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Superintendent delivers first round of pink slips

By DAVID HAYES Itemizer-Observer

of the more unpleasant demands of his job Feb. 16. He hand delivered pink slips to 34 employees district wide required in the wake of a $3 million budget shortfall next year.

Spence said Dallas isn’t the only district facing budgetary challenges, pointing to Salem-Keizer which is also making significant cutbacks to their own staffing.

He said the funding crisis in Dallas can be attributed to two major factors: a decline in enrollment within the Dallas School District and the conclusion of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding, also known as COVID relief.

According to the Oregon Statewide Report Card, public schools statewide have seen a decline in regular attendance in 2022-23, with the rate falling 2.0 percent from 2021-22. Rates of regular attendance remain significantly below pre-pandemic levels.

“We know that students aren’t benefiting from instruction when they are not in the classroom, so this is a serious concern for Oregon’s educators,” the report stated.

In February of 2019-20, the Dallas School District attendance was 4,116 (1,226 elementary and 2,890 secondary). Attendance last month was down to 3,596 (1,035 elementary and 2,561 secondary), a loss of 520 students. That equates to a $5.2 million loss to the district coffers. Spencer said the Average Daily Membership rate per student is approximately $10,000.

From 2019 to 2024, the state allocated just over $8 million in ESSER funding to the DSD. Spencer said about $1 million of that went to district charter schools and another $6.4 million has been spent without prospects of renewal.

“We knew they would eventually end in the 2024-25 fiscal year, so we began to reduce the number of FTE paid out of that fund in 2022-23,” Spencer said.

The reduction in state funds and student population led to a $3 million shortfall for the upcoming 202425 school year.

Spencer explained to address this challenge and present a balanced budget to the school board in April 2024, collaborative efforts have been

See DALLAS, page A7

New Dragon’s Dynasty

Dallas High School wins third ever state wrestling title

The Dallas High School boys wrestling team celebrates after winning the Oregon State Wrestling 5A Championship Feb. 24 at Portland Veterans’ Memorial Coliseum. It is the program’s third ever title, and first since 2018. The girls’ team also placed second in state. See story, page B1.

By LANCE MASTERSON For The Itemizer-Observer

Timing, they say, is everything.

Emiliano Alarcon and Vianney Rodriguez came out of the COVID lockdowns determined to help athletes that were struggling with their mental health.

They decided they could help these athletes via bracelets that were inscribed with words of inspiration.

“The bracelets are similar to tattoos in that you know it’s there. You know what it says, what it means to you. How it helps you,” Alarcon said. “So you just need to either remember it’s there, or take a deep breath, look at it really quick and reset.”

Alarcon and Rodriguez took their idea seriously enough to form Vencer Co. They opened their first store in Monmouth on Black Friday. They’ve maintained an online presence for several years now.

“Vencer, in Spanish, means ‘to overcome.’ So, that’s kind of the whole meaning behind the name of our company,” Alarcon said. “Vencer Co is geared toward athletes, and to bring awareness to the mental health struggles they deal with on a daily basis.”

Alarcon knows first-hand the pressures athletes face. He attends Western Oregon, where he is on the baseball team and majors in psychology. He was also on the Linn-Benton Community College team when the 2020 season was lost to COVID.

A desire to help athletes who are struggling with their mental health led Emiliano Alarcon and Vianney Rodriguez to start their own company, Vencer Co. Alarcon and Rodriguez grew up in the area and are graduates of Central High School.

Something was amiss when play resumed following the lockdown, he said.

“When we got back to it in 2021, I noticed that things were different. With how isolated we were. With how different things were. I noticed a lot of my teammates lost their love for the game. Guys that I thought were going to play baseball the rest of their lives,” he said.

Alarcon’s observation is supported by studies that show athletes are far from immune to post-COVID struggles. In fact, their struggles may

be more intense than the struggles experienced by non-athletes. According to the NCAA, college athletes report “elevated levels of mental health concerns.” These concerns include anxiety and depression, which remain up to two times “higher (in athletes) than identified before the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The ease that comes with wearing a bracelet makes it ideal for athletes seeking an inspirational boost. They can wear it during competition.

See HELP, page A7

spacious pottery studio, Pots & Whatnots, Sandra Dickman knew she was on to something three years prior while trying to pursue a creative hobby.

The newly arrived Dallas resident discovered an outlet after playing with a pottery wheel, but also found it hard to find nearby classes.

“They were always full and the ones I was taking were an hour away,” Dickman said, adding the nearest were in Portland or AlbanyCorvallis areas. “I thought if I was willing to drive an hour away and their classes are always full, why wouldn’t people be willing to drive to Dallas?”

The first step was purchasing a pottery wheel and kiln and experiment within her garage. Gaining confidence, she began giving lessons to family and friends.

“I can do this. I can actually teach people to do this.,” Dickman thought. “They were like, ‘Yeah, it’s super fun. When can I come over and do it again?’”

See POTTERY, page A8

PHOTO BY LANCE MASTERSON

Indy’s F Street Bridge Receives Engineering Excellence Award

project,” said Area Manager Anna Henson. “Anything that can enhance the livability of a community such as Independence—that fits within ODOT’s values.”

The F Street Bridge had become structurally and functionally inadequate, preventing emergency responders from crossing it, and did not meet ADA requirements. A modern structure that supports the transportation infrastructure of

the community and enhances the surrounding public spaces – including a unique historic bridge railing system – was designed by engineering firm Otak as its replacement. As a timber-supported concrete structure on a local collector street, the F Street Bridge was only sufficient to pass light, local traffic. The replacement turns that existing three-span concrete bridge into a single-span prestressed concrete bridge, enhancing the route for local traffic as well as community use. The design introduced new raised sidewalks for bicycle and pedestrian traffic while also including a new urban bridge rail that increases protection for pedestrians without causing a blunt end issue for vehicles. With the addition of low-level pedestrian lighting and ornamental handrails, the bridge was configured to enhance the adjacent Inspiration Garden.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

“It’s amazing what can get done when local government and state government work together,” said Mayor Fred

McArdle. “We look forward to partnering with ODOT on more projects.”

Founded in 1956, non profit ACEC Oregon seeks to protect the public welfare and advance the professional

quality of consulting engineers and land surveyors in private practice.

Pentacle Theatre hosting auditions for drama “Boy Gets Girl”

Pentacle Theatre is hosting open auditions for its next drama, “Boy Gets Girl” on March 16 from 1–5 p.m. at their downtown rehearsal studio, 197 Liberty St. SE. Director Emily Loberg is seeking an ensemble of adult actors able to play three female and four male roles. For a full list of roles, please visit pentacletheatre.org/ auditions.

Actors are asked to plan to arrive early to fill out an audition form. Additionally, they’re encouraged download an audition form online at bit.

ly/3OOIgH4 and complete it in advance. Actors will audition by reading selected scenes from the script. Pentacle Theatre encourages actors to read the script in advance. Scripts are available on loan from the Pentacle Theatre office by calling (503) 485-4300.

Rehearsals are generally 6:30-9:30 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays, at the Pentacle Theatre rehearsal studio.

“Boy Gets Girl” is the tale about Theresa Bedell, a successful reporter in New York

who loves her work and the life she has made for herself.

A relationship with a man would complete the picture, so she agrees to go on a blind date with a friend-of-afriend. Tony is attractive and funny, but after a second date, Theresa is convinced they have nothing in common and sees no point in continuing the relationship. Tony, however, thinks otherwise. What at first seems like persistence on his part grows into obsession. Theresa’s annoyance with Tony turns to terror as he begins to threaten her and

those around her. Ultimately, Theresa must fight to save herself from being erased by Tony’s actions — actions that call into question the assumptions at the very heart of romantic pursuit.

If you have questions or a conflict on the audition date, please contact director Emily Loberg at (503) 949-7097 or email ealoberg@gmail.com.

HEALTH DIRECTORY

CHIROPRACTIC

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

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

COUNSELING

• CROSS AND CROWN COUNSELING  offers counseling services to individuals, couples and families as well as seminars and grief recovery workshops. Areas we support but are not limited to are adolescent, premarital, marriage, family, trauma, crisis, grief, depression, anxiety, anger, divorce, and identity crisis. We help our clients find healing, learn communication skills, and appropriate responses to individual and family needs and how to obtain overall health, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. We provide a safe and caring environment to face life situations, address interpersonal and intrapersonal conflict and help individuals realize their full potential in order to live decisively with truth, relevance, perspective, and purpose. Our counselors are NCCA Licensed Clinical Christian Counselors, Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselors and Certified Temperament Counselors. Our office is located at 177 SW Oak St., Dallas, OR 97338. For more information or to schedule an appointment visit our website www. crossandcrowncounseling.com or call (503) 917-1625.

GENERAL DENTISTRY

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

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

IMAGING SERVICES

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

LABORATORY SERVICES

• SALEM HEALTH HOSPITALS & CLINICS  provides lab services at three convenient locations in Dallas, Monmouth and Independence. Both fully accredited labs accept health care provider referrals for collections and testing. The labs also offer employment and selfreferral drug testing. Appointments are not required at either location. Learn more at salemhealth.org/lab. WEST VALLEY HOSPITAL  outpatient lab available weekdays 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., weekends 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., at 525 SE Washington St., Dallas, 503-814-5227

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

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

ORTHODONTICS

• YENNE & SCHOFIELD - SPECIALISTS IN ORTHODONTICS - 580 Main Street, Suite E, Dallas, 503623-5002. Providing Polk County with orthodontic care for children and adults for functions and cosmetics. Open Tuesdays & Thursdays.

PHYSICAL THERAPY/ REHABILITATION SERVICES

• WEST VALLEY HOSPITAL  offers a wide range of rehabilitation services. Physical, occupational and speech therapy services are located at 641 SE Miller Ave, Dallas, 503-623-7305.

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

PRIMARY CARE

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

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

Dallas — 641 SE Miller Ave., 503-623-2345

Independence — Central Health and Wellness Center - 1601 Monmouth St., Suite 100, 503-838-0045 Monmouth — 512 Main St., Suite 300, 503-838-1182

URGENT CARE

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

Independence Mayor Fred McArdle and ODOT Area Manager Anna Henson accept the Engineering Excellence Honor Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Oregon, honoring the city’s F Street Bridge project.

Rick’s Place owners still brewing and baking

By LANCE MASTERSON

For The Itemizer-Observer

Rick and Mary Gydesen, who owned Rick’s Place Coffeehouse in Monmouth, fondly remember those who helped keep them in business for three decades.

“For 30 years we relied on the community and we wish to express our deepest thanks for that support, and for that patronage for these many years,” Rick Gydesen said. “The closure of Rick’s Place is a bittersweet pill. But everything at some point comes to an end. Fortunately … we’re not quitting.”

Instead, the Gydesens are refocusing their efforts. Though they lack a brick

and mortar building, they can be found at Polk County Fairgrounds events, such as its monthly flea market, and at other events, while catering intimate get-togethers, such as parties, family reunions and smaller meetings.

On the menu are Rick’s favorites, such as coffee, pastry, cookies, pies and other baked goods. Sandwiches are possible at some venues.

“We are using Indy Commons as our commissary, our food prep area,” he added. There was more to Rick’s Place than food and drink. They also sold honey, photograph cards and collectibles for other vendors, though

many of the collectibles were Mary’s.

“We still have access (to these vendors) for our customers,” he said. “You’d be surprised at how many (of these items) we sold for them over the years.”

Customers place their orders with the Gydesens, who then contact the vendors directly.

High chairs, chest, coffee pots and a standing globe from the 1970s, were among the collectibles available at the time of this interview.

Email misscoffee27@ yahoo.com to contact Rick and Mary Gydesen for more information or to place an order.

Pacific Power files for 2025 rate adjustment

integration of new renewable resources to serve growing customer needs. Continued investments in low-cost renewable energy resources.

Cost of capital to finance utility operations and reflect current market conditions and risk.

Wildfire risk management, including rapidly growing wildfire insurance premiums, wildfire mitigation and vegetation management and the creation of a catastrophic fire fund, which would create a mechanism to manage the risks associated with increased wildfire activity.

Pacific Power remains committed to actively managing its system in the face of rising costs to limit price exposure and reduce cost volatility for our customers. This includes actively working with a diverse set of stakeholders across the region to develop and implement tools to address the growing risk of wildfires.

six-state service area over $745 million through the end 2023. PacifiCorp has also announced that it will join the new Extended DayAhead Market, which will result in tremendous savings to customers through optimal power purchases a day ahead of time, when critical resource decisions are made.

Pacific Power offers on-bill rate discounts ranging from

20% to 40% to support customers who are experiencing income restraints. Pacific Power’s most vulnerable customers can access a variety of bill support programs through local community action agencies, including the Oregon Energy Fund, Oregon Energy Assistance Program and Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

In addition, Pacific Power offers a variety of ways to budget for energy expenses, including time of use and equal pay billing options.

In partnership with Energy Trust of Oregon, Pacific Power customers can access information and rebates to help improve their energy efficiency and lower their bills. Customers can call 1-888-2217070 to discuss options.

and our communities and will continue to seek new ways to reduce impacts to customer bills while making critical investments in the West’s energy grid.”

Key factors driving the rate request include:

Transmission infrastructure investments, which enable the

In 2014, Pacific Power helped pioneer the Western Energy Imbalance Market in partnership with the California Independent System Operator, which provides access to the lowest-cost energy available. Through the participation of PacifiCorp, Pacific Power’s parent company, in the market, the company has saved customers throughout its

transit service and would like to hear the community’s opinion.

The service started in April 2023 and has funding secured until June 2025.

The cities are working on securing continued funding to sustain the trolley service operations beyond June 2025. The purpose of this survey is to gauge the level of awareness that the communities have about the MI Trolley service, understand the level of satisfaction with the service, and explore the level of community support for long-term operation and funding of service.

Take the survey online at www.surveymonkey.com/r/ mitrolley.

Correction

The Feb. 14 story

“Council approves increased weekly recycling pickup” incorrectly stated the various sizes recycling bins available to residents from Republic Services. Only trash bins are offered in different options, while recycling bins come in just the 96-gallon size.

PHOTO BY LANCE MASTERSON

While Rick’s Place Coffeehouse is no more, owners Rick and Mary Gydesen are still selling coffee and other goods at local events such as the Polk County Flea Market.

YOUR ECOLOGICAL HOUSE: The Great Disruption — Floods

By PHILIP S. WENZ

The financial and emotional impacts of the floods still resonated with families of Hull [England], 11 years after the event….

- A U.S. NIH study

The images are all over the news. Muddy torrents rush through streets as people on rooftops wave for help. Wading rescuers tow elderly people in small boats. Cars float backwards down rushing streams. Cats cling desperately to trees while escaped boas swim along, looking for something to eat.

Then the flooding subsides, the dramatic footage ends, and the newscasts turns to different topics until another town is inundated. Regrettably, we don’t have to wait long for new reports of floods, now occurring year-round in both hemispheres, to deliver familiar images to our eyes and minds…maybe even our dreams.

But what about that last newscast? What happened to those people once they stopped scrambling to higher ground, the cameras left, and they returned home after sleeping on a cot in a gym somewhere?

First the mud — much of it loaded with toxins from chemical plants, festering sewage, dead animals and dangerous debris — must be scraped from their streets and floors, and somehow disposed of. Often as not, the floors have to be replaced, along with at least the lower half of most wall coverings. And of course a dumpster must be rented to dispose of carpets, furniture, clothes, family heirlooms — much of what they left behind as they fled.

Many returnees lose their jobs, at least temporarily, as business, too, are damaged. Schools are closed. Also groceries, hospitals, gas stations, banks, hardware stores. No potable water. Power out. A neighbor’s husband is still missing.

And those are the lucky people. The ones who have a home to return to, a community to try to rebuild.

In 2005, rain from Hurricane Katrina breached 53 flood protection structures in New Orleans, causing 80% of the city to be flooded. Between the city proper and the surrounding area, Katrina killed 1,392

By LUCIE WINBORNE

• A double rainbow occurs when sunlight is reflected twice inside a raindrop. Look closely, and you’ll see that the colors of the secondary rainbow appear in reverse order.

• In an 897 A.D. event known as the Cadaver Synod, Pope Stephen VI had the corpse of a previous pontiff, Formosus, exhumed, perched on a throne and questioned about his “crimes,” which were mostly about being on the wrong side of a political struggle.

If you see anything that requires a correction or clarification, call the newsroom at 503-623-2373 or send an email to dhayes@polkio.com

people, and displaced — note the ratio — 1.5 million more. Although many eventually returned, many did not. According to a 2015 report by Danielle Baussan on the Center for American Progress’s website, 10 years after the event over 40% of the displaced persons were still unable to return to their homes. Only 25% were able to relocate within 10 miles of their old neighborhoods, and over 30 percent wound up hundreds of miles away.

Heather Smith, writing for Grist (online), reported that displaced people were still living in notoriously toxic FEMA trailers in 2015.

Those trailers are a cautionary tale about preparedness — or, perhaps, the impossibility thereof. When Katrina hit, there were about 14,000 new trailers for sale in the U.S. But suddenly FEMA needed 120,000 trailers. So they threw 2.7 billion dollars at trailer manufacturers, and, after a year or so, they had filled their quota with hastily built units. (The hasty construction, which relied on untreated, formaldehyde-outgassing particle board, explains why many trailers were filled with toxic fumes, causing numerous health problems before they were sold for scrap.)

At the time, Katrina seemed like a one-off event — a “hundred-year storm” or some such. Now hardly a week goes by when there isn’t a significant, if not a major flooding event. Last week it was Southern California. Last summer a deluge in the Mediterranean submerged Greek homes and washed cars out to sea. A few days later, part of the same weather system flooded normally dry Libya, killing at least 4,300 people and leaving 8,500 more missing. Just another day in the news, another harbinger of the coming Great Disruption.

So what would happen if in, say, the U.S., there were not one, but four major floods in half a year? Would we immediately build 500,000 FEMA trailers at our ecological house?

Philip S. Wenz studies environmental trends and developments. Visit his blog at Firebird Journal (firebirdjournal.com).

ODVA seeks diverse veteran candidates to fill current and future positions on veterans advisory committee

The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs is seeking interested veterans to fill current and future vacancies on the Veterans Advisory Committee.

The Advisory Committee was established in 1945 at the agency’s founding and holds a distinct and fundamental role in advocating for veteran issues, sharing insight on veteran concerns and advising the director of ODVA. The committee is composed of nine military veterans appointed to four-year terms by the Governor.

The Governor is committed to ensuring that all Boards and Commissions represent diverse Oregonians by age, race, ethnicity, gender, and LGBTQIA+ status. To ensure a broad and diverse pool of candidates to consider for appointment, ODVA is seeking applications from interested members of the veteran community from both rural

and urban areas, across diverse backgrounds and eras of service.

The quarterly advisory committee’s meetings are held virtually and in-person throughout the state on the first Wednesday in March, June, September and December. Interested veterans from all branches of the U.S. Armed Services are encouraged to apply. The application process can be reviewed and accessed online at www.oregon.gov/ gov/Pages/board-list.aspx.

Follow the application instructions for “External – New Applicants” and be sure to include a resume, a short personal biography that includes your military service and other veteran community activities you have or are currently involved in, and fully answer the supplemental questions. Only complete applications will be considered. ORS 406.210 also states that the executive committees of

congressionally chartered veterans’ organizations that maintain an Oregon state headquarters may submit a list of up to three veterans to be considered for Advisory Committee openings to the ODVA Director’s Office at odva_vaac@ odva.oregon.gov. Important: All nominees must still apply through the normal application process by the application deadline.

Applications or nominations for the Advisory Committee must be submitted to the Governor’s Executive Appointments office no later than March 29. Questions about this recruitment process may be directed to ODVA at odva_vaac@ odva.oregon.gov. More information about ODVA’s Veteran Advisory Committee can be found online at www.oregon.gov/odva/Connect/ Pages/Advisory-Committee.aspx.

Salinas co-introduces bipartisan bill to invest in rural communities

• Blood makes up about 8% of your total body weight.

• Floccinaucinihilipilification -- one of the longest words in the English language -- is the act of estimating that something is worthless.

• We hate to break it to you, but Wendy’s chocolate Frosty is actually half chocolate and half vanilla, because owner Dave Thomas thought an all-chocolate treat would be too overpowering when paired with the chain’s burgers and fries.

• In a move that many may appreciate, if not take the trouble to emulate, a British man changed his name to Tim Pppppppppprice to make it harder for telemarketers to pronounce.

• A 1907 ad campaign for Kellogg’s Corn Flakes offered a free sample of cereal to any customer who would wink at their grocer.

• The cubicle derives its name not from its shape, but from the Latin “cubiculum,” meaning bedchamber.

• It once took 27 hours to create a single Peeps Marshmallow Chick. Today, it takes six minutes.

Thought for the Day: “Very often, a change of self is needed more than a change of scene.”

– A.C. Benson

U.S. Representatives Andrea Salinas (OR-06) and David Valadao (CA-22) introduced the bipartisan Rural Partnership and Prosperity Act, legislation that would expand federal support and investment in rural communities and help ensure their long-term success. U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

“Despite playing a key role in our economy and way of life, rural Oregon has been getting the short end of the stick from our federal

government for far too long,” said Rep. Salinas. “Our bipartisan bill would change that by establishing new targeted, direct investments into rural communities, while also providing increased technical assistance to ensure they don’t miss out on programs the federal government already has to offer. Overall, this legislation levels the playing field for rural America and will help these communities thrive for generations to come.” The Rural Partnership and Prosperity Act will create a grant

program providing multi-year, flexible awards to communities to be used to address urgent needs, including but not limited to affordable child care, housing, and job training; provide technical assistance grants to help rural communities navigate existing federal funding opportunities and ensure they get their fair share of private and federal investments; and improve supportive services offered by the federal government to rural communities.

WOU celebrates Annual Giving Day on March 5

Western Oregon University announces its annual Giving Day, Howl from the Heart, on March 5. Giving Day is a crowdfunding day that allows everyone to financially contribute to the projects they want to focus on. Since its inception in 2016, the annual Giving Day at Western has raised nearly $1.4 million in donations. Funds raised on Giving Day have been used to endow scholarships, support athletics, provide needed resources to student clubs and organizations, and much more.

This year, members of the Western community will have the opportunity to support over 40 department

projects, scholarships, athletic programs and campus organizations on Giving Day. Each gift, no matter the amount, collectively makes an immediate and tremendous impact on the lives and education of students.

“One of the great things about Giving Day is that it allows alumni, friends and supporters of the university to learn about all the amazing resources and organizations on our campus and select which ones they want to support,” said Dave Beasley, director of annual giving. “Each gift, regardless of its size, is important and is greatly appreciated by the students it helps. I love Giving Day

because it’s a chance for us all to help fund the present and future we want for Western!”

Gifts can be made online on March 5 at givingday.wou.edu by calling the Foundation at (503) 8388814, or by dropping off your gift in The Cottage on Western’s campus. For the first time on Giving Day, Western is adding a service component for students. Students will be volunteering their time at community service projects both on and off campus March 5. More information will be forthcoming.

Learn more about Giving Day and how to contribute at https://givingday.wou.edu/pages/faq-2245.

Community Calendar Feb.28 - Mar. 6

Wednesday, Feb. 28

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

• 9 a.m. –Polk County Commissioners meeting, Polk County Commissioners’ Conference Room, 850 Main St., Dallas

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

• 9:30 a.m.Independence Municipal Court, City Hall, 555 South Main St.

• 10 a.m. – Four Handed Pinochle, Dallas Area Senior Center

• 10 a.m. - Tai Chi, Monmouth Senior Center

• 10:30 a.m. - Little Bitty Storytime, for babies and young toddlers, Dallas Public Library, 950 Main St.

• 10:30 a.m. –Independence Library Storytime, 175 Monmouth St.

• 11:30 a.m. –Mahjong, Dallas Area Senior Center

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

• 3 p.m. - Seed Sprouts with 4-H, Monmouth Public Library, 168 Ecols St. S.

• 6:30 p.m. - Music Jam, Monmouth Senior Center

Thursday, Feb. 29

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

• 9 a.m. - AARP Smart Driver Class, Monmouth Community Senior Center

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

• 10:30 a.m. - Songs, bounces and rhymes, for ages under 2, Monmouth Public Library, 168 Ecols St. S.

• 10:30 a.m.Sing with Teacher Brittany, for ages 0-5, 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 a.m. - Simple games/Walking Club, Monmouth Senior Center

• 11:15 a.m., - Low Impact Exercise, Dallas Area Senior Center

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

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

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

• 1 p.m. - Knitting/ Needle Craft, Monmouth Senior Center

• 5:30 p.m.Thursday Pinball Tournaments, West Valley Taphouse, 957 Main St., Dallas

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

Friday, March 1

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

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

• 10 a.m. - Writers Workshop/Drawing For Fun, Monmouth Senior Center

• 10 a.m. - Art Workshop/Listening Ear, Dallas Senior Center

• 1 p.m. - Tai Chi w/Cheryl/Bingo, Monmouth Senior Center

• 10 a.m. – Six handed Pinochle/ Art Workshop, Dallas Area Senior Center

• 5:30 p.m. - Stuffed Animal Sleepover, Dallas Public Library, 950 Main St.

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

• 7 p.m. - Live Music: Blood on the Plow, Golden Hop Saloon, 133 C St., Independence

Saturday, March 2

• 8:30 a.m.Friends of the Senior Center Pancake

Breakfast, Monmouth Senior Center, 180 S Warren St.

• 12 p.m. - Paint and Sip Paint Party, Wetzel Estates Winery with Artistic Chaos by Debbie, 17485 Highway 22, Dallas, $35

• 1:30 p.m. - Live Music: Randy Nicholson, Redgate Winery, 8175 Buena Vista Road, Independence

• 6 p.m. - Live Music: Joanne Broh/ Garry Meziere Band, Redgate Winery, 8175 Buena Vista Road, Independence

• 8 p.m.Live Music: Ed Desmarteau, Golden Hop Saloon, 133 C St., Independence

Sunday, March 3

• 2 p.m. Live Music: Orvil Ivie, Redgate Winery, 8175 Buena Vista Road, Independence

Monday, March 4

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

• 6 p.m. - Dallas City Council work session/meeting, 187 Court St.

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

Tuesday, March 5

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

• 9 a.m. –Polk County Commissioners Work Session, Polk County Commissioners’ Conference Room, 950 Main St., Dallas

• 10:30 a.m., - Low Impact Exercise, Dallas Area Senior Center

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

• 10:30 a.m.Family Storytime, Monmouth Public Library, 168 Ecols St. S.

• 11 a.m.Alzheimer’s Support Group, Dallas Area Senior Center

• 11:15 a.m., - Low Impact Exercise, Dallas Area Senior Center

• 12 p.m.Pinochle/Ponytail, Monmouth Senior Center

• 1:30 p.m. - Bunco, 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, Monmouth Senior Center, 180 S Warren St.

Wednesday, March 6

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

• 9 a.m. –Polk County Commissioners meeting, Polk County Commissioners’ Conference Room, 850 Main St., Dallas

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

• 9:30 a.m.Independence Municipal Court, City Hall, 555 South Main St.

• 10 a.m. – Four Handed Pinochle, Dallas Area Senior Center

• 10 a.m. - Tai Chi, Monmouth Senior Center

• 10:30 a.m. - Little Bitty Storytime, for babies and young toddlers, Dallas Public Library, 950 Main St.

• 10:30 a.m. –Independence Library Storytime, 175 Monmouth St.

• 11:30 a.m. –Mahjong, Dallas Area Senior Center

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

• 6:30 p.m. - Music Jam, Monmouth Senior Center

• 7 p.m.Monmouth Planning Commission meeting, Volunteer Hall, 144 South Warren St.

now open for the Mid-Willamette Valley Council of Governments Annual Dinner Feb. 28 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at 27100 SW Salmon River Highway, in Grand Ronde. Registration requires a credit card payment on Event Brite at bit.ly/3SNvif7 and is only $25 per person plus a $3.52 processing fee for a scrumptious buffet. Reserve a table of eight and receive a discount.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with the program starting at 6 p.m. Join the MWVCOG for an evening hosted by the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde with a bountiful buffet along with a night of celebration and recognition of

the fine work being done in the region by the MWVCOG member organizations.

Polk County 4-H hosts seed sprouts class Feb. 28

The Polk County 4-H presents Seed Sprouts with 4-H at 3 p.m. Feb. 28 at the Monmouth Public Library, 168 Ecols St. S. For ages 4-12, a variety of seeds and materials will be provided. For more information, call (503) 838-1932,

Horse Haven hosts fundraising garage sale March 1-2.

Willow Branch Horse Haven and Refuge hosts a Gigantic Garage Sale at the Farm, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 1-2. All proceeds go towards the upkeep and maintenance of the rescue. The sale is at 12455 Myers Road, outside Dallas.

GFWC Polk County Service Club celebrating 110th anniversary March 2

The GFWC Polk County Service Club will be celebrating 110 years of volunteer service in Polk County

on March 2 from 4-6 p.m. Located at 340 S Third St., in Independence, the club will be honoring its founding members with wonderful, interesting minute books that started in 1914. The event kicks off with a ribbon cutting followed by special presentations from Independence Mayor John McArdle, Monmouth Mayor Cecelia Koontz. Historian Sarah Rohde, Dallas, Oregon Federation of Womens Clubs Historian Pam Briggs and GFWC Past International President Carlene Garner. The presentation includes history of the local club, with a focus the era of 1910 to 1925. Admission is free and refreshments will be available.

CASA casino night fundraiser returns March 9

The CASA of Polk County’s annual Casino Night fundraiser is from 6-10 p.m. March 9 at the Werner University Center at

Western Oregon University, 400 Monmouth Ave. N., Monmouth. Tickets go quickly and are available now for $75. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, drinks, unlimited free photo booth, giveaways, door prizes and gaming. The event helps raise and funds to support Polk County’s most vulnerable children. All proceeds go toward Polk County CASA. To purchase tickets, www. casaofpolk.com or stop by their office at 580 Main St., Suite D, Dallas. To learn more, call (503) 623-8473.

EEA hosts free Teen Aviation Weekend March 16-17

The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), Chapter 292, presents Teen Aviation Weekend, March 16-17 at

the Independence Airport, 4803 Airport Road. Register today for a weekend of free hands-on aviation discovery. Youth ages 14-19 will learn how airplanes fly, See and touch aircraft from 1918 through 2022, build and fly a model glider, learn hands-on aircraft building skills, fly a flight simulator, explore aviation career opportunities and schedule a future Young Eagles flight. The event is 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. each day with snacks and lunches supplied. Sign up today online at www. eaa292.org/TAW or contact Bob Spencer at (971) 804-2303.

Polk County 4-H offers poultry project Chickens, Turkeys, Ducks, and Geese are just a few examples of poultry. Polk

County 4-H’s poultry project teaches members production and marketing by managing projects. Project topics include turkeys, egg production, and development from egg to chick. This project is a great way to learn about food sources and animal production, while making new friends. Contact 4-H today to get connected with a club. Sign up at bit.ly/3OXLnMO.

Struts & Frets Theatre Co. presents “Little Women”

Tickets are on sale now for Struts & Frets Theatre Co.’s production of “Little Women,” at 7 p.m. March 28-30 and 2 p.m. March 30 at the Dallas Event Center, at 393 Main St. For more information, go to www.facebook.com/ strutsandfretstheatrecompany.

Janet Hockman

Janet Hockman, of Dallas, Oregon, died of complications from dementia and went to be with the Lord on Feb. 17, 2024, at the age of 88.

She was born and raised in Whittier, California. She was married to A.B. (Ben) Hockman Jr. and lived in Modesto, California, and Indio, California, before settling in Dallas. She was married to Ben for 69 years and is survived by her four children, Jennifer, Jeff, John, and Joel, along with six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Janet’s life was marked by faithful service and hospitality. She was an excellent cook and always seemed ready to accommodate unplanned guests. She kept books and handled payroll for the family construction business. She mended her kids’ clothes, picked them up from practice, and attended their events.

She and Dad were among the founding members of Valley Baptist Church where she would often exercise her gifts of hospitality. Like the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31, she “did not eat the bread of idleness” and her children would rise up to call her blessed.

The family would like to thank the faithful caregivers of Dallas Retirement Village and Dr. Peffley, who attended to Janet’s medical needs in the latter years of her life. They are also grateful for the kindhearted and capable care of Bollman’s Tribute Center who attended to her final affairs. A family graveside service and memorial will be held at a later date.

Bollman’s Tribute Center is caring for the family.

Marciel Regier

Mar. 12, 1934 – Feb. 11, 2024

Marciel Jeannette (Reimer) Regier passed away peacefully on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, at Palm Village Retirement Community in Reedley, California, at the age of 89. Marciel had a home birth on March 12, 1934, to Cornelius and Anna Reimer in Dallas, Oregon.

She attended high school at Salem Christian Academy where she made lifetime friends. As a child, Marciel loved accompanying her father, a lay preacher, on Sunday mornings to teach Sunday School in the hop yards to migrant children. She attended and was baptized in the Dallas, Oregon, Mennonite Brethren Church. After graduating from Salem Academy, Marciel attended Pacific Bible Institute in Fresno, California, where she met Marvin Regier, the love of her life.

Marvin and Marciel were married on Aug. 15, 1952, in Dallas, Oregon. Immediately after the wedding, Mom and Dad moved to Los Angeles where Dad worked at Los Angeles General Hospital and Mom worked at Singer Sewing Machine. When Dad completed his service, they moved to Dallas, Oregon, where Michael and Cindy were born. Mom worked summers at the cannery and picking hops.

In 1961, Marvin and Marciel moved to Reedley where Monte was born. Mom and Dad joined the Reedley Mennonite Brethren Church. Mom stayed active in the church by teaching Sunday School and Pioneer Girls and later singing in the choir. Mom had a love of math and numbers and prior to her retirement, she worked as a bookkeeper for Ferdinand Yale, Pioneer Equipment, Gus Janzen, and Wes Isaac Construction.

Mom and Dad loved to travel with their good friends and went on many cruises and visited many countries.

Marciel and Marvin celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in August with their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Marciel is survived by her husband, Marvin Regier; her brother Tom Reimer, of Edmonds, Washington; and her three children Michael Regier (and wife Paula), Cindy Schuil (and husband Marc) and Monte Regier (and wife Christie). She has five grandchildren - Jeff Schuil (Lindsay), Crystal Bevis (Jared), Katie Verhoeven (Jonathan), Brooke and Austin Regier. Marciel was blessed with 10 great grandchildren - Levi, Jane and Jude Schuil; Owen, Nora and Miles Bevis; and Savannah, Emily, Gwen and Marc Verhoeven.

Always positive and caring, Marciel loved serving her family and was always there for a school program or sports event. Marciel hosted all our family gatherings at her home until she was no longer able. Marciel was a voracious reader and loved to garden.

Service was held at the Chapel at Palm Village Retirement Community, 703 W. Herbert Avenue, Reedley, California, on Saturday, Feb. 24. Donations may be made to Palm Village Retirement Community.

Marilyn Shirley

Wallis

May 7, 1941 - Feb. 15, 2024

Marilyn Shirley Wallis, 82 years young, died Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, at her home in Monmouth with family by her side.

Marilyn was born on May 7, 1941, in Chicago, Illinois, to Edwin and Mary Lein. She was an avid gardener and crafter, and a member of the Monmouth Garden Club. She enjoyed beautiful flowers, sewing and making cards. She is survived by her beau Ted Hunt; her children Debra (Joe) Beschen, Nadean (Jim) Sisson, and Eido Eido; 13 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband Doug and her brother Edwin.

A memorial will be held at her home 317 Atwater St., Monmouth, Oregon, 97361 on Saturday, March 2 from 2-7 p.m. for friends and family to come celebrate her life.

Benjamin G. Haynes

May 23, 1936 - Feb. 9, 2024

Born in Newport, Oregon, Ben lived most of his life in Oregon. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard from August of 1955 to August of 1959 and two years in reserve. He became the cook on the USCG Wachusett, even though he had no experience. He bought a cookbook and that’s where his career of cooking began. Being the cook, he was responsible for keeping his shipmates healthy, ordering the food needed for their long trips to sea and staying within the budget. Later he was stationed along the Mississippi River on the ice cutter CG59300. He knew his wife Roberta “Bobby” since they were young, a sister of his friend whose uncle had a farm in Salt Creek. They got married in December of 1959. They had seven children together, four of them he delivered in their home.

Between 1961-1972, Ben worked for the Oregon State Highway as the soil technician during construction of the I-5 freeway, moving with his family as he followed the highway down to the Southern Oregon border. They first moved to Dallas in 1967 when he was transferred to Salem lab department.

During 1969-1977, when he worked surveying, cutting, selling and delivering firewood, they also ran a Shell gas station in Salem, Oregon. In 1977 they moved to their farm for the first time and built their home in which he used some of the giant beams from tearing down the old “Hop Drier” in Independence, Oregon.

Before finishing the house at their farm in 1977 they moved and purchased the Texaco gas station in Mill City, Oregon, where he, his wife and kids ran the gas station. They move back to the farm in about 1981 and did forestry contracts until they purchased The Place Restaurant in 1982. For the first few years he continued to do forestry, but then took over cooking and running the restaurant. Some may remember his oldies and folk music playing in the kitchen as he would tap his toes as he cooked.

He raised pigs and also planted a crop of blueberries at their farm in 1983. Ben really enjoyed running a business with his family which taught us family values of working together. They sold the restaurant 1995 but ended up getting it back in 2000. Later selling it again in 2005 when he finally semi-retired to work on his farm. He raised

goats for several years until his first bout of illness, catching pneumonia. He didn’t want to burden his family taking care of his much-loved goats, so he sold them off.

Ben was a hard-working father who supported his family his whole life, proud that he never needed government assistance. He was a God-loving man who raised his kids with love. Ben was always ready to give advice or help to anyone who needed it. He was a very creative and artistic “Jack of all trades” who built his home at the farm and many pieces of furniture. He often helped his children with carpentry work at their own homes and businesses like the Rickreall Event Hall where his Celebration of Life will be held.

In his later years he enjoyed spending time with family, especially every Saturday for family game day at the R.E. Hall. He also liked working on his farm selling blueberries and driving around his lawn tractor doing farm work.

Ben said, “I lived a full life, and love my family, I would never trade it for anything.”

Living his last years at the farm was his final wishes. His smile, laughter and hugs will be greatly missed by his family. We love you Daddy/ Grandpa and are glad you are at peace in Heaven.

He is survived by his wife Roberta (Bobby) Haynes; children Sindy Brost, Nannette Haynes, Matthew Haynes, Amy Chavez, Sheela Coria and Sherry Garcia, Lyn Fox; along with 23 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life for Ben will be held at Rickreall Event Hall, 305 Nesmith Road, Rickreall, Oregon, on March 10, 2024, at 2 p.m.

Roger Alan Miles March 5, 1949 - Feb. 17, 2024

Roger Alan Miles, 74, of Monmouth, Oregon, passed away peacefully on Feb. 17, 2024, and reunited with Gail, his beloved wife of nearly 40 years. Roger was born in Baker City, Oregon, on March 5, 1949. Roger’s family moved to the Dallas area a few years later and he lived in the Willamette Valley the rest of his life.

Roger was predeceased by his parents Sam, aka “Wes”, and Cathy (Hunke) Miles, and by his wife Gail. Roger is survived by his sisters Fran Weisensee, of Dallas, and Chris Miles (Bob Coiner), of Eugene. He is also survived by brothers-in-law, a niece and nephews, cousins and precious godchildren.

Roger grew up enjoying the hills of Polk County and spent many hot summer days swimming in Mill Creek with his sisters and neighbor kids. He

was a budding engineer and built plastic model car kits, constructed complex motorized structures with his metal erector set, and concocted frightening chemical reactions with his chemistry set (some involving gun powder). Roger’s first job was directing cars and washing windshields at the Dallas City Drive-In Theater. He enjoyed riding motorcycles and driving sports cars in his young adult life.

Roger married the love of his life, Gail Gioia, in 1973. He reluctantly agreed to go on a blind date with a visitor from Florida as a favor to his sister Fran. Two years later Roger and Gail were married. They were a devoted couple for nearly 40 years until Gail was lost to cancer in 2013. Roger and Gail shared a deep Catholic faith. Roger served as Gail’s sound crew as she led the choir at St. Philip Catholic Church in Dallas. They especially enjoyed visiting Roger’s family in Baker County, Oregon, sharing stories of colorful family history and camping on “the ranch” held by the Miles/Morgan family for nearly a century.

Roger was patriotic, he cared about his fellow countrymen. He enlisted for a three-year term in the U.S. Army. He completed active duty in Vietnam 1969-70 which impacted the rest of his life.

Roger studied engineering at Chemeketa Community College which prepared him for a 37-year career in roadway engineering with the Oregon Department of Transportation. He traveled Oregon extensively working on road materials and design. Roger was a private person and did not mention the commendations and award for excellence he received for this work which benefits everyone driving the roads of Oregon.

Roger was honored to be a godparent and took this role very seriously. He had special relationships with his godchildren, offering encouragement and teaching in the vital aspects of life. Roger was generous. He quietly supported numerous charities and made special gifts to support people and projects.

Roger and his late uncle Norm Miles developed an important and enduring kinship after losing the most important women in their lives. They had long phone conversations every Sunday night. They enjoyed adventures traveling back roads and photographing the beauty of Oregon. Norm was like an older brother to Roger.

A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 9, 2024, at St. Philips Catholic Church 825 SW Mill St, Dallas, Oregon, followed by a reception in the parish hall. A private burial service with military honors will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Salt Creek Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions may be made to CASA of Polk County (advocates for children and youth in foster care).

Bollman’s Tribute Center is caring for the family.

www.

BollmansTributeCenter.com

Michael William Garretson

Aug. 5, 1955 – Feb. 20, 2024

Michael William Garretson, 68, of Monmouth, Oregon, passed away surrounded by his family on Feb. 20, 2024. Mike was preceded in death by his wife of 35 years, Bonnie Jean Garretson; his parents William George Garretson and Leola Mae Garretson; and their infant son, Freddy. Mike was blessed to be loved by many and will be missed by those he left behind. He is survived by children Veronica Dery and her husband, Jeanette Chenevert and her husband, and Travis Baker; sister Judy Garretson; and several grandkids, nieces and nephews. Mike was born on Aug. 5, 1955, in Lincoln, Nebraska, to Leola and William Garretson. His arrival was much anticipated by his older sister, Judy. In the early 1960s the family moved to Castle Rock, Colorado, where he spent his childhood developing hobbies that he loved such as coin and stamp collecting, hunting and developing a strong work ethic. Mike was blessed with a love of antiques when he started working in the local antique store as a part time job while in high school. He attended Douglas County High School in Castle Rock, graduating in 1974. After school Mike went to work at Ensigne – Bickford manufacturing explosives. It was there that he met the love of his life, Bonnie, and her two children, Jeanette and Travis. He became “Dad”. Jeanette and Travis loved having special moments together like the support at choir and band concerts, weekly boy scout meetings and sports. Mike and Bonnie got married Feb. 9, 1979. They finished their family in 1980 with the birth of Veronica.

As the children grew and the family expanded, Mike loved spending time with his grandkids. He often took the grandkids on walks, to the park to play tennis, and what has been known as “Camp Gramp”, where they would visit and go see historical local sights on weeklong summer visits. Mike’s favorite holiday was always Halloween. He loved seeing the kids and grandkids in their costumes and always was the one to take them out trick or treating. He will be missed and always be loved.

See OBITS, page A7

JANUARY RESTAURANT INSPECTIONS

Editor’s Note: Polk County Health Department conducts a bi-annual,

Inspection Date: Jan. 26

Score: 100

Dutch Bros Coffee

165 Pacific Ave., Monmouth

Inspection Date: Jan. 26

Score: 100

Panda Express

655 Taggart Dr #150, West Salem Inspection Date: Jan. 26

Score: 95 - Potentially hazardous food is not maintained at proper hot or cold holding temperatures, specifically several pans of rice in rice warming cabinet across from grill are 122 to 124 F.

Taco Bell

450 Wallace Road NW, West Salem

Inspection Date: Jan. 26

Score: 100

The Eat Station

or face closure or other administrative action. Restaurants display a placard by the entrance that indicate passing or failing their most recent inspection.

West Salem Dairy Queen

1141 Wallace Road NW, West Salem

Inspection Date: Jan. 30

Score: 90 - Potentially hazardous food is not maintained at proper hot or cold holding temperatures, specifically bottle of barbecue sauce sitting in metal container in ice is 63F. Operator states it has been there for three hours.

Rookie’s

641 E Clay St., Monmouth

Inspection Date: Jan. 29

Score: 100

Habanero’s

601 Clay St. E., Monmouth

Inspection Date: Jan. 29

Score: 100

Monmouth

Dairy Queen

320 Pacific Ave S., Monmouth

Inspection Date: Jan. 29

Score: 100

The Tap Station

87 S Main St., Independence

Obits

From Page A6

There will be a private family celebration of Mike’s life at a later date. Friends and family are encouraged to sign the online guestbook at www. coosbayareafunerals.com.

Arrangements are under the care of North Bend Chapel, (541) 756-0440.

Dallas

Superintendent delivers first round of pink slip

From Page A1

underway to identify areas for reduction.

Help

Delivering inspiration one bracelet at a time

From Page A1

“We like the idea of having it on your wrist because it’s an easy thing to look at, especially when you’re going up to bat,” he said. “A lot of my teammates say they go up to the plate, take a really quick look at the bracelet and get set to hit the ball.”

Rodriguez, a personal trainer, noted they create bracelet patterns and the messages themselves.

Input from others can influence their decisions.

“People have emailed us, messaged us, ‘We really like

or cold holding temperatures, specifically several food items in small Atosa prep unit are between 46F to 48F ( tomatoes, olives, blue cheese dressing).

- 7 days past disposition date. Several containers of house made salsas in reach-in fridge are not datemarked. Operator states salsa were prepared a day prior

Carl’s Jr

555 Edgewater St. NW Ste.

150, West Salem

Inspection Date: Jan. 26

Score: 100

Tater’s Cafe

683 SE Jefferson St., Dallas

Inspection Date: Jan. 25

Score: 100

The Sippery

169 W Main Street Monmouth

Inspection Date: Jan. 25

87 Main St., Independence

Inspection Date: Jan. 26

Score: 87 - Food employees are not washing their hands as often as necessary, specifically operator is slicing meat and picked up a thermometer off the ground, then returned to slicing meat without washing hands; raw or ready-to eat food is not properly protected from cross contamination, specifically container of raw eggs is sitting in door of white reach in, above ready to eat chili spread and olives; ready-to-eat food is not properly datemarked, specifically gallon of milk and container of homemade cheese sauce are not date marked. Operator states they were opened/prepared yesterday.

Odd Moe’s Pizza

1594 Edgewater St. #160, West Salem

Inspection Date: Jan. 26

Score: 92 - Food employees eat, drink or use tobacco in unapproved areas or use an inappropriate beverage container for drinking, specifically open red bull can sitting on counter next to prep unit; potentially hazardous food is not maintained at proper hot

Pamela Jean Richardson Peterson

April 21, 1939 - Sept. 13, 2023

“Input and ideas were actively sought from staff and administrators,” he said. “These ideas were thoroughly researched. Additionally, discussions took place with our district Finance Committee. Given that personnel costs constitute 85% of our District budget, significant reductions in this area are inevitable.”

this verse.’ If we have quite a few people asking for the same verse, well, that might be one that people want,” Rodriguez said. Their messaging struck a chord with their customers from the beginning.

“The wristband really caught on,” Rodriguez said. “We didn’t have any expectations when we started the business. But when we sold out our first order of bracelets, it was, like, we can keep doing this.”

They ordered more bracelets, but some of these had new patterns and new messages. They also proved popular.

“We started getting traction. People began hearing about our company, and they really liked what we were selling,” Alarcon said.

Score: 97 - Food employees eat, drink or use tobacco in unapproved areas or use an inappropriate beverage container for drinking, specifically opened protein bar is sitting next to plates beside prep unit in back, and plate with potato chips and dip are sitting on center prep table in front kitchen. Drink with lid and no straw is sitting on back of prep unit in back.

KFC/A&W

444 S Pacific Hwy., Monmouth

Inspection Date: Jan. 24

Score: 100

Dairy Queen

586 SE Jefferson St., Dallas

Inspection Date: Jan. 22

Score: 100

Ugo’s Pizza Parlor

967 Main St., Dallas

Inspection Date: Jan. 22

Score: 100

Altita’s

189 Pacific Hwy., Monmouth

Inspection Date: Jan. 19

Score: 95 - Refrigerated, readyto-eat, potentially hazardous food has not been consumed within the required time period or is not properly date-marked, specifically plastic container of chile relleno in reach-in fridge is datemarked Jan. 5 , 2024

Pamela Peterson passed away Sept. 13 at 5:47 p,m., as a result of her injuries sustained from a stroke on the evening of the Feb. 7 at her home in Dallas, Oregon.

Pamela finally was granted her wish after an unwanted extended stay at the care facility and spent her final days in the home of her son and daughter-in-law, John and Lynsi Peterson. We moved her in late July, and her time spent under our care were the

District wide, the administration identified cuts to 17 licensed teaching positions, 15 classified positions and two administrative positions, the biggest staff reduction since the 2008-09 school year, Spencer recalled. He explained affected classified staff have 10 days to decide whether they accept their new position or be placed on

Bolstered by continued success, Alarcon and Rodriguez added to their product line. One of their more popular phrases, “Beyond the Game,” was no longer confined to bracelets.

“Our customers really liked that. We thought, well, we could make a shirt off that,” Rodriguez said. “So we made a shirt with the same phrase.”

Vencer Co’s expanding project line includes apparel, such as tee-shirts and hoodies, along with accessories, such as matching socks, hats and beanies.

Max Clark, the third pick in last year’s Major League Baseball draft, is one customer with a large following on social media. “(Clark) has some 400,000 followers on his Instagram account. We sent him some stuff, and he really liked them.

Butter, Sugar, Coffee

319 S 10th St., Independence

Inspection Date: Jan. 18

Score: 100

Main Street Ice Cream Parlor Inc.

109 Main St. E., Monmouth

Inspection Date: Jan. 12

Score: 100

Pizza Hut-w. Salem

560 Wallace Road NW, West Salem

Inspection Date: Jan. 11

Score: 100

Bobablastic West Salem

1233 Riverbend Rd NW, West Salem

Inspection Date: Jan. 11

Score: 100

Pastatastic

1233 Riverbend Rd NW., West Salem

Inspection Date: Jan. 11 Score: 92 - A handwashing sink does not provide the minimum water temperature or is not equipped with a mixing valve or combination faucet, specifically unit’s hot water handle to handwashing sink is loose. handwashing sink has not been getting any hot water. Operator says it has been this way for about a week; potentially hazardous food is not maintained at proper hot or cold holding temperatures, specifically garlic in oil (64F) is sitting out at room temperature by prep unit. Operator states that it has been out for two hours.

Mcdonald’s

570 Wallace Road NW, West Salem

Inspection Date: Jan. 11

Score: 100

happiest she had been in some time since her incident in February. She was born in the city of Battersea, London, England, on April 23, 1939, to parents William Richardson and Lily Richardson, and married Jimmie C. Peterson on Dec. 17, 1960, at St. Saviors Church in London. She survived by her husband; her sons Jimmie and daughter-inlaw Danni, JD and daughterin-law Lorri, Jason, and John

a recall list, so this process won’t be finalized for another couple of weeks.

“We understand the impact these reductions may have on our school community and want to assure you that every effort has been made to minimize the impact on essential programs and services,” wrote to the Dallas School District community.

Mcdonald’s

1315 Monmouth St., Independence

Inspection Date: Jan. 10

Score: 90 - Potentially hazardous food is not maintained at proper hot or cold holding temperatures, specifically can of whipped cream by ice cream station is 63f. Operator states can has been out for five minutes; the use of time as a public health control is not properly applied, specifically sauce bottle is marked for disposition at 7:50am this morning (6.5 hours prior to inspection).

Fro-zone Yogurt

1389 Monmouth St., Independence

Inspection Date: Jan. 10

Score: 100

Subway

1379 Monmouth St., Independence

Inspection Date: Jan. 10

Score: 100

Baskin Robbins

1124 Wallace Rd, West Salem

Inspection Date: Jan. 9

Score: 100

Java Crew

779 Wallace Rd, West Salem

Inspection Date: Jan. 9

Score: 100

Jamba Juice 515 Taggart Dr. NW, Salem

Inspection Date: Jan. 9

Score: 100

Brew Coffee And Tap House

211 S Main St., Independence

Inspection Date: Jan. 8

Score: 100

Subway

242 Main St., Dallas

Inspection Date: Jan. 8

Score: 100

Dreamies Creamery

141 SW Court St., Dallas

Inspection Date: Jan. 8

Score: 100

and daughter-in-law Lynsi; and her many grandchildren. Pamela was the best of us all. She loved her family dearly and was its backbone. She brought so much joy to me and Lynsi, and to our children Elizabeth, Zachary, and Lily while staying in our home. Pamela loved all of her grandchildren so very much.

A light from our household is gone, a voice we loved is stilled. A place is vacant in our home and in our hearts

“We remain committed to providing a quality education for our students and appreciate your understanding and support during these challenging times.”

In addition to identifying reductions, the administration has also explored ways to increase revenue. Spencer pointed to initiatives like Dragons Academy Online that

Subway Main St. 113 Main St. E., Monmouth

Inspection Date: Jan. 5

Score: 100

Burgerville USA

615 E Main St., Monmouth

Inspection Date: Jan. 5

Score: 100

Yeasty Beasty 167 Main St., Monmouth

Inspection Date: Jan. 5

Score: 95 - The chlorine sanitizer concentration, pH, or temperature is not adequate, specifically chlorine in sanitizing compartment of three compartment sink is 10ppm.

Domino’s Pizza 590 Taggart Drive NW, West Salem

Inspection Date: Jan. 4

Score: 100

Starbucks Coffee

244 E Ellendale Ave., Dallas

Inspection Date: Jan. 4

Score: 100

The Inferno - Taphouse 915 N Main St., Independence Inspection Date: Jan. 4

Score: 100

The InfernoMobile Unit 915 N Main St., Independence Inspection Date: Jan. 4

Score: 100

Fuego Tacos LLC

272 Pacific Ave. S., Monmouth

Inspection Date: Jan. 3

Score: 90 - Food from unapproved sources or prepared in a private home is used in the establishment, specifically: huaraches sitting on cloth towel in plastic grocery bag is sitting in reach-in fridge. Operator states that huaraches were prepared in private home; potentially hazardous food is not maintained at proper hot or cold holding temperatures, specifically asada and cubed meat in hot holding unit is at 125F.

which never can be filled. Saying goodbye to the best Mother a son could ever have. Love you forever, dearest Mum.

were introduced at the start of second semester to maintain and increase students to the district and boost enrollment.

“We are exploring adding grades 6-8 as well,” he added. For additional information, the school district created an online Q&A page, bit. ly/3IkC3Pn.

So

PHOTO BY LANCE MASTERSON

Emiliano Alarcon and Vianney Rodriguez display inspirational bracelets that

sold by their company, Vencer Co.

Pottery

Getting your hands dirty at a new pottery workshop

From Page A1

his full support, she decided not to procrastinate any longer.

“We decided we could either be 80 and thinking we should have tried that, or we did try it and see if it worked or didn’t. So decided to jump in,” Sandra said.

Initially fearing the 1,700-square foot location they found at 137 Court St., in Dallas, was too spacious for a pottery workshop, they soon found it filling with the necessities. Blake hand-constructed the large, central worktable. He teamed with their daughter’s fiancé to assemble the shelves. Sandra and her daughter built the worktables that held the pottery wheels.

“The whole family was helping out on this,” Sandra said.

They officially opened Jan. 5, offering two options – a one-night class where students are given three chances to craft one bowl worth keeping, and a 5-week class where students return to make between 8-10 items, from bowls to mugs. She also offers premade items that participants may choose to skip the creation phase and go right

into glazing and decorating themselves.

“Many people haven’t done any pottery since middle school or high school,” Sandra said. “It’s a lot of fun. Even if (you) don’t make anything, come in and get your hands dirty.”

Her classes were soon filled (10 maximum), also inspired by Dickman’s invitation for private parties.

“A lot of people are like, ‘Oh, I’ve always wanted to try this.’ And I say, well get in here,” Sandra said.

Rickreall resident Kathy Scott said she saw Pots & Whatnots advertisement on social media. She brought her husband and six friends for a perfect alternative birthday party.

“I saw it on Facebook and always wanted to try this,” Kathy said.

Her husband James took immediately to the pottery wheel, producing a bowl in his first try that impressed Blake, who helps teach the classes to newcomers.

“That’s better than my first attempt,” Blake admitted, pointing to James’s finished creation.

Regardless how well each participant’s finished bowl turned out, laughter throughout the evening pointing toward a good time being had by all. Just what Sandra Dickman was hoping for. And, unsurprisingly, she’s enjoying the heck out of teaching the classes.

“I love it. I wasn’t sure working with kids on wheels, since I hadn’t really done that before. I’d done it with my own kids, but not with other people’s kids and so many at once. It’s a lot of fun,” Sandra said. “They’re so enthusiastic and positive energy. So, it’s just really good. And they’re

impressed with themselves when they make something.”

She’s already taking steps to take Pots & Whatnots to the next level. Channeling the popular wine and paint events around the region, Dickman has applied with the city to start her own wine related events. She’s waiting to hear back from city so she can apply to the state.

“Sometimes when people get on the wheel, they’re so adamant in controlling what the clay is going to do, they get really frustrated,” DIckman said. “If they just had a glass of wine or beer, then they could just let it go.”

Sandra Dickman’s sample bowl begins to take shape.

PHOTOS BY DAVID HAYES

Sandra Dickman demonstrates to a full Friday night class at Pots & Whatnots how to make a simple bowl from clay.

•

•

Dallas wins third wrestling championship

Polly Olliff, Joseph Johnson win individual titles, girls’ team takes second place

By DAVID HAYES Itemizer-Observer

By the end of the night

Saturday, Dallas athletes were eager to depart Portland’s Veterans Memorial Coliseum, get back on the bus and make a beeline to the nearest Red Robin before it closed.

According to their head coach Autin Markee, after a season of dieting, watching their weight and countless hours sweating on the practice mat, they were deserving of a celebratory cheeseburger.

The Dragon’s boys’ wrestling program won their third ever state title Feb. 24, edging out perennial powerhouse Thurston, 219.5 to 202 (Redmond placed third with 190.5 points). It was their first title since 2018.

Contributing to the celebration, in the OSAA’s first year officially sanctioning a girls’ wrestling tournament, the Dragon’s impressed with a second-place finish, behind Thurston.

“It was an emotional tournament, falling behind, catching up again,” Markee said of the overall effort.

Leading the attack was now two-time state champion Polly Olliff, who faced her season-long nemesis Jennifer Russell of Corvallis. Russell had beaten Olliff in their two prior meets in the regular season. But Olliff proved how difficult it is to beat an opponent three times in a row. The

110-pound junior turned the tables, getting a 5-2 decision. She said the two championships elicited different reactions.

“The first time was a lot more exciting because it was new, I’d never done it before,” Olliff said Monday after returning to classes.

“This time it was really relieving. I was really stressed leading into the match. Winning was very, very stress

relieving. It felt very good, all thanks to my coaches and workout partners.”

The lone boy’s wrestler making it to the center of the awards podium was Joseph Johnson. The 120-pound junior pinned Colton Hankey, of Crescent Valley, at the 3:14 mark of the second round of the finals. He said the key to his victory was his faith in God.

“I pray before every match. I tell him your will is yours, not mine. If His will is for me to win, I try my hardest to accomplish what He wants for me,” Johnson said.

Johnson added even though he’d beaten Hankey earlier in the year by minor decision after a cradle pin attempt was interrupted by the time expiring (10-4), he knew the

second time around would be a different story. “I wasn’t going to say ‘I’d beat him once, I can beat him again.’ I knew this was going to be the toughest match of my life,” Johnson said. “But once I got him in a cradle this time, I finished the job.”

Markee said Johnson’s victory by pin was actually the

See CHAMPS, page B8

Hot streak powers Panthers into playoff picture

By LANCE MASTERSON For The Itemizer-Observer

A late season surge has the Central High varsity girls basketball team right where it wants to be - in line for postseason play. “At this point, we are in the playoffs with one of the at-large bids,” coach Marc Burelson said. The 10th-ranked Panthers defeated McKay and Dallas last week, thereby pushing their recent hot streak to nine wins in 11 games. Two of the wins came against teams ranked higher than the Panthers by the OSAA.

•

• Boys BB 44, Lost River 58

“I am proud of the team and how they have stepped up and played in the second half of the league,” Burleson said. “We had two great wins versus South Albany and Crescent Valley, along with teams we were supposed to beat, if you go by rankings.”

The top eight teams host first round games. As of Sunday night, and with one regular season game remaining, the scenario for Central looked like this: “We would

either travel to Wilsonville or Springfield,” Burleson said.

But don’t book travel plans, yet. A last minute rearrangement is possible, depending on Feb. 27 game results and the tourney’s own rules.

“Per OSAA guidelines, in the first round of the playoffs we are not allowed to play a league opponent. This means even if we are ranked 9th or 10th, we would get shifted to avoid a conference opponent,” Burleson said.

“Mountain View, Crescent Valley and Central keep flipping back and forth, so we will not really know how we will end up until after our game (against Woodburn),” he added.

It’s highly unlikely the Panthers move up two slots, even if they defeated 27th-ranked Woodburn in the regular season finale. Results from that game weren’t available at press time.

As for the hot streak, it’s fueled by stingy defense and a potent offense.

“Our defensive pressure has been outstanding, and the girls are playing extremely tough,” he said.

Hadley Craig and Ashley Barba have provided much of the team’s offense for much of the team’s season. But key buckets are now coming from other players, such as Emily Newbeck, McKenzie Wells and Bella Names.

“When we have five players on the floor that can score at any time in offense, this makes us hard to guard and beat,” Burelson said. “Other teams must play honest defense and be prepared to stop all five players, not just stop one or two players.”

Craig, a junior, reached a personal milestone when she scored her 1,000th point against the Royal Scots. She continues to lead the team in most offensive categories.

Against Dallas, Craig netted a team-high 21 points, including going 4-for-4 for free throws. Barba added 19 points and Newbeck chipped in 10.

Hadley also recorded six steals, four assists and three steals. While Wells had six boards.

Erin Eriksen of Dallas led all players with 23 points and 13 rebounds.

FILE PHOTO BY LANCE MASTERSON

Applying defensive pressure for the Panthers are, (from left) Emily Names and McKenzie Wells. Ashley Borba is also pictured.

It was more of the same against McKay. Craig and Barba combined for 37 points, and Newbeck added 13 points. As for rebounds, Craig got 11 while Tatum Lushenko, Kyleah Medel and Wells recorded five each.

Craig added six assists, four deflections and three steals.

Patricia Mike scored 15 points to lead the Royal Scots.

First round playoff action begins Saturday.

Nearing the end of their prep careers are the team’s four seniors, Barba, Newbeck, Wells and Lushenko.

PHOTO BY NW SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY

Dallas junior Joseph Johnson is all smiles after winning a state title Feb. 24 by pinning Colton Hankey, of Crescent Valley, in the 120-pound bracket.

PHOTO BY WALT MARKEE

Dallas High School junior Polly Olliff has her hand raised in victory Feb. 24 after winning back-toback state wrestling titles.

SOCIAL

50 years ago

Feb. 27, 1974

OCE termed ‘best’ Oregon College of Education’s teacher education program was rated “best in the nation” this week by the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education at their annual convention in Chicago. OCE officials said that the honor is the culmination of that school’s go-it-alone effort which has extended over the last several years.

Polk cities receive state highway funds Dallas’ share of the semi-annual apportioning of the State Highway Fund to the incorporated cities of Oregon amounted to $46,309.37, according to figures released by the state highway division. Other Polk County cities sharing in the apportionment included Independence with $21,611.04 and Monmouth which received $37,111.15.

Dragons walk tightrope to win

With the CVL playoffs coming up March 1 in Forest Grove, Dallas has been getting the best preparation possible for those games. That preparation is winning the close games against

the top competition in the Coast Valley League. Last Tuesday the Orange and Black overcame an 18-point deficit in the first half and went on to beat St. Helens, the tallest team in the league, in a three-minute overtime, 55-53. Then the team and a large contingent of loyal fans journeyed up to Sandy and “whupped” the Pioneers, who are the class of CVL East, 52-50.

40 years ago Feb. 29, 1984

More farms sprout in Polk County

The number of farms in Polk County increased from 1,014 to 1,196 since 1978, according to preliminary reports of the 1982 Census of Agriculture. County farmland totaled 179,518 acres in 1982, an average of 150 acres per farm. In 1982, the county’s farmers sold $40.5 million in agricultural products, according to preliminary census reports. Sixty-five percent of total sales were for crops, while 35 percent of the total came from the sale of livestock, poultry and their products.

New Council sworn in

On Feb. 21, in St. Michaels Church, the Interim Council

of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde were sworn in legally for the first time in 30 years. The nine members (who were elected to the council on Feb. 3), were officially sworn in by John Weddle of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Portland District. Also present from the

Portland Area Office was Jim Rodgers, who will be working with the council. After the swearing in, the Interim Council members elected officers. Kathryn Harrison was elected chairman; vice chairman, Dean Mercier, and Candy Robertson, secretary-treasurer.

Howell leads ‘Cats in Seven Oaks win The LaCreole eighth grade A boys’ basketball team avenged a loss earlier in the week with a 32-25 home victory Thursday over Seven Oaks of Lebanon. The Wildcats were led by Marc Howell, who scored 14 points

and hit five free throws in the final quarter. Billy Newton added a season-high nine points, while Bob McBeth scored five points and made eight steals.

Feb. 28 - Mar. 6 Answer key. Puzzles can be found on

Creating

MOMENTS IN TIME

• On March 11, 2021, England’s Prince William made a public statement declaring that the British royal family was not a racist one. The announcement came on the heels of allegations from his sister-in-law, Prince Harry’s wife Meghan Markle, that she had experienced racism from some of the Windsors.

• On March 12, 1999, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland formally joined NATO, endowing the nations with a level of political and military security that had been lacking for much of the 20th century. The move was said to signify the beginning of a united Europe.

• On March 13, 1942, the U.S. Army promoted Julia Otteson Flikke, who served as a nurse during both world wars, to the rank of its first female colonel. Her second-in-command, Captain Florence A. Blanchfield, was appointed lieutenant colonel by Dwight D. Eisenhower and became the first woman in American history to hold permanent military rank.

• On March 14, 2022, singer-songwriter, actress Dolly Parton initially refused a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nomination. The Hall nevertheless kept the nomination in place, and she was ultimately voted in. Parton finally accepted her induction because it was something her fans were eager for.

• On March 15, 1959, Robert Foster created a new world record by holding his breath underwater in a California swimming pool for an astounding 13 minutes and 42.5 seconds. He would hold this record for the next 48 years.

• On March 16, 1876, 20-something variety show dancers Nelly Saunders and Rose Harland fought in America’s first public women’s boxing match at Harry Hill’s gambling resort in New York, for a prize of $200 and a silver plate. After Saunders won by a single point, the pair “left the stage arm in arm.”

• On March 17, 1905, Albert Einstein submitted his first paper on the quantum theory of light to the journal Annalen der Physik. It was the only one of his papers that year that he himself described as “very revolutionary,” and the theory would become a cornerstone of modern physics.

TRIVIA TEST

By FIFI RODRIGUEZ

1. LITERATURE: In the children’s book, what is Doctor Dolittle’s special talent?

2. ART: Who painted the work titled “Starry Night”?

3. FOOD

4.

Puzzle answers on page B2

include their respective successors in interest, if any. Pursuant to Oregon Law, this sale will not be deemed final until

Trustee’s deed has been issued by QUALITY LOAN SERVICE CORPORATION F/K/A QUALITY LOAN SERVICE CORPORATION OF WASHINGTON. If any irregularities are discovered within 10 days of the date of this sale, the trustee will

the sale, return the

money and take

action as necessary. If the sale is set aside for any reason, including if the Trustee is unable to convey title, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the monies paid to the Trustee. This shall be the Purchaser’s sole and exclusive remedy. The purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Trustor, the Trustee, the Beneficiary, the Beneficiary’s Agent, or the Beneficiary’s Attorney. If you have previously been discharged through bankruptcy, you may have been released of personal liability for this loan in which case this letter is intended to exercise the note holders right’s against the real property only. As required by law, you are hereby notified that a negative credit

and the successor in interest to the grantor as well as any other person owing obligation, the performance of which is secured by said trust deed; the words “trustee” and “beneficiary” include their respective successors in interest, if any. Pursuant to Oregon Law, this sale will not be deemed final until the Trustee’s deed has been issued by The Mortgage Law Firm, LLC. If any irregularities are discovered within 10 days of the date of this sale, the trustee will rescind the sale, return the buyer’s money and take further action as necessary. If the sale is set aside for any reason, including if the trustee is unable to convey title, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the monies paid to the Trustee.

This shall be the Purchaser’s sole and exclusive remedy. The purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Trustor, the Trustee, the Beneficiary, the Beneficiary’s Agent, or the Beneficiary’s Attorney. Also, please be advised that pursuant to the terms stated on the Deed of Trust and Note, the beneficiary is allowed to conduct property inspections while there is a default.

This

The property in which you are living is in

any person named in ORS 86.778 has the right, at any time prior to five days before the date last set for the sale, to have this foreclosure proceeding dismissed and the Trust Deed reinstated by payment to the Beneficiary of the entire amount then due (other than such portion of the principal as would not then be due had no default occurred) and by curing any other default complained of herein that is capable of being cured by rendering the performance required under the obligation or Trust Deed, and in addition to paying said sums or tendering the performance necessary to cure the default by paying all costs and expenses actually incurred in enforcing the obligation and trust deed, together with Trustee’s and attorney’s fees not exceeding the amounts provided by ORS 86.778.

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 the plural, the word “Grantor” includes any successor in interest to the Grantor as well as any other person owing an obligation, the performance of which is secured by said Trust Deed, and the words “Trustee” and “Beneficiary” include their respective successors in interest, if any.

THE DEBT DESCRIBED IN THIS TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE WILL BE ASSUMED TO BE VALID UNLESS WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER THE RECEIPT OF THIS NOTICE

THE PERSON(S) OBLIGATED OR ALLEGEDLY OBLIGATED TO PAY THE DEBT DISPUTES IN WRITING THE VALIDITY OF THE DEBT OR SOME PORTION OF IT.

If the Trustee is notified in writing within the 30 day period that the debt or some portion of it is disputed, the Trustee will obtain verification of the debt. Then, a copy of the verification will be mailed by the Trustee to the person(s) notifying him of the dispute. Upon written request within the 30 day period, the Trustee will provide the name and address of the original creditor if different than the current creditor named above. Written requests to the Trustee should be delivered to: Bradley S. Copeland, Arnold Gallagher PC, PO Box 1758, Eugene, OR 974401758.

THIS COMMUNICATION IS FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR AND IS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.

DATED: November 13, 2023

ARNOLD GALLAGHER P.C., Trustee By: Bradley S. Copeland Its: President EXHIBIT A

THE LAND REFERRED TO HEREIN BELOW IS SITUATED IN THE COUNTY OF POLK, STATE OF OR, AND IS DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: PARCEL I:

BEGINNING AT A 1/2

INCH IRON PIPE AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF THAT PROPERTY CONVEYED TO TONY KHA,

RECORDS MICROFILM 2007008781 (HEREIN REFERRED TO AS KHA PROPERTY 2), ALSO BEING ON THE SOUTH RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF THE MONMOUTH & INDEPENDENCE HIGHWAY (A 66 FOOT RIGHT-OF-WAY), SAID NORTHEAST CORNER BEING SOUTH 89°40’50” EAST 285.09 FEET FROM THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF LOT “C” OF A PARTITION PLAT RECORDED AS COUNTY SURVEY NO. 11882, A PARTITION PLAT OF RECORD IN SECTION 30 OF TOWNSHIP 8 SOUTH, RANGE 4 WEST OF THE WILLAMETTE MERIDIAN, CITY OF MONMOUTH, POLK COUNTY, OREGON; THENCE ALONG THE EAST LINE OF SAID KHA PROPERTY 2 SOUTH 0°18’49” WEST 148.00 FEET TO THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF THAT PROPERTY CONVEYED TO TONY KHA IN POLK COUNTY DEED RECORDS MICROFILM 2007008782 (HEREIN REFERRED TO AS KHA PROPERTY 1), SAID NORTHWEST CORNER BEING WITNESSED BY A 5/8 INCH IRON ROD THAT BEARS NORTH 55°31’40”

EAST 0.15 FEET FROM THE TRUE CORNER; THENCE ALONG THE NORTH LINE OF SAID KHA PROPERTY 1 SOUTH 89°39’43” EAST 142.16 FEET TO A 5/8 INCH IRON ROD AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF SAID KHA PROPERTY 1; THENCE ALONG THE EAST LINE OF SAID KHA PROPERTY 1 SOUTH 0°18’49” WEST 158.86 FEET TO THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF SAID KHA PROPERTY 1, ALSO BEING ON THE NORTH LINE OF “FIR-OAKS ESTATESPHASE I”, A SUBDIVISION OF RECORD IN SECTION 30 OF TOWNSHIP 8 SOUTH, RANGE 4 WEST OF THE WILLAMETTE MERIDIAN, CITY OF MONMOUTH, POLK COUNTY, OREGON; THENCE ALONG SAID NORTH LINE OF “FIR- OAKS ESTATESPHASE I” NORTH 89°39’43” WEST 285.53 FEET TO A 5/8 INCH IRON ROD AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THE AFOREMENTIONED KHA PROPERTY 2; THENCE ALONG THE WEST LINE OF SAID KHA PROPERTY 2 NORTH 0°18’49” EAST 152.75 FEET TO A 5/8 INCH IRON ROD; THENCE SOUTH

89°40’50” EAST 52.00 FEET TO A 5/8 INCH IRON ROD; THENCE NORTH 0°18’49” EAST 154.00 FEET TO A 5/8 INCH IRON ROD ON THE NORTH LINE OF SAID KHA PROPERTY 2, ALSO BEING ON THE SOUTH RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF SAID MONMOUTH & INDEPENDENCE HIGHWAY; THENCE ALONG THE NORTH LINE OF SAID

KHA PROPERTY 2 SOUTH 89°40’50” EAST 91.37 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING.

EXCEPTING THEREFROM

THAT CERTAIN PROPERTY CONVEYED TO NGA YEN VO BY DEED RECORDED JULY 14, 2010 AS DOCUMENT NO. 2010-6726, BOOK OF RECORDS, POLK COUNTY, OREGON.

PARCEL II:

BEGINNING AT A POINT WHICH IS 569.38 FEET EAST

FROM THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF DAMON’S ADDITION TO THE TOWN OF MONMOUTH, POLK COUNTY, OREGON; THENCE SOUTH 148 FEET TO THE TRUE PLACE OF BEGINNING, SAID POINT BEING THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THAT PROPERTY CONVEYED TO DAVID H.

DICKINSON BY INSTRUMENT RECORDED SEPTEMBER 23, 1971 IN B.O.R. 22, PAGE 275, DEED RECORDS OF POLK COUNTY, OREGON; THENCE SOUTH 158.90

FEET; THENCE EAST 2.154 CHAINS; THENCE NORTH 158.90 FEET TO THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF THE SAID DICKINSON TRACT; THENCE WEST ALONG THE SOUTH LINE OF THE DICKINSON TRACT, 2.154 CHAINS TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING.

TOGETHER

Dated and published:

28, 2024.

Douglas R.

Representative

PERSONAL

Douglas R. Montgomery

OR 97304 Telephone: (503) 510-3930

ATTORNEY FOR PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE:

Carol J. Prause, OSB #882903

J. PRAUSE LAW OFFICE, LLC P.O. Box 827 McMinnville, Oregon 97128

Telephone: (503) 434-5575

Fax No.: (503) 435-4897

Email: cprause@ppllp.net

Published: February 28, 2024. (Feb. 28, 2024)

CITY OF DALLAS PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

The Planning Commission will hold public hearings at 7:00 pm Tuesday, March 12, 2024 on the following:

Conditional Use #CUP-23-04

Variance #VAR-24-04

Establish a short-term vacation rental within the existing structure, with a variance to parking standards due to an existing driveway which does not meet the size standards.

Approval Criteria: DDC.4.4 & 5.1

This meeting is being held at

prior to the hearing, at www.dallasor.gov/meetings. Copies will be provided at reasonable cost on request.

Failure of an issue to be raised in a hearing, in person or by letter, or failure to provide statements or evidence sufficient for the decision maker to respond to the issue precludes appeal to the Land Use Board of Appeals.

For further information call

Chase Ballew, City Planner (503) 831-3570 (Feb. 28, 2024)

Notice of Regular Meeting Board of Directors

Wednesday, March 6, 2024 2:00 - 4:00 pm

The Willamette Health Council is the community governance body for PacificSource Community Solutions, Marion County and Polk County Coordinated Care Organization (MarionPolk CCO). The Health Council’s Board of Directors serves as the Marion-Polk CCO’s governing board.

The board is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, from 2:00 – 4:00 pm.

The meeting is open to the public and will take place at the Willamette Health Council office (205 Chemeketa St NE, Salem, OR 97301) as well as via online Zoom video/ conference call.

For additional meeting information, visit https:// willamettehealthcouncil.org/ about/board-of-directors/.

A request for accommodations for persons with disabilities, or for interpreter services, should be made at least 48 hours before the meeting to jbennett@ willamettehealthcouncil.org.

Dr. Olivia Galvez, Chair

Willamette Health Council Board of Directors 503-584-1303

(Feb. 28, 2024)

PUBLIC SALE

Public Sale at Godsey Secure Storage, LLC, 1360 SE Godsey Road, Dallas, OR 10:30AM Saturday, MARCH 16, 2024. All sales CASH, VISA or MASTER CARD ONLY. Units will be sold as a whole. Call (503) 831-0234 for details.

The staff

Creole Drive. He was lodged at Polk County Jail.

• At 9:29 a.m., officers advised an unhoused person to move his camp from the sidewalk on Main Street.

• At 12:38 p.m., a report of harassment on Academy Street. Alex Stuller was arrested and charged with harassment and disorderly conduct after trying to pick a fight and spitting on a juvenile. He was lodged at Polk County Jail.

• At 2:59 p.m., a report a male suspect “dined and dashed” on Church Street.

• At 4:52 p.m., a report of a theft from 7-Star on Ellendale Avenue. Two suspects left on foot and on skateboard. The case is under investigation.

• At 5:27 p.m., Sean Coon was arrested and charged with theft. He was lodged at Polk County Jail.

• At 8:31 p.m., a report of a suspicious vehicle on Robb Street. Officers found a subject who had pulled into the parking lot to eat dinner.

Friday, Feb. 16

• At 2:34 p.m., a report of a loose dog on Cherry Street. The report was referred to Animal Control.

• At 10:21 p.m., a report of loud music on Davis Street.

The loud residents agreed to turn the music down.

Sunday, Feb. 18

• At 7:47 am, a report that an unknown suspect damaged a screen door on Shelton Street.

• At 1:14 pm, a report of a domestic disturbance on Walnut Avenue. Officers found it was a verbal dispute only and no crimes committed.

• At 4:18 p.m., a report of a possible hit and run at Goodwill on Orchard Drive.

• At 7:22 p.m., Shawnda Allen was arrested and charged with five counts of fraudulent use of a credit card, theft 2, unlawful possession of a personal identification device, identity theft, five counts of computer crimes, and forgery 2. She was lodged at Polk County Jail.

Monday, Feb. 19

• At 3:50 a.m., a report of a vehicle running all night. Officers found subject was running a heater to dry carpets and forgot about it.

Tuesday, Feb. 20

• At 9:22 a.m., a motorist was cited for speeding 36 mph in a 20-mph school zone on Miller Avenue.

• At 10:40 a.m., a motorist was cited for speeding 37 mph in a 20-mph school zone on La Creole Drive.

• At 11:31 a.m., a motorist was cited for speeding 32 mph in a 20-mph school zone on Miller Avenue. The driver also received a written warning for careless driving.

• At 5:40 p.m., a report of a hit and run on a parked vehicle on Main Street.

• At 6:48 p.m., a report of a dog left in a vehicle on Ellendale Avenue. The dog had been checked on earlier in the day.

• At 8:16 p.m., a report of a dog left in a vehicle on Ellendale Avenue. The dog did not appear to be in distress.

• At 9:21 p.m., Jaime Decaney was arrested and charged with theft 2 at Walmart on Kings Valley Highway.

• At 10:34 p.m., a report of a domestic disturbance on Ash Street. Officer found a verbal only dispute with no crimes committed.

Wednesday, Feb. 21

• At 7:31 a.m., a motorist was cited for speeding 37mph

in a 20-mph school zone on Miller Avenue.

• At 8:16 a.m., a motorist was cited for speeding 44 mph in a 20-mph school zone on Miller Avenue.

• At 8:37 a.m., a motorist was cited for speeding 37 mph in a 20-mph school zone on La Creole Drive.

• At 10:22 a.m., a report of fraud on Ellendale Avenue. A female subject passed a counterfeit $100 bill.

• At 2:35 p.m., officers performed traffic control for a natural gas leak on River Drive.

• At 2:47 p.m., Jacob Tunget was arrested and charged with felony strangulation and harasment. He was lodged at Polk County Jail.

• At 5:21 p.m., Jaime Decaney was arrested and charged with forgery 1, possession of a forged instrument and theft 2. Decaney was lodged her at Polk County Jail.

• At 5:21 p.m., Jerry Carmickle Jr was arrested on an outstanding Dallas Municipal and Probation Violation warrants and was lodged at Polk County Jail.

• At 11:20 p.m., a report of a fight at Court Street Pub. Jared Champagne was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct 2 and trespass 2. He was lodged at Polk County Jail.

Independence Police Department

• Gabriel Andres Carrillo, 19, of Independence, was arrested Feb. 14 and charged with failure to perform duties of a driver.

• Victor Sarmiento Garcia, 33, of Independence, was arrested Feb. 15 on an outstanding warrant.

• Laren Herschel Garner, 73, of Independence, was arrested Feb. 16 and charged with stalking order violation.

Monmouth Police Department

• Joseph Ogden, 31, was arrested Feb. 10 and charged with driving under the influence of an intoxicant.

• Justin Stocker, 31, was arrested Feb. 19 and charged with driving while suspended.

• Lylord Pierre, 34, was arrested Feb. 15 and charged with assault 4.

• Karen Elaine Clark, 71, was arrested Feb. 20 and charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle and possession of a stolen vehicle.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office

• Johnathan Douglas Ball was arrested Feb. 22 and charged with failure to appear (driving under the influence of an intoxicant).

• Adam Gabriel Barnes was arrested Feb. 17 and charged with attempting to elude police officer – vehicle and was placed on hold for Lane County (strangulation - felony, assault 4, release violation).

• Jerry Dean Carmickle Jr. Was arrested Feb. 21 and charged with probation violation (unlawful possession of meth) and criminal trespass 2.

• Korbin Ray Clemmons was arrested Feb. 22 and was placed on hold for Benton County (menacing, coercion).

• Ivan Daniel DesantiagoRuelas was arrested Feb. 22 and placed on hold for transfer (sodomy 1).

• Laren Herschel Garner was arrested Feb. 16 and charged with viol court stalk protect order and contempt of court.

• Jon Francis Ingebrigtson was arrested Feb. 16 and was charged with criminal trespass 2.

• Gejuan Levar Lancaster was arrested Feb. 18 and charged with criminal trespass 2, giving false information to a police officer – criminal offense, resisting arrest, interfere with a peace officer, two counts of escape 3, and was placed on hold for Marion County (attempted kidnaping 2).

• Timothy Allen Mooney was arrested Feb. 19 and charged with four counts of probation violation (strangulation, assault 4, menacing).

• Valentin Samuel Sandoval was arrested Feb. 20 and charged with hit and run vehicle-property, two counts of recklessly endangering, post prison violation (assault 4), and failure to report as sex offender.

• Joseph Elmer Shelton was arrested Feb. 18 and charged with criminal trespass 2, four counts of theft 3, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle

and unlawful entry into a motor vehicle.

• Daniel Anthony Stedwell was arrested Feb. 22 and charged with failure to appear (driving under the influence of an intoxicant).

• Erick Gene Talbott was arrested Feb. 22 and charged with post prison violation (rape 3).

• Jacob Allen Tunget was arrested Feb. 21 and charged with two counts of strangulation and harassment.

• Justin Charles Vonhecht was arrested Feb. 16 and charged with criminal driving-suspended/revoked.

• Monte Wade Whiteley was arrested Feb. 20 and charged with post prison violation (possession of meth).

• Alyssa Nicole Allen was arrested Feb. 21 and charged with two counts of failure to appear (criminal trespass 2).

• Karen Elaine Clark was arrested Feb. 20 and charged with possession of a stolen vehicle and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

• Sereena Janeen Warner was arrested Feb. 16 and charged with post prison violation (unauthorized use of a motor vehicle) and mail theft.

• Salem SWAT helps arrest barricaded suspect in Monmouth

A Salem man was arrested Feb. 20

After an hour’s long standoff with law enforcement in Monmouth.

At about 10:40 a.m. the Polk County Sheriff’s Office developed probable cause that a wanted person, Valentine Sandoval, was inside a metal shop behind 653 Warren St. S. in Monmouth. According to the PCSO, Sandoval, 34, frequented between Falls City and Monmouth. Sandoval had two outstanding arrest warrants, one a felony parole violation warrant out of the State Parole Board and the other a misdemeanor arrest warrant regarding a hit and run event out of Polk County Circuit Court.

The PCSO had obtained officer safety information regarding Sandoval during the last few months, to include possibly being in possession of a firearm.

The sheriff’s office attempted to communicate with Sandoval from outside of the shop, which did not result in a response from him. Due to the officer

safety information, the PCSO requested tactical assistance from the Salem Police SWAT Team.

Salem SWAT responded and did not receive communication from Sandoval until after they deployed flash bangs, just outside of the shop pedestrian door. Sandoval then complied with Salem SWAT and was taken into custody at about 3:57 p.m. Sandoval was lodged at the Polk County Jail on the two arrest warrants and other charges may follow from additional uninvolved investigations.

Salem man sentenced for sexually abusing minor in West Salem

A Salem man has been sentenced involving sexually abusing a minor at a West Salem residence.

Markis Arryon Alexander McConnico, 28, has been sentenced Feb. 16 to serve 25 years in prison after being found guilty of one count of sexual abuse in the first degree and one count of sodomy in the first degree by Polk County Circuit Judge Monte S. Campbell. According to the evidence presented at trial, the victim was eight years old when the abuse occurred in approximately 2021.

District Attorney Aaron Felton clarified the reason the case was tried in Polk County was the incident took place in a West Salem residence. The suspect was arrested at a South Salem home where he was staying, Felton added.

According to the PCDA’s office, McConnico was sentenced by Campbell according to Oregon’s Jessica’s Law and determinate sentencing laws. McConnico will not be eligible for any form of early release or sentence reduction. He will also be required to serve a lifetime term of postprison supervision upon his release and register as a sex offender.

The case was investigated by the Salem Police Department and prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Shannon Clausen of the PCDA’s office.

Champs

Dallas wins third wrestling championship

From Page B1

29th the Dragon boys team accumulated throughout the tournament, with the next nearest team at 23 pins.

“It was the most by any 5A team. There were 6A teams with more. So, it helps we had the most,” Markee said.

Ironically, Markee was in the back warmup room helping Johnson prepare for his

match when word reached him about the tournament’s outcome. Dallas and Thurston had neck-and-neck the whole way and he was unsure how Johnson’s championship match would play into the final standings.

“Then a Lebanon coach came in a said, ‘That Thurston lost. You guys won.’ I didn’t imagine that happening that way,” Markee said.

He did imagine a state title was possible, that Dallas was one of five teams there with the firepower to do it. The Dragons qualified 20 of its 28 wrestlers who competed

at districts, just two behind Thurston. He said they key was all the work the kids put in, with the help of all the other coaches, the parents and other contributors from the Dallas wrestling community.

“A lot of kids showed up and performed. It was more than just going to practice. A lot of people make it happen on game day,” he said. “Plenty of guys did that. They had good energy going into the tournament, a lot of confidence and not a lot of nervous energy.”

Markee added it was a path for the girls’ team math wise.

“We needed Thurston to fall on its face a little bit,” Markee said. “We knew we had a chance to trophy. We won a lot of matches we didn’t think we were going to win. So, it’s cool to come home with second place trophy. Our first team trophy.” Markee wanted to de-emphasize his contribution to the results, for both the boys and girls programs.

“I want to reiterate it’s not a me thing. It’s awesome how much the whole school behind (the program) - the parents, the wresters, the fans. It’s a testament to everything we’ve done for years,” Markee said.

“It’s special be a part of the Dallas wrestling family.”

State Championship

Results:

Boys

First Place - Joseph Johnson (120 pounds)

Second Place - Cole Langford (215)

Third Place - Jose Romero (126)

Fourth Place - Andrew Craven (138), Blake Atterbury (144). Kyron Dodds (285)

Fifth Place - Nate Ramirez (106), Carsen Atterbury (113), Sully Hill (126), Tyler Basey (132), Clifford Johnson (190)

Sixth Place - Lorenzo Romero (132)

Girls

First Place - Polly Olliff (110)

Second Place - Ivy

McIntosh (115)

Third Place - Ah Pymm

McDaniel (105)

Fourth Place - Marissa McGinnis (100)

Sixth Place - Jenna Rogers (145)

BOYS BASKETBALL

said. “I loved those races so I stuck to them this year, and placed higher up. It was nice to see improve-

Hagedorn’s approach to the finals isn’t very complex.

“My goal going into the events was just to give it everything I had … I (also) tried not to get in my head,” Hagedorn said. “I knew I worked for it throughout the season. State was just kind of a time to show it.”

Splash and dash races pose unique challenges that appeal to Hagedorn.

“Honestly I love the shorter races. There is a lot more competition,” she said. “Everyone’s time is so close, which makes it fun. You never know what’s going to happen.”

To emphasize this point, Hagedorn was less than two seconds behind Kamryn Meskill in the 50 free, 22.89 to her 24.59 seconds, and roughly four seconds behind Emma Bronson in the 100 free, 55:47 to her 59.90 seconds.

Meskill and Bronson both swim for Bend High School.

It appears it will be more of the same for Hagedorn over the next 12 months.

“My goal for next year is to keep working hard so I can see more progress in my times,” she added.

Hagedorn started swimming for a summer league when she was five.

“I’ve loved swimming ever since. I moved on to a year around club team when I was like eight,” she said. “My favorite strokes have always been sprint butterfly and the freestyles.”

No surprise here, but Hagedorn’s dominance is written all over the Central High School’s record book.

“Gentry has five out of eight individual school records and is part of relay teams that hold three relay records,” Panthers coach David Morelli added.

Those who follow high school swimming weren’t surprised by Hagedorn’s strong performance at state, he added.

“She is well known in the state since she is not only one of the top high school swimmers, but also one of the top club swimmers,” he said. Hagedorn qualified for state by winning her events at the district finals. She also holds the district record in the 100 butterfly, Morelli added.

WRESTLING

Two Panthers ended their seasons with top five performances at the OSAA state tournament.

Junior Gabe Haines, won five straight matches for third place in the 285-pound division. While freshman Lili Alvarez was fifth in the girls’ 140-pound division. Both wrestlers ended their finals’ with a win.

In his opener, Haines lost 4-6 to Paul Masingila of Canby. But then went on a tear, defeating Reid Abrahamson of Mountain View (7-0), Ben Osorio of Thurston (8-3), Garrett

Matthews of Eagle Point (2-0), Peighton Rofinot of Thurston (2-0) and, in the battle for third, Kyron Dodds of Dallas (2-0).

As for Alvarez, she won her first two matches, defeating Emerson Fancher (7-4) of Redmond, and Danica Kirkwood (6-3) of Hillsboro.

She split her final two matches, losing to eventual state runner-up Kristal Zamora of Thurston (173), and then bouncing back against Elsa King of Southgate (5-0). Alvarez won three of four matches against the state’s best.

Central sent two other wrestlers to the tournament.

At 215, junior Porter Kenney lost to William Witcraft of Redmond, 2-0, edged Charlie Middleton of Wilsonville (0-0), and fell to Logan Hartman of Bend (6-0).

Mason Vela fell to Illya Yurko of Centennial, 10-0. Against Mitchell Magill of Silverton, Vela got hurt and injury defaulted out of the tournament. The sophomore wrestled in the 175-pound division.

The tournament was held Thursday through Saturday at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Portland.

It’s down to the wire for the boys basketball team.

The Panthers (11-6, 13-10 overall) did what they had to do last week. They defeated McKay, 71-60, and then Dallas, 63-58, in overtime, to keep their postseason dreams alive.

Next up, is the MidWillamette Conference’s best team. Woodburn (16-1, 19-4),

ranked fourth in the state by OSAA. Woodburn defeated Central, 60-45, at Panther Pit in their first meeting of the season. Results from the Feb. 27 game, which marked the end of the regular season, were unavailable before press time.

The Panthers are ranked 16th by OSAA. Playoff seedings follow Tuesday’s games.