Page 3
Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Accounts of incident outside CJ bar differ widely
much support from the com-
munity, and we don’t want to
suffer a setback due to incor-
rect assumptions that ‘the
team’ was involved.”
He noted that at a wres-
tling team car wash Saturday,
May 31 in Cave Junction,
some adults drove up and
used foul language. Some
IVHS students were washing
cars, as were some younger
students coming up to the
program. Miller said that it
was disheartening to hear the
youth being inappropriately
and offensively cussed at and
accused of wrongdoing.
Cpl. Joel Heller, of
JCSO, who responded twice
on the morning of the inci-
dent to calls at the Red Gar-
ter, said that both sides are
pointing fingers. However,
bar employees, patrons and
parents agree: The boys,
whether IVHS students or
not, had no business being at
the saloon. Although exactly
what motivated the attack is
unclear, it’s been said that
one or more of those involved
had at some time that week-
end slipped into the bar –
perhaps using a fake ID – and
were angry when the bouncer
discovered his mistake and
threw them out.
This claim -- and others
by the adults at the bar -- are
strongly disputed by three of
the boys involved, according
to Sommers.
Damage to a large win-
dow at the restaurant, and
other similar harm to the
building, were not caused by
the IVHS students, Miller and
Sommers declare. Sommers
said that he believes the boys’
report about being allowed in
to the bar earlier and being
made to leave later by the
bouncers.
Further, that because of
bristling at being physically
pushed out, the bouncers told
them to come back at 2 a.m.
The implication is that there
(Continued from page 2)
always ring loudly in these
parts don’t they? Well, now
that big government is not a
liberal thing, let’s take a look
at the mess we in which we
find ourselves.
We’ve had tax cuts for
the rich for the last seven
years, the deficit and debt are
at historic levels and the
economy is still in the tank.
And when exactly did the
“voodoo economics” of the
’80s become sound economic
policy? If we simply let the
tax breaks for Bush’s cronies
expire, we’d be in better
shape.
To close, Hook (I am not
sure if she was still quoting
Blackwell at this point) actu-
ally brought up the prospect
that Obama is the antichrist.
What the ? If you are a true
believer of this “out of this
world” idea then I am think-
ing that you would vote for
Obama. That way you will
get to Heaven sooner.
In the meantime, I’ll take
my chances here on the planet
and will consider my vote by
looking at which candidate I
feel will make the world a
better place: more peaceful
and equitable. Frankly, a
third-Bush-term of John
McCain does not represent
the America that I was proud
of as I was growing up.
By the way, I am a white
guy -- not that that matters or
anything.
Cave Junction
Wednesday, June 4
Cloudy, some sun
High--63 Low--38
Thursday, June 5
Sunny
High--74 Low--44
Friday, June 6
Sunshine, breezy
High--70 Low--42
Saturday, June 7
Sun hidden by clouds
High--73 Low--43
Sunday, June 8
Sunny
High--75 Low--44
Monday, June 9
Brilliant sunshine
High--76 Low--39
Tuesday, June 10
Sunshine
High--76 Low--34
Following are the high-and-
low temperatures, and rainfall,
recorded in O’Brien by
Cheryl & Harry Johnson:
*Fri., May 23 55 43 .00
*Sat., May 24 63 41 .07
*Sun., May 25 70 47 .00
*Mon., May 26 73 49 .02
*Tue., May 27 73 52 .14
*Wed., May 28 67 50 .31
*Thu., May 29 70 47 .00
Following are the high-and-
low temperatures, and rainfall,
recorded in Cave Junction at
Illinois River Farm:
*Fri., May 23 56 44 .00
*Sat., May 24 68 40 .10
*Sun., May 25 69 48 .01
*Mon., May 26 73 48 .00
*Tue., May 27 72 50 1.08
*Wed., May 28 62 50 .15
*Thu., May 29 69 48 .05
This still image from surveillance video shows part of the
group involved in the melee. (Video provided)
would be a fight to settle the
matter.
All that is disputed un-
equivocally by owner Linda
Sallman and manager Dave
Malone. Sallman said that
under-age persons are not
allowed in, and that she and
her staff work hard to meet
laws under the Oregon Liquor
Control Commission.
There can be no doubt, in
viewing the time-stamped
video, that a large gang of
youths was present around
midnight. The first call for
assistance came from the Red
Garter at 12:18 a.m., when it
was reported that a large
group of teen-agers was at
the back door, attempting to
start fights with patrons.
As can be seen clearly on
the video, several had re-
moved their shirts as though
ready to brawl, and were
milling outside the back en-
trance to the bar. As a deputy
pulled into the parking lot,
they scattered.
One carload of teen-
agers was interviewed briefly
in a parked car near the CJ
Post Office, but the deputy
told them to “go home.”
Witnesses who saw the
deputy release the vehicle
were shocked and angry.
“We told (the deputy)
they were going to come
back,” said Tyler Schaffer,
who was among those in-
jured. “He told us, ‘If they
show up, you guys handle it,
and call us when you’re
done’.”
By 2:09 a.m., youths had
returned, and employees at the
Red Garter were back with the
911 call-taker. According to
Dave Korrell, a DJ who’d
been at work in the bar that
evening, and one of three per-
sons injured in the melee, “We
were out there trying to dif-
fuse the situation so we could
just go home,” but it became
clear Korrell said, “a fight was
going to happen.”
In the dark edges of the
surveillance camera purview,
a loose group of belligerent
persons can be seen arguing.
A punch is thrown, and
the group breaks apart into
separate knots of furious ac-
tion while perhaps a dozen or
more youths can be made out
milling around in the back-
ground. Despite claims that
bats were used, no weapons
are visible in the video.
The entire altercation
lasted as long as one minute,
15 seconds, during which
time Korrell was knocked to
the ground and sustained sev-
eral blows to the head. Also
injured were Korrell’s assis-
tant and a patron, Schaffer,
who were similarly taken to
the ground and repeatedly
kicked.
“This wasn’t a fight, it
was a mob-style gang attack,”
said Korrell. “It was premedi-
tated to the point that they
went out to get more people.
If we had not fought back as
tenaciously as we did,” he
said, “we would have been
hospitalized.
“It’s not the bar’s fault.
We were doing what was
right,” Korrel said. “We
wouldn’t let the kids come in
and drink. I don’t see what
they thought they were going
to accomplish here. Did they
think they could beat us up
and we would let them come
in and drink?”
After Korrell and his
friends worked their way
clear, they went back into the
bar. At that point, he said, the
situation escalated as the
youths beat on locked doors
and the walls of the building.
“They had us barricaded
in the bar,” Korrel said.
“They were kicking doors,
pounding the walls, throwing
rocks and breaking windows
for 20 minutes before the
cops got there.”
As seen in the video, the
group of young men ran
amok outside until deputies
arrived.
Malone was grim-faced
and angry when asked about
the situation a few days later.
“I’ve seen the pictures,”
he said. “I’ve heard some (of
the boys’ relatives) say,
‘Well, kids will be kids’.”
Clearly d isgusted,
Malone disagreed. “This was
past mischievous, this was
assault, to hurt,” he stated.
Sommers said that he
believes so strongly what the
boys state that he will person-
ally pay for an attorney if
charges are filed.
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Related item, page 7
Saturday, June 7 th ~ 10 to 2
The Guild Building
1867 Williams Highway
Suite 209
Grants Pass, OR 97527
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
Frog Farm, 9044 Takilma Rd, Cave Junction
Learn to strengthen your immune sys-
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herbalist Laurel Peña. Call to sign up.
$25 to $50 sliding scale
592-3642 ~ www.spiralliving.org
{ ANNOUNCING }
NPFC
SAME: Phone Number SAME: Hardworking Team
SAME: Everything done Locally
A Full Service Mortgage Banker
North Pacific Financial Corporation
Formerly GMAC Mortgage, is back
CELEBRATING
25 YEARS!
770-2727
James Beard
Cindy Silva
Cindy McMullen
Robin Roberts
Darlyne Terry
Reynaldo Aguilera
Donna Darnell
Becky Clearwater
Mary Tillery
Kathy Sanders
Helen Williams
Marilyn Darst
Dorena Hamlett
Steve Ware
District Manager
s412492 5/23
BLACKBERRY FESTIVAL - The weekend of Aug.
9 and 10 is set for the annual Wild Blackberry Arts &
Crafts Festival in Cave Junction. It will not be held dur-
ing the last weekend of August as incorrectly reported in
the current Valley Visitor. Watch the Noose for updates.
POP WARNER SIGNUPS - Friday, June 6 is the
deadline for discount signups for Illinois Valley Pop
Warner football and cheerleading scholastic sportsman-
ship opportunities. The signup location is Dee’s Barber
Shop next to Art’s Red Garter in Downtown Cave Junc-
tion. Age divisions and other information are listed in an
ad in this issue.
HEART FOR HOSPICE - Heart of Summer with live
music, plus food and wine-tasting, will be held Saturday,
June 7 to benefit Lovejoy Hospice. The event will run
from 5 to 9 p.m. at Schroeder Park in Grants Pass.
There will be a variety of booths with various items. The
benefit intent is to help Lovejoy serve county residents
with children’s hospice and community bereavement
services. Music will be provided by Dianne Strong per-
forming Jazz favorites; followed by O’Brien residents
Dale & Sharon Hopper with their singing dog, Claude;
followed by Emmy Phelps, described as a world-class
singer/songwriter. For more information phone 474-
1193 or visit lovejoyhospice.org.
FREE ‘N’ FUN FISHIN’ - Free fishing, as well as
crabbing and clamming (licenses not required), are of-
fered statewide by Oregon Dept. of Fish & Wildlife the
weekend of June 7 and 8. On Saturday the 7th at Lake
Selmac, members of Middle Rogue Steelheaders will
offer loaner poles and free instruction. They’ll be at the
Boy Scout area from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The program tradi-
tionally is geared for youngsters.
BOOSTING CHILDREN - A free class, Love Can
Build A Bridge, about strengthening relationships with
our children, will be held by Illinois Valley Safe House
Alliance. The program, part of the alliance’s After the
Violence series, will be held Wednesday, June 11 from
9 to 10 a.m. at the alliance site on Lister Street. Child-
care and transportation are available. Phone 592-2515.
MUSEUM FOR DADS - Fathers will be admitted
free to Kerbyville Museum, when accompanied by a
paying adult, on Fathers Day, Sunday, June 15. The
museum will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Regular
hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays through Mon-
days. Children younger than 6 are admitted free.
SNACK ATTACK TRACK - Donations of snack
items are requested by Illinois Valley Safe House Alli-
ance for its first Super Kids Camp this summer. Items
can be left on or prior to June 18 at the alliance facility
on Lister Street (the former location of Home Valley
Bank) next to the DMV office. Fresh fruit and veggies
can be left Mondays and Tuesdays from June 18 to July
15. A partial list of items: crackers, candy, yogurt, pea-
nut butter, cheese sticks, salami, chips and cones; plus
small paper plates, spoons, sunscreen and napkins.
NOTEPAD - I.V. Youth Soccer Club on Thursday,
June 5 will conduct its annual general meeting at Wild
River Brewing & Pizza Co. in Cave Junction beginning at
6:30 p.m. … Junior Golf signups will be held Saturday,
June 14 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Illinois Valley Golf Course.
Six weeks of Thursday lessons will begin June 19 for youth
5 to 15 years old. There will be a small fee ... The Labor
Day Parade sponsored by Illinois Valley Lions Club will
begin at 10 a.m., not 11 a.m. as stated on the current pa-
rade application form. The 36th annual parade and festival
theme is Illinois Valley: We Grow Trees & Champion Ath-
letes ... A Salmon Ceremony Powwow will be held Sat-
urday, June 14 along Rogue River in Gold Hill. For infor-
mation about camping and other details phone 474-
0334 or 474-2690 … A Library Vision Workshop, re-
lated to the whole county system, will be held Saturday,
June 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Grants Pass City Hall.
Phone 660-6531 or visit info@josephinelibrary.org ...
Friends of the Library for the Illinois Valley branch will
meet July 2 at I.V. Senior Center. The June meeting is
canceled … Joe Krauss has been appointed to the Illi-
nois Valley Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
He will fill the unexpired term of Alicia Thornhill, who
resigned to spend more time with family … Funny
questions: *Why does your nose run and your feet
smell? *If an orange is orange, why isn’t a lime called a
green, or a lemon called a yellow? *What should you do
if you see an endangered animal eating an endangered
plant? *Why does sour crème have a “use-by” date?
LAST WORDS - When I despair, I remember that
all through history the ways of truth and love have al-
ways won. There have been tyrants, and murderers,
and for a time they can
seem invincible, but in the
end they always fall. Think
of it -- always. (Mahatma
Gandhi)
Details vary tremen-
dously, depending on the
source, but a “scuffle” early
Monday morning, May 26
outside a Downtown Cave
Junction bar has some Illinois
Valley residents hopping mad.
Community perceptions
that “the wrestling team” from
Illinois Valley High School
was involved are totally incor-
rect and inappropriate, accord-
ing to team coach Jay Miller,
and longtime supporter Jerry
Sommers.
The latter noted that he is
aware that four students, who
were on the team that captured
the state championship this
school year, were involved.
Others in the group, accused
of attacking the three adults,
are not known, he said. He
and Miller stated emphatically
that the actions of all those
involved are not condoned,
but that to crucify a team for
the actions of a few is wrong.
The incident, captured on
surveillance video, seems to
involve some prominent
IVHS student-athletes in a
physical confrontation result-
ing in minor injuries to an
employee and two patrons at
Art’s Red Garter Steakhouse
& Saloon. The school is tak-
ing no action against the stu-
dents involved, saying that it
happened off-campus.
Josephine County Sher-
iff’s Office (JCSO) on Mon-
day, June 2 forwarded its
investigation to the district
attorney, who will decide if
charges will be filed.
“People are pissed and
I’m pissed,” said Miller, who
has put in more than 30 years
working with youth in the
wrestling program. “What
happened is not right,” he
said. “None of the boys
should have been out at the
time of the morning.
“This is a terrible situa-
tion, one that we hope will
not set back the wrestling
program. We have had so