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1 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Talent father faces assault charges in alleged whipping Mt. Ashland Ski Area to host party March 28 Jacksonville embraces digital marketing Controversial asphalt plant in Talent wins county planning approval SOU teacher's book delves into Japanese-Americans' lives during and after World War II Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Talent father faces assault charges in alleged whipping Firefighters stop Gold Hill shed fire before it spreads Missing man found dead in forest in Applegate Lake area 'We tried to de-escalate it' Emergency Services Politics and Elections Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Arthur I. Cyr: South Korea represents long-term triumph – for them and for US Special election: Jackson County voters OK marijuana tax Ex-Merkley aide chosen as Oregon secretary of state Ashland: Budget increase, swimming pool funding discussion on council agenda Education Eight vie for Medford School Board positions Proposed Medford textbook raises constitutional concern North Medford High School principal to retire in June Southern Oregon University's building boom adds up to $130 million South Medford, Ashland, St. Mary's students building video game Environment Mt. Ashland Ski Area to host party March 28 Controversial asphalt plant in Talent wins county planning approval Mt. Ashland hopes coming storm will reopen ski area Odd visitors found off Oregon Coast Forum explores data gathered in Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument State News Bend company's aim: Connect investors to Africa Brown proposes $1 billion in California drought spending Are they decorations or desecration? The Dalles Standoff: Suicide by smoke inhalation Officials urge meningitis shots at University of Oregon Nation - World Obituaries Death Notices David Braden Frohnmayer Ray Houck Death Notices Geneva Rosel Canty Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Bank of America is predicting a massive Tesla collapse Sports Latest Stories Campbell, Juncal lead record voting for MT All-Star games Grants Pass duo tops Crater tourney Thomas pitches North Medford past Henley Harden erupts for 50 in Rockets victory Djokovic reaches semifinals via walkover Varsity 541 College Sports Despite critics aplenty, UCLA surprises SMU on rare 3-pointer Beavers ready for NCAA home date Familiar feeling greets Ducks, Cowboys Early exit for Colorado State at NIT BSU loses heartbreaker Pro Sports Harden erupts for 50 in Rockets victory Djokovic reaches semifinals via walkover Grandma dies, then Hoffman takes lead Cavs pick up 14th straight at home Federer, Nadal, Murray reach quarters Community Sports Business Latest Stories Blog: Three Cheers for Today! Test Drive: 2015 Subaru Outback Limited Silvio Calabi: 2015 Cherokee is a modern Jeep Oregon winemaking emerges as mighty agricultural force Rogue Disposal plans natural gas fueling site Real Estate News East McAndrews Road sees a resurgence in commercial projects Business briefs: March 7 New construction prices jump 18.2 percent in Jackson County People In Business People in Business: Feb. 28 People in Business Transportation Rogue Disposal plans natural gas fueling site Alaska, United Express boost Medford airport to record February CEO Rieder leaving Erickson March 31 Lodging gains bode well for travel industries Agriculture Harry & David announces new president Warm winter has fruit growers poised for action Briefcase: Business briefs for Feb. 21 Opinion Latest Matthew T. Mangino: When is a confession not a confession? Our View: Textbook authors' reasoning hard to fathom Letters to the Editor, March 20 Michael Gerson: Hillary Clinton's Nixonian path to office Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Editorials Our View: Textbook authors' reasoning hard to fathom Our View: White House public records move is less than sunny Our View: Where the wild things shouldn't be Our View: Keeping the light trained on government Other Views: State must rein in medical marijuana Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, March 20 Letters to the Editor, March 19 Letters to the Editor, March 18 Letters to the Editor, March 17 Letters to the Editor, March 16 Columns Matthew T. Mangino: When is a confession not a confession? Michael Gerson: Hillary Clinton's Nixonian path to office Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Dana Milbank: GOP budget is one big gimmick George Will: Kasich waits in the wings Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Central Point Cemetery needs work and city action Guest Opinion: Return to clearcutting is wrong approach for counties Guest Opinion: Plan a Hawthorne playground for all children Guest Opinion: There is nothing uniform about the Uniform Crime Report GUEST OPINION: Police, community should work to prevent profiling Lifestyle Latest stories Barbara Presnell: Why poetry? And why do it now? Get Out! March 20 calendar of things to do Looking Up: Looking for the zodiacal light Ocean salmon look plentiful off the Southern Oregon coast this year, but next year's a different story Wood bison to roam Alaska again Food Eat this, not that Peanut allergy breakthrough Eat your sprouts More fast food perils Pork perfection: Consider pork steaks instead of ham for the Easter dinner table Home and Garden Hello, honey: Invite bees for a lush garden Understand home inspection Dear Monty: Tips for checking out an existing septic system Garden Cameos: Now is the perfect time to spot wildflowers Paul Rogers: It’s time to assess the damage to yards Health Health Watch: 5 tips for seasonal allergy relief A better bedtime Studying stress Eat this, not that Peanut allergy breakthrough Hiking Biking Faith Religion briefs Religion News: Presbyterian Church gives approval on same-sex marriage Religion briefs: Friday, March 13 More religion events in the Rogue Valley Religion Briefs Milestones and Achievements Haga-Parks Exercise helps special-needs kids adjust to airport procedures Engagement: Workman-Wright Anniversary: Hofer Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Here's five top entertainment picks for the coming week Alt-rock band Key of Three is a contender this weekend at Rising Stars Improv rock and folk band hosts a dance party at the Ashland Community Center Andrew Lloyd Webber's lush musical 'Sunset Boulevard' opens at Camelot Theatre in Talent Review: 'Same Time' after all these years Theater Andrew Lloyd Webber's lush musical 'Sunset Boulevard' opens at Camelot Theatre in Talent Review: Thanks for the Memories pulls off challenging 'Anastasia' Review: 'Same Time' after all these years Randall Theatre presents playwright Bernard Slade's comedy Thanks for the Memories presents 'Anastasia' Music Live Music in Local Clubs Alt-rock band Key of Three is a contender this weekend at Rising Stars Improv rock and folk band hosts a dance party at the Ashland Community Center Kites & Crows, Ryan Marchand and Mercy Duo face-off this weekend at Rising Stars music competition in Jacksonville Rogue Valley Chorale presents 'A Festival of Choirs' at the Craterian Theatre Community Events Rogue Valley artist Linda Evans' pastel paintings capture landscapes of Southern Oregon Ashland Independent Film Festival announces this year's lineup OSF Hip-Hop Poetry Open Mic Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jesse Lawson and Joe Moxley host 'Barkeeper' Dining Jasmine Thai Cuisine Restaurant Inspections Agave offers gourmet tacos, tamales, ensaladas and more Serra storms Seattle Sakura Japanese Sushi Restaurant opens in new location Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines/Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Talent father faces assault charges in alleged whipping ... Mt. Ashland Ski Area to host party March 28 ... Controversial asphalt plant in Talent wins county planning approval ... Talent father faces assault charges in alleged whipping ... Mt. Ashland Ski Area to host party March 28 ... Controversial asphalt plant in Talent wins county planning approval ... Weedkiller debate returns Woman says her child and dog suffered ill effects from chemicals used at Talent Elementary School In the 1970s, a group of concerned parents successfully campaigned to stop the use of pesticides at Eugene schools. Comment By Paris Achen MailTribune.com By Paris Achen Posted Feb. 21, 2008 at 12:01 AM By Paris Achen Posted Feb. 21, 2008 at 12:01 AM If you go... --> What: Community meeting on alternatives to chemical spraying at schools, organized by Talent resident Tanya Casey When: 6:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28 (see correction note below) Wh... » Read more X If you go... What: Community meeting on alternatives to chemical spraying at schools, organized by Talent resident Tanya Casey When: 6:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28 (see correction note below) Where: Gresham Room, Ashland Library, 410 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland Details: [email protected] » Social News In the 1970s, a group of concerned parents successfully campaigned to stop the use of pesticides at Eugene schools. What followed were decades of debate over whether the chemicals should be reintroduced, particularly to keep athletic fields smooth and obstacle-free for games. Some parents celebrated the health benefits of the pesticide-free campuses. Meanwhile, renegade volunteers sometimes sneaked into school athletic fields to spray them with herbicides without the school district's knowledge. "It's really a balancing act," said Dan Fuehring, Eugene schools facilities safety specialist. The Phoenix-Talent School District has faced similar pressures. Most recently, a local resident claimed that her 3-year-old daughter and dog had a reaction to chemicals sprayed to kill weeds at Talent Elementary School. Through a contract with the Phoenix-Talent district, the county sprayed along fence lines, the base of buildings and some parking lot cracks at the Talent Elementary campus Feb. 9 with a mix of three herbicides: Roundup PRO, a glyphosate product; diuron and dichlobenil. The chemicals the county sprayed are considered safe to humans if applied to plants properly according to label instructions and regulations. But on Feb. 10, Talent resident Tanya Casey took her daughter and brown Labrador to play in the grass at Talent Elementary for about an hour. Later that day, a rash broke out on her daughter's arm, and her dog became violently ill with itching, swelling and vomiting. Veterinarian Liana Dallmann of All Creatures Animal Hospital in Eagle Point, who cared for the dog, said she can't be sure what caused it to have the allergic reaction. Exposure to an herbicide or a bee sting are two possibilities, Dallmann said. Frank Baratta, vegetation manager at Jackson County Roads and Parks, said the herbicides were applied per label instructions and are as "safe as table salt." Roundup PRO and diuron are described in safety data sheets as a mild eye irritant with mild short-term effects. Dichlobenil is described as a hazardous substance that, with exposure to extremely high concentrations, can cause skin rashes and burns and other complications up to coma and death, in addition to long-term exposure risks. Baratta says all of the substances used are safe at the diluted concentrations used on the school grounds. A sign was posted on the fence Feb. 9 and 10 indicating that the parts of the Talent Elementary grounds had been sprayed, but Casey didn't see it. Casey's experience has helped to galvanize a group of residents who want to banish pesticides from Phoenix-Talent campuses. Casey has set up a meeting today at the Ashland Library to discuss the issue. "I wish they wouldn't spray," said Gerry Pare, who lives next to Talent Middle School. "I wish they would either weed whack, or just let a few dandelions come in." Pare worries the spraying will harm the health of her small dog and two children and contaminate groundwater. Phoenix-Talent schools Superintendent Ben Bergreen said he doesn't foresee discontinuing the use of herbicides, as they are the most cost-effective way to control weeds and are considered safe if used properly. "We have some parents who don't think we spray enough," Bergreen said. Glyphosate is one of the least toxic and most widely used herbicides. However, some studies point to potential adverse health effects from long-term exposure to high doses of the chemicals, particularly diuron, noted Kay Rumsey, of the Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides. Diuron is a likely or known carcinogen, while dichlobenil is a possible carcinogen, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. It's the dose that makes any substance poisonous, added Donn Todt, Ashland Parks and Recreation horticulturist. Most school districts, including Medford, Ashland and Phoenix-Talent, don't spray when classes are in session, but all spray at least twice a year in select spots such as fence lines and building bases. The Ashland School District considered stopping the use of herbicides at campuses but found it couldn't afford to do so. Instead, it passed a policy that limited their use to the least toxic kind. Manual weed removal is about four times as costly as spraying herbicides, Baratta said. Under a contract with the school district, Ashland parks staff spray the herbicide glyphosate, following the district's guidelines and posting notices to discourage visitors. Nothing is sprayed within 50 feet of a playground. "The fact that poison hemlock, which is 540 times more toxic than glyphosate, is on some Ashland school grounds kind of puts these things in perspective," Todt said. Less than 2 percent of what is sprayed is glyphosate, he said. Even Eugene has eased its blanket ban on herbicides to permit limited use as a last-resort solution to weeds. Unlike Jackson County schools, Eugene doesn't spray routinely; only when necessary and only with the approval of each school's principal. Reach reporter Paris Achen at 541-776-4459 or [email protected]. Correction: The original version of this story included an incorrect date for the meeting organized by Tanya Casey. This version has been corrected. By Paris Achen MailTribune.com By Paris Achen Posted Feb. 21, 2008 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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