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3 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 ... PUBLIC HEARING Neighbors support Phoenix lion sanctuary Complainant concerned about risk to schools By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted Mar. 17, 2015 @ 5:34 pm Updated Mar 17, 2015 at 5:43 PM By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted Mar. 17, 2015 @ 5:34 pm Updated Mar 17, 2015 at 5:43 PM » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> Neighbors testified Tuesday in support of a Phoenix lion sanctuary during a hearing about whether paying guests could visit the site — which the owners say is crucial for financing the big cats' care and enormous food bills. The lions owners, Vikki McMillan and animal trainer Brian McMillan, were summoned to testify before Jackson County Hearings Officer Donald Rubenstein after a local resident complained Feb. 9 about the lions and cited safety fears. Rubenstein said he believed the lions — which live in enclosures with tall fencing — pose no safety risk. He also said the lions are allowed on the property as pets. Rubenstein said the legal issue revolves around whether the couple can have commercial activities involving the lions on land zoned for exclusive farm use. He will issue a ruling about commercial use in one or two weeks. "There's no question about the professionalism with which you run this facility," Rubenstein told the McMillans, who have decades of experience with exotic animals used for films, television and advertising. "You take great care with the safety of people and animals." The McMillans had hoped to have paying guests stay in a bed-and-breakfast cottage on their land. The cottage overlooks the lion enclosures. They had also offered lion encounters for a fee in which people could feed milk to the cats with giant baby bottles through the fence and observe Brian McMillan interacting with the lions, which treat him like a member of their pride. The McMillans and their lions are retired. The couple spent $400,000 on the lion facility, not counting the purchase of the 42-acre property at 1902 Houston Road just outside Phoenix city limits, Vikki McMillan said. "We are going to care for them the rest of their lives," she said. "Unfortunately, there is no Social Security, there is no pension, there is no Medicare for animals." The seven 350- to 550-pound lions together eat 50 to 60 pounds of meat daily and can go inside their own heated building to escape the elements. Otherwise, they live outdoors in their enclosures. Testifying at the hearing, neighbor Kevin Yackers said he doesn't fear the lions. "I'm more concerned with people in the neighborhood with a pitbull than I am of lions," he said. He said paying guests at the sanctuary could help support the local economy and tourism, as well as the lions. Neighbor Jeff Bohn said he doesn't oppose a commercial aspect to the sanctuary. "This whole complaint stemmed from fear of the lions getting out," he said. "I was a little apprehensive at first. I saw the professionalism and the safety standards, and I have no problem with it whatsoever. It's a very well-run operation and I support them 100 percent." Two-dozen adults and children attended the hearing to show their support for their lions. An online petition supporting the lions has garnered more than 1,700 signatures. However, area resident Amy Dunn, who filed the complaint through a lawyer, said she is concerned about the safety of students at nearby Phoenix High School and Phoenix Elementary School. At the hearing, the McMillans gave her a copy of their emergency safety plan for the lions, which covers situations including animal escape, earthquakes, floods, fire and civil unrest. They said they had never had an injury from a lion to anyone working with the lions, including actors and crew members on film shoots around the world. Dunn said she would review the emergency safety plan and see if it alleviates her concerns. Phoenix High School Principal Jani Hale previously said she had safety concerns about the lions, but was satisfied after talking to the McMillans and seeing the facility. The couple hope to have educational activities with local schools and offer free open houses once per month in the summer to teach locals about lions. At the conclusion of the Tuesday hearing, Rubenstein — the hearings officer — said the case was certainly unusual. "It's one of the most interesting hearings I've had the opportunity to be a part of," he said. Staff reporter Vickie Aldous can be reached at 541-776-4486 or [email protected] . Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/VickieAldous .         By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted Mar. 17, 2015 @ 5:34 pm Updated Mar 17, 2015 at 5:43 PM » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » 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. 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