Page 13
Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009
Family home consumed by blaze...
(Continued from page 1)
IVFD Chief Harry Rich
estimated that some 30,000
gallons of water had been
poured on the fire over the
course of several hours.
One of the family’s dogs
died in the fire, one cat is still
missing. Keith Binker, was
taken by American Medical
Response ambulance to Three
Rivers Community Hospital
with third- and second-degree
burns on one arm. Binker
stated that he had been trying
to move his car away from the
blaze, but could not locate his
keys and gave up when the
heat became too intense.
IVFD resources spent
much of the day on scene mop-
ping up hot spots. Firefighters
responded again on Tuesday
morning, Oct. 20, when a
neighbor noticed that the pile
of debris was smoking again.
The family has received
innumerable calls of support
and offers of clothing, house-
hold items and even the use of
a vehicle. Illinois Valley Senior
Center Thrift Store supplied
clothes, shoes and jackets, and
Subway gave the family a meal
Monday night, free of charge.
Keith Binker noted that he
was overwhelmed with grati-
tude by the outpouring of gen-
erosity.
“This community is amaz-
ing,” he said. “Its motto should
be ‘How can we help?’”
~ Michelle Binker
Despite blaze, Binker presses on
By SCOTT JORGENSEN
IVN Staff Writer
During the space of a few
hours, Illinois Valley News
Editor-in-Chief Michelle
Binker found her life literally
turned upside-down as a fast-
moving blaze destroyed her
family’s home on Dick George
Road.
Despite the situation on
Monday, Oct. 19, Binker main-
tained her poise to carry out her
duties as the community’s most
prominent newsperson.
Moments after evacuating
her family to safety, Binker
noticed that her home office
was not threatened.
“The fire was on the oppo-
site end of the house,” she said.
“It was clear that the office was
safe.”
The office is in a detached
building away from the house.
Binker’s camera equipment
was inside her vehicle, and,
with her family safe, she began
snapping photos while on the
phone with a 911 call taker.
“There was nothing else to
be done,” Binker said.
Gov calls for mining ban in
Siskiyou Wild Rivers area
(Continued from page 1)
aging federal agencies time to
sort out the invalid claims as
well as provide Oregons’ con-
gressional delegation time to
address the need for wilderness
protection for the Siskiyou
Wild Rivers,” Kulongoski
wrote.
Gibson challenges the
ability of any governing body
to take those kinds of actions.
He said that doing so is in di-
rect violation of the granted
mineral rights.
“The only jurisdiction the
government themselves kept
was the administrative part and
the procedures for filing claims
and maintaining those claims,”
he said. “Other than that, it’s
free and open.”
A town hall meeting re-
garding mining is scheduled
for Wednesday, Oct. 28 from 6
to 8 p.m. at the Anne G. Basker
Auditorium in Grants Pass.
Gibson is among those sched-
uled to speak.
The editor said that she
had visualized being in such a
scenario, and recognized the
need to detach herself from the
situation. As such, she put the
camera between herself and the
scene, as her entire life went up
in flames before her eyes.
“I can’t say I operated on
instinct at all,” she said.
Word of the devastating
incident spread throughout the
community by the afternoon of
Oct. 19. The Illinois Valley
News office was flooded with
calls of concern and offers for
help, and donations began ar-
riving soon thereafter. Binker
and her family are grateful for
the outpouring of support that
they have received from the
community.
A home has been loaned
to the family, and an account
has been established at Home
Valley Bank under “The
Binker Family” for donations.
Stated I.V. News Co-
publishers Bob & Jan Rodri-
guez, “We want to express our
admiration at Michelle's
aplomb in the face of disaster.
“In the long-standing tra-
dition of newspapering, after
her family got out, despite be-
ing clad in her pajamas, she at
once thought of ‘getting the
shot’ to not only document the
situation, but to have it avail-
able for printing in the Illinois
Valley News.
“She is a top-notch editor,
and we are confident in her
abilities plus her dedication to
journalism. Obviously, her re-
action as a newsperson to a
personal tragedy bears this out.
We are extremely pleased to
have her not only as an associ-
ate, but as a friend.”
The co-owners added that
they are extremely happy that
the family escaped essentially
unharmed.
MEN and WOMEN - 18
years & older.
Firefighting and medical
training provided.
Driver training provided.
Must have valid Oregon
driver license.
Pick-up an application at
Illinois Valley Fire District
681 Caves Hwy.,
Cave Junction
phone 592-2225
for more information
After initial placement, the ad will continue to run
and the customer will be billed. The customer must
contact Illinois Valley News to remove the ad.
Health & Well-Being (cont.)
541~592~4599
226 N. Redwood Hwy.
Cave Junction
Mon. ~ Fri. 7 a.m. ~ 7 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. ~ 2 p.m.
Chip & Debi Doyle, Owners
Curves97523@frontiernet.net
Tina Haemmerlein
Instruction
Beginning Tap Dance
for Adults and Seniors
classes begin November 3
Classes 3 days a week: Tues 10 am, Thurs 4 pm, Sat 8:45 am
Rock & Gravel
Ranch Rock
592-3382
Phone Suzanne to register 592-5082
3/4 Minus * Sand: 1/4” to 3/4” crushed
Drain Rock * Base Rock * Dry Top Soil
Insurance
Rock ‘n Roll
for 3 months
Just $79
Immanuel United Methodist Church - 200 Watkins St., C.J.
Licensed Massage Therapist, OBMT #9280
541.592.6190
Linda Sallman Insurance
massagetherapy@cavenet.com
www.poweroftouch.weebly.com
Independent Ins. Agent
Roofing
1.541.592.6590
139 S. Redwood Hwy., Cave Junction
541-592-5041
CareSource welcome
Jewelers
Humphfres Construction
Roofing, Remodel, Additions
Yanase Jewelers
Ron Humphfres
www.yanasejewelers.com
Custom Designs * Gold/Silversmith
Remounts & Stone Setting * Quality Repairs
Watch Batteries * Stock of Gems * Finished Jewelry
(541) 597 - 4085
Senior Living
www.lovejoyhospice.org
Serving Illinois Valley for 26 years
118 Hogue Drive
Selma, OR 97538
Econo Mini Storage
Also RV & Boat Storage
Now Open
592-2427
Louisa Suta, L.Ac.
Acupuncture
Herbal Medicine
Therapeutic Bodywork
(541) 415-0250
9335 Takilma Road, Cave Junction
Home Decor
Monday - Friday 10am - 5pm
592-6855
3098 University Rd. • www.horizonvillage.com
HARMONY GARDENS
OLD STAGE MINI STORAGE
Services
Landscape Construction & Watergardens
Ron & Ann Padgett
476-0137 / 592-4678
www.CreatingYourGarden.com
1-4-U RV Repair
Licensed, Bonded, Insured - LCB #6076
Carol McBride Garden Design
592 - 6785
25 years experience
Gates open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. - 7 days a week
On-site manager - Reasonable Rates - Secure
181 S. Old Stage Road
592-4204
RVIA / RVDA Master Cert
Oregon Reg. #569617-91
14urvrepair@gmail.com
Jeff Claflin
541-592-9905
Landscape design & Consulting
Nurseries
Professional Seamstress
Alterations, Hemming & Mending
Fast Service, Affordable Prices
592-5364
Pat’s Sanitary Service
CARPET * VINYL * LAMINATE
(dba Southern Oregon Sanitation)
(800) 922-1025 or (541) 479-5335
592-2413
3-1/2 miles South of CJ
2567 Redwood Hwy., Cave Junction, OR 97523
HOMETOWNE INTERIORS
30088 Redwood Hwy.
29910 Redwood Hwy.
Mini Storage
Call 541-955-0777 for a tour!
We come to U
Traditional Chinese Medicine
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Phone for pricing
Independent Living for 55 & over!
Landscape & Yard Care
474-1193
SELMA MINI STORAGE
Rental with no buy-in!
JoAnne Stone, M.S., L.Ac.
“The Heart of Caring”
Storage
UNITS AVAILABLE - VARIOUS SIZES
Outside Storage for RVs, Boats & Trailers
(541) 592-4838
Illinois River Acupuncture Clinic
License #94699
Bonded / Insured CCB #101392
“Adequate Care Just Isn’t Good Enough”
Pat Jenkins, RNC, MSN (541) 415-0465
5 4 1 -5 9 2 -3 3 9 1 / 5 4 1 -7 8 7 -7 7 8 2
541-597-2336
CALL FOR PRICES
128 S. Redwood Hwy.
Cave Junction, OR 97523
•Physical Assessments
•Medication Management •Healthcare Education
•Referrals •Guardianships •Bill paying assistance
Accompaniment to Appointment
Sheet Metal Fabrication
(541) 592-5386
1/4 mile south of Cave Junction
Payments can be deposited at
Cave Junction City Hall
Title & Escrow Service
First American Title
Insurance Company of Oregon
Mon. thru Fri.
8 AM to 5 PM
Complete Title & Escrow Service
1031 Tax Deferred Exchange
210 W. Lister St., Cave Junction
592-2131