Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 13, 2008)
Page 7 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, February 13, 2008 Rumor of the Week Dreams of Pulitzer fly away from I.V. Airport saga By WALLY AIKEN For IVN The rumor this week is one being bandied about by those in favor of downgrad- ing Illinois Valley Airport to a designation involving what size aircraft can land at the site. This rumor is accepted as truth by many because it seems logical. Also because it is directed against Josephine County Airports Manager Alex Grossi, who seems to be seen as evil incarnate by the proponents of downgrade. The use of this particular ru- mor seems designed to make Grossi appear to be totally self-serving and disingenu- ous. In fact, the rumor just confuses the issue by making legitimate discussion more difficult. But logic has never stood in the way of the Illi- nois Valley Rumor Mill (IVRM) in the past, so: The Rumor Of The Week -- Alex Grossi opposes downgrading the airport be- cause part of his pay is a per- centage of any grants the air- port receives, and the down- grade would result in the loss of most of these funds. He would therefore lose a substantial portion of his in- come should the air- port be downgraded. The Truth Be- hind The Rumor --When I first heard this rumor it had that ring of truth to it that told me, “You need to check this out.” I mean, if I could prove that selfish reasons were be- hind any of the participants’ motives, it would be a great muckraking story. Reporters live to rake muck. My first step was to ask Grossi straight out, “Do you receive any monetary com- pensation from any grants to the airport?” I awaited his response with poised pen eager to record the details of potential scandal. “No,” he said. Well, that was no fun. Determined to unearth a major money scandal I was not easily deterred. I went to a county commissioner for more information. I asked this commissioner if Grossi’s pay was de- pendent on grant money and received an, “I don’t know” answer. Clearly this was not going as planned. As I dejectedly turned to leave, this commis- sioner’s parting statement revived my hope. “Just where does his pay come from?” I was asked. “It doesn’t come out of the general fund,” he said. Any competent reporter would have immediately questioned the commissioner about his lack of ability to determine the source of pay for a county manager. But being desperate and not too bright I believed I was being fed one of those “wink, wink” leads that turn into Pulitzer (Editor’s Note: Factual information for ‘Blotter’ is provided by official law enforcement agencies. All persons listed are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Charges can be amended or dismissed.) * * * *A continuing problem with people sleeping under the back porch and lighting fires in the trash can of a busi- ness in Downtown Cave Junction was reported. *A woman in the 36000 block of Redwood Hwy. said that her neighbor was at- tempting to build a fence on her property. She reported that she pushed the pile of wood off her property with her vehicle while her neighbor yelled profanities. *Around 7 p.m. a woman in the 36000 block of Redwood Hwy. said that her neighbor destroyed her fence and tried to run her down with a vehicle. *The Oregon State Po- lice agency was notified that “some kids” were throwing rock-filled snowballs at pass- ing cars on Redwood Hwy. near Draper Valley Road at 11:14 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2 *George Allen Van Nuys, 42, was cited on a fed- eral charge of possession of a controlled substance at Hogue Meadows on Takilma Road at 1:24 p.m. *A resident in the 500 block of Schumacher Street noted a strong odor of mari- juana coming from a neighboring apartment. *Wade Kelly Holder, 32, was cited on a charge of DWS on Holland Loop at 7:31 p.m. His vehicle was impounded. *Deputies were attempt- ing to track a 4x4 pickup that had been “spinning out” at Illinois River “Forks” State Park. The driver headed to- ward the river and neither he nor the vehicle were located. *A driver stuck in snow on Happy Camp Road re- quested a tow at 11:45 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 3 *Two young men were seen walking into “Forks” state park at 12:26 a.m. They were advised of park hours and told to leave. *Drug paraphernalia, found after a guest had checked out of a motel room, was confiscated. *Someone attending a gathering on Ken Rose Lane was asked to move their car as they’d parked on the road- way. *James B. Rankin, 52, was lodged in county jail on charges of felony and misde- meanor attempted eluding, reckless driving, reckless en- dangering, and interfering with a peace officer following a pursuit on Westside Road at 8:42 p.m. Monday, Feb. 4 *Aaron M. Baker, 18, was cited on charges of DUII, refusing a breath test, DWS and driving without insurance on Redwood Hwy. near Westside Road at 12:45 a.m. *Five golf carts were removed from storage at Illi- nois Valley Golf Course without permission and were missing for a time. All were damaged by hot-wiring; one was damaged extensively. *A young runaway per- son who needs medical atten- tion was reported in rural Cave Junction. *Copper wire was re- ported stolen from a subdivi- sion under construction on Green Valley Drive. Also, a demolished golf cart was dis- covered. Tuesday, Feb. 5 *Contacted on N. Junction Avenue, Chaz Lindsey, 23, was cited on two warrants charging failure to appear in Medford Municipal Court on charges of second-degree theft. *An uninjured man was reported crawling on S. Red- wood Hwy. in the 400 block at 8:30 a.m. *In the 27000 block of Redwood Hwy. a woman reported theft of a pink wallet containing cash and IDs. She Friday, Feb. 1 *Following a report at 2:40 p.m. by a concerned caller regarding a man intoxi- cated and repeatedly falling over in the 100 block of N. Redwood Hwy., an uncoop- erative Otis Jones was lodged in Josephine County Jail be- cause his probation officer said to do so. *Someone attempted to purchase checks from an online source using her ac- count without permission at a valley bank, a woman re- ported. *Some six to eight loose cows were corralled, and their owner was contacted in the 2000 block of Holland Loop at 4:42 p.m. *Following an accident on Reeves Creek Road re- ported around 7 p.m., Job Christopher McGhee, 21, was cited on charges of driving under the influence of an in- toxicant (DUII) driving with a suspended license (DWS) and driving uninsured. The vehicle was impounded. His blood alcohol content was listed at .14. - IVHS School Menu - Sponsored by SISKIYOU COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER 25647 Redwood HWY AVAILABLE DAILY *Cheeseburger, hamburger, turkey & cheese sandwich, Chef or Mandarin chicken salad, cheese or pepperoni pizza, nachos. THURSDAY, FEB. 14 *Daily Favorites Pasta with Marana/meat sauce, beef & bean burrito, chicken burger, Hawaiian pizza, ham & cheese sandwich & garden salad. FRIDAY, FEB. 15 *Daily Favorites Nacho Supreme, corn dog, hot dog or Polish dog, spicy chicken burger, supreme or taco pizza, Italian sandwich, & chicken Caesar salad. MONDAY, FEB. 18 President’s Day NO CLASSES TUESDAY, FEB. 19 *Daily Favorites Chicken fajitas, Rib-B-que sandwich, chicken burger, supreme pizza, roast beef & cheese, garden salad. WEDNESDAY, FEB. 20 *Daily Favorites Taco salad, chicken or beef rice bowls, spicy chicken bur- ger, taco pizza, veggie sandwich, antipasto salad. prizes. I dug deeper for the real story. I discovered that a propo- nent of downgrading the air- port also had been down this path and that encouraged me. Certain of discovering felo- nies galore I checked out the records. It seems that Grossi’s pay is derived from three sources. Seventy percent comes out of money gener- ated from the income pro- duced by Merlin Airport. Thirty percent is supposed to be generated by income from I.V. Airport, but because it doesn’t generate enough reve- nue, an economic develop- ment fund is used to make up the shortfall. As my dreams of a Pulit- zer faded into the sunset I realized a sad truth. If only rumors were true, I could have been a contender. Portland-Vancouver link eyed Gov. Kulongoski and Washington state Gov. Gregoire have announced a bistate commitment to replace the Interstate high- way bridges that connect Vancouver and Portland. Details were not immediately announced. thinks she knows who did it. *On Norman Road a wolf-hybrid puppy was re- ported to be running loose, and it was stated that it tried to attack someone. Wednesday, Feb. 6 *A report of identity theft was made in Cave Junction. *Robert Breakfield, 44, was cited on warrants charg- ing failure to comply with terms of probation on original charges of DUII and second- degree criminal mischief. *A Waldo Road resident who reportedly slit his own throat was transported to Three Rivers Community Hospital in Grants Pass. *Located around 9 p.m. in Downtown CJ, Allison Marie Gowney, 44, was ar- rested on a warrant charging escape from a correctional institution. She also was charged with possession of a controlled substance metham- phetamine. *A man said that his ex- girlfriend had been phoning him several times per day, and he wanted it to stop. *William D. Sheff, 53, was cited on a charge of im- proper right turn, and warned for having no proof of insur- ance on E. Lister Street. Thursday, Feb. 7 *Complaints of loud mu- sic came from the 5000 block of Westside Road at 4:44 p.m. *A driver on Redwood Hwy. was warned for having inoperative tail-lights on a trailer. After repairing a loose connection, the driver was warned for having a white light to the rear of the vehicle. *Warned at 8:26 p.m. for a defective license plate light, Cordon Burnell Wise, 30, was cited at 9:04 p.m. for failure to obey a red light in Downtown CJ. *Several drivers were warned about speeding or defective equipment around Cave Junction. Respect, Character, Leadership (From left) Sgt. John Justema, Sheriff Gil Gilbertson, and Sgt. Edye Deubert. (Photo courtesy of JCSO) Sheriff’s office promotes two to rank of sergeant Two deputy corporals have been promoted to the rank of sergeant, said Sgt. Jeff Michael of Josephine County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO). Promoted are Edye Deu- bert, who has become the first woman advanced to Patrol sergeant in the 167-year his- tory of JCSO; and John Justema. Deubert began her career in law enforcement in July 1998, working with the Jose- phine Marijuana Eradication Team. With JCSO she has worked in Corrections and the Detectives Division, and was promoted to corporal in November 2005. Besides her regular re- sponsibilities and assignments, she took on the task of coordi- nating and overseeing the re- serve program, and worked with Search And Rescue. Noted Michael, “Despite being laid off due to budget cuts, she remained loyal to the county and sheriff’s of- fice.” Deubert is married to Jer Deubert and has two sons, Josua and Miles. Justema has been a full- time deputy since September 1990. He was promoted to Patrol corporal in February 2000. He has worked in Cor- rections and was part of the former sheriff’s SWAT Team in the early 1990s. “John has been instru- mental in obtaining grants and donations for the sheriff’s office to have up-to-date equipment in the patrol vehi- cles,” said Michael. “He also remained dedicated to the sheriff’s office during a lay- off period. Justema’s wife’s name is Julie, and they have a son, Christopher; and a daughter, Natalie. Invasion of the Bible Thumpers by Skookum Maguire A literary history of Southern Oregon. Available at amazon.com, barnsandnoble.com, other media outlets, and many local bookstores. Moving Sale SAVE SAVE SAVE We’ve relocated to Airport Drive ( just 4.5 miles South of downtown Cave Junction) 30088 Redwood Hwy. Drive a Little Save a Lot Coors Carpet, Tile, Ceramic, Vinyl, Rugs, Laminates $9 99 12-pks. bottles or cans + dep. Budweiser $9 99 12-pks. + dep. Corona $14 99 12 pks. + dep. Prices good through 02/29/08 For an awesome adventure, be there for your children! Pregnancy Center 319 Caves Hwy. ~ 592-6058 ~ pregnancycenteriv.org Mondays - Fridays, 10 - 6 Saturdays 10 - 2 592-2413
