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Senator Merkley hosts standing room only town hall in Dallas

By DAVID HAYES I-O Editor

It was standing room only at the Colonel Nesmith Readiness Center in Dallas as more than 500 community members attended Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkely’s town hall on Feb. 23. In the wake of meteoric changes being implemented by President Trump and the Elon Musk led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the crowd sought validation from their state leader in Washington D.C. that all was not right.

“We are in a moment we have not seen in the history of the United States,” Merkley said at one point.

This was Merkley’s 13th town hall this year and the 589th overall in his time in the U.S. Senate since 2009 Before addressing the overflow crowd, he sat down with the Itemizer-Observer to boast about the projects he’s brought to Oregon communities. Merkley has secured funding through the Community Initiated Projects to 475 total projects, three to Polk County. These include two payments to Independence, one of $880 000 for its water main replacement project and $500 000 for a bridge extension project. Another $500,000 went to the Grand Ronde Tribe for a resident and recreation center. More projects are in the pipeline, Merkley said.

HAYES

More than 500 community members attend Senator Jeff Merkley’s town hall at the Colonel Nesmith Readiness Center in Dallas on Feb. 23.

“I love the idea that communities identify a top priority. Then I fight to get them funded,” he said.

“Because I’m on the Appropriations Committee and the only member of the Oregon delegation that’s on a spending committee, while our fellow members weigh in and advocate, I’m kind of in the front row for securing them.”

He said for Polk County there are projects for fiscal year 2025 that have not been secured yet because

Chalk up another title for CHS cheer squad

By LANCE MASTERSON

For The Itemizer-Observer

Don’t look now, but Central High is home to a sports dynasty.

The school’s cheer squad just captured the OSAA 5A/6A Game Day State Championship for the second time in three years.

What’s more, the Panthers competed against 24 other teams, making this reportedly the largest field of competitors in OSAA cheer history.

No team, regardless of division, did better.

“We got the highest score all day, across all of 1A (through) 6A,” coach Megan Smith said.

In fact, Central won its division by some four points, which is a sizable margin for the sport. Not that the team’s performance was flawless. And that’s okay.

“The way cheer routines are, we’re very synchronized. So if somebody does make a mistake, it’s seen. Like, you can see it,” cheerleader Olivine Tonnsen said. “But at the end of the day, as long as you don’t let that mistake bleed into other parts of the routine … your teammates understand that you’re human.”

They also understand that winning isn’t everything.

“I felt really good,” cheerleader Julia Ericsson said after finishing their routine. “I knew no matter what, we were going to be proud of our routine, and that was all that mattered to me. But I also knew we gave a really, really strong performance.”

Past accolades include finishing third at state in 2024, first in 2023 and first at the USA Spirit Nationals competition in 2022

Last year’s third-place finish, which fell short of the team’s goal, provided a spark in 2025

“I really wanted to do it for our seniors (in 2024), just because they were a really good group,” Ericsson said. “I knew that if we really focused, we could win.”

The 2022 and 2023 title banners hang on the walls of Panther Pit, alongside tributes to other great athletes and teams from the school’s past. The 2025 banner is on its way.

A look at numbers suggest more banners could be coming, as the Panthers might be even better in the immediate future. They lose only Kyra Mancini, Ericsson and Tonnsen to graduation.

Ericsson and Mancini share the distinction of being on both state title teams.

“I definitely didn’t expect to win anything going into high school cheer. It really wasn’t in the cards for me in eighth grade,” Ericsson said. “But I decided to join on a whim, and I made the team, and I fell in love. So winning is definitely surreal.”

Cheer squads perform their routine before a panel of judges and a crowd of family and friends. Routines cannot exceed three minutes or penalties are assessed. Squads get one chance, and one chance only, to get their performance right.

Teams watch each other perform.

“I would say every team,” Ericsson said of perceived threats. “Just because it’s mostly out of our control what we get scored.”

Tonnsen joined cheer her freshman year, then pursued other interests her sophomore and junior years. She returned to cheer her senior year.

“I came back because I really missed it,” Tonnsen said. “Just the friendships you make in cheer, the bonds you make. They’re lifelong. It’s a bond that I’ve never experienced anywhere else.”

Tonnsen is no stranger to forming strong bonds, as she pursued theater while in absentia.

“Obviously, the bond is very strong (in theater),” she said. “But in cheer, it takes it to another level. Because we all do these stunts. And so you have to put your lives in someone else’s hands, especially if

Dallas Theatre presents Shakespeare’s ‘As You Like It’

By DAVID HAYES IO Editor

Director Hannah Fawcett doesn’t know why Shakespeare’s “As You Like It” doesn’t get more love within the general theater community.

“This is a play that in the theater community that gets done all of the time. This is my sixth production, and I’m only 28,” Fawcett said. “It gets taught in English classes. I’m not sure why it’s not particularly popular. It is a delightful show. And the setting is incredibly bucolic.”

Dallas High School’s Theater is taking on Shakespeare’s classic tale of mistaken identity, love and self discovery.

Grace Kinzie, a junior homeschooled student who has been involved with Dallas theater program since her freshman year plays the lead role of Rosalind. A demanding role, as actresses traditionally are saddled with nearly 700 lines of dialog. For the DHS production of “As You Like It,” Kinzie’s lines have been scaled back to 173, still the most in the cast.

Theatre department head Blaire Cromwell said that’s because “modern audiences like their Shakespeare to be shorter. So, the script’s been edited down for time.”

But the meat of the tale remains in the presentation.

“It’s about an ex-princess whose mother has fled the Forest of Arden because the evil brother has pushed her out. Uncle wants to do the same to her,” Kinzie explained. “In order to protect her friend Celia, she pretends to be a boy. But she also has a mad, mad crush on this boy Orlando.”

And, naturally, when he comes to the forest, doesn’t realize it’s Rosalind dressed as a boy.

“The whole play is shenanigans about love and all sorts of things,” Kinzie said. “It’s full of life, so witty and fun. You can tell that Shakespeare had so much joy and he put it into this. It’s wonderful and a breath of fresh air.” Fawcett said while most productions have challenges of their own getting to the stage, Dallas’s “As you Like It” had more than its fair share.

“The production took place during cold and flu season, so the cast had an inordinate amount of sicknesses,” Fawcett said. “We’ve done a great job with understudies going on and with stage management filling in. We didn’t have a full company for almost a month in.”

With so many actors in and out due to illness, it’s all hands on deck, regardless of experience. For example, this was junior Duncan Ravis’ first production with Dallas theater. But he plays several background roles, including deers and butterflies. He even lent a hand with set production.

“I think it’s been a really great experience. Making, acting, learning. Putting the emotions I need to in my body so I can change my body language and facial expressions was really neat to learn,” Ravis said. “I think this production is really awesome. It includes so much stuff, a variety of themes, combat, dancing. It gives a full view of what we can do as a theater company.”

So, because Shakespeare is not as popular a draw with general audiences,

PHOTOS BY DAVID

PHOTOS BY TRUMAN SWARTZFAGER

The Central High School cheer squad celebrates winning the OSAA 5A/6A Game Day State Championship for the second time in three years.

New Costa de Oro features fresh Alaskan fish tacos

By DAVID HAYES I-O Editor

After a busy year of fighting wildfires from Montana to Southern California as a contract fireman, Eleazar Figueroa was ready for a change.

His sister, Rosa, a year removed from running a kitchen serving 500-800 cannery workers a day in Alaska, was ready to pursue her dream of opening her own restaurant now that they’d moved to Oregon in 2023

They cast their line and hooked an intimate dining space available on Main Street in Independence. They reeled in the opportunity and on Jan. 17, Costa de Oro was released to the hungry public.

The Figueroas, knowing the area already sported several Mexican restaurants, decided to set themselves apart, the centerpiece of their menu would be their fish tacos. But not just any fish. Where most establishments stock halibut or tilapia, Eleazar tapped into his connections as a fisherman in Alaska since 2008 to have fresh rockfish shipped to Independence.

“People are liking it. They try it and every time they

come back, they say, ‘Give me those fish tacos,’” Eleazar said. “I know here they use a lot of tilapia fish tacos. Rockfish is something new. If I was a customer and I heard they brought fish from Alaska, I’d definitely want to try that.”

Eleazar said Rosa is the professional in the kitchen. He left developing the menu up to her, which features family recipes handed down from her mother in Mexico.

“Everything that you cook is good,” I told her.”That’s why I didn’t hesitate when she wanted to go work in the cannery (kitchen) in Alaska.”

Eleazar explained, each region of Mexico is renowned for a different cuisine. For example, Michoacan has carnitas, Guajaca has mole and their home state of Nyati has seafood.

“She makes the seasoning for the fish tacos from scratch,” Eleazar said. He added their current menu was similar to Rosa’s offerings in Petersburg, Alaska, only that one featured more hamburgers.

Costa de Oro also features a throwback to old school restaurants - the salsa bar. Eleazar serves up a selection

of salsas from the mild pico de gallo to the adventurous habanero.

“For me, if I go to eat, I’d rather see the salsa and decide if I want the spicy one, mild one, or try all of them,” Eleazar said. “That’s why I don’t put salsa on my tacos. I want them (diners) to try for themselves. That’s why I bring them chips so they can try the salsas, so when the food gets to them, they know which ones they like.”

So far, the green and pico de gallo salsas, the less spicy ones, are the most popular. Eleazar said he, too, likes the green salsa, just not on his tacos.

“I like it with the tongue meat or head meat,” he said.

Their menu also features a selection of barria, beef meat (originally goat south of the border) growing in popularity, that’s marinated in a blend of dried chiles, spices and vinegar, and then braised in a rich broth (consomé) until it falls apart. While available in tacos and burritos, Eleazar said he’s considering adding another preparation to the menu.

“They even came up with Top Ramon birria noodle bowl. I’ve gotten three people asking for that. I didn’t even

know they existed,” he said.

“My sister learned about them in Alaska. You know about them? I’d never heard of it. It’s becoming popular.”

While walk-ins have slowed due to the inclement weather, Eleazar expects business to pick up mid March. To draw them in, they’re introducing dollar taco Fridays.

“The previous Friday before the snow, we sold close to 1,000 tacos,” Eleazar said.

Then in the summer, they plan to further expand the menu and start offering halibut beer bits (again, featuring the Alaskan variety) and serve them up with fries and special sauce Rosa makes.

Eleazar hopes Costa de Oro catches on like its namesake of their hometown back in Mexico.

“It was the main town with a lot of work, where people from other states came to work. Our family and everyone we know came from there,” he said.

The good community feel has already followed the Figueroas to Independence. The downtown association has already helped them set up a social media presence to expand their advertising.

“I feel so blessed that people are trying to help a little businesses like ours, help let others know we’re here,” Eleazar said. “Thank you for everything. I’m very blessed and happy we came to Independence.”

Salinas, Merkley re-introduce bill to restore hunting, fishing rights for Grand Ronde Tribe

U.S. Representative Andrea Salinas (OR-06) and U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) introduced legislation to restore traditional hunting and fishing rights for the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. The House version of the bill is cosponsored by U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Val Hoyle (OR-04), and Janelle Bynum (OR-05). The Senate version is cosponsored by U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR).

The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde is the only federally recognized tribe in the country that is bound by a consent decree, which limits where, when, and how much tribal members are allowed to hunt and fish on their traditional lands. If passed, this legislation would allow

the Tribe to return to federal court to request the termination or modification of their current consent decree with the State of Oregon.

“For decades, members of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde have been unable to freely hunt and fish on their ancestral lands – all because of an unfair consent decree they were forced to sign,” Salinas said. “My legislation would rectify this injustice by allowing the Tribe to renegotiate and come to a new agreement. I’m grateful for the partnership of the Grand Ronde Tribal Council and my Oregon colleagues as we continue to right the wrongs of the past.”

“The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde were forced to give up their traditional ability to hunt, fish,

and gather on Tribal land as the price of restoring their homelands. This historic injustice has stood for far too long,” Merkley added. “Our legislation is critical to remove federal restrictions on the Grand Ronde and allow them to fully engage in these traditional activities once more.”

Cheryle A. Kennedy, Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Tribal Council Chairwoman, said for nearly 40 years, the consent decree has placed unfair and unjust conditions on the Grand Ronde Tribes’ sovereignty.

“At this point the Grand Ronde Tribe is the only Tribe in the nation with these restrictions. The introduction of this legislation brings this issue to light and presents us with the first step in righting this historic

wrong,” Kennedy said. “We’re grateful to Congresswoman Salinas and our delegation for bringing this issue forward.”

Wyden said the historic injustices inflicted by the federal government on the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde are long overdue for reversal and repair.

“This bill would help to achieve those objectives by restoring their abilities to hunt, fish and gather food on their ancestral lands without government overreach and intervention. I will keep partnering with the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and the other eight federally recognized tribes in Oregon for justice that protects Tribal sovereignty,” Wyden said.

When Congress passed the Western Oregon Termination Act in 1954, Grand Ronde and other Oregon tribal nations were stripped of their land and federal status. When their federal status was restored in 1985, the Tribe was forced to sign a consent decree limiting their hunting and fishing abilities on their own land.

In December 2023, Salinas’ and Merkley’s legislation restoring Grand Ronde’s right to pursue land claims and compensation was signed into law. The Grand Ronde Reservation Act Amendment was the first piece of legislation introduced by Rep. Salinas as a Member of Congress, as well as her first bill to become law.

ODFW announces 2026 wildlife art contest

Artists are invited to start planning now to create an entry for one or all three of Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s 2026 stamp art competitions.

The winning artist in each contest receives a $2,000 award and the winning artwork is used to produce collector’s stamps and other promotional items with sale proceeds

benefiting Oregon’s fish, wildlife and their habitats.

Entries will be accepted starting Aug. 29 through Sept. 26 at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife headquarters, 4034 Fairview Industrial Dr., SE, Salem, OR 97302

Entries can be mailed, or hand delivered. If you hand-deliver your entry, please call ahead to make arrangements at (503-947-6314).

Habitat Conservation Stamp

Art entries must feature a Strategy Species identified in the Oregon Conservation Strategy in its appropriate

habitat. Not all species in the Strategy are eligible, so please use the qualifying list of species. See the contest rules and entry form for more information and a list of eligible species.

www.dfw.state.or.us/conservationstrategy/habitat_conservation_stamp.asp

Waterfowl Stamp Contest

Art entries must feature one of the following species in its natural habitat setting: Bluewinged Teal, Lesser Scaup, or Ruddy Duck. See contest rules and entry form for more information.

www.dfw.state.or.us/ resources/hunting/waterfowl/ contest/index.asp

Upland Game Bird Stamp Contest

Art entries must feature Ring-necked Pheasant in its natural habitat setting. See contest rules and entry form for more information.

www.dfw.state.or.us/ resources/hunting/upland_bird/ contest/index.asp

Artists are asked to use the Recommendations for Packaging Artwork on the Contest Rules’ final page.

A panel will judge artwork based on artistic composition, anatomical accuracy of the species and general appeal. Collector’s stamps, art prints and other promotional materials are produced from firstplace artwork. Proceeds from product sales are used for habitat improvement, research surveys and conservation projects.

For more information on contest rules and to order stamps and art prints, go to www.dfw.state.or.us/stamp_ contest/index.asp.

PHOTO BY DAVID HAYES

Eleazar Figueroa serves up a platter of Costa de Oro’s popular menu item of fish tacos, featuring Alaskan rockfish.

Fawcett doesn’t expect a full house, except for die hard fans and loyal family members and friends. But she hopes that doesn’t deter the community from coming out and enjoying “As You Like It” anyway. Especially since it helps the students grow as actors.

“It’s really good for the kids to practice with language like this. Their confidence skills just skyrocket after projects that have heightened language and

complicated texts. it probably won’t result in sold out shows,” Fawcett said. “It’s a delightful play. It’s got a nice, happy ending. There are some really beautiful elements. So I hope people come to see something like this.”

Dallas High School Theatre presents William Shakespeare’s “As You Like It” 6:30 p.m. Feb. 27-28 and March 1, and 2:30 p.m. March 1

Purchase tickets at https:// dallashightheatre.ludus.com/ index.php

you’re a flyer. And when you’re on the mat, every single person counts.”

Mancini, a flyer, took up cheer three years ago because it “looked really fun, and I wanted to try joining it.”

Squads must compete at no less than two OSAA sanctioned cheer events to qualify for state.

Merkley

From Page A1

the

He said the town hall allows him to hear from constituents and their leaders from all 36 counties in the state.

“It also provides a way to hear directly what’s on people’s mind. It also provides my field team a chance to sit in a room and work with local leaders, reinforcing working in partnership. A lot of what my field teams are about is how we can help with any federal program and assist you and your local goals,” Merkley said.

He then kicked off the town hall by recognizing the contributions of the Polk County Fire District No. 1 firefighters who volunteered for strike teams to help fight the Los Angeles wildfires.

Then using a lottery ticket system, Merkley went right into answering questions from the audience. He always bookends the Q&A with inquiries from students. The first was from Quinn Peffley, who was recently nominated to attend the U.S. Naval Academy.

Peffley said to Merkley, being the future of America lies in the hands of our youth, “I wanted to know what specifically what you’re doing to bridge that gap between the youth and national politics?” Merkley said youth have weighed in on a number of issues in on his travels across Oregon. One is the cost of higher education.

“Item number one is fighting for us to have an education system, like many other developed countries where we do not put a millstone of debt around the necks of our children. Youth issues he’s

BY DAVID HAYES

The cast of ‘As You Like It’ rehearse the bergamask dance performed at the end of the play.

Routines are judged on elements such as crowd-leading ability, technique and synchronization, effectiveness of skills (i.e., tumbling and stunting) and showmanship. The Panthers had all that, and more.

“It was fun,” Tonnsen said of the routine. “You could tell that every single person on our team had fun doing that routine.”

Still, game day jitters are present, as are anxious moments. Like when a team is ushered into the holding room following its warm-up session.

heard brought up are human rights, foreign wars and climate change,” Merkley said.

“It’s really important to find every possible way to engage our kids. One of the things I argued for back when I was in state Legislature was needed to have more civic education, so the next generation really understands we have rights in a republic, but we also have responsibilities to make that republic work.”

The first question from the general audience sought Merkley’s thoughts on President Trump’s potential overreach of power.

“We are in a moment we have not seen in the history of the United States,” Merkley said bluntly. “We have had presidents who have had more authoritarian impulses, or who thought there was an emergency and tested the boundaries of the law.”

He cited Abraham Lincoln who suspended Habeas Corpus during the civil war and spent money while Congress was in recess.

Merkley explained the reason he felt Trump’s reforms have been able to move so fast is because of Project 2025

“It was all mapped out in there. If you watch the President’s inaugural address, it was very different from previous addresses. Normally, the new presidents say here is the vision I ran on and how I plan to work with Congress to pass that vision and I’ve got a mandate from the people to do it. His inaugural address was all about executive order issue by issue. It was already geared up to govern by fiat,” Merkley said.

He added he felt the suspending funding is “absolutely unconstitutional. And that is why we have to stop him.”

“We have a bunch of tools in Congress, the courts have a bunch of tools, and we have all of you. And the most effective resistance is when all three of those factors are working together,” he said.

Merkley was asked how he would protect Oregon’s

“Right before you go on, it’s the worst part. It’s the worst part just because you’re like, it’s time,” Ericsson said. “But it’s also one of the best parts, just because you’re all together. You’re like, no matter what, we’re doing this together. And I really find that special.”

The program’s rebirth began in 2010 when Smith and her sister attended a 2010 homecoming game and noticed something was missing: cheerleaders.

Smith’s sister, a former cheerleader at the school, found this disturbing. So she asked athletic director Shane Hendrick if she could bring the cheer squad back. Permission granted.

“So … she asked for my help because I have a theater background, so I have a dance background. So we started coaching together,” Smith explained.

Smith took over the program after her sister moved. And, as they say, the rest is history.

system of care that seems in jeopardy under Trumps’s cuts.

He had prepared a list that morning of some of the things hitting Oregon through executive orders and firings that he was also able to fight back against and get the administration to roll back.

“The National Parks Service that initially saw 2 300 fired, we pushed back on the administration. Spring and summer are coming. Americans are going to flood the parks. This is insane,” Merkley said. “They now have rehired 7,700, including summer hires. But we haven’t gotten clarity on those 2,200 people who were let go will be reinstated and may have to start the hiring process from scratch.”

He also pointed to the Department of Veterans of Foreign Affairs which had a lot of people cut, but Merkley boasted about reversing the move, getting the folks who run the veteran’s emergency hotline reinstituted. His list went on, and he showed his frustration not having the time to go through many entries.

“This is not efficiency. This is chaos in services that are so important across the board,” he said.

Convinced that President Trump is breaking laws unchecked, an audience

member asked Merkley what will Congress do “when the convicted president suspends congress and suspends the constitution.”

“I anticipate virtually everybody in this room would be on the streets of Washington D.C.,” Merkley answered.

He then turned the discussion toward what an authoritarian government would do on its road to taking over. First, is to fire the watchdogs.

“Eighteen watchdogs, called inspector generals, were fired. That should terrify us all. The law says you can fire an IG for cause … and you have to give 30 days’ notice,” he said, adding President Trump did neither.

And finally, he said an authoritarian puts a loyalist in charge of the Defense Department. In Trumps’s case, Pete Hegseth, an Army veteran and former host on Fox TV. Merkley rattled off a list of character defects (without context) that should have disqualified Hegseth.

“He ran two nonprofits into the ground, he’s still addicted to alcohol, he

assaulted women, he has said all Muslims should die, he has said no women should serve in the military, he basically insulted everybody in a minority status that contributes to success of our nation. Are you kidding me? They guy shouldn’t be a dog catcher, let alone in charge of the Department of Defense in the United States of America,” Merkley said.

He added not all hope is lost. He feels momentum will grow in opposition to President Trump’s reforms.

“I do feel a number of members of the Senate will come across the aisle to join us as this continues to unfold.

And they hear from their constituents in their states about how disturbed people are about the impending disintegration of our republic,” Merkley said.

“It is going to be the power of the American people turning out and raising their voice on an extraordinary level that is going to drive the Republicans with the Democrats to stand up for the constitution,” he added.

Western Oregon University offers free tax preparation services

Western Oregon University is once again offering free tax preparation services through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. Through April 15 individuals can take advantage of expert, complimentary tax preparation services provided by IRScertified students and staff. Services are available in English and Spanish. VITA sites offer free tax help to those who meet the qualifications, including: - Earning $67 000 or less annually - Persons with disabilities - Limited Englishspeaking taxpayers

“The VITA program is a vital resource that empowers the community and students. It provides free, expert tax assistance to low-income individuals, the elderly, and limited English speakers, ensuring they receive critical refunds while protecting them from costly errors and scams,” said Bojan Ilievski, Ph.D., professor of finance. “For students, VITA enhances financial literacy, offers hands-on tax preparation experience, and builds career readiness, making it a powerful tool for personal and professional growth.” To make or change appointments, call the VITA appointment line at 503-751-4132 Appointments are encouraged.

Location: WOU Welcome Center, Room 135 701 Monmouth Ave N, Monmouth, OR. Parking passes for Lot O are available during appointments.

Hours: Tuesdays: 1-7 p.m. Thursdays: 1-7 p.m. Saturdays: noon to 5 p.m. Visit the VITA site for more information at https://wou.edu/ business-economics/volunteer-income-tax-assistance-vita.

PHOTO BY DAVID HAYES

Senator Jeff Merkley honors the local firefighters who volunteered on strike teams who helped fight the Los Angeles wildfires.

PHOTO

OBITUARY

Joyce “Joy” (Utterback) Bartel

Jan. 1, 1942 - Feb. 13, 2025

Joyce “Joy” Marie Bartel was born on Jan. 1 1942, to Victor and Ethel Utterback in Dallas, Oregon, who had four children, including brother Raymond, sister Esther and a younger brother, Jimmy. Joy was the first baby of the year in Polk County. She lived all her life in Oregon, but her family did move a lot. She attended school in Salem, Toledo, Newport, Portland and graduated from Brookings High School in 1960

She attended one year of college at Northwest Christian College in Eugene, Oregon. There she met her future husband, Timothy Dean Bartel. They married on Sept. 1 1961. Both their fathers were members of Gideon International and worked in the timber trades.

They made their home in Albany, Oregon, where they raised their three children and lived for 60 years. Joy worked as a teacher’s aide, and they belonged to Albany First Christian Church and then later to Eastside Christian Church. Joy was a steady volunteer for causes of the church. She also enjoyed

embroidery, watching sports, gardening, water exercising, walking, camping, making new friends and visiting her grandchildren.

In 2021, Tim and Joy decided to buy a lovely home in Dallas, Oregon, where they attended Dallas First Christian Church.

Joy went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 struggling for some time with Alzheimer’s disease while her family was at her side.

Joy is survived by her husband, Tim, of Dallas; daughter Cindy Joy and son-in-law Michael Westerberg of Napa, California; granddaughter Cecelia (Jason) Carsillo and great-grandchildren Maelyn, Nora and Ronan of Sonoma, California; grandson Jason (Lauren) Westerberg and great-grandchildren Finn and Lottie of Santa Cruz, California; son Timothy M. and daughter-in-law

Rebekah Bartel, grandson Zachary and granddaughters Makayla and Bianca of Salem, Oregon ; son Daniel J. Bartel of Dallas, Oregon, granddaughters Macie, Emma and Sadie of Commerce City, Colorado; brother Raymond Utterback of Astoria, Oregon; and sister Esther and Terry Watson of Dallas, Oregon.

Bollman’s Tribute Center is caring for the family.

Registration is open for the 16th annual ILEAD Youth Summit, taking place from 10 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. March 1, at the Boys & Girls Club of Salem -- Knudson Branch and Wipper Teen Center. This annual event invites high school-aged youth from Polk, Marion and Linn Counties to come together in the capital city for a day of learning, growth and fun.

“ILEAD is super useful for those outside of Salem because it helps you connect with our capital city. It’s also nice because you get to meet people from towns all over, who you would’ve never gotten to know without this opportunity,” said Aubree Bylund, an 11th grade student from South Albany High School who joined the Summit’s youth committee after attending last year’s event.

Top 5 Things to Know:

- ILEAD is FREE for all participants.

- Registration through noon Feb. 27

- Breakfast snacks, lunch, event t-shirts and swag bags will be provided.

- Participants can choose from a variety of engaging workshops.

- An Opportunity & Resource Fair will be held during the opening session.

This year’s theme “Stand Out; Lead Strong” was selected by the 11-person youth committee to encourage peers to not be afraid or reluctant to stand out as school and community leaders.

Youth committee members determined the workshop content based on 2024 post-event survey and student body needs. Teens can choose from workshops focusing on

youth summit

High School students compete in the annual Rock-PaperScissors Tournament at ILEAD.

leadership development, personal growth, health and well-being and life readiness. Breakout session topics include determining your leadership style, budgeting and saving, and managing stress during turbulent times.

“It’s been a goal of ours for years now to offer workshops geared towards student athletes, and we are excited to see things come to fruition this March” said ILEAD Youth Summit Coordinator, Laurie Shaw Casarez with the City of Salem.

Amanuel Smith (known as Coach Manny), who serves as President of the nonprofit football organization Oregon Trenches University and West Linn High School D-Line coach, is presenting the workshop “Becoming a Champion for Life.”

This workshop will include an important discussion on the challenges of sports life, as well as how to cope with life after your time in sports ends.

The Summit also welcomes WFMC Health Licensed Professional Counselor Miguel Gonzalez, a McKay High School graduate and former collegiate athlete, who will focus on mental health concerns for athletes and improving overall well-being, self-esteem and performance.

ILEAD is anchored in positive youth development best practices and evidence-based adolescent substance use prevention strategies. This year’s prevention focus will include a presentation by Western Oregon University’s Public Health Club in coordination with the City of Salem’s Opioid Prevention Program highlighting the dangers of fentanyl pills and how to save a life from an opioid overdose.

For more information about the event and to register, go to www. cityofsalem.net/community/thingsto-do/youth-events-and-activities/ learn-to-lead-ilead-summit.

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PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Trump legally employed Musk to root out waste, fraud and abuse

President Trump appointed Elon Musk to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) through an executive order. The White House has justified Musk’s role by classifying him as a “special government employee,” a status created by Congress in 1962 for temporary executive branch hires. President Obama tried to also find and stop the waste fraud and abuse of the people’s money. The only people who complain about this are the people who believe themselves to be the ruling class. Above the rest of us ignorant regular people in society who don’t know any better. We just work hard and pay our taxes believing that the people elected to congress then pay the bills for these items and are distributing this money in the best interest of American’s. If you want to be upset with anybody, you should look at who stuck this stuff into some big bill that then got that congressman’s vote. They have passed bills without ever even reading them to keep the government running before.

Remember Nancy Pelosi’s famous remark on one bill. “You have to pass it to find out what is in it.”

This is what you find when that happens.

Rick Bagby Dallas

Trump performative actions lack common sense

In response to the Feb. 12 I-O letter praising our president’s “common sense, Donald Trump has several well-honed skills. Driving sure-bet businesses like casinos into bankruptcy; separating marks from their money through serials scams; Trump steaks! Trump water! Trump Bibles, only $59 99! Trump memecoins! (Thousands of “investors” in the latter scheme lost $2 billion, while Trump Organization bookies pocketed $100 million in trading fees). And, finally, one skill to rule them all - Trump’s peerless ability to convince Congressional Republicans and millions of Americans of the “truth” of baldfaced falsehoods through dint of relentless repetition, misdirection and, when needed, some bare-knuckled bullying. Unfortunately, common sense appears missing from Trump’s tool kit. Consider: In early February, ostensibly to help fight the Los Angeles wildfires, Trump ordered the release of billions of gallons of water from two Central

Valley reservoirs. He then boasted about releasing this “beautiful water” on Truth Social. Yet not a drop of the 2 5 billion gallons released from the reservoirs, which store water for farmers who tap it during summer dry spells, ever made it to the fires. That’s because the reservoirs aren’t connected to LA’s water supply system. But hey, it’s the thought that counts. Or consider the Trumpapproved decision of Elon Musk’s “brilliant” DOGE boys to gut USAID. That decision could leave millions of dollars worth of food and medicine in warehouses around the world to rot or spoil, endangering tens of thousands of lives. No apparent forethought was given to the consequences of this diddle-headed, do-it-now decision. Just one more toughguy act of performative cruelty, another Trump talent. But in no way did it make sense - common or otherwise.

A full list of the ill-considered, mean spirited, occasionally corrupt, decisions unleashed by the Trump administration over the past few weeks could fill several pages of the I-O. And describing in detail the damage those decisions are doing, and likely will do, would fill a few I-O editions. Suffice it to say, they are the antithesis of common sense. And certainly not worthy of a Hallelujah!

Tom Visoky Dallas

Crazy leftists protest in support of murderer

I just watched a bunch of delusional leftists who claim to

be “supporters” of the killer Luigi Mangioni who murdered a man in cold blood by shooting him in the back while he was walking into a hotel. These people are even donating money to his defense. Their mantra states that they are “frustrated” because some of them have been denied benefits by their health care company.

I know, I know, he hasn’t been convicted yet and yes, I know protests are allowed, and I know you can give money to anyone you choose. However, these are the same people who voted to dismantle a good, even if not perfect, health care system and replace it with ObamaCare. Why not protest their Congressman or Congresswoman instead? If I use their logic, if I feel frustrated by our leftist governor, would it be OK to shoot her in the back? How about a teacher who gave my child a bad grade? OK in that situation?

One person in this group admitted they were all “leftists” which in most cases are Democrats. Where are the Democrat so-called leaders in condemning these disgusting protesters who evidently think there is an excuse for murder?

I do apologize to all those liberals out there for using the word “murderer” - in your world, that description should be changed to “life-ending facilitator.”

Glenda Schmoyer Dallas

No

corruption within the Biden administration?

America has become, and will remain, free due to not having dictators come into and remain

in power. We have fought and instituted checks and balances so that our country does not become overcome by power hungry kings/ dictators.

We have had presidents talk about fraud and mismanagement of funds throughout the years. Obama, Bush and even Clinton promised that they would go through each agency and fix it but it was false promises and never done.

Through the Biden administration fraudulent spending was given through USAID for LGTBQ+ activism in Guatemala, Transgender comics in Peru, money to fund the Wuhan lab and COVID 19, and meals on wheels to Al Qaeda affiliated fighters in Syria. Is this what you call a functioning Democracy?

Let’s talk about Pardons. Biden pardoned his family, Anthony Fauci and Liz Cheney before they where indited on charges that would absolutely have seen these individuals become felons. Biden himself would have been brought on charges that would have led to felony charges but was too old and not in the right mind set to be held accountable.

Our Democratic party is way more worried about sending money to organizations out of the country then rather to fix issues here in our country. This goes from the federal to the local level.

This is why Trump is so popular with the country. He is fixing what the Democrats have destroyed.

Jake Dutton Independence

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MOMENTS IN TIME #12345_20250224 FOR RELEASE FEB. 24, 2025

• On March 10, 1948, the communistcontrolled government of Czechoslovakia reported that noncommunist Foreign Minister Jan Masaryk had died after jumping out of a window. The story was met with suspicion in the West, but nothing to the contrary was ever definitively proved.

• On March 11, 1903, accordionplaying musician and entertainer Lawrence Welk, aka the “King of Champagne Music,” was born on a farm in rural North Dakota.

• On March 12, 2020, after New York state and city leaders placed Covid-19 restrictions on public gatherings of more than 500 people, the Broadway theater district announced it would go dark for an unprecedented 32 days, the longest shutdown of its history. The closure ended up being extended to the end of May 2021, however, costing billions of dollars in tourism losses.

• On March 13, 1865, the Confederacy reluctantly approved the use of Black troops, its last source of fresh manpower, as the main Rebel army faced long odds against much larger Union counterparts. The measure did not help to save the Confederacy, since the several thousand Black men who were enlisted could not balance out the nearly 200,000 Black soldiers fighting for the Union.

• On March 14, 1924, John “Jack” Mack, who co-founded Mack Trucks, Inc., then known as the Mack Brothers Company, with his brothers Augustus and William, was killed when his car collided with a trolley in Pennsylvania.

• On March 15, 2021, Deb Haaland was sworn in as Secretary of the Interior, becoming the first Indigenous person to serve as a cabinet secretary in American history. A few years before, she was also one of the first two Native American women elected to Congress.

• On March 16, 1881, 40-yearold Francisco “Chico” Forster met an untimely end in downtown Los Angeles, courtesy of his former lover, 18-year-old Lastania Abarta. Forster had promised to marry the girl after she performed at a party, but failed to return to their hotel with either a ring or a priest. Abarta tracked him down and tried to force him to church, but when he hopped out of his cab, she fatally shot him. After her attorneys defended her on the grounds of “female hysteria,” she was acquitted and left town. © 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.

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TRIVIA TEST #12345_20250224 FOR RELEASE FEBRUARY 24, 2025

By Fifi Rodriguez

2025 King Features Synd., Inc. FROM KING FEATURES WEEKLY SERVICE, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803

1. TELEVISION: The show “Happy Days” is a spinoff of which older sitcom?

LITERATURE: Which author created the character Hercule Poirot?

U.S. PRESIDENTS: Where is Barack Obama’s presidential library located?

GEOGRAPHY: What river forms part of the border between the United States and Mexico?

ASTRONOMY: Which planet in our solar system has the strongest gravitational field?

U.S. STATES: Which four states intersect at the Four Corners monument?

SCIENCE: What is anemophily?

MOVIES: How much does an Oscar award trophy weigh?

WEATHER: What is a haboob?

How many millimeters are in a meter?

“Love, American Style.”

and Colorado.

National assessment shows Oregon students falling behind in key subjects

ALEX BAUMHARDT

Oregon Capital Chronicle

Oregon’s fourth and eighth graders are struggling in key subjects more than students in most other states, a national assessment found.

The National Assessment for Educational Progress, often referred to as the nation’s report card, shows that Oregon’s fourth and eighth graders scored in the bottom half of all states in math and reading proficiency in tests last year.

The data released Wednesday shows that an achievement gap among the country’s high-performing students and those with the lowest scores has grown since the pandemic, said Peggy Carr, commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics, which administers the tests. Carr hosted a news conference Tuesday to discuss the latest data.

“Student achievement has not returned to pre-pandemic levels. Reading scores continue to decline, and our lowest-performing students are reading at historically low levels,” she said. “Our nation is facing complex challenges in reading.”

Data shows student scores didn’t slide much in reading or math from the last assessment in 2022, but students weren’t doing well then, either. Among Oregon fourth graders who took the assessment last year, nearly half scored “below basic” in reading. This was worse

than the national average, which shows about 40% of U.S. fourth graders are not meeting that benchmark in reading. This means these students struggle to read and understand simple words.

Among Oregon eighth graders who tested, about 35% were considered below basic in reading. This means these students struggle to identify the main idea of a story as well as basic literary elements.

“Our NAEP scores reaffirm the trends we’ve observed in our state assessments,” Oregon Department of Education Director Charlene Williams said in a statement. “ODE is expanding literacy efforts to reach schools serving some of our most impacted students, ensuring they have access to high-quality instruction and resources. Additionally, summer and extended learning opportunities are more important than ever in closing gaps and accelerating progress.”

The state’s own assessment data, published in October, shows students are still about 10 percentage points behind pre-pandemic achievement levels in key subjects.

Gaps grow in the West When it comes to math, about one-third of Oregon fourth graders tested below basic in the national assessment, meaning they might struggle to add and subtract multi-digit numbers or understand the values and number placement in multidigit figures up to hundred

thousands. About 45% of eighth graders failed to meet the benchmark, meaning they might struggle to solve equations with integers and fractions, and might have trouble using math to determine units of measurement such as length, area and volume.

Carr said across much of the West, higher-performing students continued to score high while students who needed the most help continued to fall behind. She said it was “not just a pandemic story,” and that there are no excuses for continued declines and stagnation. Some states, such as Louisiana, showed improvements in reading scores across all students.

“I understand that they did focus heavily on the science of reading, but they didn’t start yesterday,” Carr said of the instructional shift in recent years towards lessons rooted in neuroscience research around how the brain learns to read. “They’ve been working on it for several years. So I would not say that hope is lost, and I would not say that we cannot turn this around. It’s been demonstrated that we can, even in reading.”

Carr suggested that beyond instructional changes that might be needed, high student absenteeism rates in many states are playing a role.

“I think one of the obvious messages that we can share out of these data is that you need to send your kids to school. When

they’re not there these data clearly show that they are less likely to learn. Those who don’t go to school learn less,” she said.

Absenteeism remains a problem in Oregon.

Statewide, nearly 40% of Oregon students were chronically absent during the 2022-23 school year, marking a 20 percentage point drop from 2018-19 That means they missed at least 16 days in a 160-day period.

National assessment surveys show that 45% of fourth graders in Oregon who took the test and scored below the 25th percentile in math, reported missing three or more days of school in the month prior to the survey. Fourth graders who tested in the 75th percentile in math said they had been tutored within the last year.

Carr said national surveys also have shown a decline in students reading at home and those who say they read for enjoyment while pointing to shifts in how students are tested and receive materials. She said teachers are asking less for essay responses to questions and that students are reading on devices that could contribute to disengagement with the text.

Across the board, students scoring both high and low in Oregon reported their teachers being available to help them when needed and that they believed their teachers expected them to do well. But a higher percentage of fourth graders who had the highest scores in math reported feeling comfortable talking with their teachers than students in the lowest 25th percentile.

“We all need to come together as partners to catch these students up and improve achievement,” Carr said. “And these results, as sobering as they are, show that once you unpack them, there is hope.”

https://oregoncapitalchronicle. com/2025/01/29/national-assessment-shows-oregon-students-falling-behind-in-key-subjects/ Oregon Capital Chronicle is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oregon Capital Chronicle maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Lynne Terry for questions: info@oregoncapitalchronicle.com.

HEALTH DIRECTORY

CHIROPRACTIC

• JOYNT FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC - Dr. Brian Joynt, DC - 629 Clay Street East, Monmouth, OR 97361  Family-oriented chiropractic clinic, dedicated to creating an unparalleled experience of service, quality and care by teaching the true principles of chiropractic. We look forward to empowering each of you to help your family participate more fully in life. New patients welcome. Accept most insurance. Auto/ personal injury and work comp. Massage therapist on site. Complimentary consultations. Call us today to make your appointment (503) 837-0550.

• THORNTON CHIROPRACTIC - Dr. Sharon and Marty Thornton - Palmer Graduates - We care, God cures. 1650 Monmouth St., Independence, OR 97351 503-838-3346. Office hours: Mon & Wed 8am-12pm & 2pm-6pm, Tues & Thursday 8:30am-12pm & 2pm-6pm, Fri 8am-noon.  Serving Polk county for 25 years. Offering Thompson Drop and other hands-on techniques, as well as Advanced Activator Methods and Functional Neurology. We provide gentle and effective full-spine and extremity adjusting for all ages in a loving and caring environment. We are accepting new patients for Family Wellness Care, Medicare, Auto or personal injury & Workers Comp. Licensed Massage Therapy available on site.

COUNSELING

• CROSS AND CROWN COUNSELING offers counseling services to individuals, couples, and families. We also offer workshops and seminars. Areas we support but are not limited to include children, adolescent, premarital, marriage, family, trauma, crisis, grief, anxiety, depression, anger, and divorce. We help our clients find healing. prsvr and healthy responses to individual and family needs. We provide a safe and caring environment to face life situations, address interpersonal and intrapersonal conflict and help individuals realize their full potential. Our counselors are trained NCCA Licensed Clinical Christian Counselors, Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselors and Certified Temperament Counselors. We also have Domestic Violence and Trauma Resilience Protocol trained counselors. Our office is located at 177 SW Oak

St. Dallas, OR 97338. For more information please visit our website at www.crossandcrowncounseling.com or call (503) 917-1625.

GENERAL DENTISTRY

• WESTON K. MORRILL, DMD - 289 E. Ellendale Suite #201, Dallas. 503-623-6616. Family, preventive, and cosmetic dentistry. Complete dentistry for the entire family. Se habla español.

• KENNETH WINOKUR, DMD - 329 South Main Street Independence, OR 97351. 503-838-1633. High quality service with your comfort in mind. Nitrous oxide gas sedation available. www.independencedental. org

IMAGING SERVICES

• WEST VALLEY HOSPITAL  offers state-of-the-art, all-digital diagnostic imaging services. With your physician’s referral, we provide bone density tests, CT scans, fluoroscopy, mammography, ultrasound, X-ray and MRI services. Check out our comfortable and spacious mammography suite. Our imaging services are located at 525 SE Washington St., Dallas, 503-6237302. Learn more at salemhealth.org/westvalley.

LABORATORY SERVICES

• SALEM HEALTH HOSPITALS & CLINICS  provides lab services at three convenient locations in Dallas, Monmouth and Independence. Both fully accredited labs accept health care provider referrals for collections and testing. The labs also offer employment and selfreferral drug testing. Appointments are not required at either location. Learn more at salemhealth.org/lab.

WEST VALLEY HOSPITAL  outpatient lab available weekdays 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., weekends 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., at 525 SE Washington St., Dallas, 503-814-5227

SALEM HEALTH MEDICAL CLINIC – MONMOUTH  is open Monday,Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m., 512 Main St., Suite 300, 503-814-5227.

SALEM HEALTH MEDICAL CLINIC – INDEPENDENCE is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m., 1430 Monmouth St., 503-917-2255.

PHYSICAL THERAPY/ REHABILITATION SERVICES

• WEST VALLEY HOSPITAL  offers a wide range of rehabilitation services. Physical, occupational and speech therapy services are located at 1050 SE Uglow Ave, Dallas, 503-917-2121.

• SALEM HEALTH MEDICAL CLINIC –MONMOUTH offers physical, occupational and speech therapy. Located at 512 Main St., 503-838-1388. Learn more at salemhealth.org/rehab.

PRIMARY CARE

• SALEM HEALTH MEDICAL CLINICS  are accepting new patients in Dallas, Monmouth and Independence. With a proactive health care approach, the clinics provide care for all ages. Services include annual exams, immunizations, lifestyle counseling. Learn more at salemhealth.org/primary-care.

Dallas — 1000 SE Uglow Ave., 503-623-8376

Independence — 1430 Monmouth St., 503-917-2255

Independence — Central Health and Wellness Center — 1601 Monmouth St., Suite 100, 503-838-0045

Monmouth — 512 Main St., Suite 300, 503-838-1182

URGENT CARE

• BESTMED URGENT CARE  provides treatments and services for time-sensitive injuries and illnesses. We have caring and knowledgeable providers to treat a variety of conditions such as fever & flu, sprains & strains, allergies & asthma, UTIs, and dehydration. Additional services include sports physicals, on-site lab & x-ray, sutures & stitches, and vaccinations. Walkins are welcome. Learn more online at bestmedclinics. com. The BestMed Urgent Care clinic is located at 186 West Ellendale Avenue in Dallas; 971-900-4984.

GETTY IMAGES

Oregon students are struggling to make gains in key subjects, state and federal assessments show.

PHOTOS BY DAVID HAYES

PHOTO BY DAVID HAYES

Nate Woods, a member of the Visitors Center Board, paints an interior wall of the new building.

PHOTO BY DAVID HAYES

Brian Dalton, DDA design committee vice chair, takes a chainsaw to rotting branches of a tree.

END OF SECTION

Panthers pull away late to upend Dragons

By LANCE MASTERSON For The Itemizer-Observer

Dallas kept it close, but the Panthers eventually prevailed, 61-57, in varsity basketball action from Feb. 17

The win was Central’s fourth in a row.

“I’m very happy with the way my team handled the physical play of Dallas,” coach Tyler Allen said.

“Coach (Ray Williams) does an amazing job preparing his team and I knew he would have a good game plan against us.”

Ryan Burgett rallied the Panthers with an all-around effort that included 16 points, 13 rebounds and five assists. Team highs in each category.

“Strong contributions from players like (Burgett) was the boost we needed to get the win,” Allen added.

The Panthers also got 13 points and eight boards from Jack Holestine. Freshman Lucas Haines added nine points, eight boards. While Tyler Olafson netted 12 points.

Dallas kept the contest close with balanced scoring from Talon Krieger (17

points), Sean Ward (15), Derrick Johnson (12) and Diego Miranda (11).

Ward’s stats line also included seven rebounds, four assists and four steals. Krieger notched 10 boards.

Central was up 18-16 after one quarter, 28-27 at half, and 45-40 heading into the final eight minutes.

The Panthers (6-9 8-13 overall) are at West Albany on Feb. 28. They wrap up their season by hosting Crescent Valley on March 4. This is also senior night for David Walle and Jackson Stevens.

Game time is 7 p.m.

As for Dallas (0-15 1-21), seniors Miranda, Ward, Johnson and Krieger were honored during last week’s game against McKay. Their season ends on the road against Woodburn on Friday, against West Albany on Tuesday.

PHOTO BY LANCE MASTERSON

Xander Hammill (1) splits Central’s Ryan Burgett (left) and Lucas Haines during last week’s game. The Dragons kept it close. But fell 61-57.

Youth movement leads Pirates to Round 1 of state playoffs

By LANCE MASTERSON For The Itemizer-Observer

A young Pirates varsity boys basketball team came of age during last week’s Casco League playoffs. Perrydale, which lists 10 freshmen and sophomores on its 13-team roster, defeated Livingstone Adventist Academy, 35-32, on Thursday. Then took down C.S. Lewis Academy on Saturday, 47-40, in overtime.

With the wins, the Pirates advance to the first round of the state playoffs.

“It was one of my most moving wins as a coach in (my) nine years,” Perrydale’s Brian Domes said of the C.S. Lewis outcome. “When you have no idea what the outcome might be beforehand, and then to see these boys leave it all on the court, after all of our ups and downs all year, and to come out on top, was a very special moment for all of us.”

Domes gave his team a fighting chance heading into Saturday’s qualifier against C.S. Lewis. The teams split their regular season series.

“I went in thinking we had a 50/50 chance,” he added.

“We had games with great play and others that were far from decent.”

This was one of the team’s more decent efforts.

“The boys came out and played defense just like I’d asked them too. They were

quick to help and played physical …. With that defense, we were able to jump out to a solid 13-4 first quarter lead,” he added. “I felt we were playing well all-around.”

C.S. settled down, however, and cut the lead to 20-16 at half, and to 26-25 in the third quarter. But the Pirates regained their momentum.

“In the fourth, we built our lead back to six, only to see them tie it at 36 with nine seconds left,” Domes said. “We weren’t able to get a look and into OT we went.”

C.S. Lewis scored first in OT. That basket turned out to be their only lead of the game.

“We tightened up our defense and allowed them one more basket the rest of the way,” Domes said.

Perrydale entered OT with two players with four fouls each, and a third player having fouled out. Domes turned to his reserves.

“I ended up going deep into my bench late in the second and OT, after yet another player had fouled out,” Domes said. “(Landon Eichler) stepped in as a freshman and handled the pressure almost perfectly.”

Braydon Leslie led the Pirates with 16 points, while Dylan Walley added eight, and Holden Williams seven.

The Pirates enter the state playoffs on its longest win streak of the season.

Xander led his team to their first season win against Springfield. Coach describes him as steady, reliable and a strong leader. .

CONGRATULATIONS XANDER!

“I believe this little three-game streak could propel this young team in big ways next year. They stepped up and found ways to win three straight despite our mistakes and setbacks during each one of these games,” he said.

“I’ve seen a lot of growth the last few weeks and have had multiple people and coaches compliment them on the strides they’ve made this year.”

The Pirates travel to top-seeded Mannahouse Academy, Portland tonight (Wednesday). The game is at 6 p.m. The winner advances to Round 2

The Lions earned their lofty standing by going 10-0 in Valley 10 League play, and 24-3 overall.

In Thursday’s game, it took late game heroics, as in a Walley 3-pointer with two seconds left, to lift the Pirates past Livingstone.

Walley finished with eight points, including another trey

earlier in the fourth. Gavin Graber added nine points and Williams 15 rebounds.

Another example of the team’s youthfulness: Williams was the team’s only senior starter against the Lions.

PHOTO BY LANCE MASTERSON

Kyle Fanselau (15), of Livingstone Adventist leaps to block a shot by Holden Williams of the Perrydale varsity boys basketball team.

PAGES OF THE PAST FLASHBACK

50 years ago

Feb. 26, 1975

Dallas receives new ladder truck

Following five days on the road during the 2,500-mile journey from the factory at Kenosha, Wisconsin, to Dallas, a new 85-foot aerial ladder and pumper combination fire truck has been added to the equipment of the Dallas Fire Department. The new diesel powered truck was driven from the factory by assistant fire chief Clarence Peters and battalion chief for the local department Curt Lamb. Also along on the trip was Keizer Fire Chief Duane Sanford.

Bicentennial grant

funds to replace OCE fir grove

A $3 500 grant from the American Revolution Bicentennial Commission of Oregon will be used to help

replace Oregon College of Education’s historic grove of Douglas fir which was destroyed in a 1962 storm. Ronald L. Chatham, assistant to OCE President Leonard W. Rice, said the college will match the money in a modest fundraising drive which will be announced soon. The old grove splintered in the 1962 Columbus Day storm which also destroyed a wing of Campbell Hall, including the building’s bell tower, until then a landmark in Monmouth.

Junior High sports

The LaCreole 9th grade B-team completed a 5-10 basketball season last Friday at Newberg outscoring their opponents 60-25. The team has worked hard all season and every boy has shown improvement from game to game. 9th “A” Basketball finishes an outstanding season. The freshmen ended their basketball season with a pair of

wins last week; beating Forest Grove 57-45, and Newberg 43-36. Coach

Dillard was very pleased with the progress the boys made throughout the season.

40agoyears

Feb. 27, 1985

Polk freezes spending to avoid red Polk County officials sent a memo to department heads Friday calling for a freeze on

hiring and spending to keep the county in the black at the end of this fiscal year. County commissioners sent out the memo after interim Budget and Finance

Director Ralph Hanley released his latest projections on the shape of the county’s general fund balance for the rest of the fiscal year.

Hanley said last week he expects about $200 000 less in projected revenues than what the county appropriated

for expenditures in this year’s budget.

Farmers praised at Polk banquet Polk County’s outstanding farmers were honored and a guest speaker warned of the destructive spread of gypsy moths at the annual agriculture recognition banquet Thursday. Dennis King (Young Farmer of the Year), Kern Smith (Future Farmer of America of the Year) and Elwin Littlejohn (Conservationist of the Year) were awarded for their contributions to agriculture.

Buchholz keys twin wins

The Dallas girls basketball team showed it was the best of the Willamette Valley League’s second division by beating Silverton and Canby last week. “The kids played good ball all the way through both games,” said Dallas coach Jim Fairchild. “They played really good defense, especially against Canby.”

The following students from West Salem were named to the dean’s list: Keira Duffy, majoring in Business Administration

Kylee Harris, majoring in Bible, Theology and Ministry Tarissa Harris, majoring in Business Administration Charlotte Haworth, majoring in Comm Sciences Disorders

Isaiah Lane, majoring in Theatre Emerson Myers, majoring in Undecided

Pirates scale Mountaineers, move on to Round 1

By LANCE MASTERSON For

The Itemizer-Observer

Perrydale held off several challenges from Falls City en route to a 38-29 win in varsity girls basketball action from Feb. 19

With the Casco League playoff win, the Pirates (6-2 15-11 overall) were guaranteed a spot in the first round of the state playoffs.

The girls then fell to their old nemesis, St. Paul, 46-38 on Saturday, in a playoff game that determined the league’s top seed.

As the second seed, Perrydale traveled to Rogue Valley Adventist Academy on Feb. 25 (results were unavailable before the I-O’s deadline). The winner of that game sees Round 2 action Friday.

The Broncos claimed the league’s top seed with the win and hosted Elgin on Tuesday.

The Pirates are seeded 22nd, Rogue Valley 11th, for the playoffs. The winner plays the winner of Joseph-North Douglas at 6 p.m. Friday.

After falling to Perrydale, Falls City (3-5, 10-15) played C.S. Lewis on Saturday in the battle for the third and final playoff berth. The Lions held

off the Mountaineers, 51-41 to continue their season.

Andi Jones and Sophia Jackson-Roteman are the Pirates only seniors.

As for the Mountaineers, they’re losing six seniors to graduation: Serenity Roberts, Ariel Cooper, Nadia McKee, Elyssa Burgess, Molly KingGroh and Sofie Gonzalez.

This week’s flashback is from Feb. 27, 1984: Super Storyteller – John Dashney of Salem, a dramatic storyteller, acted out legends of ears and snakes for students at Lyle

PHOTO BY LANCE MASTERSON

Perrydale’s Reese Cornthwaite (no. 4) and Isabelle Arthur pressure Molly King-Groh, of Falls City, during last week’s Casco League playoff game. The Pirates prevailed in the Polk County matchup, 38-29.

TOWN CRIER

Community Calendar Feb. 26-March 5

Wednesday, Feb. 26

8 a.m. - Yoga, Monmouth

Senior Community Center

8:30 a.m. - Mayor of Independence Office Hours, stop by and share your thoughts, ideas, and questions, City Hall, 555 South Main St.

9 a.m. - Stretch Exercise, Monmouth Senior Community Center

9 a.m. - Trip to Oregon Coast Aquarium, meet at Monmouth Senior Community Center

10 a.m. - Tai Chi with John, Monmouth Senior Community Center

10:30 a.m. - Little Bitty Storytime, Dallas Public Library, 950 Main St.

10:30 a.m. - Story Time with Miss Jo, Independence Library, 175 Monmouth St.

11 a.m. - Lunch with Meals on Wheels, Monmouth Senior Community Center

1 p.m. - Ten Minute Writing, Monmouth Senior Community Center

12 p.m. - Watch Repair & Knife Sharpening, Monmouth Senior Community Center

12:45 p.m. - Loneliness Solutions, Monmouth Senior Community Center

1 p.m. - Ten Minute Writing, Monmouth Senior Community Center

4 p.m. - Connecting Loose Threads for Charity, Monmouth Senior Community Center

5:30 p.m. - Municipal Court Arraignments, City Hall, 555 South Main St., Independence

Thursday, Feb. 27

8 a.m. - Yoga, Monmouth Senior Community Center

10 a.m. - Cards/table games, Dallas Area Senior Center

10 a.m. - Calvary Chapel

Dallas Sewing and Craft group meeting, 628 SE Jefferson St.

10 a.m. - Master Gardner Chats, The Square Foot Garden, Monmouth Senior Center, 180 S Warren St. 10:15 a.m. - Low Impact Exercise, Dallas Area Senior Center

10:30 a.m. - Bounces and Rhymes, ages 2 and under, Monmouth Public Library, 168 Ecols St. S. 11 a.m. - Grief 101 Workshop, Monmouth Senior Community Cetner

10:30 a.m. - Children’s Storytime, for ages 5 and under, Dallas Public Library, 950 Main St.

11:30 a.m. - Lunch Bunch, Dallas Area Senior Center

11:10 a.m. - Low Impact Exercise, Dallas Area Senior Center

12 p.m. - Pinochle, Monmouth Senior Community Center

12 p.m. - Dallas Economic Development Commission meeting, City Hall, 187 SE Court St.

12 p.m. - Bridge, Dallas Area Senior Center

1 p.m. Needle Craft Group, Monmouth Senior Community Center

6:30 p.m. - Connecting Loose Threads, Monmouth Senior Community Center

Friday, Feb. 28

8 a.m. - Yoga, Monmouth

Senior Community Center

9 a.m. - Stretch exercise, Monmouth Senior Community Center

10 a.m. - Brunk Farmstead Tours, 5705 Salem Dallas Hwy NW

10 a.m. – Six handed Pinochle/Art Workshop/ Listening Ear/Cards/Table Games, Dallas Area Senior Center

10 a.m. - Writer’s Workshop/Drawing for Fun, Monmouth Senior Community Center

1 p.m. - Tai Chi with Cheryl/Lunch & Learn, Monmouth Senior Community Center

1:30 p.m. - Jewelry Making, Monmouth Senior Community Center

5 p.m. - Stuffed Animal Sleepover, drop off your stuffed buddy at the Dallas Public Library, then return Saturday to pick him up and photos to see what he did all night in the library

6:30 p.m. - Acoustic Music Jam, Guthrie Park, 4320 Kings Valley Highway S.

Saturday, March 1

8:30 a.m. - Friends of the Senior Center Pancake Breakfast, Monmouth Senior Center, 180 S Warren St.

9 a.m. - Polk Productions Flea Market, Main building, Buildings B and C, admission $1, Polk County Fairgrounds, 520 S. Pacific Hwy. West

10 a.m. - Brunk Farmstead Tours, 5705

Salem Dallas Hwy NW

7 p.m. - Live Music: Move The Needle, Golden Hop Saloon, 133 C. St., Independence

Sunday, March 2

2 p.m. - Live Music: Orvil Ivie, Red Gate Winery, 8175 Buena Vista Road, Independence

Monday, March 3

8 a.m. - Yoga, Monmouth Senior Community Center

9 a.m. - Stretch Exercise, Monmouth Senior Community Center

10 a.m. - Cards/table games/care giver support, Dallas Area Senior Center

10 a.m. - Cribbage/ASL Class/Lunch with Meals on Wheels, Monmouth Senior Community Center

12 p.m. - Bridge, Dallas Area Senior Center

1 p.m. - Tai Chi with Cheryl/Technology Help with Ian, Monmouth Senior Community Center

4 p.m. - Karaoke, Dallas Area Senior Center

6 p.m. - Dallas City Council Work Session/ Meeting, City Hall, 187 SE Court St.

6:30 p.m. - New Horizons Orchestra, Monmouth Senior Community Center

7 p.m. - Independence Planning Commission meeting, City Hall, 555 South Main St.

Tuesday, March 4

8 a.m. - Yoga, Monmouth Senior Community Center

Community Briefs

9 a.m. - Wii Bowling, Monmouth Senior Community Center

10 a.m. - Cards/Table Games, Dallas Area Senior Center

10:15 a.m., - Low Impact Exercise, Dallas Area Senior Center

10:30 a.m. - Children’s Storytime, for ages 5 and under, Dallas Public Library, 950 Main St.

10:30 a.m. - Family Storytime, for ages 3-5, Monmouth Public Library, 168 Ecols St. S 10:30 a.m. - Circle of Friends, Dallas Area Senior Center

11:10 a.m. - Low Impact Exercise, Dallas Area Senior Center

12 p.m. - Pinochle, Monmouth Senior Community Center

1 p.m. - Healthy Soul, Dallas Area Senior Center

5 p.m. - Friends of the Dallas Public Library meeting, Grace Scatterday Room at the Dallas Public Library, 950 Main St.

5:30 p.m. - Urban Renewal District Advisory Committee meeting, City Hall, 187 SE Court St.

6:30 p.m. - Dance: Ballroom, Monmouth Senior Community Center

6:30 p.m. - Monmouth City Council meeting, City Hall, 151 Main St. W.

7:30 p.m. - Dance: Latin, Monmouth Senior Community Center

Wednesday, March 5

8 a.m. - Yoga, Monmouth Senior Community Center

8:30 a.m. - Mayor of Independence Office Hours, stop by and share your thoughts, ideas, and questions, City Hall, 555 South Main St. 9 a.m. - Stretch Exercise, Monmouth Senior Community Center

10 a.m. - Tai Chi with John, Monmouth Senior Community Center

10:30 a.m. - Little Bitty Storytime, Dallas Public Library, 950 Main St. 10:30 a.m. - Story Time with Miss Jo, Independence Library, 175 Monmouth St. 11 a.m. - Lunch with Meals on Wheels, Monmouth Senior Community Center

1 p.m. -

Heritage Museum hosts onomatopoeia exhibit through May 31

The Heritage Museum hosts the fun and interactive exhibit “What Does the Fox Say: Exploring International Onomatopoeias through May 31. Explore how different cultures interpret animal sounds, from “woof” to “meow” to “cock-a-doodle-doo,” languages around the world have unique ways of hearing and describing the same sounds.

Created by local artist Torin Widhammer and former museum director Natascha Adams, this hands-on exhibit invites visitors of all ages to discover the playful side of language. The Heritage Museum is located at 281 S 2nd St. in Independence. It is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday.

Climate Cafe returns Feb. 27

The MonmouthIndependence Climate Action Group hosts Climate Cafe from 7-8:30 p.m. Feb. 27 at the Monmouth Senior Community Center, 180 Warren St. S. Join this opportunity community members, students and citizens of all ages to engage in meaningful dialog about environmental challenges and exploring ways to make a difference locally.

Senior Center hosts master gardener class Feb. 27

Monmouth Senior Community Center hosts Master Gardener Chats: The Square Foot Garden, Part 2, with Lee Schlenker, at 10 a.m. Feb. 27 at 180 Warren St. S. Learn new ideas about how you can grow and garden. For more information, call (503) 838-5678

Coffee Club for Business Owners meets Feb. 27

Launch Mid Valley presents Coffee Club for Business Owners, from 9-10 a.m. Feb. 27 at Indy Commons, 154 S Main St., Independence. Start your morning with networking, collaboration, and resource-sharing at the Indy Coffee Club for Business Owners, an event designed to support Independence-area entrepreneurs and foster community connections. Hosted by Launch Mid Valley, in collaboration with Indy Idea Hub, this gathering is the perfect opportunity to build your professional network, exchange ideas, and learn from experts in a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere.

Salem Health West Valley Foundation hosts fundraiser dinner Feb. 28

Salem Health West Valley Foundation’s third annual ALL IN benefit is from 6-9 p.m. Feb. 28 at the Colonel Nesmith

Readiness Center, located at 12830 Westview Drive, in Dallas. Your $100 ticket price gets you complimentary wine, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages; appetizers and casual buffet dinner; live music; and $25 of scholar dollars to play casino type games.

Event proceeds benefit programs and services provided by the Salem Health - West Valley Foundation, such as:

- Awareness and education efforts surrounding the risks of illicit street fentanyl use

- Scholarships for Polk County residents pursuing degrees in health care disciplines

- The West Valley Hospital Connections Van, removing barriers to health care access for Polk County residents

- Financial assistance for patients in crisis receiving care at West Valley Hospital and Salem Health Medical Group clinics in Polk County

- Support of programs to provide access to healthcare in Polk County

To purchase tickets, go to https://westvalleyhospital.ejoinme.org/AllIn2025

WOU hosts annual Family Weekend Feb. 28

Western Oregon University welcomes students and their families to campus for the return of Family Weekend, an annual celebration of connection, community

and fun, Feb, 28 through March 2. This year’s weekend features a new all-inclusive pass, providing families with a convenient way to access all activities and meals with one purchase.

The weekend will feature a variety of events and activities for all ages, including:

- Welcome dinner with special guest WOU President Jesse Peters

- Winter play: Nora: A Doll’s House

- Two brunches at The Sippery

- Exclusive Family Weekend t-shirt (available with early registration)

- Men’s & Women’s basketball game tickets

- Cornhole tournament entry

- And much more!

Tickets for Family Weekend, including the all-inclusive pass, are available online at https:// wou.edu/business/family-weekend-registration. Registration closes on Feb. 20

Community theater hosts auditions for ‘The Werewolf Princess & The Bramble Queen’ Walk the Path Community Theater presents “The Werewolf Princess & The Bramble Queen,” an original fantasy dramedy by Joshua Miller that puts a twist on popular fairy tales, including Cinderella, Red Riding Hood, The Frog Prince, Rapunzel and many more. Auditions for

the production are from 10 a.m. to noon March 1 at Dallas Foursquare Church, 976 SW Hayter St. Contact info@walkthepathcommuntytheatre. org for script portions for auditions or go to www. walkthepathcommunitytheatre.org for more information.

Burgerville hosts SAR fundraiser March 5

Join Polk County Search and Rescue from 4-8 p.m. March 5 for a fundraiser benefiting the Polk County Search and Rescue team at Burgerville, 615 Main St. E. in Monmouth, Mention that you are supporting SAR when you order inside or at the drive-thru and SAR will receive 20% of the proceeds. The funds raised during this event will go towards updating SAR medical equipment.

Polk Republic Women meet March 6

The Polk County Republican Women meet from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 6 at the Kingwood Bible Church, located at 1125 Elm St. NW, in West Salem. Guest speakers will be Eddie Nelson of the Dallas Food Bank and Patty Nevue from the Ellen Curran Food Bank.

Slip Kid hosts free family dance March 15

Slip Kid presents Lora Michele Dance Studio’s

free all ages family dance from 4-6 p.m. March 15 at the Dallas Event Center, 995 S Main St. For tickets and to sign up, go to https://bit.ly/3X99QTH. Learn more about the sponsor Slip Kid at www. slipkidpresents.com.

Reptile show returns to Polk County Fair March 15

Reptopia is hosting their second annual Reptile Expo at 10 a.m. March 15 at the Polk County Fairgrounds, 520 S Pacific Hwy W, in Rickreall. Come join us for a fun family event with lots of exotic reptiles, inverts, plants, and terrariums.

Wagon Wheel Spring Doll Show returns March 22

The Wagon Wheel Spring Doll Show and Sale is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 22 at the Polk County Fairgrounds, 520 S Pacific Hwy W, in Rickreall. Early admission for 9 a.m. is $10 Regular admission at 10 a.m. is $7. Children 10 and under are free. The show features dolls, toys, bears, miniatures, accessories and related items. There will be door prizes, displays/exhibits, restringing, handicap accessibility and food Concessions. Visit www.dollshowusa. com/Events-OR.html for details.

Bake a Family-Fresh Key Lime Pie

It has been a long winter, and now it’s time to celebrate a new season! Nothing says spring like the zingy taste of citrus, and this is when my favorite key lime pie recipe takes center stage at our dessert table. It has all the “key” ingredients for togetherness, too, making it a winner all the way around. There’s something for everyone to do. Yes, there is mixing and stirring but also letting out the wiggles when pounding graham crackers and squeezing lots of limes. And for the steady hand, there’s separating egg yolks from whites. When it’s time for the grand finale, someone else gets to whip the luscious cream and spoon the tempting dollops on each piece. (Make that my job.) Sound like fun? You bet! Here’s how to get started: KEY LIME PIE

— 11 cinnamon honey or regular graham crackers crumbled to a piecrust consistency

— 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter

— 1 cup fresh-squeezed lime juice (use key limes if available) from about 1 pound of limes

— 2 14-ounce cans sweetened con-

densed milk

— 4 large egg yolks

Topping for the pie:

— Whipped cream

— 1 teaspoon grated lime zest

— Fresh mango slices (optional)

Here’s the fun: After you have set the oven to 325 F, get the kids involved. Let one child count 11 graham crackers from the box and break them into pieces in a sturdy plastic bag. Show your child how to pound the crackers with a lightweight hammer until they are a pie-crust consistency. Dump into a mixing bowl and mix with the melted butter, then press evenly against the bottom and side of a pie pan. An adult should bake the crust in the oven for 5 minutes. Remove and set aside. Increase oven temperature to 350 F. While one child crushes the graham crackers, let another child squeeze the fresh limes to yield about 1 cup of lime juice. An adult should reduce the lime juice in a saucepan to 1/4 cup at a slow simmer over medium heat. Cool to room temperature.

Whisk egg yolks together in a bowl. Stir in the sweetened condensed milk and cooled juice. Pour filling into the pie shell and bake 7-10 minutes, or until the middle is firm but able to jiggle. Cool and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. Top with dollops of whipping cream sprinkled with lemon zest and fresh mango slices. Delicious! ***

Donna Erickson creates relationships and community through food and fun. Find more to nourish and delight you at www.donnaerickson.com.

© 2025 Donna Erickson Distributed by King Features Synd.

6/30/2023,

the debt, or any part thereof, now remaining secured by the trust deed, or, if such action has been instituted, such action has been dismissed except as permitted by ORS 86.752(7). Both the beneficiary and the trustee have elected to sell the said real property to satisfy the obligations secured by

and

been

pursuant to Section 86.752(3) of Oregon Revised Statutes. There is a default by grantor or

owing an obligation,

is

of

by the

or by the successor in interest, with respect to provisions therein which authorize sale in the event of such provision. The default for which foreclosure is made is grantor’s failure to pay when due the following sum: TOTAL REQUIRED TO REINSTATE: $51,721.62 TOTAL REQUIRED TO PAYOFF: $470,669.49 Because of interest, late charges, and other charges that may vary from day-today, the amount due on the day you pay may be greater. It will be necessary for you to contact the Trustee before the time you tender reinstatement or the payoff amount so that you may be advised of the exact amount you will be required to pay. By reason of the default, the beneficiary has declared all sums owing on the obligation secured by the trust deed immediately due and payable, those sums being the following, to- wit: The installments of principal and interest which became due on 12/1/2023, and all subsequent installments of principal and interest through the date of this Notice, plus amounts that are due for late charges, delinquent property taxes, insurance premiums, advances made on senior liens, taxes and/or insurance, trustee’s fees, and any attorney fees and court costs arising from or associated with the beneficiaries efforts to protect and preserve its security, all of which must be paid as a condition of reinstatement, including all sums that shall accrue through reinstatement or pay-off. Nothing in this notice shall be construed as a waiver of any fees owing to the Beneficiary under the Deed of Trust pursuant to the terms of the loan documents. Whereof, notice hereby is given that QUALITY LOAN SERVICE CORPORATION, the undersigned trustee will on 5/20/2025 at the hour of 01:00 PM, Standard of Time, as established by section 187.110, Oregon Revised Statues, Inside the new lobby

at the Jefferson Street entrance of the County Courthouse, 850 Main Street, Dallas, Oregon 97338 County of POLK, State of Oregon, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash the interest in the said described real property which the grantor had or had power to convey at the time of the execution by him of the said trust deed, together with any interest which the grantor or his successors in interest acquired after the execution of said trust deed, to satisfy the foregoing obligations thereby secured and the costs and expenses of sale, including a reasonable charge by the trustee. Notice is further given that any person named in Section 86.778 of Oregon Revised Statutes has the right to have the foreclosure proceeding dismissed and the trust deed reinstated by payment to the beneficiary of the entire amount then due (other than such portion of said principal as would not then be due had no default occurred), together with the costs, trustee’s and attorney’s fees and curing any other default complained of in the Notice of Default by tendering the performance required under the obligation or trust deed, at any time prior to five days before the date last set for sale. Other than as shown of record, neither the beneficiary nor the trustee has any actual notice of any person having or claiming to have any lien upon or interest in the real property hereinabove described subsequent to the interest of the trustee in the trust deed, or of any successor in interest to grantor or of any lessee or other person in possession of or occupying the property, except: Name and Last Known Address and Nature of Right, Lien or Interest TYLER CARTER 650 BURLEY HILL LOOP NW SALEM, OR 97304 Original Borrower KYLIE CARTER 650 BURLEY HILL LOOP NW SALEM, OR 97304 Original Borrower For Sale Information Call: 855-8821314 or Login to: www. hubzu.com In construing this notice, the singular includes the plural, the word “grantor” includes any successor in interest to this grantor as well as any other person owing an obligation, the performance of which is secured by the trust deed, and the words “trustee” and “beneficiary” include their respective successors in interest, if any. Pursuant to Oregon Law, this sale will not be deemed final until the Trustee’s deed has been issued by QUALITY LOAN SERVICE CORPORATION. If any irregularities are discovered within 10 days of the date of this sale, the trustee will rescind the sale, return the buyer’s money and take further action as necessary. If the sale is set aside for any reason, including if the Trustee is unable to convey title, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the monies paid to the Trustee. This shall be the Purchaser’s sole and exclusive remedy. The purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Trustor, the Trustee, the Beneficiary, the Beneficiary’s Agent, or the Beneficiary’s Attorney. If you have previously been discharged through bankruptcy, you may have been released of personal liability for this loan in which case this letter is intended to exercise the note holders right’s against the real property only. As required by law, you are hereby notified that a negative credit report reflecting on your credit record may be submitted to a

credit report agency if you fail to fulfill the terms of your credit obligations. Without limiting the trustee’s disclaimer of representations or warranties, Oregon law requires the trustee to state in this notice that some residential property sold at a trustee’s sale may have been used in manufacturing methamphetamines, the chemical components of which are known to be toxic. Prospective purchasers of residential property should be aware of this potential danger before deciding to place a bid for this property at the trustee’s sale. NOTICE TO TENANTS: TENANTS OF THE SUBJECT REAL PROPERTY HAVE CERTAIN PROTECTIONS AFFORDED TO THEM UNDER ORS 86.782 AND POSSIBLY UNDER FEDERAL LAW. ATTACHED TO THIS NOTICE OF SALE, AND INCORPORATED HEREIN, IS A NOTICE TO TENANTS THAT SETS FORTH SOME OF THE PROTECTIONS THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO A TENANT OF THE SUBJECT REAL PROPERTY AND WHICH SETS FORTH CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS THAT MUST BE COMPLIED WITH BY ANY TENANT IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE AFFORDED PROTECTION, AS REQUIRED UNDER ORS 86.771. TS No: OR-241004014-SW Dated: 1/8/2025

Quality Loan Service Corporation, as Trustee

Signature By: Jeff Stenman, President Trustee’s Mailing Address: QUALITY LOAN SERVICE CORPORATION

108 1 st Ave South, Suite 450, Seattle, WA 98104 Toll Free: (866) 925-0241 Trustee’s

Physical Address: Quality Loan Service Corporation 2763 Camino Del Rio South San Diego, CA 92108 Toll Free: (866) 925-0241 IDSPub #0226192 2/12/2025 2/19/2025 2/26/2025 3/5/2025

PCIO25-1038 T.S. No.: 2412732 Trustee’s Notice Of Sale Loan No: 399408720 Reference is made to that certain deed made by, Pacific Northwest Home Solutions LLC, A Missouri Limited Liability Company as Grantor to Fidelity National Title Company Of Oregon, as trustee, in favor of Riverbend Funding, LLC, A Delaware Limited Liability Company, as Beneficiary, dated 5/17/2022, recorded 5/18/2022, in official records of Polk County, Oregon in as Instrument No. 2022-006090, covering the following described real property situated in said County and State, to-wit: APN: 258292 That Portion Of Lots 13 And 14, Block L Of West Salem, In The City Of Salem, County Of Polk And State Of Oregon, Described As Follows: Beginning At The Southeast Corner Of Lot Numbered 13, In Block Lettered “L” Of West Salem, In The City Of Salem, County Of Polk And State Of Oregon; Running Thence Westerly Along The North Line Of The Alley Of Said Block To A Point 53 Feet From The Said Southeast Corner Of Said Lot; Thence Northerly Parallel To The East And West Line Of Said Lot, A Distance Of 54 Feet; Thence Easterly 53 Feet To A Point On The East Line Of Said Lot, A Distance Of 54 Feet From The Said Southeast Corner Of Said Lot; Thence Southerly Along The East Line Of Said Lot, A Distance Of 54 Feet To The Place Of Beginning. Property Commonly known as: 522 Gerth Ave NW, Salem, Oregon 97304 Both the beneficiary and the trustee have elected to sell the said real property to satisfy the obligations secured by said trust deed and notice has been recorded pursuant to

Section 86.735(3) of Oregon Revised Statutes: the default for which the foreclosure is made is the grantor’s: The entire balance of unpaid principal and interest, which became due on 11/11/2024, along with late charges, foreclosure fees and costs any legal fees or advances that have become due. By this reason of said default the beneficiary has declared all obligations secured by said deed of trust immediately due and payable, said sums being the following, to-wit: The sum of $197,030.46 together with interest thereon at the rate of 10.5 % per annum from 8/1/2024 until paid; plus default interest and all accrued late charges thereon; and all trustee’s fees, foreclosure costs and any sums advanced by the beneficiary pursuant to the terms of said deed of trust. Whereof, notice hereby is given that Ghidotti Berger, LLP, the undersigned trustee will on 5/27/2025 at the hour of 1:00 PM, Standard of Time, as established by section 187.110, Oregon Revised Statues, at Inside the new lobby of the Jefferson Street entrance of the Polk County Courthouse, 850 Main Street, Dallas County of Polk, State of Oregon, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash the interest in the said described real property which the grantor had or had power to convey at the time of the execution by him of the said trust deed, together with any interest which the grantor or his successors in interest acquired after the execution of said trust deed, to satisfy the foregoing obligations thereby secured and the costs and expenses of sale, including a reasonable charge by the trustee. Notice is further given that any person named in Section 86.753 of Oregon Revised Statutes has the right to have the foreclosure proceeding dismissed and the trust deed reinstated by payment to the beneficiary of the entire amount then due (other than such portion of said principal as would not then be due had no default occurred), together with the costs, trustee’s and attorney’s fees and curing any other default complained of in the Notice of Default by tendering the performance required under the obligation or trust deed, at any time prior to five days before the date last set for sale. In construing this notice, the masculine gender includes the feminine and the neuter, the singular includes plural, the word “grantor” includes any successor in interest to the grantor as well as any other persons owing an obligation, the performance of which is secured by said trust deed, the words “trustee” and ‘ beneficiary” include their respective successors in interest, if any. Without limiting the trustee’s disclaimer of representation or warranties, Oregon law requires the trustee to state in this notice that some residential property sold at a trustee’s sale may have been used in manufacturing methamphetamines, the chemical components of which are known to be toxic. Prospective purchasers of residential property should be aware of this potential danger before deciding to place a bid for this property at the trustee’s sale. Dated: 1/7/2025 Ghidotti Berger, LLP /s/ Signature By: Ryan M. Carson, Esq. OSB 170371 State of Washington County of King I certify that I know or have satisfactory evidence that Ryan M. Carson is the person who appeared before me, and said person acknowledged that (he/she)

Dallas dominates, wins OSAA 5A

By BILL LOMER

For The Itemizer-Oserver

The Dallas Dragons clinched the OSAA 5A MidWillamette Conference title with an outstanding team performance, showcasing determination, grit, and technical excellence. The team displayed their depth and strength with multiple champions and top placers, setting the tone for the upcoming state championships.

Dallas State Qualifiers: 106 lbs:

Alexander Nunez (2nd) – Fought hard to reach the finals, contributing 20 team points.

Thomas Loughary (4th) –Displayed resilience, adding 16 points to the team score.

113 lbs:

Nathan Ramirez (1st) –Controlled the mat en route to the title, scoring 28 5 points.

120 lbs: Joseph Maxfield (4th) –Strong tournament run, earning 15 team points.

126 lbs:

Joseph Johnson (2nd) –Showed veteran leadership, adding 24 points.

Jonathon Talmadge (3rd) – Fought back for a podium finish, scoring 19 5 points.

132 lbs:

Sully Hill (1st) – Captured the conference crown, leading the bracket with 24 5 points.

Jace Spencer (2nd) –Reached the finals and secured 22 5 points.

138 lbs:

Lorenzo Romero-Hill (1st)

– Dominated his bracket, collecting 28 points.

144 lbs:

Tyler Basey (1st) –Claimed the title with key wins and secured 26 5 points.

Ethan Gilliard (3rd) –Powered through the bracket, earning 20 points.

150 lbs:

Nathaniel Hughes (1st) –Brought home gold, contributing 24 points.

157 lbs:

signed this instrument and acknowledged it to be (his/ her) free and voluntary act for the uses and purposes mentioned in the instrument.

Dated: 01/07/2025 /s/ John M Ames Signature Notary Public Title My appointment expires: 03/24/2027

PCIO25-1031 TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE TS NO.: 24-68125 Reference is made to that certain Deed of Trust (hereinafter referred as the Trust Deed) made by DAVID A GIER, SR. as Grantor to FIRST AMERICAN TITLE INSURANCE COMPANY, as trustee, in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. (“MERS”), as designated nominee for CALIBER HOME LOANS, INC., beneficiary of the security instrument, its successors and assigns, as Beneficiary, dated 8/3/2022, recorded 8/8/2022, as Instrument No. 2022-009216, in mortgage records of Polk County, Oregon covering the following described real property situated in said County and State, to-wit: LOT 10, EOLA RIDGE PHASE 1, CITY OF SALEM, POLK COUNTY, STATE OF OREGON. (PLAT VOLUME 12, PAGE 10) The street address or other common designation, if any for the real property described above is purported to be: 2455 REINDEER AVE NW SALEM, OREGON 973043684 The Tax Assessor’s Account ID for the Real Property is purported to be: 563370107320-CA-01000

Both the beneficiary and the trustee, ZBS Law, LLP have elected to foreclose the above referenced Trust Deed and sell the said real property to satisfy the obligations secured by the Trust Deed and a Notice of Default and Election to Sell has been recorded pursuant to ORS 86.752(3). All right, title, and interest in the said described property which the grantors had, or had power to convey, at the time of execution of the Trust Deed, together with any interest the grantors or their successors in interest acquired after execution of the Trust Deed shall be sold at public auction to the highest bidder for cash to satisfy the obligations secured by the Trust Deed and the expenses of sale, including the compensation of the trustee as provided by law, and the reasonable fees of trustee’s attorneys. The default for which the foreclosure is made is: The monthly installment of principal and interest which became due on 10/1/2023, late charges, and all subsequent monthly installments of principal and interest. You are responsible to pay all payments and charges due under the terms and conditions of the loan documents which come due subsequent to the date of this notice, including, but not limited to, foreclosure trustee fees and costs, advances and late charges. Furthermore, as a condition to bring your account in good standing, you must provide the undersigned with written proof that you are not in default on any senior encumbrance and provide proof of insurance. Nothing in this notice should be construed as a waiver of any fees owing to the beneficiary under the deed of trust, pursuant to the terms and provisions of the loan documents. The amount required to cure the default in payments to date is calculated as follows: From: 10/1/2023 Total of past due payments: $28,686.64 Late Charges: $431.22 Additional charges (Taxes, Insurance, Corporate Advances, Other Fees): $1,480.85

trust deed, the words “trustee” and ‘beneficiary” include their respective successors in interest, if any. Without limiting the trustee’s disclaimer of representations or warranties, Oregon law requires the trustee to state in this notice that some residential property sold at a trustee’s sale may have been used in manufacturing methamphetamines, the chemical components of which are known to be toxic. Prospective purchasers of residential property should be aware of this potential danger before deciding to place a bid for this property at the trustee’s sale. Dated: 12/10/2024 ZBS Law, LLP By: Amber L. Labrecque, Esq., OSB#0945593 ZBS Law, LLP Authorized to sign on behalf of the trustee A-4831071 02/05/2025, 02/12/2025, 02/19/2025,

Cory Kittleson (4th) –Secured 15 5 points with aggressive matches.

175 lbs: Asher Olliff (3rd) –Clinched a podium spot and scored 20 5 points.

190 lbs: Carson Langford (1st) –Powered through his bracket for the title, earning 26 points.

The Road Ahead: Prepping for the boys and girls state championships

With the OSAA 5A MidWillamette Conference title secured, the Dragons now turn their focus to the ultimate challenge — the OSAA Boys & Girls State Wrestling Championships. The team is preparing to compete at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Portland, from Feb. 27 to March 1

The Dragons are ready to build on their conference success and make a run for state titles. The fire is lit — next stop, Portland!

PUBLIC RECORD

Information for the report comes from law enforcement agencies. Not all calls for service are included. The status of arrests reported may change after further investigation. Individuals arrested or suspected of crimes are considered innocent until proven guilty.

Dallas Police Department

Thursday, Feb. 13

At 3:08 a.m., a report of a disturbance on Main Street. It was a verbal argument between roommates.

At 5:07 a.m., a report of fraud on Thimbleberry Avenue. The victim had found an unauthorized transaction on their bank account.

At 9:44 a.m., a report of a crash between a small sedan and a city snowplow on Washington Street. There was no damage to the snowplow.

At 11:47 a.m., a report of a minor fender bender in the Grocery Outlet parking lot. An officer assisted with the information exchange.

At 12:09 p.m., an officer had a conversation with some teenagers on Allgood Street about how to drive in the snow.

At 1:22 p.m., a report of harassment on Walnut Avenue. It was a civil issue regarding belongings taken by an old roommate. They stated they would calm down and stop yelling.

At 3:37 p.m., an officer came upon children playing in the street on Uglow Avenue and advised them to not play in the street.

At 5:34 p.m., a report of a car doing donuts in the Lyle Elementary parking lot. An officer was unable to locate the car.

At 7:10 p.m., a report of a domestic disturbance on Mulberry Avenue. One individual was refusing to leave the residence.

Friday, Feb.14

At 2:58 p.m., a report of fraud on La Creole Drive. The insurance charges were likely a mix-up due to the other person having the same birth date.

At 3:43 p.m., a report of fraud on Ellendale Avenue. It was a bitcoin ATM scam.

At 8:45 p.m., a report of trespassing on Miller Avenue. The individual was housesitting for the owner.

At 8:59 p.m., a motorist was cited for failure to carry and present a license, driving while suspended, driving uninsured and failure to install an ignition interlock device.

At 10:05 p.m., a report of a suspicious vehicle on Heather Lane. The front driver’s side door was left open. The vehicle did not appear to have been gone through. The officer locked and closed the door.

At 10:23 p.m., a report of a disturbance on Walnut Avenue. It was a physical domestic disturbance.

Saturday, Feb. 15

At 2:25 a.m. Derick Ezekias was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of methamphetamine and reckless endangering. He was cited for refusing to take a drug test.

At 12:24 p.m., a report of suspicious activity on Applegate Trail Drive. The individuals were looking at rocks along the creek.

At 9:12 p.m., a report of a vehicle racing in the area and doing donuts in the intersection on Laurelwood Drive. An officer was unable to locate the vehicle.

Sunday, Feb. 16

At 10:26 a.m., a report of the theft of tools and a backpack on Kings Valley Highway.

At 11:10 a.m., a motorist was stopped for speeding 38 mph in a 25-mph zone. Due to printer problems, the

driver was let off with a verbal warning.

At 1:36 p.m., a motorist was cited for driving uninsured and given a verbal warning for expired tags.

At 1:46 p.m., a report of a suspicious vehicle on La Creole Drive. The vehicle left as an officer arrived. The suspect vehicle’s plates came back clear.

At 2:24 p.m., a report of a vehicle doing cookies in a cul-de-sac on Elmwood Drive. An officer was unable to locate the vehicle.

At 5:07 p.m., a homeless person on Ellendale Avenue was cited and released for trespassing.

At 10:20 p.m., a report of a suspicious vehicle on Academy Street. There was someone asleep in the car. An officer did not make contact.

At 11:10 p.m., a report of a domestic disturbance on Fairhaven Lane. There was no screaming or yelling coming from the home when officers arrived.

Monday, Feb. 17

At 3:53 a.m., a motorist on Miller Avenue was cited for failure to carry proof on insurance and given a written warning for failure to drive within the lane.

At 5:56 a.m., a motorist on Polk Station Road was cited for driving while suspended and given a written warning for speeding 38 mph in a 25-mph zone.

At 9:08 a.m., a motorist on Jefferson Street was given a written warning for driving while suspended, driving uninsured and speeding.

At 4:47 p.m., a report of fraud on Mulberry Avenue. The victim’s credit card had been used without their permission.

At 5:46 p.m., a homeless person was cited for possession of methamphetamine and trespassing at Rite Aid on Ellendale Avenue.

At 6:28 p.m., a report of three trucks doing donuts in a parking lot on Maple Street. They were gone when an officer arrived.

At 11:13 p.m., a motorist on Ellendale Avenue was cited for failure to carry and present a driver’s license, driving while suspended, driving uninsured and failure to register the vehicle.

Tuesday, Feb. 18

At 2:21 a.m., a report of suspicious activity on Main Street. A car alarm had been set off by a street sweeper in the parking lot.

At 3 a.m., a report of suspicious activity on Ellendale Avenue. A flatbed trailer piled with random items was left at the location. There was no VIN number or license plates.

At 7:17 a.m., a homeless person was trespassed from a location on Ellendale Avenue.

At 8:05 a.m., a report of an individual yelling near the aquatic center. They were gone when an officer arrived.

At 2:06 p.m., a motorist was cited for failure to carry and present a driver’s license, driving while suspended, failure to carry proof of financial responsibility, and speeding 41 mph in a 20-mph zone on Miller Avenue.

At 2:40 p.m., a motorist on Miller Avenue was cited for speeding 41 mph in a 20-mph zone.

At 3:17 p.m., a report of the theft of a scooter from the Walmart parking lot on Kings Valley Highway.

At 3:42 p.m., a report of a domestic disturbance on Augustus Drive. Jeremy Turner was arrested and charged with criminal mischief, reckless driving, disorderly conduct and failure to carry and present a driver’s license.

At 6:05 p.m., a report of a domestic disturbance on Uglow Avenue. Benjamin

Lantry was cited for harassment.

At 6:45 p.m., a report of a domestic disturbance on Uglow Avenue. It was a verbal disturbance.

At 7:50 p.m., a report of a domestic disturbance on Uglow Avenue. Micaela Steeley and Stephanie Steelie were cited for harassment.

Wednesday, Feb. 19

At 1:13 a.m., a report of a suspicious vehicle on Ellendale Avenue. An individual was sleeping in their vehicle waiting for an appointment in the morning.

At 10:40 a.m., a motorist was cited for failure to carry and present a driver’s license, driving while suspended, failure to install an ignition interlock device, driving uninsured and illegal alteration or display of a license plate.

At 2:38 p.m., a report of a three-vehicle blocking crash at the intersection on Levens Street. There were no injuries.

At 8:07 p.m., a report of a theft of a cell phone from Goodwill. The phone was located and the victim chose not to press charges.

At 10:32 p.m., a report of a suspicious vehicle on Howe Street. A vehicle had broken down and the driver was waiting for the tow truck.

Independence Police Department

Thursday, Feb. 14

Duane Andrew Bolton was arrested during a physical domestic argument and was charged with assault. He was taken to Polk County Jail.

Friday, Feb. 15

At 2:07 p.m., Calen

Thomas Harmon was arrested in the 1500 block of Monmouth Street after returning to a store he’d been trespassed from for shoplifting a day earlier. He was transported to the Polk County Jail.

At 8:01 p.m., officers responded to a verbal argument between neighbors on E Street and helped resolve the issue.

Saturday, Feb. 16

At 2:45 p.m., officers responded to a verbal argument over a handicapped parking place on E Street.

An officer responded to an intoxicated subject at an apartment complex on Gun Club Road. The subject, Ricardo Martinez Pantoja, provided a false name. Eventually the correct name was found, and a warrant was discovered. He was arrested on the outstanding warrant and was also charged with providing false information to an officer. He was transported to Polk County Jail.

Tuesday, Feb.18

Jason Jamieson Brown was arrested after continually returning to a residence that he’d been trespassed from. He was charged with criminal trespass and taken to Polk County Jail.

Wednesday, Feb. 19

At 3:10 p.m., a motorist was cited for using a cell phone while driving in a school zone on Monmouth Street.

At 4:53 p.m., a report of a theft of a traffic cone from the park on C Street.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office

Wednesday, Feb. 12

At 11:36 a.m., a report of fraud in the 2700 block of Independence Highway. The telephone scammers had the victim’s social security information, which caused the victim to believe it was a legitimate transaction. The deputy recommended reporting the scam to the FBI and the Internet Crime Complaint Center.

At 12:11 p.m., a report of a burglary in the 21000 block of Savage Road. A hole had been cut in a sheet metal wall and some property was missing.

At 3:16 p.m., a report of fraud in the 13900 block of McCaleb Road. The victim received an overdraft notice from a fraudulent check that had been cashed in Medford.

At 3:51p.m., a report of a homeless person’s belongings on the sidewalk on Hoffman Road and Broadway Street. The Monmouth Police knew who the owner was and would address it if they have not moved tonight.

At 6:32 p.m., a report of trespassing in the 10000 block of Airlie Road. Hunters were gutting a bull elk on the complainant’s property. The complainant decided to not press charges

At 7:25 p.m., a deputy responded to an alarm in the 1000 block of South Pacific Highway. The deputy found the gate locked and the perimeter secure.

At 9:21 p.m., a report of a vehicle in the field on the corner of Orrs Corner Road and Riddell Road. There was a note on the car with contact information. The driver had swerved to avoid a deer then got stuck in the soft soil. A deputy put caution tape and a do not call 911 sticker on the vehicle.

Thursday, Feb. 13

At 9:05 a.m., a report of a truck pulling a cattle trailer jackknifed in a ditch in the 8900 block of Hopewell Road. A farmer had used a trailer to pull the vehicle out. There were several other vehicles stuck that the deputy and neighbors helped get out.

At 4:14 p.m., a report of a domestic disturbance in the 4400 block of Palmer Road. There were no crimes reported. The deputy discussed the eviction process with the complainant.

At 11:46 p.m., a report of a crash on Highway 22 A vehicle had spun and lightly hit the guard rail on the overpass. The headlights were damaged but the vehicle was able to be driven over the overpass to the wider shoulder.

Friday, Feb. 14

At 6:20 a.m., a patrol car hit a cement barrier on Highway 22 due to icy conditions. The front bumper and push bar were damaged.

At 6:52 a.m., a deputy saw a car parked on Kings Valley Highway and Falls City Road with the trunk open and no one around. The deputy found the window broken and the car had been rummaged through. The vehicle owner reported it had been parked there due to the weather. They called back later to report that a fuel card taken from the vehicle was used at Pacific Pride gas station and they obtained a photograph of the suspect.

At 8:02 a.m., a report of a crash on Riddell Road. The vehicle was unoccupied with damage to the front driver’s side bumper and the front passenger window broken by a tree branch. A deputy was unable to contact the registered owners.

At 12:41 p.m., a report of an audible alarm in the 2100 block of 38th Avenue Northwest. Lights were on, but no one was there and there were no footprints in the snow to indicate anyone had been there recently.

At 4:50 p.m., a report of an injured deer in the 2000 block of Mistletoe Road. The deer was foaming from the mouth and bleeding from its nose and was dispatched.

At 6:54 p.m., a report of a driver that had fallen asleep in the Taco Bell drive through before driving off.

A deputy located the driver on Highway 22 and administered field sobriety tests. There was not probable cause for driving under the influence.

At 7:05 p.m., a report of a crash on Falls City Highway. The driver had failed to negotiate a turn because their brakes locked up. They had arranged a private tow from the field.

At 9:33 p.m., a deputy attempted to stop Christopher Iske for a violation of bicycle equipment. He fled from Wallace Marine Park on a trail. He was found later in the woods and charged with obstructing, escape and failure to register as a sex offender. He was lodged at Polk County Jail.

Saturday, Feb. 15

At 12:04 a.m., a deputy came upon a woman walking on the shoulder of Highway 22 with a car following her. The couple had a verbal argument and the woman decided to walk. They reported they did not need assistance and the woman had a phone to call if she needed help.

At 12:30 am., a report of a crash on Clow Corner Road at Highway 99. The driver showed no signs of impairment and was arranging a tow.

At 1:02 p.m., a report of a fight at the jail. Cierra Plettner was arrested and charged with harassment.

At 7:53 a.m., a report of an alarm at Pentacle Theatre.

A deputy traced the alarm to a septic tank capacity panel and silenced the alarm.

At 2:09 p.m., a report of a domestic disturbance on Highway 99. A woman was walking with a vehicle following. She reported an argument but nothing physical had happened. The driver showed signs of impairment and was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of an intoxicant.

At 7:19 p.m., a report of a vehicle driving without lights on Highway 22. A deputy contacted the registered owner who said they did not realize they did not have their lights on until another driver flashed their brights at them. There were no signs of impairment.

At 10:45 p.m., a noise complaint of loud music in the 7300 block of Wallace Road NW. The deputy advised the complainant that there is no noise ordinance in the county. The deputy stopped by the listed address and the property owner was hosting a wedding reception but agreed to turn the music down some.

Sunday, Feb. 16

At 11:11 a.m., a report of dogs running in the road on Ballston Road. The deputy was unable to locate the dogs.

At 11:14 a.m., multiple reports of a cow and two

calves in the road in the 3900 block of Perrydale Road. The owners showed up and were able to get them haltered and in a trailer. The owner’s children had left a gate open.

At 11:59 a.m., a report of a pop-up tent trailer that had been marked for tow was moved approximately ½ mile down the road. The deputy marked the trailer for tow.

At 12:33 p.m., a report of a large amount of trash dumped in a driveway by the creek on the 9800 block of Smithfield Road. There was mail with identifying information in the trash. The owners of the property listed on the mail had an empty dump trailer in their driveway. The homeowner reported their son had used the trailer to help clean up the property. The son had been contacted for similar incidents before. He was not there but there is probable cause for charges for offensive littering and deposit of trash within 100 feet of water.

At 1:17 p.m., a report of a semitruck on fire in the 700 block of South Pacific Highway. It was an electrical fire. People that were pressure washing in the area were able to put the fire out.

At 7:50 p.m., a report of an RV crashed on Perrydale Road. It was actually a truck pulling a fifth wheel. They had driven into the gravel and gotten stuck. The driver was cited for driving while suspended and a relative arranged to get the vehicle out of the gravel.

At 10 p.m., a report of a fight at Polk County Jail. One inmate had slapped another.

Monday, Feb. 17

At 2:18 a.m., a report of a crash in the 16400 block of Brown Road. The deputy saw a truck in the ditch in the area that was unoccupied. They were unable to contact the registered owner. The deputy placed a tow tag on the vehicle.

At 4:57 p.m., a report of a person slumped over in their vehicle on Highway 223

The driver was waking up when a deputy arrived. The driver was parked in their driveway and showed no signs of impairment.

At 5:14 p.m., a report of a theft of a bicycle in the 200 block of Church Street. There were no cameras.

At 10:09 p.m., while patrolling Wallace Marine Park the deputy came upon two people in a car. The male had a cite and release warrant from Salem and a protection order to stay 150 feet away from the female occupant. He was taken into custody for the protection order violation.

At 10:41 pm., a report of an assault at Polk County Jail. The victim was transported to West Valley Hospital. Michael Olson was charged with assault. Tuesday, Feb. 18

At 2:58 a.m., a deputy contacted a vehicle at Wallace Marine Park by the boat launch. The driver had the odor of alcohol and was extremely jittery, speaking rapidly with bloodshot eyes. He declined field sobriety tests and was arrested. On searching the vehicle they found needles, a baggie with a crystalline powder and a knife with a powdery substance that tested positive for methamphetamine.

At 9:02 p.m., a report of a domestic disturbance that happened around 6 p.m. on Firehall Road. The suspect had brandished a weapon and broken the victim’s phone. The suspect had left for the night and would not return until the morning. The deputy seized the weapon.

Dallas at Woodburn, 7 p.m. March 4

Crescent Valley at Central, 7 p.m.

Dallas at West Albany, 7 p.m.

Lady Dragons win district wrestling title

The Lady Dragons have taken the next step to establishing a wrestling dynasty at Dallas High School after dominating the field at the 6A/5A Special District 3 championships at McNary High School Feb. 21-22

Even though the Dragons had just three title winners, the team outscored the competition by an impressive amount, scoring 296 5 points, nearly 100 better than second-place finisher McKay.

Winning title matches were Polly Olliff at 115 pounds, Jenna Rogers at 145 pounds and Gabriella Dyer at 155 pounds.

Olliff’s accomplishments comes on the heels of winning a state titles last year at 110 pounds and as a junior and her first title as a sophomore year at 105 pounds.

Olliff got payback for her only loss of the season by

defeating Corvallis senior Jennifer Russell by a 9-0 major decision. Rogers, a junior, won by fall over Mariah Sullenger-Adams of North Salem, to win her first district title.

Dyer, a freshman,

Maya Hatten of Crescent Valley. Full team scores will be available later this week online.

PHOTO BY SMY PHOTOGRAPHY Y

END OF SECTION