Remodeling underway on new adult shelter in Monmouth
By LANCE MASTERSON For The Itemizer-Observer
A transitional shelter for adults who are homeless will open soon in Monmouth.
Remodeling of the former English Language & Culture Institute building is underway, with the first of 20 adult residents expected to move into the shelter in June, said Chaplain Matt Smucker, of Church at the Park.
The Monmouth Adult Shelter is across the street from the Western Oregon University stadium and parking lot.
“The outside of the property will be very similar to what is there now,” Smucker said. “It’s not like we’re tearing down all the walls and replacing them. The skeleton of the building will basically be what it is and what it has been.”
It’s the building’s interior that requires most of the attention.
“We’re doing a lot of work on the inside to get it up to code,” Smucker said. “Installing sprinklers is one of the big projects that the crew is working on, because it will be a 24-7 residence. And then, you know, other various fire and code things that are needed by the city.”
Installing new flooring and a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system are on the list. As are adding showers to residents’ bathrooms while also ensuring the shelter meets ADA requirements and is wheelchair accessible.
“We originally hoped to open in April, but got delayed a little bit (after) the construction crew got in and discovered the building needed a bit more work,” Smucker said.
An open house for the public is June 10
According to DJ Vincent, founding pastor of Church at the Park, the Salem-based organization is leasing the building from Dieter Weiner, of iHomes realty.
“The property was formerly an international school and has been converted into 10 bedrooms with offices and a common kitchen space,” Vincent said via email. “Up to 20 beds will be available for a combination of couples and singles.”
Each bedroom will be double occupancy.
Eligibility is limited to those with local connections.
“Vulnerable adults with ties to Polk County are eligible to stay here,” Vincent said.
Many more beds are needed to meet the current need. As of October, Polk County Family & Community Outreach was working with 142 individuals who were homeless. This number
FamJam packs in the pre-school festivities
By DAVID HAYES I-O Editor
When activities include Spiderman taking selfies with wide-eyed youth, fire fighters encouraging kindergartners to crawl through an obstacle course while keeping their firefighting helmet atop their head and prizes are handed out for carnival games of skill, it must mean FamJam has returned to the Polk County fairgrounds.
And those are just the events in the parking lot families pass by as they go inside to the main event on April 26
For about 10 years now the Polk County Fairgrounds have packed in education and family program providers within the region to help parents of pre- to kindergarten age students sign up.
“It’s a real, family fun event that is geared at talking to families and kids ages under the age of five,” explained Abby Warren, Polk County Community and Education Supervisor. “That also includes things like kindergarten registration, several service providers that serve families with young children. So it’s a real combination of resource connection, kindergarten registration and a lot of fun.”
At the front entrance, families are given bags that each organization hands out “swag” to the kids while on the sly informing the parents of what services are available. The bags are usually filled by the time families make the circuit of the dozens of vendor tables set up.
Warren said historically, FamJam attracts about 800 people, between adults and kids.
Among the regulars, like Polk County Family Community Outreach Department, Northwest Human Services, representatives from the Central and Dallas School District as well as the community schools, Warren said the new partnership this year to FamJam was Small Town Pediatrics.
“It is actually the first pediatric practice in Polk County, actually stationed inside our resource center building,” Warren said. “They helped us recruit some providers that really serve people that are prenatal and early postpartum. So they’ve expanded the range this year to
include families that are expecting children, which is kind of a new, cool feature.”
She said one measure of judgement staff use to determine how successful a FamJam is going is by the number of kids running around with popcorn, treats and a big smile on their face.
“We also anecdotally hear from the schools they get to connect with lots of families, as well as other community partners that are here,” Warren said. “What we’re seeing it’s tending to do what we hope it does which is getting people signed up.”
She added if any parents with children were unable to make it to the big FamJam event, each of their schools hold similar, smaller opportunities for registering and getting connected.
“And over the summer, we do several smaller scale pop ups that are geared toward connection and family fun,” Warren said. For more information, go to the Mid Valley Parenting Page on the Polk County Family Community Outreach Department website, https://sites.google.com/co.polk.or.us/ polk-county-family-community-o/ fco-programs.
Nonprofit Bambinos ready to hit the road with new BamBus
By DAVID HAYES I-O Editor
Most organizations host a ribbon cutting to a new location where the community can access their services.
On April 25, Bambinos held a ribbon cutting unveiling their new BamBus that will take their services on the road.
Executive Director, Glenda Dunaway, describes Bambinos as a prayerful nonprofit ministry that aims to reduce the stress in families with young children in our region.
They supply essential baby supplies, safety equipment, connections to community partnerships and “passionate support to those in need.”
They changed their mission statement because they’re expanding their services beyond Polk County.
The BamBus will help to provide those expanding services.
Bambinos has seen an increase of babies assisted in 2024 from 37 per month to 115 per month so far in 2025. Their expenditures to meet those needs have increased from between $2 000 to $3 000 a month last year to $5,000 a month this year. Dunaway cannot account for the increase in need Bambinos is meeting.
“Projections are pretty stiff, but they’re all things that are absolutely necessary to keep this ministry going with now a building and a bus,” Dunaway said.
Diapers, wipes and formula are atop their supplies those most provide. Dunaway said they draw in families providing these supplies then offer a pathway to other
services, from education to other services.
Dunaway said several years ago, their original vision she and
PHOTO BY DAVID HAYES
SW Polk Firefighter/EMTI Cade Rosenbum leads Angela James, 7, through an obstacle course during the annual FamJam at the Polk County Fairgrounds April 26. For more photos from the event, see page A8.
PHOTO BY DAVID HAYES
Unveiling the new BamBus April 25, Bambinos Executive Director Glenda Dunaway cuts the ribbon, held by founder Beth Jones (left) and former director Heather Seals.
Polk IO moving out of its city owned building
Staff
The Polk County ItemizerObserver is moving out of the office it leases from the City of Dallas due to the city’s need to expand its police department.
The newspaper will continue to be published each Wednesday, although beginning May 1 its employees will be working remotely from home offices or from other Country Media locations.
Country Media is the parent company of the ItemizerObserver and based in downtown Salem.
“Far fewer of our customers are coming into our local offices to do business,” said Country Media’s chief executive, Joe Warren. “Classified advertising and legal notices, obituaries and subscriptions increasingly are being placed online.”
Country Media owns nine community newspapers in Oregon and one in Northern California.
“Within our group of newspapers, we’re beginning to create a small number of hub locations where we can produce multiple publications,” Warren said. “In Tillamook, for example, we oversee news reporting and ad sales not only for the Headlight Herald, but also for our newspapers in Cannon Beach and Manzanita.”
Meantime, allowing certain numbers of its employees to work remotely “will make it easier for Country Media to recruit new workers and also to share resources within the company,” said Warren.
“It’s increasingly hard to recruit new employees and independent contractors to the small towns where we’re located,” Warren said. “Many of them now want to work remotely from home.
“As it is, all of the company’s accounting, circulation and human resources functions already are going through our central office in Salem, so this move will be of little disruption to our readers and advertising customers.”
Rock show vendors keeps on rollin’
By LANCE MASTERSON For The Itemizer-Observer
Sherry Spear was on a mission.
And this mission led her to the 68th Annual Willamette Agate & Mineral Society River of Gems Show, held at Polk County Fairgrounds.
Upon entering the building, Spear stopped at the first of many vendors she’d visit this day. She studied the treasures laid out before her as if an archaeologist at a prehistoric burial site.
For Spear, it was another day at the office.
“I’m looking for interesting stones, and just ideas and things because I do silversmithing. I also own a business that involves a lot of jewelry,” she said. “I make jewelry.”
Spear owns Spearit Beads & Company in Albany. She wanted to find that special something that would appeal to her customers, not to mention excite her artistic sense.
“Something unique. Unique colors. Unique types of stones, stuff that’s a little harder to get. Stuff that’s of a higher quality. Nice looking pieces,” she said. “I’m just open to something that catches my eye or catches my interest. Maybe something I haven’t seen, or I don’t see too often. Unique cuts, design ideas. Things like that.”
Chances were good she checked off a few items from her wish list. After all, the event drew some 40 vendors, and most, if not all, are known for quality. They came from as far north as Seattle and as far south as California.
Scott Blair, of Scott’s Rocks, made the trip from the Medford area. This was one of 18 stops he’ll make this year with inventory in tow.
His personal odyssey took him from zero boxes to more than 200 in one lifetime. Now, he’s in downsizing mode. He
hopes that within five years he’ll have found new and loving homes for his rocks, gemstones, etc. Excluding, of course, his personal collection.
“It’s always a mix of what you did as a kid and what you think you want to do as an adult,” he said of his passion. “I liked rocks as a kid, you know. I collected. I had fish fossils and glass slags.”
Blair’s interest in rocks, fossils and slags has spanned 60 years. There was a break or two along the way. He delved back into the hobby by collecting chips of petrified wood along the Pacific Crest Trail in southern Oregon.
“I thought, wow, that’s petrified wood, just laying here. What else could I find around here? So that restarted my interest,” he said. “The initial drive was just the curiosity of getting out and looking around to see what I could find, kind of hunter-gatherer style.”
The ‘wow’ factor of collecting hasn’t dissipated over the years.
“I migrated into a business. Over time, I started doing little flea markets and craft fairs and gem shows, like this,” he said. “After a while I didn’t get out in the field very much anymore. The whole thing had turned into a business.”
It’s been some 14 years since he first displayed at the Rickreall show. He’s since been to Arizona, California, Colorado and even New Jersey. Just your basic rocks and rollin’ show. “But my range is pretty much on the West Coast,” he added
The show’s long-time coordinator Ken Stubenrauch is stepping down. Taking over for him as co-chair are Jessica Suitsev and Bob Wheeler.
The Rickreall show is hosted solely by the Willamette Agate and Mineral Society. It has become well
known for good reason under Stubenrauch’s leadership.
“In this area, most of our club shows are pretty small, half this size, probably,” Suitsev said. “We have good vendors, and they have good items. The things our vendors are selling are hand-sculpted generally, and done by either the vendor or somebody in their network. A lot of these people also collect rocks.”
The show is in such demand, Suitsev added, that there’s another 40 vendors on the waiting list.
“They’ve heard that it’s a good show through word of mouth from other vendors and they want to get in,” Suitsev said of the show’s magnetism.
“(The show) just gives people a chance to come and see and purchase and enjoy the rock world.”
Unofficially, she added, paid attendance was down a bit this year. However, sales reportedly were keeping pace with previous shows, she added.
Suitsev was introduced to rocks, gemstones and minerals by a friend.
“I had a friend that showed me a fluorite, and I was l like, whoa, it changes color because it’s fluorescent. And then I got hooked. Ever since then, I’ve been self-collecting rocks. I make jewelry out of it,” she said. When it comes to collecting, Suitsey is willing to travel the extra miles. Her preference is sunstones, or Oregon’s gemstones, and her favorite hunting grounds are in the high desert near Plush. In this hobby, it appears, you go where your passion takes you.
her husband had was to sell everything, move into a bus and help with transitional housing and live in a homeless camp.
Then the COVID pandemic hit.
So for five years, they were staring at an ugly bus from their living room and kitchen windows.
But when the Bambinos board of directors started talking last year about their three-year and five-year plans, going mobile kept coming up. The solution was sitting in their front yard.
New to renovation project management, Dunaway said the board estimated painting the bus would cost about $1 000, labor about $1 250 and factored in some volunteer labor.
After they lost out on the volunteer labor, they reached out to professional body shops to provide estimates in the cost of painting the BamBus.
“They were like, well, we can’t even do it. The bus is too big,” Dunaway recalled.
“And the EPA won’t allow us to paint your bus without ventilation.”
So, they next reached out to a trucking company that had the facility for the job. They were shocked by the estimate they received - $28,000
“That was not even an option for us. I felt like a complete failure,” Dunaway said.
Bambinos was able to complete the renovation project thanks to contributions from Whites Collision paying for the paint and Roth Seed Manufacturing Company providing the ventilated barn and cherry pickers to complete the paint job.
“So, $754 and 154 volunteer hours, she got painted. Because the Lord works in mysterious ways,” Dunaway summarized.
Once the interior renovation was complete, the BamBus now features couches, a kitchen, a drop down desk, a composting toilet bathroom and a big storage area in the back to provide supplies for the needy families.
She invited the attendees at the celebration to join Bambinos to join a movement.
“Where we’re not just helping the people who can come to us. We’re helping people that need us to come to them,” she said.
Before the ribbon was cut, christening the new bus
into service, Polk County Commissioner Jeremy Gordon thanked everyone for attending.
“When my wife and I moved to Polk County 10 years ago, we were struck immediately by the connection of the community and how the community came together for folks in need,” he said.
The BamBus already has tour dates, with stops scheduled at Falls City Family Resource Center, the Grand Ronde Food Bank, Monmouth-Independence Polk County Resource Center and their first stop already at the FamJam at the Polk County Fairgrounds April 26
They have already scheduled events outside Polk County in McMinnville, Philomath and have most recently partnered with Church at the Park to administer to the homeless population that organization serves.
Picturing the BamBus in motion proved to be quite different than actually seeing it hit the road for real.
There was something about envisioning this moment for a year. Then seeing it come down here. It’s unreal. I’m pinching myself,” Dunaway said.
For more information about the organization, go to www. bambinosoregon.org.
Public notices – information local governments are obligated to provide citizens – are required to be published in local newspapers to provide a public record that’s accessible to everyone.
Public notices keep you informed about your government. But, Oregon legislators are trying to keep public notices from appearing in local newspapers. This severely impacts government transparency and, in turn, limits the public’s right to hold them accountable for their actions.
Let your state legislators know that you value being able to access notices in your newspaper and that they are worth the investment.
PHOTO BY LANCE MASTERSON
Scott Blair was one of 40 vendors at last weekend’s 68th Annual Willamette Agate & Mineral Society River of Gems Show. The event was held at Polk County Fairgrounds in Rickreall.
PHOTO BY LANCE MASTERSON
Add ‘googly eyes’ to anything and its instant cuteness.
MINET expands services to Falls City
By DAVID HAYES I-O Editor
Willamette Valley Fiber, a local municipal fiber-to-thehome provider of internet and voice services, keeps expanding access to broadband into previously unreachable rural areas.
On April 21, Falls City was added to the list of rural communities now with access to high speed internet.
Representatives from the company, the city of Falls City, the MonmouthIndependence Chamber of Commerce and from Polk County celebrated the expansion. MINET general manager PJ Armstrong said the new towers will provide access directly to Falls City homes, its community center,
the library, the school and the churches.
“We would have not been able to get into Falls City without the expansion grant that we got from the Polk County commission. It took us about a mile outside city limits. Then we were able to build through here and be able to service everybody along the main road and two blocks off it,” Armstrong said.
Polk County provided more than $1 million in American Rescue Plan Funds to help MINET set up broadband towers in South Dallas and Rickreall areas. More than 400 have signed up. Armstrong said that installation project funding required them to be finished by June this year. When that’s done, they’ll be assisting with installs that come up.
Representatives from Polk County and Falls City
April 21.
“The next thing we’re looking at is what else can we do here, that will be on our dime,
to extend the plan and serve people here?” he said.
City Council member Amy Houghtaling expressed hers
includes adults and children, families and single adults, Vincent said.
Thus, the coordinated effort to bring shelters to the area continues.
“Church at the Park partners with all other housing service providers
to find positive and permanent next steps towards stable housing,” Vincent said. “Church at the Park will ... provide shelter to those with ties to rural Polk County, prioritizing people who are most vulnerable.”
Key vulnerability factors identified include families with dependents, gender identity, age, chronic health conditions,
and those fleeing domestic violence.
The Monmouth shelter is for adults only, though couples with children can share a bedroom.
Remodeling began in March, and is being done in accordance with rules and regulations set forth by the city of Monmouth.
A shelter for families was opened earlier this
year by Church at the Park in Dallas.
All totaled, the church operates 270 beds in four transitional shelter communities for young adults, men, women and families. “Shelters are staffed 24-7 with a team providing case management, navigation and security, including team members with unsheltered life
and Falls City’s appreciation that so many people were able to come together to make
experience(s),” Vincent said. Such security measures, services and networking will be in place at the Monmouth shelter.
In January 2023, Gov. Tina Kotek declared a state of emergency in response to rising homeless numbers throughout the state. Oregon’s Department of Emergency Management along
with the Housing and Community Services partnered to lead this effort statewide. Vincent added that the Monmouth Adult Shelter has come to completion through the support of PATHS, city of Monmouth, Mid-Willamette Valley Homeless Alliance and the Governor’s emergency order.
high speed internet possible in the remote, rural town.
PHOTO BY DAVID HAYES
celebrate MINET’s expansion into the rural town
Cherish the Children Auction & Dinner returns May 8 to support Liberty House
Liberty House, the Children’s Advocacy Center serving Marion and Polk counties, invites the community to attend its Cherish the Children Auction & Dinner at 6 p.m. May 8 at the Salem Convention Center. The event supports Liberty House’s work with children and families facing concerns of abuse, neglect, trauma or grief.
“Cherish the Children is a powerful and joyful gathering,” said Eva Corbin, Board Chair.
The evening features a gourmet dinner, wine, dancing and exciting silent and live auctions, all to benefit children in our region.
Tickets are $100 per person or $750 for a table of 10 with all proceeds directly supporting Liberty House’s services and programs. Guests are encouraged to dress in spring cocktail attire.
“Cherish the Children is about more than fundraising; it’s about showing our community’s shared commitment to hope and healing,” said Alison Kelley, CEO of Liberty House. “We invite everyone to be a part of this mission, enjoy a beautiful evening, and help make a difference for children and families.”
Liberty House thanks its generous sponsors, including Platinum Sponsors: Scenic
Valley Farms, Rich Duncan Construction, Inc., Batteries Plus Bulbs, BMW of Salem, and Tomson Burnham; and Gold Sponsors: OnPoint Community Credit Union, Lithia Motors, Gatti Law Firm, and Mountain West Center for Community Excellence.To purchase tickets and learn more, visit: libertyhousecenter.org/ auction.
WOU announces winners of nature writing prize
Western Oregon University’s Write Place announced on April 25 the first annual Loie Bunse Prize for Nature Writing winners, which recognizes exceptional student writing that reflects a deep engagement with the natural world.
First prize was awarded to Aubrey Baker for the lyrical essay, Medusae, with an award of $300. Second prize went to Isabel Lesher for her imaginative short story, The Doe’s Body, with an award of $200 Baker, a senior majoring in English, described Medusae as a creative nonfiction piece rooted in personal loss and environmental imagery.
“My essay was inspired by the dreamy atmospheres of aquariums, the death of a good friend, and the concept of adaptation that is ever present in nature and
society. It was inspired by its subject matter,” Baker said.
Baker is currently working on a speculative fiction project involving a clandestine eco-terrorist cell of technological savants unraveling the mystery of a serial killer hundreds of years in the future in Anchorage, Alaska.
Lesher, a junior majoring in Theater, shared her inspiration behind The Doe’s Body. “Ever since I was little, I have loved the concept of miniature humans. Even in high school, I wrote a story about a tiny family that lived in a teacup,” Leshner said. “I wanted to use these little creatures to explore how nature uses us, how our organic matter becomes part of something eternal. All bodies are immortal.”
Lesher frequently writes about themes of womanhood and
motherhood, exploring the multitude of roles and responsibilities women carry.
The Loie Bunse Prize for Nature Writing is made possible through the generous support of Meta and Garth Bunse. Garth Bunse was also a final judge who shared praise for both pieces.
“It was a pleasure to read all the entries for the first annual Loie Bunse Nature Prize and to choose two standout pieces,” Bunse said. “Medusae was a well-crafted essay, richly lyrical even with its biological specificity. Meanwhile, The Doe’s Body was both a delightful and mournful adventure with surprises at each turn.”
Learn more about the Loie Bunse Prize for Nature Writing online at https://writeplace. org/2025-winners.
ODF responds to comments, finalizes state forests plans
JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media
The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) has finalized its Implementation Plans that describe revisions for the Astoria, Forest Grove, Tillamook, North Cascade, West Oregon, and Western Lane (including the Veneta and Southwest units) State Forests districts following a 30-day comment period that concluded March 21
The department received 28 different comments with many addressing multiple issues. The main areas public comments addressed were the draft Western State Forests Habitat Conservation Plan; forest management; forest health; wildlife; carbon storage and climate change; recreation, education and interpretation; and roads.
“Although we do not have the resources to directly respond to each individual commenter, we do read and consider each one and then summarize and group them into common areas to better address the comments received,” State Forests Division Chief Mike Wilson said. “We value the public process and comments we receive are the basis for modifications to our proposed plans.”
State forests provide social, economic, and environmental benefits
to Oregonians, and are managed under long-range forest management plans, mid-range implementation plans, and annual operations plans. Implementation plans describe forest management activities such as timber harvest targets, road construction and maintenance, reforestation and young stand management, recreation, aquatic habitat restoration, and protection strategies for species of concern. Implementation Plans typically cover a 10-year period. However, these revisions to the current Implementation Plans extends through fiscal year 2027 and maintains current forest management plan requirements,
reason Falls City gets resources is because we have amazing partners - MINET, Willamette Fiber, Polk County, MonmouthIndependence Chamber. Otherwise we just can’t do it on our own. We really rely on our partners and you guys have been great partners,” Houghtaling said. Representing the Polk County Commissioners, Chairman Craig Pope asked Armstrong what the competition looked like out in Falls City.
“The
updates new information on the district land base and forest resources, clarifies timber harvest targets, and incorporates the components of the draft Habitat Conservation Plan in order to cover the potential Habitat Conservation Plan approval timeline, the new Forest Management Plan and new Implementation Plan development timelines.
PUBLIC COMMETS SOUGHT FOR ANNUAL OPERATIONS PLANS
Through 5 p.m. June 3, Oregonians can weigh in on draft Annual Operations Plans for state forests on the Astoria, Forest Grove, Klamath
Armstrong explained that while Century Link is in Falls City, mostly it was Spectrum.
Pope clarified, pointing to a power pole across the street from the Fire Station. “It’s you and Spectrum up on that pole, right?”
“Yeah, that’s it,” Armstrong answered. “Spectrum, I know they offer a gig, but from what we
Falls, Tillamook, West Oregon, and Western Lane Districts.
These plans lay out on-the-ground activities expected to take place in the coming fiscal year. State forests by law must provide economic, environmental, and social benefits to Oregonians.
To achieve the legal mandate, these lands are managed to create healthy productive forests, high-quality habitat for native fish and wildlife, clean water, benefits and revenues to rural communities and timber related economies, as well as recreation and educational opportunities.
Overall management policies and management goals are established in long-range Forest Management Plans and Implementation Plans. Annual Operations Plans describe activities to achieve the policies and goals laid out in the longer-range plans. ODF is seeking input on the draft Annual Operations Plans summary documents, which can be viewed on the State Forests’ new Annual Operations Plans website.
Common topics in the Annual Operations Plan include:
• Timber harvest operations
• Recreation improvement and maintenance projects
• Forest road construction, maintenance, and improvements
understand they’re asking people to contribute to that. Based on the feasibility study we did, the level of service they get is not great.”
MINET’s technology, according to its website, can offer as much as 2 5 gigabytes per second.
• Reforestation/replanting and young stand management activities
• Habitat improvement for native species
• Invasive species management
The most useful input will speak to these specific activities and whether they are consistent with longer-range plans, offer suggestions to improve efficiency or effectiveness, correct errors, provide additional information, and are solution oriented. Activities that affect fish and wildlife habitat are reviewed by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, while operations that may affect threatened and endangered fish and wildlife habitat are shared with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
This year the department worked to improve communications by adding clarity in the documents provided, improved the website, and issued notification to private landowners that share a property line with a proposed operation.
ODF is offering several avenues to comment on Annual Operations Plans:
• Online comments can be submitted through ODF’s comments page
• Comments can be emailed to: odf. sfcomments@oregon.gov
• Comments can also be mailed to ODF Public Affairs, 2600 State St., Salem, OR 97310
The installation will provide service to everyone along Main Street and up to two blocks in either direction off the main road, Armstrong said.
So far, about 90 residents have access with another 360 targeted along the full main strip.
Community, Armstrong said, is what their local company is all about. He said MINET has 25 people providing service for 8,500 subscribers throughout Polk County.
“You’re calling in on the phone and always talking to the same customer service reps. You’re seeing the same technicians when they’re going out in the field. We really take that local part really seriously,” Armstrong said.
Tara Townley, Dallas Area Chamber of Commerce Program Manager, added MINET’s service fits right into their community mantra.
“The theme of the year for 2025 really seems to be accessibility,” said Townley.. “And this is huge for providing access for the Falls City Community.”
To learn more about MINET services, go to https://minetfiber.com.
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED
Aubrey Baker (right) won first place and Isabel Lesher second in Western Oregon University’s annual Loie Bunse Prize for Nature Writing contest.
The public commenting period is now open for state forest management annual operations plans that determine and describe individual timber sale locations and other forest activities for the next fiscal year.
OPINION
Guest Column
A mother is like no other
By CHRISTINE LAMB WHITE
She’s the only one you can be mad at easiest and be tolerated for it at the same time. Because she’s your mother.
She’s known you longer than anyone. She’s saved you from yourself. She’s the one you want when you’re in trouble. And she’s the one you swear to yourself you could do without.
What a mother would really like is if you would just wear the clothes she knows would look the best on you. A mother likes to get stains off your clothes, ever available to wash them for you. A mother cries when you leave in your beautiful prom dress. And a mother stays seated while the father takes the spotlight walking you down the aisle on your wedding day, all eyes watching.
Only a mother knows how to make that amazing bologna sandwich that will never taste quite the same the rest of your life made with your own hands. Only a mother will come to your house when you’re sick and all grown up, offering to do your dishes. Only a mother will help you out to her car after you’ve hurt your back and lay you down in the backseat where she’d already made a little bed, then drive you to Wendy’s for the greatest hamburger you’ve ever had.
Mothers have a sixth sense about them, targeting a lie from a mile away. Mothers know when you’re sneaking out on a forbidden date and round you up at the corner. Mothers know when you come home rosy cheeked just what’s been going on. Mothers even know when something’s wrong three thousand miles away.
Some days you will never forget the trip that you had with your mother; a day trip without a map ending up on a ferry ride you’d never been on, but she had as a young girl. Or the day when your mother called your Auntie and the two of them took you to the hospital in labor while making up baby names that interestingly included different versions of their own, all the way. Or when you found out later the story of when she left your alcoholic daddy when you were little but made the best of it for you saying the trip was going to be an
adventure where you’d get to have a steak dinner and fancy motel room in a town faraway, while her own heart was breaking.
Mothers are like coffee tables, durable and ready to shoulder all of life’s practicalities. Mothers are like reliable cars that go for miles without maintenance, and when they do break down, do it without you knowing about it. Mothers can fix up ugly houses and make a home out of almost anything. Mothers really just want to give you everything.
A mother will always see her child as a little girl or boy.
A mother can remember most anything that brought you joy.
A mother saves the cards you made for her. And a mother will love that bottle of stinky perfume you bought her with your own money once upon a yesteryears Mother’s Day.
Mothers can be hurt deeply but you won’t know of it until many years later. A mother will go without so you can have what you need. And a mother will rise to the occasion should anyone attack her child, suddenly finding courage to do some really amazing things.
Mothers have purses that hold everything you could ever need in them. Mothers remember extra coats when you forgot yours, and pack snacks you didn’t even know you were famished for.
Mothers will make the most interesting birthday cakes!
Many mothers are not artists, but are like Houdini in the way they work their magic for you. Suddenly that dress you really wanted appears. Suddenly that trip you were invited to comes together. And suddenly, there’s that compliment she gives you that means more than all the others in the world.
Mothers won’t be surprised when you call because they were already thinking of you.
Mothers will immediately send you that extra hundred bucks for a bill you can’t pay. And a Mother’s heartstrings are longer than any telephone wire 24 hours a day. Mothers are always waiting for something – and then instantly up for it when that something happens.
Mothers insist on keeping furniture nice and a clean house, while daughters promise themselves they will never be like them, and then they
are. Mothers will stay up all night doing things she couldn’t do during her busy day. And mothers must have invented the word multi-tasking hundreds of years ago.
A mother is a person who may stand on the sidelines of your busy life, but it’s knowing she’s there that makes for a solid ground going out in the world. When they say the nut doesn’t fall far from the tree, mothers kind of like it. And when daughters find themselves being like their mothers, most likely they will deny it and call their therapist.
When mothers get older and need help, it’s not natural for them to take it. When mother’s get hurt and become fragile, it’s confusing and hard to watch. When mothers are nearing their end of life, this is when hope floats, begging for more time. When mother’s start to fold up their tents, get tired and take lots of naps, even when you were watching a movie together, this is when daughters wish their mothers were young and spry again.
When a daughter becomes a mother to her mother and needs to ask for help, they feel guilty, even when it’s to care for themselves. When a mother tells her daughter how she watched her own mother fail and how it broke her heart a little more every day, you know how she feels. Because your heart is breaking too.
When daughters start to think about how they will live without their mother, this is when they realize a mother is like no other.
Christine Lamb White is an Independence/Monmouth Author and has been a contributing writer with her short stories within the memoir genre in books and newspapers.
FROM KING FEATURES WEEKLY SERVICE, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803
CUSTOMER SERVICE: (800) 708-7311 EXT.
MOMENTS IN TIME #12345_20250428 FOR RELEASE APRIL 28, 2025
CUSTOMER
• On May 12, 1896, New York City passed America’s first anti-spitting law in an effort to combat tuberculosis, imposing fines and even jail time on unruly protesters who demonstrated their discontent by expectorating on anti-spitting signs. By 1910, more than 2,500 arrests had been made.
• On May 13, 1846, in response to a request by President James Polk, the U.S. Congress declared war on Mexico. The conflict, which ended two years later with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, eventually cost the lives of 11,300 American soldiers and resulted in the annexation of lands that became parts of Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, California, Utah and Colorado.
• On May 14, 1998, legendary crooner, actor and show business icon Frank Sinatra died of a heart attack in Los Angeles at the age of 82. A heartthrob who married four times and divorced three, Sinatra’s career spanned more than five decades, including a notable comeback in the 1950s.
• On May 15, 1948, 3-year-old June Devaney of Blackburn, England, was abducted from the hospital where she was recuperating from pneumonia. After her body was found two hours later, the detective inspector assigned to the case ordered the fingerprinting of the more than 40,000 men residing in Blackburn, which took nearly three months but eventually led to the killer, who was convicted and executed later that year.
• On May 16, 1975, Junko Tabei of Japan became the first woman to summit Mount Everest. She later gained further fame as the first woman to scale all Seven Summits, the tallest mountains on each continent.
• On May 17, 2000, the final episode of “Beverly Hills, 90210” aired after 10 seasons.
• On May 18, 2012, Facebook held its initial public offering (IPO) and raised $16 billion. It was the largest technology IPO in American history at the time and third-largest IPO in the United States, after those of Visa and General Motors. When it went public, the social network was valued at $104 billion and boasted some 900 million registered users around the world.
© 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
Dallas seniors support new police station
As seniors living on a fixed income in Dallas, we support the new police station.
Our modest home’s assessed value will increase our property taxes by $7 80 a month. We can live with that to have a seismically sound, state of the art police station that will fit their needs for the next 50 years.
The new police station will be a twostory, free-standing building between City Hall and the Oddfellows building.
The facade will fit in with the Dallas Historic District and be a great addition to Dallas.
Join us in voting YES for the Dallas Police Station Bond.
Ann and David Hurd Dallas
ADA sidewalk project seems like wasteful spending
I am not from Dallas so it is not my money being spent. But I was in Dallas last week taking care of some business and saw a lot of handicap corners being put in where there weren’t any sidewalks.
This all may be part of some grand strategy that I don”t know about but it looks like another grand plan to waste people’s money.
Why doesn’t anybody ever question things like this?
John Hamstreet Grand Ronde
Support your Dallas police by approving new building bond
As a Dallas resident who cares deeply about public safety and equity, I’m writing to support the proposed police station bond.
Our police department currently operates out of crowded, outdated offices inside City Hall. Officers are scattered across different rooms, which slows communication, reduces efficiency, and limits their ability to respond quickly to emergencies. A real police station in downtown Dallas would bring the team under one roof and provide the modern space and tools they need to serve the community more effectively.
The facility would also include secure areas for evidence, interviews, and training. These are features that are standard in most departments but currently missing in our beautiful city. This isn’t just about convenience, it’s about ensuring professional, accountable, and effective policing.
This bond also represents an opportunity for Dallas to continue to build a department that serves
all of Dallas. Black, Indigenous, and our neighbors of Color, LGBTQIA2S+ neighbors, and others who have historically been underserved deserve a public safety system that is transparent, well-equipped, and trained to meet their needs with fairness and respect.
The project aligns with Dallas’s 2030 Vision for a safe, inclusive, and wellplanned city. Investing in a new station is a key step toward that future.
You can learn more www.dallasor.gov/ policestationbond, including the estimated cost to you.
I hope you’ll join me in voting yes on the bond and supporting a stronger, more inclusive Dallas.
Kristen Collins Dallas
Let’s support the new police station
A fine city is judged on many attributes, certainly one of them is services provided by fire, police and EMS.
To this point, it is difficult to recruit and retain good people, when their work environment in City Hall is not up to par. The crowding, poor briefing rooms, showers and changing areas, are clearly sub-par in Dallas. Our police officers deserve better, and are better motivated when their department is clean and has a pleasant environment.
C’mon and let’s support those who serve and protect us.
Ken Kentch, Dallas
BLM protesters are just wasting their
time
I think we’re tired of seeing BLM protesters.
I would like to say to the group of protesters that meet on Wednesdays at Main Street and Pacific Boulevard at the Carl’s Jr. parking lot that you look like a bunch of idiots standing up for a group that was corrupt and taking advantage of people just like you.
Patrisse Cullors started this group in 2013 and has been getting rich off people (white liberals such as yourself) and taking that money and paying for houses in rich white neighborhoods for not only herself but for her family. She also hired professional security to protect these properties when in fact she and BLM wanted to defund the police. The money she brought in never once helped make African American lives better. The only lives she bettered was herself and her family off the backs of liberals who for some reason have nothing better to do on a Wednesday afternoon.
For the two individuals who wear masks,
Letters to the Editor
you’re either 1) afraid to show your face due to being recognized or 2) you actually still think you will acquire COVID while outside. You want to help better African Americans? Then why don’t you help Jerome raise money for the food bank. Then again, you probably don’t know who Jerome is.
Jake Dutton Independence
Vote yes for new building for Dallas Police Department
A new updated police station is the most cost effective way to ensure safety in our community. We have a very low crime rate and our emergency agencies work well together and will continue with a new,
updated police station. Please vote yes. Jayne Weis and family Dallas
Cheaper trash service is not always better
I read with concern the letter “Expanding Landfill Cheaper Than Shipping Trash Out of State” in the April 23 I-O Letter.
While I admit the subject of solid waste disposal is complex and frustrating, this letter was full of hype, skewed information, and questionable logic. To clarify, the “268 million tons” figure was the TOTAL of municipal solid waste (MSW) generated in the U.S. in 2017 139 million tons, or 52 1%, were landfilled. The rest was recycled or composted. Polk County’s share of landfilled
MSW was 73,000 tons in 2021
If the Coffin Butte landfill is closed due to reaching its capacity, the MSW from Polk County would most likely go by rail to Arlington, Oregon, not out of state. The writer’s statement “Shutting it (the incinerator) down would … mean taking power away from the cops” is absurd.
The writer states that you should support the idea of reopening the incinerator in Brooks and expanding the Coffin Butte landfill in Benton County.
The incinerator, the only one in Oregon, was releasing toxic chemicals into the environment. The landfill will eventually be full and has been under scrutiny for groundwater pollution and methane emissions.
Wouldn’t it be better to support increased recycling and composting, making
packagers responsible for more environment-friendly packaging, and increased penalties and oversight for polluters; in addition to seeking better landfill options?
If we choose “cheaper” as the basis for decisions involving our environment, are we doing the right thing? Probably not. Joseph Koubek Dallas
The price is right for new police station
Only $10-$20 a month for a much needed police station in Dallas? Why, yes! Our police need a sufficient place to operate. It’s not getting any cheaper and the time is now.
Leanna Deters Dallas
HEALTHCARE CAREER FAIR
PHOTOS BY DAVID HAYES
WOU ATHLETICS
The Western Oregon baseball team scored five runs in the final two innings - including getting a two-run walk-off single from Randy Stultz on Senior Day - to take game two 9-8 over Montana State Billings on Saturday after dropping game one 11-1 on Saturday at WOU Baseball Field.
With the split, the Wolves now sit at 11-17 in GNAC play - two games back of Central Washington for the third-and-final spot into the GNAC Championships with four games left.
WOU travels to take on last-place Saint Martin’s next week while Central Washington goes to MSU Billings. Since CWU owns the head-to-head tiebreaker (the Wildcats were 6-2 against WOU this season), the Wolves will either need to sweep Saint Martin’s and CWU go 1-3 or 0-4 against
MSUB, or go 3-1 versus SMU and CWU 0-4 against MSUB for WOU to leapfrog the Wildcats into the final GNAC postseason spot.
WOU gave itself a better chance by rallying in Saturday’s second game against the Yellowjackets (2816, 19-9). Down 7-2 heading into the bottom of the fourth, a Tyler Mohler RBI double and a Darin Chapman RBI single cut the MSUB lead to three.
The score remained that way into the sixth when the Wolves’ Trey Nelson hit an RBI single before Zane Garvey came through with a two-out, two-strike two-run double just inside the left field line to tie the game 7-7
MSUB regained the lead in the top of the seventh and looked to close the game out before back-to-back singles by Collin Irwin and John Oleson to start the inning got the Wolves rolling. A wild pitch moved the runners to
second and third before a two-run, pinch-hit single by Stultz walked it off for the Wolves.
Irwin finished 2-for-4 with a triple, two RBI and a run for the Wolves while Nelson was 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs. Bryce Bond - who
set the WOU all-time record for pitching appearances with 64 in the second game - was dominant in relief. The senior went four innings and gave up an unearned run on two hits with five strikeouts and no walks to pick up the win.
In game one, the contest was tied 1-1 after Garvey hit an RBI single in the third. But MSUB scored three on the fourth and cruised from there for the 11-1 win.
WOU opens its series with Saint Martin’s 1 p.m. Thursday.
Members of the Dallas / Perrydale Oregon High School Equestrian
before
Equestrian Team ranked third in North Valley District
By ALICE PENDER
The Dallas / Perrydale Oregon High School Equestrian Team, under the leadership of the coaches Bob and Michelle Garrison, is ranked third in the North Valley district of the state. The state meet is May 8-11 at Redmond, and eight of the athletes qualified to compete at the state level in 12 of the different events.
OHSET is dedicated to promoting and organizing equestrian competition in high school athletic programs, and foster sportsmanship, horsemanship and teamwork in Oregon youth. The teams compete in gaming events like barrels, pole bending, individual flags, figure 8 and keyhole. English riders shine in the dressage, hunt seat and saddle seat events. Cow sorting, steer daubing, reining, and trail competition highlight the western way of life.
Dallas / Perrydale OHSET also performs in the six person free style Drill Team event, and proudly displays the orange and black of Dallas High while cantering in formation, performing exciting patterns, and often racing toward each other and threading the horses through each other in suicide weaves.
2025 Oregon ocean salmon seasons adopted
JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media
The Pacific Fisheries Management Council (PFMC) has finalized the 2025 ocean salmon seasons including ocean waters off Oregon,
according to the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Department (OFWD).
Recommended salmon seasons are not official until final approval by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce,
which the ODFW said is expected by May 16, and after adoption by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission for waters within three nautical miles of shore.
The ODFW said recreational and commercial fishing opportunity varies by area and time. The recreational all-salmon except coho season opened from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain on March
15 and Chinook retention will be allowed through mid-July and during September and October.
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED
WOU’s Darin Chapman turns a double play against MSU Billings on April 26 in Monmouth.
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED
Team enjoy a moment in the sun at Linn-County Fairgrounds
participating in the events of Meet #3. Members are (from left) Randi Ross, Brooklyn Wright, Malei Anderson, Savana Petty, Lilli Jones, Lilly Foster, Alyssa Pederson, Addy Casalegno, Maddie Russell, Jacie Brown, Lexi Merkel (Perrydale), Katara Yoder, Hannah Garrison, Kylie Tish (Perrydale) and Annie Dunkin.
PAGES OF THE PAST FLASHBACK
50 years ago
April 30, 1975
Impasse called over contract negotiations
An impasse in negotiations between the Dallas School Board and the Dallas Education Association was called by DEA last week. The board and negotiations committee of DEA have not reached an agreement on a number of items including: grievance procedure, teacher work year, teaching hours and teaching load, contracted services, teaching conditions, non-teaching duties, vacancies, transfers and promotions, reduction in staff, teacher evaluation, complaint procedure, association membership, professional compensation, fringe benefits, specialists, miscellaneous provisions, duration of agreement and management rights.
Polk supports Greenway bill
During their regular Tuesday board meeting, Polk County Commissioners this
week passed a resolution endorsing Governor Staub’s Willamette Greenway bill HB 3225. In their resolution the commissioners stated that “the segment of the Willamette River bordering Polk County and the riparian (riverbank) property related... to the ‘Greenway’ represents a vital scenic and recreational resource.” The resolution also pointed out that existing agricultural use on the Greenway is “consistent with the preservation of scenic resources and also deserving of protection as an economic resource.
Dallas girls win again
Although rain fell throughout most of the track meet Thursday, April 24, it didn’t dampen the girls track team performances. The lady Dragons beat the female Fisherman 61-47. A fine first place performance was turned in by the Dallas girls 440 relay team, composed of Nellie Metcalf, Carolyn Hodge, Melinda Hulse, and Dena Turner.
40 years ago
May 1, 1985
CSD, pastor offer views on hearing
Almost six months later, a custody case involving 15 children taken from a West Salem religious establishment concluded last week. Judge Darrell Williams placed eight of those children under the jurisdiction of the Polk County juvenile court, which means they will remail in foster care. The case began
after a child from the Good Shepherd Tabernacle alleged parents there were inflicting harsh discipline on their children.
Local wineries ask county for signs to attract tourists
It’s “tantamount to a scavenger hunt” when tourists try to find local wineries, says Thomas Dumm of Glen Creek Winery. Dumm and other area winery owners have started an effort to correct that problem by putting up “tourist-oriented
Two PCSO deputies graduate from DPSST
direction signs” on county roads. With representatives from two other Polk County wineries, Dumm told county commissioners at their April 24 meeting that people are “getting lost up in the hills” looking for wineries. Commissioners didn’t approve the request, but asked County Surveyor Ralph Blanchard to work with the county’s Planning Department and county Legal Counsel to draw up an ordinance within the next two weeks.
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED
Deputy Chris Rech (left) and Sheriff Mark Garton attended the DPSST graduation ceremony April 18 for deputies Kiyo Long and Brock Strader.
Sgt. Michael Redding retires from PCSO after 25-year career
PHOTO PROVIDED
Sgt. Michael Redding
TOWN CRIER
Community Calendar April 30 - May 7
Wednesday, April 30
7 a.m. - Monmouth Library Board meeting, Monmouth Public Library, 168 Ecols St. S.
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 a.m. - 4-Handed Pinochle/Card/Table Games, Dallas Area Senior 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. - Mah-Jongg, Dallas Area Senior Center
11 a.m. - Lunch with Meals on Wheels, Monmouth Senior Community Center
12 p.m. Watch Repair & Knife Sharpening, Monmouth Senior Community Center
1 p.m. - Ten Minute Writing, Monmouth Senior Community Center
4 p.m. - Volunteer Appreciation Dessert, Monmouth Senior Community Center
5:30 p.m. - Municipal Court Arraignments, City Hall, 555 South Main St., Independence
6:30 p.m. - Independence Budget Committee meeting, Heritage Room, Event Center, 555 Main St.
Thursday, May 1
8 a.m. - Yoga, Monmouth Senior Community Center
10 a.m. - Cards/table games, Dallas Area Senior Center
10 a.m. - Friends of the Independence Library used book sale
10 a.m. - Calvary Chapel Dallas Sewing and Craft group meeting, 628 SE Jefferson 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.
10:30 a.m. - Children’s Storytime, for ages 5 and under, Dallas Public Library, 950 Main St.
11:10 a.m. - Low Impact Exercise, Dallas Area Senior Center
12 p.m. - Pinochle, Monmouth Senior Community Center
12 p.m. - 10-Minute Writing/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, May 2
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/ 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
4 p.m. - Youth Coding League, Independence Public Library, 175 Monmouth St.
6 p.m. - Live Music: CantNeverCould, Red Gate Winery, 8175 Buena Vista Road, Independence
6:30 p.m. - Acoustic Music Jam, Guthrie Park, 4320 Kings Valley Highway S.
7 p.m. - Music of the West African Kora presented by Sean Gaskell, Monmouth Public Library, 168 Ecols St. S.
Saturday, May 3
8:30 a.m. - Friends of the Senior Center Pancake Breakfast, Monmouth Senior Center, 180 S Warren
St.
9 a.m. - Monmouth Garden Club Annual Plant Sale, Monmouth Public Library, 168 Ecols St. S.
9 a.m. - Dallas Farmers Market, County Courthouse Square
10 a.m. - Brunk Farmstead Tours, 5705
Salem Dallas Highway NW
6 p.m. - Live Music: Caught Dead Handed, Red Gate Winery, 8175 Buena Vista Road, Independence
7 p.m. - Live Music: Dave Upton, Golden Hop Saloon, 133 C. St., Independence
Sunday, May 4
2 p.m. - Live Music: Orvil Ivie, Red Gate
Community Briefs
4, to pay a new dishwasher, supplies and other program improvements, at 295 W Ellendale Ave., in Dallas.
Winery, 8175 Buena Vista Road, Independence
Monday, May 5
8 a.m. - Yoga, Monmouth
Senior Community Center
9 a.m. - Stretch Exercise, Monmouth Senior Community Center
9 a.m. - Trip to Woodburn Tulips, meet at Monmouth Senior Community Center
10 a.m. - Cards/table games/5 Crowns Game, Dallas Area Senior Center
10 a.m. - Cribbage/ASL Class/Card Making with Jen/Lunch with Meals on Wheels, Monmouth Senior Community Center
11 a.m. - Card Making w/Jen, Monmouth Senior Community Center
11 a.m. - Lunch w/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
4 p.m. - Dallas Public Works Committee meeting, City Hall, 187 Court St.
4 p.m. - Youth Coding League, Independence Public Library, 175 Monmouth St.
6 p.m. - Dallas City Council Work Session/meeting at 7 p.m., 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, May 6
8 a.m. - Yoga, Monmouth Senior Community Center
9 a.m. - Wii Bowling, Monmouth Senior Community Center
9 a.m. - Friends of Delbert Hunter Arboretum meet at the arboretum center, in the center of Dallas City Park, to maintain arboretum grounds
9:30 a.m. - Walking Club, Monmouth Senior Community Center
10 a.m. - Cards/Table Games, Dallas Area Senior Center
10 a.m. - Cooking Class, Monmouth Senior Community 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. - Circle of Friends, Dallas Area Senior Center
10:30 a.m. - Family Storytime, for ages 3-5 Monmouth Public Library, 168 Ecols St. S.
11 a.m. - Caring for Caregiver Workshop, Monmouth Senior Community Center
11:10 a.m. - Low Impact Exercise, Dallas Area Senior Center
12 p.m. - Pinochle, Monmouth Senior Community Center
1 p.m. - Bunko, Dallas Area Senior Center
5:30 p.m. - Dallas Urban Renewal District Advisory Committee meeting, CIty Hall, 187 SE Court St.
6:30 p.m. - Monmouth City Council meeting, City Hall, 151 Main St W
Jeep and Java meetup is May 3
Noverlanders Cole and Salem Jeepers present a Jeeps and Java meetup from 7:308:30 a.m. May 3 at Bugles Espresso, 446 Pacific Ave. S., in Monmouth.This is a very informal meetup with a possible half-day trip into the Coast Range trail system. Meet Behind Bugles Coffee in the Bi-Mart parking lot.
Exploration Center LLC hosts a clothing swap fundraiser May 4
The Exploration Center LLC hosts a clothing swap fundraiser, at 3 p.m. May
Wednesday, May 7 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 a.m. - 4-Handed Pinochle/Card/Table
SW Polk Fire District hosts pancake feed May 4
The SW Polk Fire District hosts a pancake feed from 7-11 a.m. May 4 at their Rickreall Station, 9105 Rickreall Road. There will also be fire engine rides. No ticket purchase is necessary. Donations will be appreciated.
Polk County Democrats meet via Zoom May 8 The Polk County Democrats meet at 6:15
See BRIEFS, page B8
However, from June 7 onward, when Chinook retention is allowed, anglers may keep only one Chinook as part of the two salmon per day bag limit. For the month of October, the daily bag limit is reduced to one salmon and the open area will be limited to shoreward of the 40-fathom management line. From Humbug Mountain to the Oregon-California border, the Chinook retention period is open mid-May through early June and reopens the very end of June through midJuly. During both periods, the daily bag limit is two salmon,
though only one may be a Chinook in the latter opener.
From Cape Falcon to the Oregon - California border, mark-selective coho retention is allowed early June through late August or until the marked coho quota of 44,000 is reached. For the month of September, from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain, an allsalmon season will occur with a 30,000 non-marked-selective coho quota.
Oregon ocean commercial salmon fisheries from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain will continue through the end of May and again from September through the end of October, with a non-mark-selective coho fishery and a 7,500 coho quota during the month of September. From Cape Falcon to the Heceta
Bank management line, the fishery will be open in the latter parts of June and July for all salmon except coho.
The area between Humbug Mountain and the OR/CA border will be open for the last two weeks of April only.
Conservation concerns based on the low forecasts for both Sacramento and Klamath River fall Chinook salmon stocks were the primary constraints on Chinook fisheries south of Cape Falcon, Oregon, according to the ODFW. More abundant Columbia Basin hatchery coho salmon and Oregon Coastal natural coho abundances will allow for good fishing opportunities this year, the agency stated in a release.
The Columbia Basin hatchery stock is forecast to be about 70 percent of last year’s
actual return but 125 percent above the 2024 pre-season forecast. Federally listed lower Columbia River coho are forecast to be less abundant compared to the 2024 pre-season forecast, but still above recent historical average. The Oregon Coastal natural coho stock forecast is the largest since 2012
Management Objectives for Southern Resident Killer Whales
The Council worked collaboratively with NMFS to understand the effects of Councilarea fisheries on Southern Resident killer whales, which are listed as endangered. Based in part on information provided by the Council’s ad-hoc Southern Resident Killer Whale Workgroup, the Council amended the Pacific Salmon
Fishery Management Plan to address the needs of the whales while providing salmon harvest opportunities. As part of the amendment, the Council adopted a Chinook abundance threshold for the north of Falcon area, below which additional action (management measures) would be required when considering ocean salmon seasons. The threshold value is 623,000 Chinook. The Chinook abundance is projected to be well above this threshold in 2025
Management Process
“This year’s West Coast Ocean salmon fisheries were developed through close collaboration among the Council, its advisors, fishery stakeholders, and the public,” Pacific Fishery Management Council
Executive Director Merrick Burden said. “The adopted seasons reflect the valuable input we received from fishing communities—balancing their needs and priorities with the critical goal of giving struggling salmon populations a chance to recover.”
The Council developed three management alternatives in early March for public review and further analysis.
The review process included input from Tribal, Federal, and state fishery scientists and fishing industry members; public testimony; and three public hearings hosted by the Council. At its April meeting (April 11-15), the Council consulted with scientists, heard public comments, revised preliminary alternatives as necessary, and chose a final alternative.
The decision must be approved by NMFS. Coastal states will adopt fishery regulations for state-managed waters that are compatible with the Council’s actions.
Council Role
The Pacific Fishery Management Council is one of eight regional fishery management councils established by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976 for the purpose of managing fisheries 3-200 miles offshore of the U.S. coastline.
The Pacific Council recommends management measures for fisheries off the coasts of California, Oregon, and Washington.
Read more about the Pacific Fishery Management Council’s adopted recommendations at www.pcouncil
PUBLIC NOTICES
PCIO25-1153 Public Sale
Rickreall Mini Storage 10255 Rickreall Rd, Rickreall, OR 97371
503-623-0900 ONLINE
AUCTION Will Be Held On 6/7/2025 At www. storageauctions.com
Units To Be Sold As A Whole ALL SALES CASH ONLY Debra Grote B-99
PCIO25-1154 Notice of Self Storage Sale Please take notice IN Self Storage - Salem Wallace located at 300 Musgrave Ave., NW Salem OR 97304 intends to hold a sale to sell the property stored at the Facility by the below list of Occupants whom are in default at an Auction. The sale will occur as an online auction via www.storagetreasures. com on 5/21/2025 at 10:00AM. Shadi Qarmout units #007 & #176; Tommy Grider unit #137; Serena Watts unit #5001; Kimberly Brusse unit #5039. This sale may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Certain terms and conditions apply.
PCIO25-1155 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF POLK PROBATE DEPARTMENT In the Matter of the Estate of: SALLY CRUCKSHANK, Deceased. Case No.:
25PB03362 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS Notice: The Circuit Court of the State of Oregon, for the County of Polk, has appointed Linda L. Griffith as Personal Representative of the Estate of Sally Cruckshank, deceased. All persons having claims against said estate are required to present the same, with proper vouchers to the Personal Representative, c/o Stan Butterfield, P.C., Attorney at Law, 605 SW Church St, Dallas, OR 97338, within four months from the date of the publication of this notice as stated below, or they may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by this proceeding may obtain additional information from the records of the court, the Personal Representative, or the Attorney for the Personal Representative. Date published April 30, 2025. Linda L. Griffith, Personal Representative c/o Stan Butterfield, P.C. Attorney at Law 605 SW Church St, Dallas, OR 97338 Telephone: (503) 623-2427 Email: stan@ stanbutterfield.com
PCIO25-1156 NOTICE OF BUDGET COMMITTEE
MEETING FOR POLK
EXTENSION SERVICE
DISTRICT A public meeting of the Budget Committee for Polk Extension Service District will be held in the Main Conference Room of the County Courthouse at 11 :00 a.m., on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the budget for fiscal year July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026 and to receive the budget message and document. Time is reserved for public comment at 11: 15 a.m. A copy of the budget document may be inspected or obtained on or after May 9, 2025, at the Board of Commissioners’ Office, Polk County Courthouse, during regular business hours. This is a public meeting where deliberation of the Budget Committee will take place. Any person may appear at the meeting and discuss the proposed budget with
the Budget Committee.
Dated: April 23, 2025
PCIO25-1157 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE STATE OF OREGON COUNTY OF POLK IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: LINDA JEANNE NUGENT, Deceased. Case No.: 25PB03681 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed Personal Representative for the Estate of Linda Jeanne Nugent All persons having claims against the estate are required to present them, with vouchers attached, to the undersigned Personal Representative at c/o The Law Office of David Johnson; 117 Commercial Street NE, Suite 275; Salem, OR 97301 within four months after the date of first publication of this notice, or the claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings may̷? obtain additional information from the records of the Court, the Personal Representative, or the lawyers for the Personal Representative, David Johnson, 117 Commercial Street NE, Suite 275; Salem, OR 97301. Dated and first published on April 30, 2025. William Kyle Nugent Personal Representative
PCIO25-1158 Notice of Budget Committee Meeting A public meeting of the Budget Committee of the Falls City School District, Polk County, State of Oregon, to discuss the budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, will be held at 111 N Main St, Falls City, OR. The meeting will take place on May 19th at 5:30 p.m. A second meeting, if needed, is scheduled for May 29th at 5:30 p.m. A third meeting, if needed, is scheduled for June 3rd at 5:30 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to receive the budget message and comments from the public on the proposed budget. A copy of the budget document may be inspected or obtained on or after May 19th at 111 N Main St, Falls City, OR, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
PCIO25-1159 NOTICE OF BUDGET COMMITTEE
MEETING A public meeting of the Budget Committee of the Monmouth Urban Renewal Agency, Polk County, State of Oregon, to discuss the budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026 will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at 6:30 pm at Monmouth City Hall, located at 151 Main St W, Monmouth, Oregon. The purpose of the meeting is to receive the budget message, and to receive comments from the public on the budget. This is a public meeting where deliberation by the Budget Committee will take place. Any person may appear at the meeting, or send comments in advance for the purpose of discussing the proposed programs with the Budget Committee, by contacting Susie Marston, Finance Director at smarston@ ci.monmouth.or.us.
A copy of the budget document may be obtained on or after April 29, 2025 by calling 503838-0722 between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm Monday through Friday or online at the City’s website.
Up to three more public meetings related to the budget may be held, if needed, using the same venues and time on Thursday, May 8th, Tuesday, May 13th and Thursday May 15th, 2025. Any additional meeting dates will be announced at these meetings when known. Additional meeting information can be found on the City’s website, https://tinyurl. com/3staaekd.
PCIO25-1160 PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE City of Monmouth - Uses of State Revenue Sharing for Fiscal Year 20252026 May 6, 2025 at 6:30pm A Public Hearing concerning possible uses of State Revenue Sharing funds to be received for fiscal year July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026 will be held before the City of Monmouth Budget Committee on May 6, 2025 during their meeting which will begin at 6:30 p.m. Members of the public may attend this hearing: · via computer, tablet and/or phone (online GoToMeeting links and dial-in will be provided on the agenda to be posted on the City’s website by April 30, 2025); OR · in person at the Monmouth City Hall at 151 Main St W, Monmouth, Oregon. The public is invited to comment on the possible uses of State Revenue Sharing funds. Written testimony can be mailed in advance to City of Monmouth, Attn: Susie Marston, Finance Director, 151 Main St W., Monmouth, Oregon, 97361, or emailed to smarston@ ci.monmouth.or.us.
PCIO25-1161 NOTICE OF BUDGET COMMITTEE
MEETING A public meeting of the Budget Committee of the City of Monmouth, Polk County, State of Oregon, to discuss the budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026 will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at 6:30 pm at Monmouth City Hall, located at 151 Main St W, Monmouth, Oregon. The purpose of the meeting is to receive the budget message, and to receive comments from the public on the budget. This is a public meeting where deliberation by the Budget Committee will take place. Any person may appear at the meeting, or send comments in advance for the purpose of discussing the proposed programs with the Budget Committee, by contacting Susie Marston, Finance Director at smarston@ ci.monmouth.or.us. A copy of the budget document may be obtained on or after April 29, 2025 by calling 503-838-0722 between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm Monday through Friday or by viewing online at the City’s website. Up to three more public meetings related to the budget may be held, if needed, using the same venues and time on Thursday, May 8th, Tuesday, May 13th and Thursday May 15th, 2025. Any additional meeting dates will be announced at these meetings when known. Additional meeting information can be found on the City’s website, https://tinyurl. com/32aj6b7w.
PCIO25-1163 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF POLK PROBATE DEPARTMENT Case No. 25PB03723 In the Matter
of the Estate of SUSAN M. NUETZMAN, Deceased. NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Logan Schomus has been appointed Personal Representative of the Estate of Susan M. Nuetzman. All persons having claims against the Estate are required to present them, with vouchers attached, to the Personal Representative at: PO Box 12814, Salem OR 97309, within four (4) months after the date of first publication of this notice, or the claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings may obtain additional information from the records of the Court, the Personal Representative, or from the Attorney for the Personal Representative. Dated and first published: April 30, 2025. s/ Andrew W. Sprauer Andrew W. Sprauer, OSB #081245 Attorney for Personal Representative PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE: Logan Schomus 708 NW Douglas St. Dallas OR 97338 ATTORNEY FOR PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE: Andrew W. Sprauer, OSB No. 081245 Andrew Sprauer Law PO Box 12814; Salem OR 97309 Telephone: (503) 9102050 Email: andrew@ awslawyer.com
PCIO25-1151 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF POLK Probate Department Case No. 24PB10109 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS In the Matter of the Estate of Neal Paul Kleinsmith, Deceased. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Lori L. Shafer has been appointed as the personal representative of the above estate. All persons having claims against the estate are required to present them to the undersigned attorney for the personal representative at 388 State Street, Suite 470, Salem, Oregon 97301, within four months after the date of first publication of this notice, or the claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings may obtain additional information from the records of the Court, the personal representative, or the attorney for the personal representative. Dated and first published on April 30, 2025. David A. Bearman, OSB# 170854 Attorney for Personal Representative 388 State Street, Suite 470 Salem, Oregon 97301 david@ bearmanlawoffices. com Tel (503) 363-4459 Published April 29, 2025 Lori L. Shafer Personal Representative PCIO25-1148 NOTICE OF SELF STORAGE SALE Monmouth Mini Storage (503)838-0803, 555 Gwinn Street E, Monmouth, OR 97361 Units to be auctioned off verbally on May 10th at 10am. All units sold as a whole. Tiffany Hutchinson Unit 347, Rebecca Tryon Unit 215, Mike Silver Unit 288, Rachael Walsh Unit 297, Maria Durum Unit 107
PCIO25-1147 NOTICE OF BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING Oregon Department of Revenue
A public meeting of the Budget Committee of the Hilltop Cemetery Maintenance District, Polk County, State of Oregon, to discuss the budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2025 to June
30, 2026, will be held at Buena Vista Fire Station #40, 11350 Church Street, Buena Vista, Oregon. The meeting will take place on May 6, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to receive the budget message and to receive comment from the public on the budget. This is a public meeting where deliberation of the Budget Committee will take place. Any person may appear at the meeting and discuss the proposed programs with the Budget Committee. A copy of the budget document may be inspected or obtained on or after May 6, 2025, by calling (503)485-2446, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
PCIO25-1141 NOTICE OF SHERIFF’S SALE - On 05-23-25, at 10:00 am at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, located at 850 Main St. Dallas, OR. 97338, the defendant’s interest will be sold, subject to redemption, in the real property located at 850 PIEDMONT AVE. NW SALEM, OR. 97304. The court case number is 22CV36435, where JP MORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION is plaintiff, and MARTIN GUIJOSA; THE ESTATE OF JUVENTINO GUIJOSA; THE UNKNOWN HEIRS, ASSIGNS AND DEVISEES OF JUVENTINO GUIJOSA; ALAN JUVENTINO GUIJOSA-CONTRERAS; OSBELIA CONTRERAS; AND ALL OTHER PERSONS OR PARTIES UNKNOWN CLAIMING ANY RIGHT, TITLE, LIEN, OR INTEREST IN THE REAL PROPERTY COMMONLY KNOWN AS 850 PIEDMONT AVE NW SALEM, OR 97304 is defendant. The sale is a public auction to the highest bidder for cash in hand or cashier’s check made out to Polk County Sheriff’s Office. For more information on this sale go to: http:// oregonsheriffssales.org/ PCIO25-1140 Sale of Abandoned Manufactured Home: One (1) 1974 Flamingo manufactured dwelling, Plate number X102234, Home identification number 180801, Manufacturer’s serial number(s) 1184645GC60T2K0F, with contents (if any) has been abandoned by Richard Lee Dinneer and Susanna M. Hollis. Said property is located at 101 Edwards Rd S, Spc 33, Monmouth, OR 97361. Said dwelling shall be sold by private bidding, with sealed bids, and “as is” (there is no warranty relating to title, possession, quiet enjoyment or the like). Bids must be for a specific stated dollar figure and must be delivered to Monmouth Mobile Estates at 151 Edwards Rd, Monmouth, OR 97361 by 10:00am on the 5th day of May, 2025. Upon confirmation of the winning bid, the purchaser must promptly tender full payment in cash, money order, or cashiers’ check and promptly remove the dwelling from the manufactured home park unless a storage agreement can be promptly negotiated between the successful bidder and the Park. Future owner occupancy of the dwelling onsite would require successful application for tenancy, screening, and entry into a written rental agreement, none of which will be considered until after the sale is complete. This auction may be cancelled at any time prior to the start of bidding without notice. For additional information, or to ask questions, please contact Brianna Albert at 503-838-5600.
Official Records of Polk County, Oregon, which covers the following described real property situated in Polk County, Oregon: THE NORTHERLY 50 FEET OF LOT 29, BLOCK “J”, WEST SALEM, IN THE CITY OF SALEM, POLK COUNTY, OREGON. APN: 259260 / 07321-DC09300 Commonly known as: 1111 1/2 2ND ST NW SALEM, OR 97304 The current beneficiary is: Nationstar Mortgage LLC Both the beneficiary and the trustee have elected to sell the above-described real property to satisfy the obligations secured by the Deed of Trust and notice has been recorded pursuant to ORS 86.752(3). The default for which the foreclosure is made is the grantor’s failure to pay when due, the following sums: Delinquent Payments: Dates: 5/1/2023 - 3/1/2025 Total: $9,424.71
PCIO25-1098 TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE TS No.: 129289-OR Loan No.: ******3208 Reference is made to that certain trust deed (the “Deed of Trust”) executed by DAVID W. JOHNSON, A SINGLE MAN, as Grantor, to FIRST AMERICAN TITLE INSURANCE CO., as Trustee, in favor of JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Beneficiary, dated 10/12/2021, recorded 10/25/2021, as Instrument No. 2021-016796, in the
97006, will on 7/29/2025, at the hour of 9:00 AM, standard time, as established by ORS 187.110, AT THE MAIN STREET PLAZA, POLK COUNTY COURTHOUSE, 850 MAIN STREET, DALLAS, OR 97338, sell at public auction to the highest bidder in the form of cash equivalent (certified funds or cashier’s check) the interest in the abovedescribed real property which the grantor had or had power to convey at the time it executed the Deed of Trust, together with any interest which the grantor or his successors in interest acquired after the execution of the Deed of Trust, 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 ORS 86.778 has the right to have the foreclosure proceeding dismissed and the Deed of Trust reinstated by payment to the beneficiary of the entire amount then due (other than the portion of principal that would not then be due had no default occurred), together with the costs, trustee’s and attorneys’ fees, and curing any other default complained of in the Notice of Default by tendering the performance required under the Deed of Trust at any time not later than five days before the date last set for sale. 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. 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 the Deed of
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, April 17
At 2:59 a.m., a report of a suspicious vehicle on Ellendale Avenue. The vehicle had a note stating it was broken down.
At 10:29 a.m., a motorist was given a written warning for using a cell phone while driving and for failure to renew their registration.
At 11:09 a.m., a report of two juveniles threatening to jump two other juveniles. The matter is under investigation.
At 11:06 a.m., a report of an online job scam.
At 11:14 a.m., a suspect was given a warning for trespassing and harassment by phone.
At 12:47 p.m., a report of a domestic disturbance on Hayter Street. One party had pushed the other.
At 1:13 p.m., there was a lockdown drill at LaCreole Middle School.
At 1:49 p.m., a report of a domestic disturbance on Hayter Street. Kathleen Miller was arrested and charged with resisting arrest, criminal mischief three and criminal mischief two.
At 5:47 p.m., Niklos Alexander was arrested and charged with two counts of criminal mischief and interfering with making a report.
At 7:16 p.m., a report of an attempted identity theft on Brentwood Avenue.
Friday, April 18
At 5:51 a.m., a motorist on Orchard Drive was cited for driving while suspended.
At 3:30 p.m., a report of someone urinating near a building on Donald Street. The subject was cited for prohibited exposure.
At 7:59 p.m., a report of a domestic disturbance on Kings Valley Highway. Bethy Forlines was arrested and charged with harassment and lodged at Polk County Jail.
Saturday, April 19
At 9:49 a.m., a homeless person was arrested and charged with trespassing and theft on Kings Valley Highway.
At 11:17 a.m., a report of a suspicious person telling volunteers downtown to stop working and shining a flashlight on them. There was no one matching the description when the officer arrived.
At 2:10 p.m., a noise complaint on Miller Avenue. The occupants of the vehicle turned the music down when asked.
At 4:13 p.m., a report of a dog out of control at the park and attacking other dogs. One individual was bit on the hand and the owner was told to quarantine the dog for 10 days.
At 11:30 p.m., a report of a disturbance on Uglow Avenue. It was a loud argument but there were no crimes.
Sunday, April 20
At 6:35 a.m., a report of a disturbance on Washington Street. The subject was upset that their debit card was declined. They kicked some bark around at Bollman’s. Officers later returned some belongings they left on the road.
At 12:46 p.m., officers assisted with a hit and run on Highway 22
At 12:58 p.m., a report of someone looking in cars on Donald Street. An officer was unable to locate.
At 9:40 p.m., a report of someone shining laser pointers at cars. An officer was unable to locate anyone.
At 11:01 p.m., an officer contacted a vehicle parked by the ball fields on La Creole Drive. It was a parent trying to get their child to sleep.
Monday, April 21
At 12:54 a.m., a report of trespassing on Washington Street. The suspect was formally trespassed from the location.
At 1:29 a.m., a juvenile was found in the Walmart parking lot. The subject was warned for curfew and given a ride home.
At 3:39 a.m., a report of a door left open on Lyle Street. There were no signs of trespassing or other activity.
At 5:31 a.m., a report of an alarm on Ellendale Avenue. A new employee got the alarm code wrong.
At 11:33 a.m., a report of a theft from Walmart. Steven Sorenson was arrested and charged with theft and lodged at Polk County Jail.
At 12:58 a.m., a report of trespassing on Washington Street. The subject was yelling at staff and refused to leave the hospital until police were called.
At 1:56 p.m., a report of a disturbance on Washington Street. Robert Kidwell was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and lodged at Polk County Jail.
Tuesday, April 22
At 6:44 a.m., a report of a two-vehicle crash on Polk Station Road. There were no injuries.
At 10:09 a.m., a report of two juveniles who intentionally damaged an exit sign within the school on Holman Avenue.
At 1:10 p.m., a report of harassment on Monmouth Cutoff. It was a civil issue.
At 4:44 p.m., a report of suspicious activity on La Creole Drive. The caller thought a juvenile was selling pills. The juveniles were found to be playing with pebbles.
Wednesday, April 23
At 1:06 p.m., a suspect was smoking marijuana in public. Their parole officer was notified and they were cited for using marijuana in public.
At 3:28 p.m., a truck broke down on Main Street and the officer provided traffic control.
At 3:42 p.m., a report of a hit and run on
Jefferson Street. It is under investigation.
At 4:22 p.m., a report of a suspicious person on Southwest Walnut Avenue. The suspect was arrested on an outstanding warrant.
At 8:09 p.m., a motorist was cited for driving while suspended and failure to carry and present an operator’s license.
Monmouth Police Department
Nathaniel Buedefeldt, 38 was arrested April 16 and charged with criminal trespass and harassment.
Justin Graham, 36, was arrested April 18 on an outstanding warrant.
Alaina Jezza, 50, was arrested April 20 and charged with driving under the influence of an intoxicant and reckless driving.
Levi Emminger, 39 was arrested April 22 and charged with driving under the influence of an intoxicant and failure to carry and present Oregon driver’s license.
Buddy Wilson, 50, was arrested April 22 and charged with driving while suspended - misdemeanor.
Kenneth Ketchem, 45, was arrested April 23 and charged with assault 1 and unlawful use of a weapon.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office
Wednesday, April 16
At 4:09 a.m., a vehicle was blocking the westbound lane of Zena Road. It had lost a wheel while driving. A tow truck was already en route.
At 7:59 a.m., a report of a lost firearm on Riddell Road. After interviewing the subject, the deputy cited him for initiating a false report.
At 10:37 a.m., a report of a domestic disturbance on Pageant Street. The suspect was arrested and charged with harassment with an additional charge for being in the presence of a minor.
At 10:51 a.m., a report of an individual taking a photo, flashing a gun on Mill Street. The deputy was unable to locate the individual.
At 1:25 p.m., a deputy contacted two individuals shooting on Neuman Road. Initially it appeared they may be shooting over the road, but they had a backstop set up safely.
At 1:46 p.m., a request for a welfare check on Church Street. One of the neighbors reported the individual was picked up by family members.
At 2:30 p.m., a report of an alarm on McCaleb Road. The residents had just arrived back from vacation.
At 2:52 p.m., a report of a neighbor burning yard waste and playing loud music. The deputy checked
the burn information hotline and it was okay to burn that day.
At 4:40 p.m., a report of an emotionally distressed person on Ellendale Avenue. The deputy spoke with the individual, who was having some family problems, but was not suicidal.
At 5:52 p.m., a report of suspicious vehicles on a property on Airlie Road. There was no one there when the deputy arrived.
At 11:16 p.m., a report of an audible alarm on Salem Dallas Highway. The owner checked cameras and did not see anything suspicious. The deputy checked the area and all the doors and windows were secure.
Thursday, Apr. 17
At 7:25 a.m., a report of a car fire on Ellendale Avenue. The vehicle had overheated and was steaming. The deputy helped get the vehicle out of the roadway and the driver called for a tow.
At 12:02 p.m., a report of a burglary on Violet Drive. It was a civil matter between a tenant and landlord.
At 12:26 p.m., a report of a suspicious vehicle with blankets on the windows on Gooseneck Road. The driver reported she would be going home soon.
At 12:41 p.m., a deputy came along a truck on Highway 22 with the hood up and items strewn around. The individual reported he was installing a new clutch. However, his license was suspended so the deputy suggested someone else drive him.
At 1:07 p.m., a report of an emotionally distressed person on Hoffman Road. The deputy gave him a ride home.
At 4:03 p.m., a report of an individual in the road making cars swerve around him on Pioneer Road. Despite the deputy trying to find other solutions the suspect was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct.
At 7:47 p.m., a deputy contacted three individuals fishing in a fishing pond that was marked closed. They had permission from the property owner.
At 8:32 p.m., a report of a disturbance on Walnut Road. One subject had tackled the other and they fought on the floor. The victim chose not to press charges.
At 8:46 p.m., deputies received an Apple automated crash alert. They were unable to locate a vehicle and called the owner of the phone who had left the phone on top of their truck.
At 10:52 p.m., a report of trespassing on Cooper Hollow Road. The resident heard a metallic sound from outside and saw someone
deceased when the deputy arrived.
At 3:35 p.m., a report of three loose dogs on Levens Street. One dog was located and was able to be lured home with chicken nuggets.
At 3:58 p.m., a report of a person shooting from the passenger side of a vehicle into the brush on Ellendale Road. There was one shell casing but no description of the suspect.
At 5:15 p.m., a report of a domestic disturbance on Ballston Road. There were no signs of injury and after interviewing all parties there was no probable cause for arrest.
At 7:03 p.m., a report of theft on Virginia Drive. The suspect returned the fence boards she reported she had found on the right of way.
Sunday, April 20
run between the vehicles. The deputies were unable to locate anyone and nothing had been taken from the car. The resident secured the car prior to the deputies leaving.
Friday, Apr. 18
At 2:52 a.m., a report of a suspicious person on Pacific Highway. The suspect was found walking northbound on Highway 99. He was formally trespassed from the location.
At 10:18 a.m., a report of a person laying in the bike path alongside Pacific Highway. The individual was sleeping and did not need help.
At 2:49 p.m., a report of a missing firearm on Zena Road.
At 3:26 p.m., a report of a single vehicle crash on Falls City Road. The driver had been swatting at a bee and drove off the road on a curve. The driver arranged a tow.
At 4:24 p.m., a report of a suspicious vehicle on Pacific Highway. The vehicle was in a field with the door open and is being used as a bird deterrent.
At 5:42 p.m., a complaint of a homeless person’s van. The deputy observed the area around the van had no trash. The individual said he was out of gas but planned to move by the end of the week.
At 6:58 p.m., a deputy responded to an alarm on Pacific Highway. The building was secure and the person responsible for the building reset the alarm.
At 7:05 p.m., a report of trespassing on Rogers Road. The subject was an ex-girlfriend of a resident and was officially trespassed from the property.
At 8:28 p.m., a deputy contacted a motorist parked on the side of Riddell Road with the car’s hazard lights on. The driver informed the deputy she had fixed the problem and the vehicle was drivable.
At 9:27 p.m., a report of a single vehicle roll-over crash on Oakdale Road. The driver swerved to miss a deer and hit the embankment. The driver had a cut on his knee and the passenger was uninjured.
Saturday, April 19
At 2:42 a.m., a report of a crash on Kings Valley Highway. Deputies assisted Oregon State Police.
At 7:57 a.m., a report of a domestic disturbance on Highland Road. It was a verbal disturbance and the parties agreed to separate.
At 9:49 a.m., a homeless person was arrested for theft and trespassing on Kings Valley Highway.
At 12:28 p.m., a report of a deer struck by a car and still alive on Pacific Highway. The deer was
At 2:34 a.m., a motorist on Miller Avenue was stopped for suspicion of DUI and failure to signal a turn. The motorist showed no signs of impairment but was cited for driving while suspended.
At 2:44 a. m., a report of a domestic disturbance in a vehicle. The suspect fled on foot prior to the deputy’s arrival. The victim was evaluated by medics but not transported by ambulance.
At 9:32 a.m., a report of two spot fires on Monmouth Highway. The residents reported there had been two other fires in the last week. The fire marshall may come to look at the cause of the fires. The deputy requested extra patrols in the area.
At 10:20 a.m., a caller had questions regarding a custody issue. The deputy let her know it is a civil issue.
At 12:48 p.m., a report of a fight at the jail. One inmate pushed the other, then was hit in the head by a fist holding a cup. Both were charged with harassment.
At 12:58 p.m., a report of a suspicious person looking into cars. The deputy was unable to locate anyone.
At 1:07 p.m., a report of a disturbance on Perrydale Road. It was a verbal argument.
At 5:46 p.m., a report of an alarm on Oakdale Road. The deputy checked the property and did not see anyone. All the doors were locked.
At 8:46 p.m., a report of a scam call claiming to be a Polk County Deputy.
At 10:21 p.m., a motorist on Murlark Avenue was cited for failure to display license plates.
At 11:28 p.m., a motorist was stopped for speeding. The driver was 19 years old and was in possession of marijuana. Field sobriety tests showed he was not impaired. He agreed to destroy the marijuana.
Monday, April 21
At 1:14 a.m., a motorist on Rosewood Drive was cited for driving while suspended and driving uninsured.
At 2 a.m., a report of an open garage door on Fairview Street. The deputy used the spotlight to look around but it appeared the resident left it open.
At 7:59 a.m., a motorist on Highway 99 was stopped for speeding and cited for driving while suspended.
At 8:13 p.m., a nine-yearold took off from home. Deputies searched for an hour before the child was found. He was evaluated by medics and taken home.
At 10:06 p.m., a motorist was cited for speeding 87 mph in a 55-mph zone, driving while suspended and driving uninsured.
p.m. via Zoom on May 8 for an informative and educational meeting. The specific agenda will be announced here next week. To receive the link to this meeting and be put on their email announcements list for future events, go to: www.polkdems.org. Scroll down to sign up under “Newsletter.”
Monmouth Library hosts storyteller Alton TakiyamaChung May 9
The Monmouth Public Library presents Unbelievable: Rockets, Scallywags and a Fish, a night of new tales created by award-winning storyteller Alton TakiyamaChung, at 6:30 p.m., May 9, at 168 Ecols St S.
Touch a Truck event returns to Independence May 10
Touch-a-Truck is rolling back into Riverview Park from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
May 10. Get up close and personal with all your favorite vehicles, from construction behemoths to emergency service heroes. You’ll even be able to see a helicopter land in the park. The city of Independence will be offering a quiet hour sensory (no horns or sirens) from 1 - 2 p.m. for anyone with sensory sensitivities. Admission is free, but attendees are encouraged to bring food donations for the Ella Curran Food Bank.
4-H Polk County presents Livestock Learning Day Oregon 4-H Polk County presents Livestock Learning Day at 9 a.m. May 10 at the Polk County Fairgrounds 520 S. Pacific Highway. The event, for 4-H members and non-4-H youth, offers more than 30 sessions to teach participants about all thing’s livestock, such as meat grading, wool evaluation, cheese making, Q & A with a vet, mock swine showmanship, nutrition and feed, and more. Pre-registration and day of registration available. For registration, schedule, and more
information go to https:// bit.ly/4jbE2GL.
Dallas Library hosts plant sale fundraiser May 16-17
The Rounds Farm presents a Dallas Public Library plant sale fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 16-17 at 950 Main St. Plant starts will include a wide variety of flowers, herbs, tomatoes, squashes, melons, cucumbers, hot and sweet peppers, and more. Please bring your own box if possible to carry plants home. All plant sales will be donated to the library. If you can’t make it during that time, come directly to their self-serve farm stand anytime, located at 1935 S. Church St. in Dallas.
4-H Polk County hosts Trotting into Summer Tack Sale May 17
The Polk County 4-H Horse Advisory Committee presents the second annual Trotting into Summer Tack Sale, at 9 a.m. May 17 at the Polk County Fairgrounds, 520 Pacific Highway, Rickreall. Proceeds
from the sale of Horse Tack, livestock tack, Western wear, Jewelry, and Art goes toward the Polk County 4-H Youth Equestrians. Reach out to Jeremy Anderson at and3rs45@gmail.com for questions.
In the Garden Faire returns May 17
The Dallas Garden Club’s fifth annual In The Garden Faire is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 17 at 1175 SE Howe St. Proceeds of the vendor fees go back into the Dallas community. We have supported the Kindness Club, provided 4H scholarships for their Jr Master Gardener Program, provided prize money for junior flower/ gardening county fair entries, and more.
Dallas Rotary seeks volunteers for food bank benefit
The Dallas Rotary Club is seeking volunteers for their Epic Day of Service, a community-wide food and funds drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 17 to benefit the Dallas Food
Bank. The effort will put food on the shelves of the pantry for local families seeking food assistance.
Sign up today to volunteer. Start collecting non-perishable food including canned fish, meats, fruits and vegetables, soup, tomato sauce and peanut butter. To sign up, go to https://bit.ly/42sv3ev.
Vintage motorcycle show and swap comes to county fairgrounds May 17
The Oregon Vintage Motorcyclists have secured the Polk County Fairgrounds in Rickreall, as a new venue for their annual Spring Show and Swap Meet. The venue at 520 Pacific Highway offers ample camping, a large field for the show and swap meet, and an indoor hall in case of rain.
The location ensures quieter camping and avoids traffic for the Saturday pre-show ride.
Two Wolves host Extravaganza Comedy Show May 17
Two Wolves Taproom, located at 171 SW Court
St., in Dallas, hosts “Extravaganza Comedy Show!” from 8-10 p.m. May 17, featuring Nate Hernandez, Diva, Liam Riddell, Eleanore Ryan, Jayden Mays and Armando Santoyo.
Talk About it
Tuesday returns May 20
“Talk About It Tuesday” meets in person from 6:30-8 pm May 20. Join in for an engaging discussion on current issues, solutions and actions to take. Topic suggestions are encouraged. The group asks that anyone who comes bring their integrity and empathy. For more information and email notification options, go to www.polkdems.org and scroll down to click on the link to their Newsletter.
