veterans was held on Sept.
16, 17 and 18 at the White
City V.A. Domiciliary.
There will be V.A. benefits
counseling, health screen-
ing, housing and employ-
ment information, legal ser-
vices, substance abuse coun-
seling, clothing, haircuts and
showers.
There will be no cost,
plus immediate assistance
and referrals for families of
active military personal.
Donations can be sent
to: Southern Oregon Stand
Down Inc., P.O. Box 8396,
Medford OR 97501. Per-
sonal care items are also
needed. For more informa-
tion contact Ellie Buell at
592-6771.
POW/MIA Recognition
Day will be held Friday,
Sept. 16.
The next auxiliary
meeting will be held
Wednesday, Sept. 7 at 7
p.m.; potluck starting at 6 at
the American Legion Post
70 Hall on Caves Hwy.
TWELFTH ANNUAL
AUGUST 27, 2005
Health Screenings, Fun Educational Booths
"Fast Pass" to Free Immunizations
Bring your child’s immunization records (birth to 18 years old)
Saturday, August 27 • 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Josephine County Fairgrounds
For more information call 1-888-688-4920.
Brought to you by:
Gateway Rotary/Bank of the Cascades
Josephine County Sheriff’s Office
Zonta Club of Grants Pass
Josephine County Health Department
and many other community service organizations
Subscribe to the
‘Noose.’
05CHDR029 IVN