Page A-10
Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, February 8, 2017
Frontier makes fiber upgrades to Valley
Jason McMillen
IVN Contributing Writer
After years of abysmal
internet connection rates and
instability a great deal of the
Illinois Valley is finally going
to make a huge step forward
into the digital age. Frontier
Communications reported
that they are currently in
the process of upgrading
their servers with fiber optic
cable and soon those that
use, or are forced to use,
their services will be better
connected to the internet and
the world. “We’ve been in
the process for almost two
and a half years,” said Joel
Walter local manager for the
area.
“We added a lot of
bandwidth from where we
were at before,” Walter
stated before explaining that
the main issue was extreme
congestion at peak hours.
Essentially, what Walter said
was that the “pipe” wasn’t
big enough for everyone
to use simultaneously. For
some customers, in addition
to more reliable and faster
connections for basic plans,
there will be faster plans
to sign up for at additional
cost. Frontier’s sales team is
currently in the process of
contacting customers who
are eligible for an upgrade.
“The target is for mid-
February for everything to
be completed and on the
new circuit,” Walter stated.
As far as the waiting list is
concerned it highly depends
on a person’s location but
with that being said “the
largest majority of the caps
are coming off.”
“We moved Cave
Junction over on the new
system and we’re transferring
the O’Brien and Selma areas
over onto the same circuit,”
Walter explained, “The
process of getting that all
changed out and everything
took quite a while. Plus the
engineering projects. We
upgraded 10 sites between
Cave Junction and O’Brien.”
In addition, Walter noted
funding issues and technical
hurdles to overcome which
included changing network
pathways and the overall
engineering scheme so that
upgrading the system was
even possible. “In this area
they had a lot of copper fed
sites,” Walter said, “The
problem is we had to change
all those areas into fiber fed
so that we can support the
higher bandwidth.”
Unfortunately for some,
the last two miles or so of
the network will still be
using copper as opposed to
fiber optic cable. However,
those users will enjoy better
and more reliable service
on account of the increased
bandwidth available.
Congestion will be much less
of an issue for all users.
Childcare class fills 2 needs in Valley
Judy Hoyle
IVN Contributing Writer
Child care is an important, but
unmet need in the Illinois Valley.
Those interested in earning
certification in this micro-business
opportunity are encouraged to attend
a free presentation from 10 a.m. to
noon on Feb. 11 at the I.V. branch of
Josephine Community Libraries, 209
Palmer St. in Cave Junction. Free
child care is available with advance
registration.
This introductory session
will explain the different levels of
certification required to provide
paid child care and will feature a
presentation by Michelle Gallas of
Imagine That! Creative Children’s
Center. Gallas will discuss the joys
and hurdles of running a child care
business.
Participants who chose to
pursue training will be required to
take four classes, all provided in
the Illinois Valley. Some next-step
classes, such as Infant CPR will
require fees, but help with the cost is
available.
Graduates of the course who
become fully certified will be
welcome to join the I.V. Child Care
Business Cohort.
This project is one of the
first developments generated by
the Illinois Valley Community
Development Organization’s
(IVCanDO) I.V. 20/20 Community
Vision & Strategic Plan.
IVCanDO plans to fill other
gaps in local services by offering a
Senior Support Business Cohort and
a Small Lodging Business Cohort
later this year.
“There is currently no licensed
or certified child care available
in the Illinois Valley,” said Kate
Dwyer, IVCanDO’s Community
TAXES ARE COMPLICATED.
Getting your taxes done isn't enough - you need your
taxes done right. That's where we come in. We hire and
train the most qualified tax professionals to ensure you
claim every credit and deduction you deserve so you get
your maximum refund. Guaranteed.¶
$ 20 OFF
TAX PREPARATION
For new clients only
COUPON CODE: 97329
51738
97329
Valid at participating U.S. offices for an original 2015 personal income tax return for new clients only. Discount may
not be used for Form 1040EZ or combined with any other offer or promotion. Void if transferred and where prohibited.
Coupon must be presented prior to completion of initial tax office interview. A new client is an individual who did not
use H&R Block office services to prepare his or her 2014 tax return. No cash value. Expires April 30, 2016.
OBTP#B13696 ©2015 HRB Tax Group, Inc.
YOUR LOCAL OFFICE(S):
210 W. Lister St.
Cave Junction, OR 97523
541-592-3667 OBTP#B14914
15-0105
855 A Railroad St.
Brookings, OR 97415
541-469-6321 OBTP# B14914
¶If you discover an H&R Block error on your return that entitles you to a
larger refund (or smaller tax liability), we'll refund the tax prep fee for that
return. Refund claims must be made during the calendar year in which
the return was prepared. OBTP#B13696 ©2015 HRB Tax Group, Inc.
Development Coordinator.
“Establishing child care solutions is
an action item in the Strategic Plan.”
Dwyer feels traveling to Grants
Pass or Medford for this training
presents a barrier for would-be
entrepreneurs.
Through IVCanDO’s microloan
program, cohort members can also
receive free business counseling and
can apply for low-interest loans to
start their businesses.
People who are currently
providing child care without
certification can feel safe attending
the training to learn how to become
legal.
“No one here is looking to turn
in casual operators,” said Dwyer.
“Barring evidence of abuse or a
dire lack of safety, it’s none of our
business what folks are doing now.
We are here to help people become
legitimate businesses.”
The Feb. 11 introductory class
is also open to people who work in
family agencies or job placement to
learn more about this sector so they
can better advise their clients.
Dwyer is connecting the dots
between what services are available
and what is needed in the Valley.
“It’s unique that we are
bringing the classes here, and tying
them to business counseling and
financial assistance. We want local
people to succeed while serving
local needs,” she said.
The Child Care Business
Cohort project is funded through a
grant from the Oregon Community
Foundation and will be offered
through a multi-agency partnership.
Staff members from the Child
Care Resource Network (CCRN)
will be teaching the four session
course. CCRN is part of the
Southern Oregon Education Service
District.
The I.V. Business Development
Center (IVBEC) will be offering
business skills enhancement,
counseling and loan-readiness
training.
IVBEC is in itself a partnership
between IVCanDO and the Small
Business Development Center of
Rogue Community College.
In addition, Josephine County
Planning has agreed to advise and
assist the new child care business
owners on how to alter their homes
to be in compliance with state
standards.
Dwyer said, “We are all
working together to solve the
Valley’s child care gap while
growing local business success.”
To register for the Feb. 11
introductory class, call IVBEC
at 541-956-7400. For more
information, visit Facebook.com/
ivcdo. The I.V. 20/20 Community
Vision & Strategic Plan is available
at www.ivcdo.org.