Plans for a major rearrangement of Jubilee Park are taking shape, including the addition of a new baseball field, but the changes taking place this year will still be minor-league. At a Cave Junction City Council meeting on Monday, Feb. 9, city Parks and Recreation Commission chairman John Miles delivered[Read More…]
Author: Forrest Roth
A look back at the Junction Inn: Local stories, historic photos, plans for its future
Burned. Gutted. Unsalvageable. A “nuisance.” This is the state of the former Junction Inn. For 54 years, the Junction Inn has been a fixture of Cave Junction. Its tall entry breezeway and ornate sign have been one of the first sights that visitors see when they enter town from the[Read More…]
Shoes that Fit brings free shoes to Illinois Valley youth
Members of the Boys & Girls Club and other local children went home with pairs of free shoes on Thursday, Jan. 22, courtesy of the Shoes That Fit program. “It’s been a fabulous program,” said Jodi MacDonald, chair of the local program, which is put on by Rogue Gateway Rotary.[Read More…]
At least a dozen candidates vie to become Republican nominee for Oregon Governor
The crop of candidates in the Republican primary gubernatorial election on May 19 has become crowded, with at least a dozen having filed as of Jan. 28. The frontrunners include state senator Christine Drazan, representative Ed Diehl, former Trail Blazer Chris Dudley, and Marion County Commissioner Danielle Bethell. Drazan, who[Read More…]
Water law change allows Oregon farmers to irrigate small commercial gardens legally
Although it may have flown under the radar, a simple rule change in Oregon’s water use laws that took effect at the beginning of this year has made it legal for growers of small backyard gardens to water their crops without a water right while also selling their produce. The[Read More…]
Cougar choir sings anthem at University of Oregon basketball game
Illinois Valley High School choir students got the experience of a lifetime earlier this year, singing the national anthem in Eugene to open up for a University of Oregon basketball game. A dozen choir students attended the trip and sang in the stadium. IVHS band and choir teacher Emily Warren[Read More…]
JOE’s Place youth ministry moves into former Red Garter building
On a cold and foggy Monday morning, staff and volunteers from JOE’s Place Ministries got to work cleaning out the former Red Garter saloon at 126 S Redwood Highway. They stacked tables, chairs, a chest freezer, and other furniture on the curbside with “FREE” signs. They loaded a trailer full[Read More…]
High-school students stage walkout to protest ICE
On Tuesday, Jan. 20, approximately 20 students from Kalmiopsis Community Arts High School staged a walkout from their school in protest of ICE raids. They then gathered on Redwood Highway, between the Bigfoot Plaza and Junction Realty, and held signs while waving at passing cars. One protestor was wearing a[Read More…]
Residents tour site of proposed 22-acre gold mine near Holland
Roarick Mine is on BLM land and would use “old-school” sluice system A placer gold mine near Holland could be up and running as early as this fall. On December 30, a group of about 35 Illinois Valley residents met with Bureau of Land Management representatives at the Roarick Mine[Read More…]
Josephine County voters recall Commissioner Chris Barnett by 62-38 margin
After a grueling special election Commissioner Chris Barnett has been decisively recalled, leaving Ron Smith as the last man sitting on the Josephine County Board of Commissioners. The tally as of late election night was 61.86% for Barnett’s recall, and 38.14% against. There were a total of 21,580 votes cast,[Read More…]