YOUR HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER SINCE 1937
Illinois Valley News
Wednesday, June 7, 2017, 1 Section, Volume LXXX No. 11
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Published weekly for the residents of the Illinois Valley
March For Truth
Get ready for
some river fun
Judy Hoyle
IVN Contributing Writer
(Photo by Anita Savio, Illinois Valley News)
Almost 60 people demonstrated outside the County Building in Cave Junction Saturday, June 3,
as part of the national anti-Trump March for Truth. Demonstrators waved signs and sang to the
accompaniment of live guitar and drum music. Organizer Gary Eby of the Resist Committee of
the Josephine County Democratic Party said: “A great deal of positive solidarity was felt at the
rally with a majority of those driving by being sympathetic and encouraging. Sharing with like-
minded people pressures Washington toward transparency.”
Fire season is here
“Temperatures are starting to rise, our vegetation is drying
out and summer weather patterns are arriving”
ODF District Forester Dave Larson
Annette McGee Rasch
IVN Contributing Writer
Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) officials
called the start of fire season Sunday. All open burning
is now prohibited on all state, private, county, city, and
Bureau of Land Management forestlands in Jackson and
Josephine counties. This includes debris piles and burn
barrels. The public fire danger level is currently “low”
(green) and the Industrial Fire Precaution Level is 1 (one).
“Temperatures are starting to rise, our vegetation is
drying out and summer weather patterns are arriving,”
said ODF District Forester, Dave Larson. “We never know
what a fire season may bring, but the last several years
demonstrate our area’s potential for wildfires.”
Last winter’s snow, late season rain and some
cooler spring temperatures will keep soils moist at higher
elevations into summertime. And while the substantial
snowpack in both the Siskiyou Mountains and the
(Photo by Dan Mancuso, Illinois Valley News)
The Gold Canyon Fire Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2016.
Cascade Range fully recharged Southwest Oregon
reservoirs, creeks and rivers, it may have little positive
effect on this summer’s wildfire activity in the district,
most of which covers low-elevation grass and brush lands
and mid-elevation forests, according to ODF.
Thus, 2017’s fire season could be another active
one. Sven Nelaimischkies, meteorologist with National
Weather Service (NWS) explained how all this
precipitation is a double-edged sword when it comes to
urban fire conditions. “It’s great that the reservoirs are
full; but all these grasses - the fine fuels - are very tall
and thick and are really drying out now. This year, we’re
much more concerned about human-caused fire on the
valley floors throughout the region. Fire risk will be high
and people need to really work on defensible space. It
won’t take much for things to get out of hand.”
According to ODF Protection Supervisor Bill Smith,
by August in the southwestern portion of the state, an
average fire season which means responding to roughly 6
to 10 fires per day.
ODF and NWS officials say conditions could
present a continuous challenge, especially in late summer.
Factors at play include how much lightening occurs, how
hot it gets, and most importantly, “how smart people are
about their surroundings,” according to Nelaimischkies.
“The human factor is the most critical.”
Last year, fire season started June 3 and ended
Oct. 13, lasting 133 days. A total of 209 fires burned on
lands protected by the Southwest Oregon District, and
blackened 726 acres. More than 200 of those fires were
started by people and six fires by lightning in 2016.
According to the 10-year average of fires on the district,
230 fires may burn more than 5,600 acres during fire
season.
Other restrictions on ODF-protected forestlands
include: no fireworks; no tracer ammunition or exploding
targets; and no sky lanterns. And under Industrial Fire
Precaution rules, commercial operations, such as timber
harvesting conducted on forestlands, are now required
to have fire suppression equipment on the job site at all
times and a watchman must also be provided.
For more information about the Oregon Department
of Forestry’s fire season regulations, call 541-474-3152.
Things are on the rise at local bakery
Kevin the “Philly Fanatic” Gillette has expanded his catering business with the purchase of Bagel Junction. Gillette
got some help in the form of a business loan from the I.V. Community Development Organization. Learn what exciting
changes patrons have in store.
STORY ON A-5
Hathkapasuta means “family gathering by the river” in
the native Illinois Valley Athabaskan language explained Tim
Leyba event coordinator from the Cultural and Ecological
Enhancement Network (CEEN). And the popular Hathkapasuta
River Celebration returns June 10 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. at
Illinois River Forks State Park.
“We invite the public to discover the ways water connects
us culturally, biologically and spiritually to other people, plants,
animals, and to the entire planet through playful activities and
engaging displays,” encouraged Suzanne Vautier of CEEN.
Along with Leyba and Vautier, other event organizers are
Kenny Houck and Roger Brandt, representing I.V. Community
Development Organization (IVCanDO).
Valley nonprofits, exhibitors and food vendors will have
booths at the event with demonstrations taking place throughout
the day. The exhibits are geared for all ages.
New activities and features of this annual event include
a 26 foot long “Dragon Jolly Jumper” obstacle course and the
Wildlife Images Bear Trolley, slated to carry attendees between
the parking lot and venue from noon to 5 p.m.
In keeping with Leyba’s goal to continue to invite
different indigenous groups, the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation will be
represented this year with Tolowa Elders giving the ceremonial
river blessing at noon.
A “Cougar Awareness” booth with face painter Krista, and
live eagles from Wildlife Images are also new this year.
Throughout the day many agencies and organizations will
offer interactive displays on nature and local history, including
the Bureau of Land Management, Oregon State Parks and
Recreation and the U.S. Forest Service.
I.V. Soil and Water District will offer and educational
stream table that demonstrates how the land is impacted by the
flow of water. And both the Illinois River Valley Arts Council
(IRVAC) and CEEN will provide engaging youth crafts and
activities.
Food vendors include Rosie’s Inferno Pizza and Dave’s
Barbecue.
At 12:45 p.m. live music from Throwdown will start
featuring Bobby Luna and his son, Drummer Dave from the
Southern Oregon Blues Band and Rosie of “Inferno” fame
playing bass.
River wildlife can be viewed through water scopes
starting at 1:30 p.m. with Rich Nawa offering students of all
ages the opportunity to see things from this unique perspective.
Plus, the Mid-Rogue Steelheaders will present “Angler Ed” for
those interested in learning fishing tips.
Next, anyone who wants to participate in the “All Species
Parade” is invited to visit the Tipi before 2 p.m. to choose
their costume from Coyote Rising’s selection, including giant
puppets.
SEE RIVER ON A-5
(Photo by Laura Mancuso, Illinois Valley News)
Tim Leyba dances with the dragon at the 2016 event.
Dwyer named
2017 IVHS
valedictorian!
Goff named
2017 IVHS
salutatorian!
Annette McGee Rasch
IVN Contributing
Writer
Annette McGee Rasch
IVN Contributing
Writer
With the
highest grade-point
average at Illinois
Valley High School
- 4.14 - Ari Dwyer
nailed down class
valedictorian status in
the graduating class of
2017!
“It feels really
good,” Dwyer said
about the honor.
Asked about the
secret to his success,
Dwyer responded,
This year’s
salutatorian at
Illinois Valley High
School (IVHS),
Aliena Goff, is a
gifted young woman
who knows how to
transcend challenge
and transform what
some might consider
disability into success.
“I’d like to share,
no matter what your
personal circumstances
are, or your abilities,
SEE DWYER ON A-9
SEE GOFF ON A-9