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Illinois Valley News
Wednesday, July 12, 2017, 1 Section, Volume LXXX No. 16
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Published weekly for the residents of the Illinois Valley
May 2017
election I.V.
breakdown
Jason McMillen
IVN Contributing Writer
The vote is cast and, for better or for worse, the people
of Josephine County will soon be paying more taxes. But this
article isn’t about that; it’s about numbers. Let’s see how the
Illinois Valley, defined by the six precincts that could vote for
the I.V. Fire Department levy, sized up when compared.
In total, the I.V. makes up 12.5 percent of the 60,640
registered voters in Josephine County. The Bridgeview precinct
makes up 46.6 percent of that number. Cave Junction and
Selma, when added together, hold a further 35.6 percent. Only
46.61 percent of voters in Josephine County cast their ballots.
47 percent of registered voters cast their ballots in the I.V.
Five out of the six precincts that comprise the Illinois
Valley voted against the jail levy with Cave Junction being
the only one that approved of it at 58.9 percent. The rest of
Josephine County had 23 precincts vote yes for the jail levy and
18 against. The lowest approval rating for the jail levy within
the I.V. was found in Selma, at an even 35 percent. In total, the
average approval rating found throughout the rest of the county
was 53.6 percent whereas the average for the I.V. was 45.4.
SEE VOTE ON A-9
(Courtesy photos for the Illinois Valley News)
Joshua Beach (right) teaches Ana Machado the proper technique of glass blowing. A glass
squid created by Beach. Blowing glass is not just for smoking; glass blowers are rapidly gaining
recognition for their art.
I.V. is earning a reputation
for growing more than grass
“I would rather put money in
younger people’s pockets that are
having a hard time making a living,”
Bill “Wild Bill” Byrd
Jason McMillen
IVN Contributing Writer
The Illinois Valley is host
to talented artists of nearly every
variety but according to Sue Byrd,
wife of Wild Bill Byrd and co-owner
of Wild Bill’s Head Shop, the area
is particularly known for its glass
blowers. In addition to mentioning
three world-class artists who got
their start in the Illinois Valley: Mike
Luna, Darby Holm and Eusheen
Goines, she recommended that those
looking for exceptional glass should
investigate the works of Steven
McClanahan, a talented local artist
who lives in Cave Junction.
Wild Bill Byrd originally
opened his shop 18 years ago
in Crescent City, California and
although he is a glass blower
himself, with 15 years of experience,
he has mostly retired from the
occupation since the store opened.
The location in Cave Junction
is approaching its third year of
operation. Recently, the store in
Crescent City was closed down
because Byrd was tired of making
the long commute almost every
day and wanted to focus his efforts
closer to home.
“I would rather put money
in younger people’s pockets that
are having a hard time making a
living,” Byrd said, explaining why
he doesn’t blow glass as often as he
used to.
His shop represents about 15
different artists, five of which are
local to the Cave Junction area and
the rest are scattered throughout
Southern Oregon and Eugene.
Although Byrd has an ample roster,
he said that he’s always looking to
buy more glass from local artists.
“We always give everybody a
chance,” Byrd said.
Josh Beach, an up and coming
artist working out of Selma, started
blowing glass about three years
ago and has been peddling his
wares locally with the hopes of
becoming a noteworthy community
artist. “I donate a lot of my work
to the community and I want to be
somebody that people come to when
they want something nice. I just
want to keep it here.”
When Beach started his
businesshe decided to market his
products independently through
personal contact, Facebook and
events such as the Barter Faire to
make his profit more worthwhile.
Unfortunately, both Beach and
Byrd noted that the glass industry is
getting harder and harder to compete
in over recent years because China
and India are driving down prices by
importing mass manufactured, hand-
blown glass.
The occupation is becoming
full-time for him and he’s currently
churning out around 75 pieces
a month. Although he does
make pipes and other smoking
paraphernalia his primary interest is
in creating jewelry such as earrings
and pendants because the market
for smoking accessories is highly
saturated and therefore a difficult
sale. Recently, he has begun trapping
gold and silver inside of glass to
increase his selection of jewelry
and to appeal to new audiences. He
has also started branching out into
creating sculptures, most specifically
of aquatic scenes.
Beach’s wares can be found on
Facebook by searching for the name
of his business, Seamless Glass.
Beavercreek lawsuit claims marijuana growers are guilty of RICO charges:
Two Beavercreek property owners are relying on a federal law usually reserved to fight organized crime to sue their
neighbors, contending the people next door are engaged in racketeering by producing and selling marijuana. A-5
Booze ban now
in season 2
Jason McMillen
IVN Contributing Writer
The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest’s (RRSNF)
ban last year regarding the consumption of alcohol in select
recreational areas of the Illinois Valley River will remain in
effect through Sept. 30, 2017 at which point it will either be
renewed or discontinued following an investigation. According
to Chamise Kramer, Acting Public Affairs Officer, the ban
appears to be a resounding success. “Based on the results from
last year it seems like the implementation of it alone has really
diminished usage [of alcohol],” Kramer said.
However, she could not say beyond a shadow of a doubt
whether or not it will be renewed because it has yet to be
formally addressed. She added that there hasn’t been very many
citations since the ban took effect and that there has only been
one complaint filed. It was submitted by an individual that
doesn’t live in the area.
Conversely, Kramer said that she’s gotten a lot of positive
feedback from community members who feel like they can
safely bring their families to the river again.
There’s no current plans to make the ban permanent
because it’s a significantly more difficult process than simply
renewing it every year.
SEE BOOZE ON A- 9
Fire season is here,
are you ready?
Judy Hoyle
IVN Contributing Writer
It’s time for Illinois Valley residents and businesses to
make evacuation plans before a wildfire or other potential
emergency should hit their neighborhood according to
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) coordinator
Sue Williams.
“Chief Hoke is concerned that we could have a dangerous
wild fire season,” Williams said. “We need people to know
evacuation roadways out of their neighborhoods, and to have a
plan where to meet their families if they get separated.”
The “fire danger” signs scattered around the valley are
currently pegged at “high” but as the 90 degree days continue
over the next few weeks, grass and other fuels will quickly dry
to the “extreme” point and families need to be prepared to leave
at a moment’s notice.
Heavy rain throughout the winter didn’t reduce summer
fire danger, but actually made the potential worse by producing
taller grass and more leaves.
SEE CERT ON A- 9