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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (June 13, 2020)
2A | SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2020 | SIUSLAW NEWS On The Record Skeletal remains found in Gardiner in 2016 identified After nearly four years, DNA science has identified the remains of a Eugene woman On Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at 6:20 p.m., a subject’s boat broke down while fishing on the Umpqua River in the area of the former In- ternational Paper Mill in Gardiner. The fisherman was able to get his boat to shore. While gathering wood for a fire, the fisherman found what he believed to be hu- man bones along the river- bank. In November 2016, the Douglas County Sheriff ’s Office released the prelim- inary findings of an exam- ination of the re-mains by Oregon State Medical Ex- aminer Forensic Anthro- pologist, Dr. Nici Vance, who determined the re- mains to be that of a Cauca- sian female, likely between the ages of 30 to 55 at the time of her death. Due to the advanced state of decomposition of Genelle McDaniel the partial remains, phys- ical characteristics such as height, weight, hair col- or, eye color and ethnicity were unknown at the time. It was determined that the female had been deceased between one to three years. The Medical Examiner’s investigation continued and included attempts to make identification through the use of DNA and dental re- cords. In 2018, an extensive two-part news story was conducted by KMTR, but no viable tips were generat- ed as a result of that story. In November 2019, a private laboratory DNA Solutions, produced a new type of DNA profile and compared it to the public family genealogy website, GEDMatch. Subsequently, a probable familial DNA match was identified. The Douglas County Medical Examiner’s Office followed up on the newly obtained information and contacted the family mem- ber of the unidentified per- son. Through the investi- gation, the remains were identified as those belong- ing to Genelle McDaniel, a resident of Eugene, Ore., who was born in 1954. McDaniel had not been previously reported to law enforcement as a missing person. The follow-up investi- gation revealed circum- stantial information which leads investigators to be- lieve McDaniel’s death was likely the result of suicide. This case involved an ex- tensive amount of work on behalf of several organiza- tions. “Being able to identify Genelle and provide her family with some answers is the goal we have been working toward,” said Craig Kinney, Douglas County’s Chief Medicolegal Death Investigator. Dr. Nici Vance added that it was the agency’s hope to “…bring resolution to families in these cases. With new DNA technology and collaboration, the ef- forts of many people finally gave this mystery woman a name. Our condolences go out to the family of Genelle McDaniel.” LCPH reports first case of bat rabies in Lane County for 2020 Lane County Public Health (LCPH) was noti- fied of a positive case of ra- bies in a bat. A South Eugene resident was in their yard around 9 p.m. when a bat flew direct- ly into that person. The bat was stunned by the impact and fell to the ground. The individual gathered the bat and reported the incident to LCPH. The bat was sent to the Oregon State Veterinary Lab for testing where the presence of rabies was de- tected. “This is the first case of bat rabies in 2020 and a good reminder to stay away from bats,” said Emilio De- Bess, DVM, state public health veterinarian at the Oregon Health Authori- ty Public Health Division. “Also, it is a good remind- er to keep your pets vacci- nated for rabies to protect them and your family.” The individual who had contact with the bat re- ceived the rabies post-ex- posure prophylaxis treat- ment as a preventative measure. Rabies in bats has been documented in 49 states and is endemic in Oregon’s bat population. Recent data suggest that transmission of the rabies virus can occur from mi- nor, seemingly unimport- ant or unrecognized bites from bats. In all instances of po- tential human exposures involving bats, the bat in question should be safely collected (if possible) and submitted for rabies diag- nosis. Safe collection means not actually handling the bat, but rather using a utensil to pick the bat up and place it a safe contain- er which cannot be punc- tured, then immediately report it to LCPH. Rabies postex-posure prophylaxis is recommend- ed for all persons with a We 8FBSFHSBUFGVMGPSUIPTFXIPIBWFPVSCBDLJOUIJT are grateful for those who have our back in this JNQPSUBOU UJNF 5IF MJTU JT MPOH CVU XF XBOU UP important time. The list is long, but we want to UIBOLPVSGJSTUSFTQPOEFSTBOEGSPOUMJOFXPSLFST thank our first responders and front-line workers. &TQFDJBMMZ JO DSJUJDBM UJNFT OFXTQBQFST IBWF ZPVS CBDL Especially in critical times, TUPSZ newspapers have your ZPV back. $07*% JT B OBUJPOBM UIBU JT JNQBDUJOH BU IPNF BOE BU XPSL COVID-19 is a national that ZPV is impacting at DVSSFOU home and at work. 5IF 4JVTMBX /FXT JT story LFFQJOH JOGPSNFE you XJUI FWFOUT JO ZPVS The OFJHICPSIPPE Siuslaw News is BOE keeping informed with current UPHFUIFS events in your JT you CSJOHJOH DPNNVOJUJFT JO UIFTF neighborhood and is bringing communities together in these DIBMMFOHJOHUJNFT challenging times. 'SPNUIFBDUJPOTZPVSMPDBMHPWFSONFOUJTUBLJOH UPMJTUTPGMPDBMTUPSFTUIBUBSF From the actions your local government is taking, to lists of local stores that EFMJWFSJOHBOEUJQTPOXIBUUPEPXIJMFZPVSFBUIPNF UIF 4JVTMBX /FXT JT are delivering and tips on what to do while you’re at home, the Siuslaw News is DPNNJUUFEUPCSJOHJOHZPVUIFOFXTZPVOFFE XIFOZPVOFFEJU committed to bringing you the news you need, when you need it. bite, scratch or mucous membrane exposure to a bat, unless the bat is avail- able for testing and is neg- ative for evidence of rabies. It is important to note that bats are a critical part of the ecosystem and should not be targeted or proactively killed. To prevent exposure to bats in both humans and animals, LCPH recom- mends being aware that bats’ primary feeding time is at dusk. Raccoons, skunks and foxes are particularly sus- ceptible as carriers, al- though any mammal can get and carry rabies. BIRTHS COSTA—Jameson Edward Costa, a male weighing 7 lbs. 1.9 ozs. and measuring 19.75 inches, was born to Cynthia and Nick Cos- ta of Florence on June 3, 2020. E N G L I SH — L e n - non Thomas English, a male weighing 8 lbs. 6 ozs. and measuring 21.25 inches, was born to Terra Shoeneman and Stefan English of Florence on June 4, 2020. WEATHER DATA D ATE H IGH L OW R AIN June 2 June 3 June 4 June 5 June 6 June 7 June 8 65 62 64 59 53 56 60 40 42 41 45 46 42 43 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.33 0.18 0.05 Rainfall Week: 1.56” Month: 1.56” Year: 40.64” Courtesy of Roger Cunningham S IUSLAW N EWS JOIN LIFEMED TODAY! $65 Per Year WesternLaneAmbulance.com __________________ Serving Western Lane County Since 1976 Mission Statement: “To provide quick, effi cient, professional emergency medical services, transport, and community education with the highest standards of excellence and compassion.” Renewal Applications are in the mail and can be dropped off at one of two secure locations: • 2625 Highway 101 • 410 Ninth Street For Questions or an Application Call 541-997-9614 or Visit: WesternLaneAmbulance.com Open June 17th We’ve missed you! ! We focus on unique items that make great gifts for family and friends. Whether it’s a birthday, holiday or “just ‘cuz” WE ARE IN THIS you will find the perfect something TOGETHER for your special someone here. Support the Siuslaw News Subscribe in print or online. 541-997-3441 • www.thesiuslawnews.com Siuslaw News $PHULFD¶V1HZVSDSHUVLVDQDWLRQDODVVRFLDWLRQVXSSRUWLQJMRXUQDOLVPDQGKHDOWK\QHZVSDSHUVLQRXUORFDO FRPPXQLWLHV)LQGRXWPRUHDWZZZQHZVSDSHUVRUJRUIROORZXVRQ7ZLWWHU#QHZVSDSHUVRUJRURQ )DFHERRN#DPHULFDVQHZVSDSHUV 1255 Bay Street ~ Florence, OR (Next to Books N Bears) Follow us on Facebook@florenceartefacts to see new items daily.