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Illinois Valley News
Wednesday, November 21, 2018, 1 Section, Volume LXXXI No. 46
$1.00
Published weekly for the residents of the Illinois Valley
199 closed for death investigation
(Photo by IVFD Media)
On Nov. 19, near 3:22 p.m., Oregon State Police (OSP) and emergency
personnel responded to a two-vehicle crash on Hwy 199 near milepost 30.5,
south of Cave Junction, that took the life of Cave Junction resident Evelyn
Parmerlee, 89.
According to a press release from OSP, the preliminary investigation
revealed that the white 1993 Chevy S10 Blazer operated by Parmerlee, was
traveling south on Hwy 199. Parmerlee attempted to turn left onto Pinewood
Way when her vehicle crashed head-on with a brown 1988 Ford Bronco II,
operated by Michael Finley II, 54, also of Cave Junction.
Parmerlee suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased on scene.
Finley and his passenger, Rachel Lawson, 44, of Cave Junction were
transported by American Medical Response (AMR) to Three Rivers Medical
Center with serious injuries.
US Hwy 199 was closed for approximately 3 hours after the crash.
OSP was assisted on scene by Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, Illinois
Valley Fire District, AMR and Oregon Department of Transportation.
Your critters only have you to depend on!
Annette McGee Rasch
IVN Senior Contributing Writer
Animals, just like people, become
accustomed to comfortable summertime
conditions; but when winter sets in domestic
pets and livestock kept outdoors must burn
more calories to stay warm. And when
temperatures drop below freezing, these
outdoor animals need plenty of good quality
feed and open (preferably warmed) water to
help fight hypothermia.
While wild animals can usually help
themselves, domestic animals locked in
enclosures are completely dependent upon
their human caretakers to ensure that the
cold, wet weather does not cause discomfort,
illness or death.
It’s illegal to keep animals outdoors
without adequate food, water and a way to
get out of the rain or snow - but oftentimes
neglected animals suffer in silence beyond
the view of the public. Some people who
bear witness to mistreated animals might
think it’s none of their business, or, maybe
they’ve become conditioned to the abuse
or neglect, so they turn away. But what if
one person’s observations are the only thing
that might keep an animal alive or relieve
its suffering? Volunteers and staff with the
Josephine County Animal Shelter want
people to call 541-474-5458 to report any
animal abuse or neglect.
Child psychologists say young children
do not distinguish between animals and
people, considering animals to be other
Grocery Outlet
Bargain Market to
open December 6
Thirty locals will now have employment
when Grocery Outlet Bargain Market (GO) opens
its Cave Junction location Dec. 6
According to a press release from GO,
Ethan Lane, the Cave Junction store’s independent
owner-operator, invites the community to attend
the grand opening celebration Dec. 6, beginning at
8:55 a.m.
According to a release from GO, following
the ceremony, a donation will be presented on
behalf of GO to Illinois Valley High School
College and Career Center at 11 a.m. The amount
that shoppers saved on their grocery purchases
during the store’s first hour of operation will
determine the donation amount. The first 200
customers of the day will also receive GO Bargain
Bucks gift cards in “mystery” amounts ranging
from $5 to $200. All shoppers will receive a free
reusable bag, while supplies last. Lastly, from
Dec. 6 – Jan. 3, customers may enter for a chance
to win a Grand Prize of FREE groceries for one
year!
living beings that simply have a different
shape. Psychologist Matthew Smith said,
“When children, especially under the age of
six, witness neglected or mistreated animals,
the message they internalize is that some
beings do not matter. This can sow the seeds
of intolerance and racism. It’s far better for
healthy human development for children to
be exposed to kind and compassionate care
of all creatures.”
One positive example for children
to observe is to go around on the coldest
mornings and bring all the animals warmed
water. And don’t forget the wild birds!
Wild birds need open water as much as
they need food during cold snaps, so when
temperatures dip below freezing at night,
setting out pans of lukewarm water at dawn
is a great boost for our feathered friends.
Livestock also appreciate warmed
water. While breaking ice on the surface of a
water trough is crucial, removing the ice and
adding some hot water makes an even better
difference. In particular, horses don’t like
drinking cold water. Studies indicate that
up to 80 percent of winter colic in horses
- especially older horses - can be avoided
if their water source is kept warmer. Filling
buckets with hot water and pouring slowly
into the water trough a few times daily
works well.
Hypothermia occurs when animals
can’t maintain their body temperatures - and
this occurs more often in the very old or
very young, sick, or in animals who have
bad circulation.
SEE COLD ON A-3
Dead bird do’s and don’ts
Christy Solo
IVN Contributing Writer
Did you know that the
Oregon Department of Fish and
Wildlife (ODFW) has an entire
web page titled “What to do if
you find a dead bird?”
There are two key reasons
this page exists, both centering
on health issues. First, the page
discusses when to report dead
bird sightings to ODFW’s
dead bird reporting hotline.
However, let’s back up and first
discuss when NOT to report.
Birds die from any number of
things and ODFW doesn’t need
to know about all of them. Use
common sense when deciding
whether or not to report. If you
know the cause of death, (e.g.
window hit, predator, collision
with car, etc.) do not report.
When do you call that
hotline (888-968-2600)? For
now, the hotline is mostly
concerned with waterfowl and
possible cases of either bird
flu (H5N1) or West Nile Virus
(WNV) so call only:
• When multiple or
clusters of birds are ill or dying.
• If the dead or sick
(Photo by Christy Solo, Illinois Valley News)
Mergansers fishing on the upper Rogue River.
bird is a duck, goose, swan,
or shorebird (sandpiper,
phalarope, dowitcher). Call if
the incident includes single or
multiple birds.
• If the incident is
unusual or unexplained (bird
acting sick, dies acutely while
flying).
If necessary, how do you
dispose of a dead bird? Here
are ODFW’s tips:
Birds that died from
trauma or predation can be
disposed of using the following
guidelines:
• Avoid direct contact
with the bird. Wear disposable
rubber gloves while handling
the bird or wear gloves that you
can immediately put through
a hot soapy wash. A dead
bird can also be picked up by
inverting a plastic bag on your
hand and grasping the bird
through the plastic.
• Double bag the bird
in plastic bags and place in a
sealed garbage can or other safe
container where it cannot be
disturbed by other animals.
• Do not bring the bird
into your home.
• Do not eat, drink,
smoke or touch your face with
the gloves while handling the
bird.
• Wash your hands with
soap and water for at least 20
seconds after handling the bird.
Last, but definitely
not least, to prevent illness
in birds and the spread
of disease keep your bird
feeders clean by following this
routine:
• Providing fresh seed
without mold.
• Cleaning feeders,
water containers and bird baths
weekly with a solution of one
third cup of chlorine bleach per
one gallon of water.
• Cleaning up old seed
below the feeders.
• Discontinue feeding
for at least one month in the
event that birds die at your
feeder.
This is especially
important as we enter our
wet time of year. As we all
know too well, things mold
and mildew quickly here in
Southern Oregon.