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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 8, 1995)
Vernonia—bursting with potential, the plant, that is From page 1 i Presents CASINO HIGHT March 4th, 1995 - 7-11 p.m. Lew's Place 934 Bridge St., Vernonia Ticket Inform ation: 429-9901 or 429-9919 $15 Single - $25 Couple Proceeds will Benefit Vernonia Preschool 24 Hour Towing Vernonia was discovered in a search for unusual seed oils for which new industrial markets might be created, or that might recapture markets lost by agricultural products to petrochem ical products. Seed was screened fo r oil content and those with sub s ta n tia l am o un ts (20% or m ore) w ere e va lu a te d to identify oils with unique fatty- acid com position, distinctly different from other domestic crops, such as peanuts and cotton seed. Vernonia galamensis is a rich source of vernolic acid, a n a tu ra lly e p o xid ize d fa tty a cid . The seeds co n ta in about 40 percent o il, w ith unique chemical (epoxy) and physical (low viscosity) prop erties. Potential use, for example, could be a promising world wide market in the manufac- Auto & Truck Gasoline Alley Auto Wrecking Tues-Frl 8 am-5 pm Closed Sun & Mon 54372 Nehalem Hwy. S., Vernonia 429-7581 324-2071 ture of oil based paints, pro ducing “reactive diluents” to serve as solvents that be come a part of the paint’s sur face as it dries and does not evaporate to pollute the at mosphere. V o la tile o rg a n ic c o m pounds from oil based paints and other sources, react with nitrogen to produce ozone, a d e le te rio u s com ponent of photochem ical smog. One pint of vernonia oil could be used in each of the 350 mil lion gallons of oil based paint produced in the U.S., reduc ing emissions by at least 160 million pounds. It is estimated that 350,000 acres of vernon ia plants would be required to achieve that level of produc tion. “Vernonia galamensis has numerous other industrial ap plications,” says John Gra ham of the C o a tin g s R e search Institute at Eastern Michigan University, “It could eventually replace petroleum as a component in the manu facture of plastics.” Researchers in laborato ries world-wide are experi menting with epoxies, resin, lubricants, additives, adhe sives, insecticides and repel- lants; a growing list of new p ro d u cts as in d u stry b e comes aware of the proper ties, uses and availability of vernonia oil. R esearch and d e v e lo p ment of agricultural methods and of new varieties contin ues to improve yields. Yields were doubled in two years Vernonia Sentry ____ ■ M A R K B T B R Valentine Cards, Candy & Gifts l/1/é Love Your Business Shop the latest "What’s In Store” Flyer Available at check-out stands NOW! We apologize for the inconvenience to our customers during floor repairs, and invite you to ask employees for any assistance you may need. Botanist Robert E. Perdue Jr., left, and agronomist Chemist T. Nyati examine a field of Vernonia galamensis in Chiredzi, Zimbabwe. thirty days a fte r they have when it was dicovered that topping the plants when they matured, giving farmers time were six inches tall, resulted to postpone the harvest until in numerous new branches all the blooms have matured. sprouting below the cut, dou U.S. agronomists are opti bling the number of blooms mistically looking forward to and, hence, seed. the developm ent of a plant Among the considerations th a t w ill be s u c c e s s fu l in in developing this plant as a some farming communities in new crop are the parameters the southwestern states. of clim ate within which the It is a foregone conclusion plants will flourish. A subtropi th a t v e rn o n ia w ill not be cal climate within 20 degrees growing in Vernonia. We can, of the equator appears ideal, however, subscribe to the title along with seasonal rainfall of of the article provided by Dr. about 8 inches. Richard Roseberg, assistant The plant is exceptionally professor in crop science at hardy and is resistant to dis Southern Oregon Experimen ease, insects and drought. In tal Station in Medford, from addition , the “staying power” which this colum n was ab of the seeds is a remarkable s tra c te d : VERNONIA — 30 days; i.e. the seeds re BURSTING WITH POTEN main on the plant as long a TIAL. Vernonia Police report During the month of Jan uary 1995, the Vernonia Po lice Dept. investigated four assa ults. Three of the a s s a u lts w ere dom estic v io lence and arrests were made. Three individuals were cit ed for possession of a con trolled substance and given court dates to appear. One ju venile was charged with pos session of tobacco and re ferred to the Columbia Coun ty Juvenile Department. Two individuals were a r reste d on susp icion of in- Lulu's Antique Refinishing Repair & Caning If your furniture isn't becoming to you, you should be coming to me. Antiques Bought & Sold 4 2 9 -7 6 3 3 E ves. volvement in the December, 1994, theft of two scales from Vernonia High School. Infor mation was received in Jan uary regarding this case. An investigation into this matter resulted in the arrest of two individuals. The investigation is still ongoing. During the month of Jan uary, the V e rnonia P o lice Dept. served seven nuisance abatement notices. One indi vidual has been issued a cita tion for failure to comply. The others are still within the time p e rio d to com ply w ith the cleanup. The above are some, but not all cases handled by VPD in January. VERNONIA POLICE DEP’T JANUARY, 1995 Calls for service Cases Cases cleared Traffic citations 69 45 19 28 VALLEY VETERINARY CLINIC Happy Retirement, Gladys...Enjoy! R A B IE S Sentry 21 for Videos, Books on Tape and More! H ay the Lottery: Scratch Off, Power Ball, Mega Bucks & Keno Laminating Service • Western Union • Fax Service “Vernonia Sentry, not just in the Community, but part of it. f t Open 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. Seven Days a Week 735 Jefferson Ave. • Vernonia • 429-3811 D o g s & C a ts Feb. 9 & 23,1995 Next to Sunnyside Service, 58360 Nehalem Hwy. S „ Vernonia