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About Cottage Grove sentinel. (Cottage Grove, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 9, 2016)
COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL November 9, 2016 7A Public Health seeks public's help to fi ght the fl u Canine Against Crime Contrary to public belief, not all police dogs are German Shepherds. They can be any breed, like Cottage Grove’s Po- lice Department’s Narcotics K9, Kimber, a beautiful and skilled fi ve-year-old black Labrador re- triever. Drug detection dogs cost be- tween $4000-$7000, but luckily, for our city’s budget, Kimber is the offspring of our communi- ty’s fi rst narcotic canine. Her extensive training serves the public by detecting the subtle odors of methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine. Most dogs in her paws-ition work 8–10 years before retiring. “Narcotics dogs are a valu- able asset,” said her proud part- ner, Corporal David Burgin, “in aiding offi cers, during search warrants for narcotics, or after offi cers have searched a location without successfully uncovering any drugs.” The dogs highly toned “sniff- ers” detect paw-tential odors emanating from “secret” loca- tions exposing hidden narcotics. Kimber is rewarded for locating them with her favorite toy. “When an offi cer encounters a vehicle that may contain narcot- ics,” adds Corporal Burgin, “a detection K9 sniffs the vehicle’s exterior seams, known as a ‘free air sniff’. Once the K9 alerts to a drug’s presence, then the offi - cer has legal cause to search the vehicle.” Kimber’s sensitive skills al- low offi cers to gain entry into vehicles, offi ces, and homes based on her alerts, resulting in the successful seizure of il- licit drugs and currency that may otherwise not have been located. Kimber lives for the “thrill of the hunt” as she helps rid our city of poisonous drugs that de- stroy our community members’ lives, and her impressive and scary bark commands attention! “As a police offi cer, father and human,” said Corporal Bur- gin, “I take it personally when this poison steals our mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters and children from us. Seeing its dev- astating results, fi rst hand, fuels my passion for bringing drug sellers to justice.” Corporal Burgin and his ca- nine also engage in public dem- onstrations illustrating his dog’s special abilities. “Kimber is the star of the show,” proudly said Corporal Burgin, “and the events help the public understand what our spe- cialized police team is doing.” As partners against crime, they had to attend 200 hours of training in a course that only passes those with a 100 percent score through the Oregon Police K9 Association. Their monthly homework, a requirement of their job, is an additional 16 hours of training based on cur- rent law, plus yearly certifi ca- tion with California’s Narcotics K9 Association. “A great deal of work, train- ing, studying and attention goes into being responsible for a nar- cotics detection dog,” adds Cor- poral Burgin, “Luckily, Kimber and I enjoy working as a team and we have developed a rare telepathic communication after our focused time together. Also, it is wonderful having a partner that is always happy, and happy to see you. As a police of- fi cer we see many diffi cult or in- humane things. Kimber’s bright spirit lights up our offi cers, even on our darkest day.” It is not only the offi cers’ moods that Kimber touches. She loves lifting peoples’ hearts with her best “puppy dog” look. Children fl ock to her and people who are apprehensive about ap- proaching a police offi cer, will more easily approach an offi cer with a dog. In hard cases, where children are involved, Kimber disarms their fears, as she ac- cepts their pats and hugs. At home, Kimber is family,” said Corporal Burgin, “and she acts like any goofy family dog making us laugh doing silly things. She loves her toys and shamelessly does just about L Photo by Mary Ellen “Angel Scribe” Cottage Grove Police department’s Corporal David Bur- gin and narcotic detection dog, Kimber. anything for one. Occasionally, while hanging out with us, she suddenly superman-leaps onto our kitchen counter and starts searching. I don’t know if she is bored or just practicing her skills for additional treats!” When Corporal Burgin pulls out Kimber’s “work” harness,’” she barks with excitement and joyfully wags her tail because she knows that its time to go to work with her best buddy. It is obvious to all that this team was made for each other. Note: Cottage Grove Police Department has two dog teams: Kimber, who is our Narcotic Detection Dog, and Corporal Joyce’s Patrol Dog, Torq. K-9’s have partnered with our offi - cers for 19 years. Torq will be featured in a future Pet Tips ‘n’ Tales. TIPS Fun Facts! Four Chicken Soup for the Soul books, “My Very Good Cat, Very Bad Cat”, “The Joy of Christmas”, “Dreams and Premonitions”, and “Oh! Cana- da” feature six of Mary Ellen “Angel Scribe’s” stories. She is author of “Expect Miracles” and “A Christmas Filled With Mir- acles” and she and her articles are featured in over 20 other books and magazines, plus a pet columnist for 12 years! Note: Sherry at Happinest Wildlife, which rescues birds, writes, “Please do NOT use red hummingbird nectar! We getting so many hummers who can’t fl y because they are very sick and ALL are peeing red dyes. It is very hard on their kidneys,,= and I don’t know what it will take to stop stores from selling it. Boil your own sugar wa- ter: four parts water, one part sugar. Red feeders will attract the birds and the hummers will thank you!” happinestwildlife. com Share your pet tips and tales. angelscribe@msn.com “Follow” Pet Tips ‘n’ Tales on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/ PetTipsandTales ane County Public Health is urging Lane County residents to take preventative action to reduce the occurrence of infl uenza after a recent spike in infl uenza like illness, primar- ily centered in the Florence area. This cluster of over 100 cases is the fi rst of its kind in 2016 and the illness has spread to a signif- icant number of middle school age children. “While we deal with the fl u every year, it’s troubling when we see a sharp uptick, especially in school-age children, as is the case in Florence,” said Cindy Morgan, Lane County Commu- nicable Disease Supervisor. Infl uenza is a highly con- tagious viral infection. While most people who contract infl u- enza experience no more than fever, chills, aches, cough and congestion, it can lead to hos- pitalization or serious medical complications, mostly among people with other health issues as well as the very old and very young. Fortunately, community members can help keep them- selves and their loved ones SENIOR MEALS PROGRAMS Offering Meals on Wheels and Cafe 60 at the following loca- tions: Anyone age 60 and older is served, regardless of income, suggested donation is $3. Guests under age 60 are welcome to attend for $8 per meal. Cottage Grove Riverview Terrace 925 W. Main St., Cottage Grove Noon: Tues., Wed., Thurs. Creswell Cresview Villa 350 S. 2nd St., Creswell Noon: Mon., Wed., Fri. THURSDAY, NOV. 10: Hamburger or Hot Dog on a Bun FRIDAY, NOV. 11: Closed for Honoring our Vets on healthy by practicing simple steps like hand-washing, and by getting a fl u vaccine. Infl uenza is a respiratory illness that is most commonly spread through coughing and sneezing, and for that reason people are urged to follow these practices: Stay home when sick. Main- tain distance from other people to prevent the spread of illness Don’t return to work or school for a minimum of 24 hours after your fever has re- solved without the aid of fever reducing medicines (e.g., Advil or Tylenol) Avoid close contact with peo- ple who are sick. Wash hands often with soap and hot water for at least 20 sec- onds. Alcohol-based hand sani- tizers are also helpful in reduc- ing the spread of the fl u. Cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or by coughing into the inside of the elbow. Wash hands after blowing the nose or coughing into a tissue and dis- pose of tissues after use. Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth to prevent the spread of germs. Veteran's Day MONDAY, NOV. 14: Chicken a la King or Pork Sausage Gravy over Whipped Potatoes TUESDAY, NOV. 15: Turkey Loaf w/Gravy or Beef Patty w/Gravy WEDNESDAY, NOV. 16: Chicken Salad or Tuna Salad Sandwich Halves Drain/Yoncalla area Served at 400 Main St., Yoncalla. (For Douglas County Meals on Wheels eligibility, call 541-440-3677.) Suggested donation $3.50 THURSDAY, NOV. 10: Homestyle Pork Patty w/Gra- vy FRIDAY, NOV. 11: Closed for Honoring our Vets on Vet- eran's Day TUESDAY, NOV. 15: Breaded Baked Fish w/Tar- tar Sauce or BBQ Chicken Breast ill out the form below to have your organization's holiday bazaar included in the bazaar listing in the Cottage Grove Sentinel each Wednesday during the holidays. Cost for this service is $40.00 for a 1x3 advertisement, 50 words or less. Please enclose check or money order if mailing in this listing. Call us at 541-942-3325 for more information. Deadline is NOON, Thursday for the following week’s publication. Must be pre-paid to be accepted. ORGANIZATION: DATE OF EVENT: LOCATION: TIME: FEATURED ITEMS OR ATTRACTIONS: Cottage Grove Sentinel C ottage G rove S entinel 116 N. Sixth Street · P.O. Box 35 · Cottage Grove · 942-3325
