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Polk County helps dethrone marijuana ‘dynasty’ Sheriff office shutters multiple local illegal grows

By DAVID HAYES Itemizer-Observer

While federal investigators publicly announced the forfeiture of 14 properties in Oregon, including six in Polk County, ending an interstate drug trafficking organization, Sheriff Mark Garton and his team are quietly celebrating their role in shuttering local illegal marijuana growing operations.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon said in a press release, that beginning at an unknown time, and continuing until September 2021, properties located in Clatsop, Columbia, Linn, Marion, Yamhill and Polk counties were used as illegal marijuana grow houses by an interstate drug trafficking organization led by Fayao “Paul” Rong, 53, of Houston, Texas.

Garton said the Oregon State Police, which also helped in the federal investigation, dubbed Rong’s

See DYNASTY, page A6

By

Cowen.

“We’ve got pretty much everything you could want,” said Tia Brown, assistant steward.

The quirky name for their new vendor mall came from an unconventional method.

“We took an online vote to determine the name,” Brown said. “We told people we want to create a different name for our upstairs mall. Give us suggestions. Out of the favorites listed on their Facebook, this is one they chose.”

See GRANGE, page A8

Community designed park breaks ground

Sunset Meadows to be completed by fall

By DAVID HAYES Itemizer-Observer

John Weatherall moved into the Sunset Meadows neighborhood in 2015, excited his new home abutted an open space that was promised to be developed some day into a community park.

That day arrived April 2

The city of Independence hosted a groundbreaking ceremony, kicking off the project nine years in the making. Weatherall and his four sons were excited to participate in the festivities, being they live just three doors away.

“It’s finally going to happen,”

Wetherall said, after three of his four sons, ages 9, 6 and 4, actually participated in a recreation of the

groundbreaking featuring local residents after the dignitaries had their go. “One of the reasons we moved here is we wanted this nice open area for the kiddos to have a park back there is a cherry on top.

They’re very excited. They’ll be back here every day.”

Independence Mayor John McArdle kicked the event off, explaining the park is the result of a community vision crafted from local

input into the city’s 2015 parks master plan. It was later included into Independence’s 2040 plan.

“Places like this just don’t happen. The System Development Charges (SDCs) that many of you paid on your houses when you moved into the neighborhood, and grants helped pay for this park,” McArdle said.

See PARK, page A8

Students recreate Oregon Trail in Falls City

By DAVID HAYES Itemizer-Observer

On April 4, the Falls City community joined together to help the elementary school’s fourth graders recreate the trek along the Oregon Trail.

Seventeen “pioneers” pulled hand-crafted recreations of wagons through a circuitous route around town. Dressed in period accurate dresses and flannels, they made

stopped at eight “forts” along the way, making trades with merchants, played by high school students.

Rounding out the cast were parents, staff and middle schoolers as trail guides.

In all, there were about 14 parents, 10 middle schoolers, 12 high schoolers, all the principals, classroom specialists pitching in and even the

See TRAIL, page A2

PHOTO BY DAVID HAYES

Participating in a ground breaking ceremony for Sunset Meadows Park in Independence April 2 are (from left) City Councilor Kathy Martin-Willis, Rep. Paul Evans, Independence Mayor John McArdle, Brandon Jordan field representative for Congresswoman Andrea Salinas, T-Mobile regional marketing manager Gary Buckholtz, and Oregon Parks and Recreation manager Mark

PHOTO BY DAVID HAYES Fourth grade teacher Pennie Freeburg welcomes back the final group of students from their trek along the Oregon Trail through Falls City.

City of Dallas seeks input for future use of mill site

The city of Dallas is seeking input from the community about the former mill site area. Your thoughts and input will help the administration develop a project that everyone supports. This is the first of three community surveys the city will issue in 2024. Take the online survey at bit.ly/43NpxlJ. Learn about the Dallas Mill Site Redevelopment Project online at https://mill-site-redevelopment-project-deagis. hub.arcgis.com.

Dallas makes progress on John C. Barnard Park

Planning has been underway for several years and John C. Barnard Park is scheduled to be constructed at the corner of Academy Street and Fir Villa Road. This park will include a basketball court, play areas, a pollinator garden, and walking paths.

The city received a Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant that covers a significant portion of the constriction cost for this project. An LCWF Grant is federally funded and carries many requirements for compliance and federal and state oversite. Currently, the city is awaiting final approval from the national park service. After approval, official paperwork will need to be filed.

The city is completing bid documents with the expectation that bids will be solicited this winter. Current planning includes breaking ground in the spring of 2025 with completion in early fall of 2025.

Host families sought for high school exchange students

Non-profit organization

ASSE International Student Exchange Programs, in cooperation with your community high school, is looking for local families to host high school exchange students aged 15 to 18 from diverse countries such as Australia, Denmark, Spain, Italy, Japan and more.

ASSE exchange students are carefully selected based on their academic achievements and personalities. Host families have the opportunity to choose a student from diverse backgrounds, countries and interests. These students arrive with their own spending money and comprehensive insurance coverage.

Whether you’re a young family, retired, a single parent, or empty nesters, hosting a foreign exchange student presents an extraordinary chance to expand your family’s cultural horizons without ever leaving the comfort of your home.

For more information, contact Francisco Mosca, western regional director, at 1-800-733-2773 or asseusawest@asse.com.

From Page A1

janitorial staff assisted with setup. It was an elaborate finale to a live reenactment to meet the fourth-grade curriculum on Westward Movement, dreamt up by teacher Pennie Freeburg.

It was her second attempt, as last year’s event got rained out. “Rather than just here, read this paper and answer some questions, we’ve been studying it. They’ve been making butter. They’ve been making candles. They’ve been using a crosscut saw, grinding corn, washed old clothes on a washboard. You name it, we’ve done it,” Freeburg said, herself dressed period accurate for the day. “I feel like Little House on the Prairie.”

She has been having her students reenact the Oregon Trail for over 30 years, first in Valsetz before it closed, then Independence Elementary. Even retirement couldn’t keep her from returning to the lesson plan. “When I retired, I left all my Oregon Trail stuff up in the attic in tubs, hoping the new fourth-grade teacher would take it up and go with it. He just looked at it and said, ‘No. Too much work,’” Freeburg recalled.

After the COVID pandemic, she jumped at the chance to leave the tedium of retirement and return to the classroom in Falls City.

“So, when I got the opportunity to come here, I called my old school and asked are my old tubs still up in the attic? ‘Yep, never been touched.’ I said I’m bringing the truck over,” Freeburg said.

The lesson plan was multifaceted. For the month of March, students had a store set up in the classroom. They earned tickets for every assignment turned in. Then they loaded their wagons with their “supplies” that they purchased.

Over spring break, they were assigned a family project to build a wagon to take on the trail.

Then, to kick off the threeday event, the students took a field trip, many of them their first ever, to the End of the Oregon Trail Museum in Oregon City and Philip Foster Farms in Estacada. The farm had 10 stations involving the students in loading wagons, building cabins with giant Lincoln logs, making nails at the blacksmith shop, bailing hay and more.

“It’s been a very busy week. But they love it,” Freeburg said.

She explained the students took a pre-test at the very beginning of the curriculum and experienced a surprising growth.

“They knew nothing. On the post test, they knew

everything. They knew what animals were on the trail, how far the trail was, states it went through, what was eaten on the trail,” she said.

Parent Rachel Imman said she was happy Freeburg was able to bring history alive for the students, including her daughter Lillie.

“I think it’s great to learn different things. How they traveled across the U.S.,” Imman said. “It went smooth riding compared to what they (the actual pioneers) did. I

walked along, encouraging her to keep going.”

Not that Lilly needed much encouragement.

“It was a little hard going up the hills,” she said while eating celebratory cake at the day’s end. “My favorite part was pulling my wagon.”

Fellow student Cyrus Cooper found the entire trail experience the most fun.

“My favorite part was probably the whole trail. It was really fun. Doing the stamps (tracking each stop at a fort)

and all that stuff,” Cooper said. “I learned why wagons broke down. Mine did better because of the metal axel.” Freeburg was happy to bring the Oregon Trail alive for another generation of fourth graders.

“It’s always a lot of fun. It’s what keeps me young. It makes you get up in the morning. And then to see all the kids’ bright faces, my God, this is so much fun,” she said.

Dallas receives Oregon Community Trees grant to boost Arbor Day celebration

Dallas was one of six communities to receive an Oregon Community Trees grant to boost Arbor Day celebrations. Holding a public celebration of Arbor Day is a condition for maintaining Tree City USA’s status with the National Arbor Day Foundation. This is the first year Dallas is receiving a grant. Dallas was awarded $400 for the forest therapy sessions at this year’s Arbor Day celebration. The 2-hour “forest therapy” sessions are free to the public and led by a Certified Forest Therapy Guide in Delbert Hunter Arboretum.

Jennifer Ward, Dallas Parks and Recreation Manager said she was really excited about this year’s Arbor Day celebration.

“There’s something for everyone. Those who want to get involved can help pull ivy at City Park. Those who want to relax and connect with nature can join us for a forest therapy session. And there’s the guided tree walk for kids,” Ward said.

To register, contact Ward at (503( 831-2830 or Jennifer. Ward@dallasor.gov.

The Arbor Day Celebration is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

April 27. The event schedule is:

- 9-11 a.m. Ivy removal in City Park

- 10 a.m. to noon Forest Therapy Session 1 at the Delbert Hunter Arboretum

- 12-1 p.m. The need for trees guided walk through the Delbert Hunter Arboretum

- 1-3 p.m. Forest Therapy Session 1 at the Delbert Hunter Arboretum

For more information about the Arbor Day Celebration in Dallas, go to www.dallasor.gov/parksrec/page/ arbor-day-celebration-2.

The Marine Board also stresses the importance of taking the time to plan ahead, learn the skills you’ll need for the waterway you plan to boat, and always communicate or write down a float plan with family and friends. Education, planning and preparation go a long way to you having a safe and enjoyable experience.

The Marine Board also offers many resources including free online paddling courses to help beginners learn the basic skills and techniques to boat safe at www.oregon.gov/osmb/Pages/ Propulsion-Landing-Pages/ Go-Paddling.aspx. Want to learn how to get started? Visit Boat.Oregon.gov and let your water recreation adventures begin!

and increase paddling education opportunities in underserved communities. Since the program’s implementation in 2020, the agency has approved more than $2.7 million in Waterway Access Grants (WAG). Boaters can see detailed information about grant funded projects on the Marine Board’s Grant History Dashboard. Anyone who recreates on Oregon’s waterways with a nonmotorized stand-up paddleboard, canoe, kayak, inflatable watercraft, drift boat, or any hybrid combination with a length 10 feet and longer, needs to purchase a Waterway Access Permit and be able to provide the permit (printed copy or digital display) when approached by marine law enforcement. The permit is transferable to other nonmotorized boats and youths 14 and younger are exempt. The Marine Board also provides the option for paddling event organizers to purchase bulk 7-day permit certificates to be compliant with the law for their events. Waterway Access Permit purchasing options through the Marine Board’s Boat Oregon Online Store include a 7-day permit for $5, an annual permit for $17, and a 2-year permit for $30. There is a $1.50 portal provider fee with each transaction. Boat rental businesses can purchase permits in bulk at a discounted rate. To use the store, simply click on Online Services, and select the permit option you’d like, then follow the prompts. Safety is another important facet in all forms of boating and having required equipment onboard. Paddlers need to carry a properly fitting US Coast Guard-approved and readily accessible life jacket and a whistle (sound producing device). Children 12 and under must wear a life jacket while the boat is underway. It is best to always wear a life jacket while paddling. Paddlers are near the water level and capsizing risk increases. People often drown when they capsize if they are not wearing a life jacket. If paddling at night or during periods of reduced visibility, paddlers also need to display a white light source, like a flashlight.

PHOTO BY DAVID HAYES

Fourth grade Falls City Elementary School student pioneers make a stop to trade at Falls City High School, standing in as Fort Boise, one of eight trading posts along the recreated route of the Oregon Trail throughout the town on April 4.

Coffee and Plants in Monmouth took down it’s “coming soon” sign and started serving customers. “I’ve been pleasantly surprised with just how welcoming the community has been, because I had no idea if we would even have customers,” Bordadora said with a laugh. “As soon as people saw us take down the sign, they started coming in. We had a lot of people that first day. So, yes, I have been very surprised.” Plant sales have also surprised her. A new shipment of plants - her third order since she opened - arrived Thursday from Aurora-based Little Prince of Oregon Nursery. “This last order I did a double order of 81 plants. But I sold a lot of plants today,” she said on Thursday. “My husband (Vince) was saying, ‘I don’t think we’ll have to get more plants for a couple of weeks, now.’ But I was like, we’ll see.”

Susan’s Garden & Coffee Shop in Corvallis served as Bordadora’s inspiration.

“It is basically a big nursery, and then they added coffee,” Bordadora said of Susan’s. “I just loved it there. So I thought, ‘I’m going to add plants to my coffee shop.’” Research led her to Little Prince.

“I collect house plants at home,” she said. “When I knew I was going to start this, I started looking at where all the plants I was buying came from. Most of them came from Little Prince.”

The coffee shop also allows Bordadora to create her own ode to paradise. “So I love Kauai, the Garden Island. It’s warm, inviting and there’s plants there,” she said. “This is like my little oasis when I’m not in Hawaii.”

Bordadora learned the business from the ground up,

by working as a barista at Brew Coffee & Tap House in Independence. She wanted to make sure of her plans before investing too much time and money in them.

“I thought, I need to get some experience to make sure I enjoy working in a coffee shop,” she said.

There’s more to Sonny’s Coffee and Plants than coffee and plants. It also features fresh baked goods, including bagels, for example. Also on the menu, iced drinks, Italian sodas, Red Bull-infused drinks, and Bob’s Red Mill

oatmeal, along with Steven Smith teas out of Portland.

“It’s a loose leaf tea, so it’s a really good quality tea,” she said. “I went and visited their tea house up there and it’s really cool, actually.”

Creating the proper atmosphere for her customers is important to Bordadora.

“It’s not only about the coffees or the teas. It’s about bringing people together and providing a welcoming place, and just making people happy,” she said.

The business is named after Sonny, the family’s golden

retriever who passed away a couple of years ago. It’s his image on the business sign and his pictures on the walls.

“(Sonny) was there through all the important times in our lives. He just loved people,” she said. “So I thought this would be a great way to honor him.”

Sonny’s is one of three businesses in the same building. The other two are Doggy Dreams Grooming, owned by Summer Hile, and Sundew Tattoo, owned by Phoebe Bordadora, who is Toni and Vince’s daughter.

“We’re all women-owned businesses,” Toni Bordadora said, “and I think that’s really cool. It’s the first business that we each started.”

INFO

Sonny’s Coffee and Plants

1282 Main St. E., Monmouth

Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, and closed on Sunday and Monday. Call (971) 465-9975 for more information.

Western Oregon University hosts the third annual Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) Summit on April 26. This year’s summit will focus on what it means to truly serve students.

Following the previous two years, this summit will continue to invite state and national partners along with university and greater community members to share ideas and best-practices.

“I’m so excited to see Western host our third annual HSI Summit. Participation has grown every year, and that reflects the commitment leaders on campus, and throughout the state, in serving Latiné students,” said WOU President Jesse Peters. “This is a time for us to bring

Western is an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution. A goal of hosting these summits is to bring together the campus, the community, and both regional and national partners to discuss what it means to become an HSI and why it is so critically important to the success of students and the greater community.

Dominique Vargas, Western’s executive director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, is leading the summit planning team.

“I’ve been working at Western for almost two years,

and it is clear that we are committed to growth and development for our students and as a university. We are working to become a serving institution, and our best and strongest path toward servingness is to engage our entire community,” Vargas said.

This year’s summit features keynote presenters Patrick L Valdez, Ph. D., and Marissa Vasquez, Ph. D. Valdez will focus on the history, policy, and current context of Hispanic Serving Institutions, while Vasquez will discuss operationalizing

servingness. There will also be a student panel, an afternoon of concurrent sessions,

and networking time for attendees. Registration is open to everyone through April 12

online at https://wou.edu/dei/ hsi-summit.

PHOTO BY LANCE MASTERSON Drinks, fresh baked goods and plants are available at one of Monmouth’s newest businesses, Sonny’s Coffee and Plants. Pictured is owner Toni Bordadora. The coffee shop is at 1282 Main Street East, near the ‘S’ curve.

The Great Disruption series — Sea-Level Rise

By PHILIP S. WENZ

“…continuing to rise as usual [the tide] dashed over his feet and legs without respect to his royal person,” Henry of Huntingdon, “Historia Anglorum,” circa 1129 A.D.

Well, at least King Canute knew better.

According to the English historian Henry of Huntington, the good king — who was a brilliant general and statesman responsible for the early medieval unification of the disparate kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and England into a single North Sea Empire — was humble, and wary of hubris.

When his fawning courtiers implied that he had supernatural powers, he bade them set his throne at the ocean’s edge. There he sat, commanding the tide not to rise. It rose, of course, as he knew it would. Whereupon he told his entourage, “Let all men know how empty and worthless is the power of kings,” because, “heaven, earth and sea obey eternal [God-given] laws.”

Today we call those “laws” natural and understand their mechanics. For example, adding greenhouse gases to the atmosphere increases the amount of outgoing radiated heat that’s returned to the earth’s surface. The increased warming causes seawater to expand, rising along shorelines. Increased heat also makes glaciers melt more quickly, adding to sea-level rise. Higher sea levels mean more destructive storm surges and the erosion of formerly stable beaches. Thus the sea “obeys” natural laws.

But somehow these facts seem to have been overlooked by many of the affluent, and presumably well-educated, residents of the coastal town of Salisbury Beach, Massachusetts, located about 35 miles north of Boston. There, a series of winter storms washed away the shore protecting a strip of expensive seaside houses, and seawater flooded some first-story rooms. One of those houses, at the very edge of an eroded dune, is now “newly listed” for sale at $3.5 million.

In response, a group called “Salisbury Beach Citizens for Change” raised $600,000 in contributions from homeowners and had 15,000 tons of sand dumped along a

By LUCIE WINBORNE

• While death by guillotine might seem like an ancient ritual, the practice was still in use in France up until 1977 -- when the original “Star Wars” was in theaters.

• The Museum of Bad Art in Somerville, Massachusetts, is pretty much exactly what it sounds like -- a collection of really bad art! But then again, who’s to judge?

• The American Psychiatric Association’s DSM-5 handbook classifies caffeine withdrawal as a mental disorder.

1.5-mile stretch of beach, completing the project on March 7

Two days later another storm came, and half of that sand was washed away.

While “Citizens for Change” President Tom Saab claimed that the sand performed its function by keeping the sea out of people’s homes, it was clear to most others that continuing to pay to replenish it was unsustainable. One comment on the group’s Facebook page read, “Your houses sit right on an ever rising and ever violent sea. Do you really think any amount of money will stop what’s inevitable?”

Apparently they had thought exactly that, since, like most of us in the wealthy, developed world, they had been largely insulated from the impacts of climate change — until $300,000 worth of sand washed away.

They turned to the state of Massachusetts for help — more sand, basically — and were dismayed to learn that it would not be forthcoming. With its seven million citizens and a billion-dollar budget shortfall this year, the state had other priorities. Additionally, Massachusetts does not allow seawalls of concrete or wood pilings to be built along beaches, as these structures tend to damage dunes and cause erosion. And even if seawalls were allowed, it is only a matter of time before the rising seas would destroy them, drawing good money after bad into the ebbing tides.

So, what to do?

It seems that the Great Disruption caused by sea-level rise will soon force millions of people, from wealthy Americans to poor Bangladeshis, whose lowland country is being flooded, to pull up stakes and join the hordes of climate migrants wandering around the planet and causing even more disruption.

Meanwhile, I wonder how quickly that newly listed house in Salisbury Beach will sell. And how things would have turned out if we’d just listened to old King Canute at our ecological house.

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

• When swallowed by toads, bombardier beetles project hot, noxious chemicals from their anuses, which sometimes forces the predators to puke the beetle back up.

• The town of Baarle straddles the Dutch-Belgian border. In some places, the official borderline cuts through houses and cafes.

• The second-half kickoff in Super Bowl I had to be done twice, as NBC didn’t cut back from a commercial break in time to catch the first one on camera.

• In Japan, instead of a “Man in the Moon,” people see a “Rabbit in the Moon.”

• The Mobile Phone Throwing World Championships are held in Finland. One winner said he prepared for the event by “mainly drinking.”

• Sometimes it snows on Mars, but the flakes are made out of carbon dioxide, not water.

• After the band OutKast sang “Shake it like a Polaroid picture,” Polaroid released a statement warning that “shaking or waving can actually damage the image.”

••• Thought for the Day: ““The stupid neither forgive nor forget; the naive forgive and forget; the wise forgive but do not forget.””

– Thomas Szasz

Christian faith can overcome divisive conspiracies

As Americans we have always had our different opinions, but we have always been united when it comes to our democracy. I ask all of you to come together for the sake of our nation. Put aside our differences and find the common ground that we care about. We don’t want to lose our rights such as, the right to write this letter, the right to vote, the right to choose our religions and the right to be our true selves. All of our rights could be lost.

Conspiracy theories are not facts and are pulling us apart from one another. If you hear a negative or controversial bit of information, please at least research other sources to determine if it is accurate or false.

If after that you still support that fact, then consider why this information has been given. Is it for the

betterment of us all or only one side of the coin? We cannot stand as a nation if we believe only the negative facts. As a Christian I believe there is only one messiah, Jesus. Assigning any man that title is wrong. A man who portrays himself as such, is a false profit. Again, research the answer to this. The bible answers this fact.

TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH: Constant Aleve and Ibuprofen Consumption Can Cause Damage

DEAR DR. ROACH: My husband, age 70, had been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in his neck, for which he would take Aleve to relieve his discomfort when needed. Just before Christmas last year, his back began hurting so much that he went to his doctor, who said to get up and move more. (We have always exercised and remained active in life, but he did slow down due to his pain.)

My husband then added ibuprofen to the Aleve he was already using. His doctor said that the pain is due to osteoarthritis in his mid-back area. Apparently, there is nothing to do for it but take Extra Strength Tylenol at the recommended dose. Ibuprofen or Aleve isn’t recommended because it causes liver and kidney damage. So, we bought Tylenol, and he used this medication instead of his usual. But his pain only got worse.

So, this morning, he switched back to Aleve and ibuprofen. It is what helped before and is helping again now. In addition, he is using a drug-free Aleve Direct Therapy pad

that uses waveform technology. He also uses Icy Hot pain relief cream and a heating pad. These reduce his pain, but his back continues to hurt since before the holidays.

Our question is, should he use Aleve and ibuprofen instead of the Tylenol that doesn’t seem to help? He has actually used Aleve for a very long time. He just had his blood tested, and the doctor said his liver and kidneys are good. Is there anything more we can do to relieve his osteoarthritic pain? It is hard to see my husband in so much discomfort when he was previously a very active, pain-free man. -- S.F.A.

ANSWER: Osteoarthritis in the neck is a common and painful condition, and there are not always good treatment options. In terms of medicine, anti-inflammatory medicines, like Aleve or ibuprofen (Advil and many other brands), can be very helpful for some people.

However, taking both doesn’t improve pain relief. It does increase the risk of toxicity, so he should never take two anti-inflammatory medicines -- choose just one. Tylenol helps some people, but in my experience, most people do better with anti-inflammatories instead of Tylenol. Tylenol does have a smaller risk of side effects.

In addition to liver and kidney problems, Aleve and similar

medicines can cause stomach problems, ranging from mild upset to life-threatening ulcers; though, this is uncommon with over-the-counter doses. I often recommend a trial of Tylenol to see if it is as good as the anti-inflammatories. Since it’s not for your husband, he should tell his doctor this, and it seems reasonable for him to go back to taking Aleve alone. However, I can’t tell you to disregard his physician’s advice. Some people benefit from Tylenol on top of Aleve.

Beyond pain medicines, the Aleve Direct Therapy pad uses electricity to relieve pain without medicine. It’s fine to combine this therapy with medicines. Creams -- whether they are anti-inflammatory, menthol and camphor, or topical anesthetics -- provide some relief, but they tend to be better on the hands, wrists and knees than the neck. Though, they still may be worth trying in combination with medicines. In more severe cases, injections can

Works, 401 Hogan Road

• 6:30 p.m. - Music Jam, Monmouth Senior Center Thursday, April 11

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

Panther Kids Wrestling hosts Adult Prom fundraiser

Tickets are on sale now for an Adult Prom at 7:30 p.m.

May 10 at the Independence Elks Lodge, located at 289 S. Main St. This is an adults only event, ages 21 and over, as alcohol will be served. There will be photos, drinks, candy and treats. Dance the night away to classic tunes featuring the electrifying beats of DJ Raul. Tickets are $25, with proceeds going to support the local Panther Kids Wrestling team. To purchase tickets, go to bit.ly/4cA5s64.

Farmers Markets begin in Independence in April

Beginning in April, on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Independence Riverview Market (at the top of the park) and The Original Independence Farmers Market (in the Umpqua Bank parking lot. 302 Main St. S.) will be open to shoppers.

County Commission candidates debate April 11

Meet the candidates for Polk County Commissioners’

Seat 1, incumbent Lyle Mordhorst and challenger Roxanne Beltz, at 11:30 a.m. April 11 at the Polk County Fairgrounds.

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

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

• 10:30 a.m. - Songs, bounces and rhymes, for ages under 2, 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. - Polk County Commissioners Forum, Building B, County Fairgrounds, 520 S. Pacific Hwy. West

• 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

• 6:30 p.m. - Monmouth Arts & Culture Commission meeting, Monmouth Senior Center

• 6:30 p.m.Independence Days Commission meeting, City Hall, 555 South Main St.

Friday, April 12

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

Polk County Republicans meet April 11

The Polk County Republicans monthly meeting is at 6:30 p.m. April 11 at in the Dallas High School library, 1250 SE Holman Ave. The guest speaker will be Kim Williams, candidate for Polk County Clerk.

Special Olympics summer program registration deadline is April 15

Registration for Special Olympics Polk County summer programs track & field (athletics), softball and bocce closes April 15. New participants need to have a sports physical due by April 22. Practices start this month, Track & field will be at Dallas High School on Sundays from 2-3 p.m. Bocce will be at Central High School on Sundays from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. and a softball schedule is yet to be determined, but is usually in the Monmouth/Independence area. Participants should register online at soor.org/polk. For more information, go to https://soor.org/program/polk.

They are also having a fundraiser at Ugo’s April 16 from 4-8:30 p.m. A portion

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

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

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

• 10:30 a.m. - Baby Sign Time, Monmouth Public Library, 168 Ecols St. S.

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

• 1 p.m. - Age Cafe, Dallas Area Senior Center

• 6 p.m. - Live Music: Martin Gerschwitz/Iron Butterfly, Redgate Winery, 8175 Buena Vista Road, Independence

• 6 p.m. - Dance Party Night, Lara Michele Studio, 939 Main St., Dallas, $10 per person, $15 per couple

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

Saturday, April 13

• 11:30 a.m. - Dallas Area Senior Center General Meeting & Potluck

• 2 p.m. - Live Music: Austinn Tio, Redgate Winery, 8175 Buena Vista Road, Independence

• 2 p.m. - Gardening for Wildlife, Monmouth Public Library, 168 Ecols St. S.

• 2 p.m. - Truman Price: Music of the Oregon Trail, Independence Heritage Museum, 281 S. 2nd St.

of the night’s sales go to Polk County Special Olympics.

OSU Extension offers Gardening for Wildlife

Class April 16

The Oregon State University Extension Service for Polk County offers Gardening for Wildlife at 2 p.m. April 16 at the Monmouth Public Library, 168 Ecols St. Join OSU Master Gardener Stephanie Hazen as she shares ideas to attract and support wildlife visitors to your garden.

Heritage Museum hosts exhibit on “radiant rocks”

The Heritage Museum’s latest exhibit “Radiant Rocks: Unveiling the Hidden Glow of Fluorescent Minerals” runs April 18 through May 18. Local rock hound and Clackamette Mineral and Gem Club member Bob Oblack worked with local carpenter and contractor Ken Fetters to bring this exhibit to Independence. The Heritage Museum is located at 281 S. 2nd St. Learn more at www. orheritage.org.

MICC Community Awards return April 18

The Monmouth Independence Chamber of Commerce 59th Annual

• 6 p.m. - Live Music: Myrtle Brown, Redgate Winery, 8175 Buena Vista Road, Independence

• 7 p.m. - Live Music: Old Crow, Golden Hop Saloon, 133 C St., Independence

Sunday, April 14

• 9 a.m. - Paul Thompson Auction, Building C, Polk County Fairgrounds, 520 S. Pacific Hwy. West

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

Monday, April 15

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

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

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

• 10 a.m. - ASL Class/ Hand & Foot, Monmouth Senior Center

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

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

• 6 p.m. - Dallas Budget Committee Training, City Hall, 187 SE Court St.

• 6 p.m. - Karaoke, Dallas Area Senior Center

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

• 7 p.m. - Dallas City Council meeting, City Hall, 187 SE Court St.

Community Awards ceremony

“Community of Stars” is 5-7:30 p.m. April 17 at Eola Hills Winery, in Rickreall. Tickets are $45 each or two for $85 and include drink vouchers and appetizers. Purchase tickets at micc-or.org or by calling (503) 838-4268

Book club discusses “The Gown” April 18

The Third Thursday Book Club meets April 18 at 1 p.m. at the Monmouth Public Library, 168 Ecols St. S., to discuss the book “The Gown”, an enthralling historical fiction tale of the creation of Queen Elizabeth’s wedding dress, written by Jennifer Robson, Free class offered April 18 on How Money Works

Holly Williamson and the Polk County Resource Center present the free class How Money Works, 6:30 p.m. April 18 at 1407 Monmouth Highway. Register online at https://midvalleyparenting.org/ courses/view/freehowmoneyworksbudgetingclass.

Friends of Dallas Public Library host book sale April 18-20

The Friends of the Dallas Public Library host their annual Spring Book Sale 5-7 p.m. April 18, 3-7 p.m. April 19 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 20 at the Dallas Civic Center, 945 SE Jefferson St., in Dallas. A bag sale is from 2-3 p.m. the last day. Become a member of the Friends of the Library while at the book sale and get two free books.

CASA offers spring training April 19

Join CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) for children in the new season with the Spring CASA Training, 3-6 p.m. April 19 in the Polk County first floor courthouse conference room, 850 Main St., in Dallas. This is a free eight-week class that will give you the tools and training to become a volunteer CASA advocate. For more information, contact Amber Calef at (503) 623-8473. Apply at www.casaofpolk. com.

Fairgrounds hosts rock, gem show April 19-21

Tuesday, April 16

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

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

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

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

• 10:30 a.m. - Family Storytime, 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 p.m. - Healthy Soul, Dallas Area Senior Center

• 1:30 p.m. - Dallas Area Senior Center Book Club discusses “The Personal Librarian” by Marie Benedict and Victoria Murray

• 5:30 p.m. - Polk County Coin Club monthly meeting, Main Building, Polk County Fairgrounds, 520 S. Pacific Hwy. West

• 6 p.m. - Belly Dancing for Fun & Fitness, Monmouth Senior Center

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

• 7:30 p.m. - Basics of Social Dance, Monmouth Senior Center Wednesday, April 17

• 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

• 3 p.m. - Kids Painting Workshop, for ages 6-12, Monmouth Public Library, 168 Ecols St. S.

• 4 p.m. - Dallas Teen Advisory Board meeting, Dallas Public Library, 950 Main St.

• 6 p.m. - Open Mic Night, Brew Coffee and Taphouse, 211 S. Main St., Independence

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

• 7 p.m. - Monmouth Planning Commission meeting, City Hall, 151 Main St. W.

Monmouth Senior Center hosts Spring Tea

April 20

Celebrate the new season at the Friends of the Monmouth Senior Center’s annual Spring Tea, April 20 from 1-3 p.m. Celebrate renewal and new beginnings with delicious food, tea, music, and friends. Tickets are $30 at the Monmouth Senior Community Center. Cash/check only please. For questions, contact Angie at (602) 819-1208.

IDA hosts new event The Puddle Hopper April 20

The Independence Downtown Association presents the new event, The Puddle Hopper, on April 20. This day-long event celebrates Oregon’s April weather, downtown fun, and shopping and eating local. The day includes a hunt for the Golden Umbrella, a decorated downtown and a ticketed evening reception. For more information, go to info@downtownindependence.com.

Master Gardeners host tour of Inspiration Garden

April 20

The OSU Extension Services presents Trees for Small Spaces: A tour of Inspiration Gardens with Polk County Master Gardeners on April 20 at 10 a.m. Rain or shine, this free drop-in event is on mixed paved and packed gravel surface. Dress for the weather.

Meet at the Gathering Space at Inspiration Garden at Mt. Fir Park, 799 F. St., in Independence. For more information, go to https://beav.es/ ciK.

Ribbon cutting for new Monmouth City Hall is April 25

The city of Monmouth welcomes the community to an evening of celebration of the new city hall with a ribbon cutting at 5:30 p.m. April

The Willamette Agate and Mineral Society’s 67th annual River of Gems rock and gem show is 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 19-20 and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 21 at the Polk County Fairgrounds, 520 S. Pacific Highway W., in Rickreall. There will be dealers, demonstrations, speakers, display cases, silent auctions, scholarship auction, a fluorescent exhibit, treasure hunt (for kids 11 and under) and many fun games for the kids. Admission is $5 for adults and youth 17 and under are free.

25 with tours to follow until 7 p.m. The new city hall is located at 151 Main St. W.

New Horizons

Willamette Valley Orchestra seeks new members

The New Horizons Willamette Valley Orchestra, featuring musicians from Polk and Marion counties, is always looking for new members. Some members played in high school and then left their instruments in the attic for 20 or 30 or more years and then decided they would like to play it again. Others took up the instrument later in life. There are no auditions. Anyone who wants to play is welcome. The orchestra currently has about 25 players and always needs string players but welcome trumpet, trombone, tuba, French horn, clarinet, flute, oboe, and bassoon players.

Rehearsals are Monday’s from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Monmouth Senior Center, 180 Warren Ave. For more information, DM the group on their Facebook page.

Registration opens for Kids Inc. Soccer Camp Spring Soccer Camp registration is here for Kids Inc. of Dallas. Registration will be capped at 60 youth and either close when the cap is reached or on April 26. The camp fee is $60. The four week Spring Soccer

Jazmine Lelani Marie Lawson (Jaz or Jazzy) was born Aug. 13, 1999. She was a strong Leo, she was a very outgoing little girl and she always wanted to make friends. In her teens she wanted to be a fashion designer. I told her to design something, and I would help her put it together. She took a pair of blue pants and a pair of purple

wear them but when she did, people were wanting to know where she bought them.

As an adult, she struggled with many things from day to day. But along the way she made many friends. Everyone loved how bubbly she was. When I saw her, she seemed happy and adjusting to her new journey.

On March 29, 2024, we found out that she passed in her sleep. She was so young and had her whole life ahead

Dynasty PCSO shutters

multiple local illegal grows

From Page A1

operation The New Green Dynasty. In addition to the six properties the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon seized as part of the New Green Dynasty investi gation, Garton said his office shuttered another eight loca tions within Polk County.

“It was a busy time for us,” Garton told the ItemizerObserver. “We worked those (local) cases. Once we started connecting all these different places, we knew this was get ting big.”

He said the takedown operation of the New Green Dynasty locations was a twoday event.

“That is where I’m glad we had partners in DEA and OSP. We hit all those properties in two days. The amount of work that went in from all the agencies helped quite signifi cantly,” Garton said.

He said their investigation revealed one man, Rong, was coming in to pay all the taxes for the properties in cash.

“Other little things like that were happening. Once we started connecting the properties together, there was one main guy, in all those New Green Dynasty cases, one main guy was convicted,” Garton said.

He added that unfortunately, his office never ran across Rong.

“As soon as our places got hit, he fled to Houston and the feds were there waiting for him,” Garton said.

On July viously pleading guilty to con spiracy to manufacture mari juana, Rong was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release, according to Oregon’s DOJ.

“This prosecution and yearslong effort to forfeit properties used by the Rong organization to grow and process thousands of pounds of marijuana demonstrate the long reach of our commitment to holding drug traffickers accountable and mitigating the damage these criminal orga nizations inflict on neighbor hoods and communities,” said Natalie Wight, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. The New Green Dynasty associated addresses seized in Polk County were: - 6525 Rickreall Road, Independence - 5145 Red Prairie Road, Sheridan - 7575 Blanchard Road, Sheridan

- 2880 S. Kings Valley Highway, Dallas - 20250 Highway 22, Sheridan - 19090 Highway 22, Sheridan However, there remained several other operations not associated with The New Green Dynasty. The PCSO executed search warrants at eight locations, netting the seizure of more than 14,000

our best not allowing that to happen.”

To combat local operations, Garton said the public can help play a key role. Tips were important to leading investigators toward both the New Green Dynasty cases and PCSO’s own investigations.

“People may not know what exactly is going on, but they know what they see is not normal,” Garton said.

of her. She departed too early and left behind her beloved siblings Kaylub, 28, Tristan, 20, Ronnie, 17, and Kadin, 16 and her Mother Jayme, 45. A Celebration of life will held at Dallas City Park on Saturday, April 20, 2024, from 12-5 p.m. Signs will be up to direct you to the event. Bollman’s Tribute Center is serving the family. www. BollmansTributeCenter.com

Lorraine Tower

Lorraine Tower, 80, of Salem, Oregon, passed away on Friday, April 5, 2024.

If you may know Lorraine, please contact Bollman’s Tribute Center at (503) 623-2325.

Allan Charles Bowles Jul. 16, 1948 – Apr. 5 2024

Allan Charles Bowles passed away April 5, 2024.

Send your community announcements to email or call and speak with the editor

ionews@polkio.com

503-623-2373

Marijuana busts headed by the PCSO

Butane Hash Oil (BHO) Lab Explosion at 16385 Bridgeport Road, Dallas

• Seized Conex container that was used to store super sacks full of marijuana trim

• Seized lots of infrastructure, vacuum ovens and vacuum pumps

• Confiscated 30 gallons of marijuana crude – unrefined BHO

• Took 118 jars of marijuana product

• Seized a Ruger Blackhawk .44 mag firearm

• Arrested two, no convictions – one was acquitted at trial, DA’s office declined to pursue charges against the second suspect

Outdoor grow at 7101 Red Prairie Road, Sheridan

• 30 greenhouses with approximately 4,300 plants and 511 harvested

• 266 pounds of processed marijuana in bags, totes and a bucket

• Three felony convictions of unlawful possession of marijuana by a person aged 21 or older

Outdoor grow at Simpson Road/Airlie Road

• 51 greenhouses with approximately 7,654 plants

• A Raven arms .25 pistol seized

• No arrests

Indoor grow at 16570 Oakdale Road, Dallas

• 2,043 plants and $17,042 in cash seized

• Additional prosecution of two individuals still pending

• Two felony convictions for unlawful manufacture of marijuana item

• One misdemeanor conviction for attempted delivery of marijuana

Indoor grow at 17750 Highway 22, Sheridan

• A suspect was able to destroy and bag marijuana prior to PCSO search warrant service

• 74 bags of marijuana plants recovered

• One felony conviction for unlawful manufacture of marijuana item

Indoor grows at 6840 Ridgeway Road and 635 Reuben Boise Road

• Seized 2,288 total plants and 1,160 clones

• Smith & Wesson .22 caliber revolver seized

• One felony conviction at each location for unlawful manufacture of marijuana item

• Additional prosecution for three individuals still pending related to Ridgeway grow

Indoor grow at 2160 Pioneer Road, Dallas

• 1,894 plants and 1,624 clones seized

• 40 pounds of processed marijuana in totes and garbage bag recovered

• Two felony convictions for unlawful manufacture of marijuana item

Indoor grow at 16465 Oakdale Road

• Patrol responded to house fire, discovered grows in home and shop

• Recovered 63 pounds of processed marijuana, packaged in 62 individual turkey bags

• 102 pounds of total processed marijuana taken

• One felony conviction for unlawful manufacture of marijuana item

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY PCSO Federal agents seized an illegal marijuana grow at 6825 Rickreall Road (left). The Polk County Sheriff’s Office raided a compound with 51 greenhouses on a property way back off Simpson road (right).

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

Dallas Police Department

Thursday, March 28

• At 12:27 a.m., Peter Furman, of Dallas, was arrested and charged with trespass 2 and lodged at Polk County Jail.

• At 1:43 p.m., a motorist on Clay Street was cited for driving uninsured and fail to register vehicle.

• At 5:13 p.m., Christopher Scott was arrested on Main Street and charged with robbery 3 and theft 3. He was lodged at Polk County Jail.

• At 5:48 p.m., a motorist was cited for speeding 58 mph in a 40-mph zone on Clow Corner Road.

• At 6:07 p.m., Oscar Oropeza was arrested on Court Street and charged with theft 1. He was lodged at Polk County Jail.

• At 8:25 p.m., a male subject was found sleeping in a bathroom stall of a business on Kings Valley Highway. He was told to leave if he wasn’t going to purchase anything.

Friday, March 29

• At 12:25 p.m., a resident on Miller Avenue reported seeing a possible trespasser on the property via their front door Ring camera. Officers checked outside but found no one. All doors were secured.

• At 12:32 p.m., Christopher Stewart was formally trespassed from a business on Ellendale Avenue after falling asleep in a bathroom stall and had caused other issues in the past.

• At 12:56 p.m., a citizen reported a male subject was walking around a parking lot on Ellendale Avenue with his pants unzipped. An officer encountered a male subject who was talking to himself and walking around on the side of the parking lot with pants unzipped but not exposed. The subject refused to identify himself, but said he would stay out of the travel lanes.

• At 1:20 p.m., Michael Stroud, of Dallas, was arrested and charged with criminal trespass 2 and was lodged at Polk County Jail.

• At 2:34 p.m., a resident on Court Street reported their social security number was used by an unknown person for taxes.

• At 2:58 p.m., two juveniles were caught shoplifting at Walmart. Walmart refused to press charges. The two juveniles were released to their father.

• At 7:45 p.m., a report of a hit and run at the West Valley Hospital parking lot. There were no suspect details.

• At 8 p.m., a juvenile on Maple Street was charged with theft 2.

Saturday, March 30

• At 12:06 a.m., an officer assisted Linn County Sheriff’s Office with a possible stolen vehicle found on Stafrin Street.

• At 1:58 a.m., a report of a group of people in a pub on Court Street trying to kick people off the pool table. Staff asked the group to leave several times. They were gone by the time officers arrived.

• At 3:12 a.m., officers investigated a glass break alarm on Jefferson Street. They found no signs of break-in or broken glass.

• At 5:55 a.m., Michael Ramos was arrested on a felony Polk County warrant and lodged at Polk County Jail.

• At 12:38 p.m., a male subject reported losing his wallet on Fairview Avenue.

• At 1:18 p.m., officers invested a report of neglected puppies on Ellendale Avenue.

They determined the puppies were fine and their condition did not rise to the level of neglect.

• At 2:41 p.m., police responded to a report of a female subject sleeping in a yard on Rainbow Avenue. Rebekah Cravinho-Gustafson was cited and released on Marion County warrants.

• At 7:13 p.m., a female subject was contacted after she was banging on a door of a residence on Wyatt Street. She thought she was going to move it. Officers advised her she d id not live anywhere near the location.

Sunday, March 31

• At 2:19 a.m., officers responded to a report of a small, non-injury fight between two female subjects on Court Street. There were no willing victims.

• At 10:16 a.m., a report of a possible road rage incident involving a grey Tacoma LS pulling into the Safeway parking lot on Ellendale Avenue. An officer checked the area and was unable to locate.

• At 2:27 p.m., a report of a hit and run in a parking lot on Kings Valley Highway. The driver responsible left without exchanging information. The store later reported the suspect had also stolen flowers before fleeing.

• At 6:23 p.m., a motorist was cited on Jefferson Street for failure to renew registration.

• At 6:38 p.m., an officer assisted a motorist on Main Street with getting their mobility scooter mounted onto the trailer hitch of their vehicle.

Monday, April 1

• At 9:19 a.m., a resident on Sunny Drive reported an unknown person tricked him with Facebook scam resulting in a loss of around $900 worth of crypto currency.

• At 10:44 a.m., a report of a male subject yelling at and kicking his dog on Kings Valley Highway. An officer contacted the subject who admitted he was yelling at his dog, but denied kicking it.

• At 2:22 p.m., a report of an unknown subject punctured the rear tire of a vehicle on Holman Avenue. The incident was caught on CCTV and is being investigated.

• At 2:31 p.m., a report of a two-vehicle non-injury crash on Miller Avenue.

• At 3:53 p.m., officers, with the help of bystanders, pushed a disabled Humvee out of the road on Levens Street.

• At 4:21 p.m., two juveniles, one from Dallas another from Salem, were arrested and charged with assault 3 after attacking a third juvenile on Walnut Avenue. One of the juveniles was also charged with giving false information. They were lodged at Yamhill County Youth Detention Center.

• At 5:41 p.m., a report of two intoxicated juveniles at the park on Levens Street. A responding officer was unable to locate them.

• At 9:32 p.m., three subjects were formally trespassed from Walmart after being seen stuffing bags with merchandise.

Tuesday, April 2

• At 8:21 a.m., a female subject was cited and released for trespass 2 on Walnut Avenue.

• At 1:07 p.m., a motorist from Eugene was cited for driving while suspended –violation, and for speeding 35 mph in a 20-mph zone on Miller Avenue.

• At 1:29 p.m. a bike found sitting for weeks near the complaintent’s house on Court Street was turned over to the police.

• At 2:18 p.m., police investigated a report of juveniles smoking marijuana in a park on Uglow Avenue. They were unable to locate any suspects.

• At 3:52 p.m., a report of a female subject using a fake passport on Orchard Drive.

• At 4:36 p.m., an officer was the first on the scene on Ellendale Avenue where a

female subject fell and cut her head. Medics handled the call.

• At 4:53 p.m., a report of a dog loose on Cherry Street and going potty in other yards. The complainant was advised to call animal or code services during business hours.

• At 5:23 p.m., a motorist on Jefferson Street was cited for using a mobile device while driving and for driving uninsured.

• At 9:30 p.m., Francis Brylski was arrested and charged with trespass 2 after he was found in a park on Main Street and refused to ID himself.

• At 10:36 p.m., Jaime Decaney, of Dallas, was cited and released for trespass 2 at Walmart.

Wednesday, April 3

• At 7:03 a.m., officers investigated a report of trespassing at the old Bank of America building on Main Street. They contacted four subjects, telling three to move a long and arrested the fourth, Nicholas Petitte, on an outstanding warrant.

• At 8:40 a.m., a report of a low cable wire on Clay Street. An officer contacted West Valley Fiber.

• At 9:34 a.m., a student at LaCreole Middle School was caught in possession of marijuana.

• At 9:46 a.m., Peter Furman was trespassed from the old Bank of America location on Main Street. After not leaving for three hours, Furman was cited and released for trespass 2.

• At 10:40 a.m., a LaCreole Middle School student reported receiving a suspicious phone call from someone claiming to be school staff, when they were not.

• At 2:30 p.m., officers were asked to perform a welfare check on a female subject on Court Street. The female was fine.

• At 7:54 p.m., a resident on Uglow Avenue asked officers if they could test her walls for meth as she was sure her neighbors are using, and it is affecting her and her child.

• At 10:12 p.m., a report of a juvenile running away from home on Dimick Street. The youth was found a short time later.

Independence Police Department

Thursday, March 28

• At 12:14 a.m., the Salem Police Department requested an assist locating a possible intoxicated driver driving to Independence. Officers were unable to locate the vehicle.

• At 2:48 a.m., officers responded to a commercial burglary alarm in the 1200 block of E St. They found no signs of forced entry or signs of anyone in the building.

• At 4:59 p.m., suspects were caught attempting to shoplift at a store in the 1300 block of Monmouth Street. The suspects were caught with the assistance of Oregon State Police and were trespassed from the store.

Friday, March 29

• At 6:16 a.m., officers responded again to a commercial burglary alarm in the 1200 block of E St. Again, they found no signs of forced entry or signs of anyone in the building.

• At 5:56 p.m., officers responded to a report of possible shots heard at a park at 10 Deann Drive. It was determined to be subjects firing gel ball blaster, plastic Orbeez guns, which were loud.

• At 6:32 p.m., a report of a three-vehicle crash in the 1400 block of Monmouth Street. There were no injuries.

• At 8:07 p.m., a subject handed an officer in the 1400 block of Monmouth Street a set of car keys found underneath the Independence Bridge.

• At 10:26 p.m., a resident in the 1400 block of Washington Street complained of a loud party behind their property on 7th Street. A

responding officer heard no music, just sporadic moments of “loud talking” but nothing rising to the level of an ordinance violation.

• At 11:44 p.m., a motorist was stopped for speeding 35 mph in a 25-mph zone in the 1000 block of Monmouth Street. The driver was given a fix it ticket for failure to change address with the DMV.

• At 11:58 p.m., officers responded to a report of a car alarm that had been going off for hours in the 700 block of White Oak Circle. It was turned off prior to the officers’ arrival and they were unable to find any suspicious activity.

• Alexandro Huizar Alaniz, 18, of Independence, was cited and released for driving under the influence of an intoxicant. His BAC registered at .10%.

Saturday, March 30

• At 12:24 a.m., a motorist was stopped for speeding 36 mph in a 25-mph zone in the 1000 block of Monmouth Street. The driver was warned about very dark window tint and how it could result in citation. The driver was given a fix it ticket for failure to notify the DMV of change of address.

• At 1:23 a.m., residents in the 700 block of White Oak Circle complained of a car alarm going off for the last three hours with flashing lights. An officer was unable to locate any flashing lights or car alarm.

• At 6:11 a.m., a motorist was stopped for speeding 30 mph in a 20-mph zone at the corner of Main and E streets. The driver was warned about speeding but was given a fix it ticket for failure to notify the DMV of change of address.

• At 8:55 a.m. a dog was found at large on C Street. It was caught and taken to the kennels.

• At 3:22 p.m., a motorist was cited for speeding 52 mph in a 35-mph zone on Stryker Road.

• At 4:27 p.m., officers assisted medics in the 500 block of Apple Court place a female subject having a medical emergency onto a gurney. The subject was transported to the hospital.

• At 6:44 p.m., officers investigated a report of a possibly intoxicated motorist on Main Street. There were unable to locate any suspects nor received any further reports.

• At 7:11 p.m., a report of a hit-and-run incident on Monmouth Street where a motorist hit a pedestrian walking a motorized scooter in a crosswalk.

• At 10:48 p.m., officers invested reports of people being shot at by BB guns or Orbeez guns in the 1300 block of Monmouth Street. They were unable to locate damage or injured people.

Sunday, March 31

• Officers responded March 31 to a report of an assault at the Space Age Gas Station at 1082 Monmouth St. Ibran

• At 12:17 a.m., a motorist was cited for driving 56 mph in a 35 mph at Stryker and Cessna roads. The driver was also given a fix it ticket for failure to notify DMV of address change and was warned for front right headlight being burnt out.

• At 12:30 a.m., an officer investigated a report of a vehicle with its back door open in the 1000 block of 7th Street. The officer located the vehicle’s owner, who did not notice anything missing.

• At 12:48 a.m., a Door Dash driver was stopped on 16th Street for loud bass emanating from vehicle for more than 50 feet. The driver was later illegally stopped in bike lane. The officer cited the driver for driving while suspended – violation, was issued fix it ticket for failure to carry proof of insurance, and was warned for sound amplification and for illegally stopping in the bike lane.

• At 2:16 a.m.,. a motorist was stopped for having no headlights on at the corner of

Main and Grand streets. The driver was cited for driving while suspended and warned for no headlights and for failure to carry and present (crime).

• At 4:25 a.m. a motorist was stopped in the 1100 block of Monmouth Street after reportedly being involved in an assault in Salem. The driver reeked of alcohol and was arrested for driving under the influence of an intoxicant.

• At 10:30 a.m., a stolen truck was found behind the Chase Bar at 1073 Monmouth Street. The owner said he just wanted to get his truck back and did not want a swab done.

• At 11:50 p.m., a motorist was cited for speeding on Independence Highway near Deann Drive.

Monday, April 1

• At 4:53 a.m., a motorist was cited for speeding 50 mph in a 35-mph zone at the corner of Main and Oak streets.

• At 7 a.m., officers responded on to a domestic disturbance between a male and female in the 800 block of 4th Street. After interviewing both persons, Jade Dean Starr was arrested and charged with strangulation and harassment.

• At 10:03 a.m., a report that sometime overnight, a motorist damaged the retaining wall bricks in the 200 block of Gun Club Road. There are no known suspects.

• At 1:36 p.m., a female subject reported a coworker backed into her vehicle’s rear back door in the 500 block of 12th Street. The vehicle owner was unsure if damage was over $2,500, but an officer told her to report it to the DMV anyway.

• At 3:43 p.m., a reported attempted theft 3 in the 900 block of Main Street.

Tuesday, April 2

• At 9:37 a.m., a motorist on Main Street was warned for driving while using a cell phone.

• At 5:52 p.m., officers responded to a verbal domestic disturbance in the 600 block of White Oak Circle. It was a non-criminal situation.

• At 7:12 p.m., officers responded to a report of a hit and run near Pictures Street and Gun Club Road. Witness reported seeing a vehicle hit another vehicle. While talking with witnesses, the suspect vehicle drove up. The driver Igor Vasilyevich Slobodyan was given a field sobriety test and performed poorly. He was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of an intoxicant and failure to perform duties of a driver. His BAC was .2%.

Wednesday, April 3

• At 11:29 a.m., a Talmadge Middle School student left and walked home after having a bad day. The student was warned for truancy and taken back to school.

• At 1:20 p.m., a resident in the 200 block of Ospry Lane reported receiving multiple inappropriate calls.

• At 8:59 p.m., a resident in the 500 block of Main Street reported that someone posted an intimate image of them. The case is being investigated.

Monmouth Police Department

• Jason Brown, 37, was arrested April 2 and charged with criminal trespassing.

• Thomas Richard Cady, 63, was arrested April 3 and charged with driving under the influence of an intoxicant.

• Daniel Chaves, 38, was arrested March 30 an charged with assault 4.

• John P Chavez, 35, was arrested March 30 and charged with harassment.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office

• Oliver AlvarezBeltran was arrested April 2 and placed on hold for U.S. Marshals (possess amphetamine).

• Jose Ismael AmadorPacheco was arrested March

31 and charged with driving under the influence of an intoxicant.

• Gabriel Alonso Baca was arrested March 29 and charged with driving under the influence of an intoxicant.

• Donald Darwin Barnes Jr, was arrested April 2 and charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and unlawful entry into a motor vehicle.

• Cesar Enrique CarmonaRamon was arrested April 4 and charged with probation violation (assault 4).

• Rafael Ceballos Jr, was arrested April 3 and placed on hold for U.S. Marshals (drugs).

• Jonathan Joseph Cox was arrested April 1 and charged with two counts of harassment, interfering with a peace officer, attempted assault of a public safety officer, attempted strangulation and resisting arrest.

• Erik Ricardo GarciaOropeza was arrested April 2 and charged with attempting to elude police officer-vehicle (foot), failure to carry/present op license and reckless driving.

• Martin Andrew Gonzalez was arrested April 1 and charged with assault 4, assault 3, three counts of recklessly endangering, criminal mistreatment 1, two counts of harassment, violation of release agreement and contempt of court.

• Kevin Wayne Hinchcliff was arrested April 4 and charged with prison violation (escape 2).

• Derek Armond Johnson was arrested April 2 and failure to appear (attempt to commit Class C felony).

• Mathew Scott Kliewer was arrested April 1 and charged with driving under influence intoxicant and reckless driving.

• Russell Allen Littleton was arrested April 5 and charged with failure to appear (driving while suspended).

• Brodi Michael Madrid was arrested April 2 and placed on hold for Benton County (sexual penetration 1).

• Eleazar Martinez-Orozco was arrested April 1 and charged with driving under the influence of an intoxicant.

• Nicholas Gene Petitte was arrested April 3 and charged with criminal mischief 2 and failure to appear (driving under the influence of intoxicants).

• Justin Ray Stocker was arrested April 4 and charged with failure to appear (driving while suspended).

• Michael Allan Stroud was arrested March 29 and charged with two counts of criminal trespass 2.

• Adam Glen Sunderman was arrested March 29 and charged with driving under the influence of an intoxicant and criminal driving while suspended/revoked.

• Robert John Turner was arrested April 4 and charged with probation violation (theft in the first degree) and was placed on hold for Marion County (failure to appear –unlawfully dealing marijuana).

• Drew Dean Warren was arrested April 2 and charged with post-prison supervision violation (child sex abuse 1).

• Carmon Lee Busgano was arrested April 2 and charged with violation of restraining order-domestic, resisting arrest, escape 3 and contempt of court.

• Rachel Renee Flores was arrested April 3 and charged with disorderly conduct 2.

• Kalie Marie Pfeifer was arrested April 2 and charged with two counts of probation violation (giving false information, ID theft).

• Ona Kay Robertson was arrested Apri 2 and charged with robbery 2, two counts of burglary 1 and menacing.

• Angelique Melinda Whittlinger was arrested March 30 and charged with four counts of probation violation (attempt to commit class a misdemeanor, assault 4, resisting arrest, unlawful use of a weapon), false report-initiating, disorderly conduct 2 and improper use of 911

Grange

Launches Jumble

Junction mall

From Page A1

grant from the State Grange Organization for $5,000, which was used to paint the downstairs ceiling, add new lights and panel the walls. However, the bills keep stacking up. They paid $5,000 from their own coffers to purchase new gutters. However, they had to borrow $16,000 from state

Park

Community designed park breaks ground

From Page A1

“Development pays its fair share and that’s (the way) it’s supposed to be. We’ve worked hard as a city to find grants and other resources so we don’t have to charge additional fees for people to have capital construction.”

The city council recently accepted the only bid of $457,112.20 from GT Landscape Solutions to construct the park. To help fund the project, in addition to SDCs, Independence received a $75,000 grant from Oregon Parks and Recreation and another $50,000 from T-Mobile’s Hometown Grant program.

Grange to replace the septic system and are making $200 a month payments on the loan.

Now, a wall is literally falling down around them. “They’re saying, at least, $500,000-plus, to get the foundation fixed again, to get our wall straightened back up. That’s just the beginning,” Vannette said. “Because we have to redo the windows.”

She said the train club used to share an upstairs space before recently moving out put air conditioning units in, breaking out the windows.

“We want to keep everything original. Now we have to go track down windows from the (early) 1900s,” Vannette said. “$500,000 is just the bare minimum we need to keep going.”

“Vannette said the smaller, original building was built back in the late 1800s and was acquired for use as a Grange in 1926. However, it caught fire in the early 1900s.

“When they remodeled it, they added sections on to each end and filled it with the old piping they had laying around,” she explained.

Gary Buckholtz, regional marketing manager for T-Mobile, explained the goal of T-Mobile’s program to assist small market, rural areas. “The T-Mobile Grant Program, back in the spring of 2021, put together a program to drive our commitment to rural America,” Buckholtz said. “True, we want to put towers up and stores up. But more importantly we want to get engaged and see your communities thrive. This is what this is all about. A five-year, $25 million plan to give away to cities just like Independence, along with 24 other cities and towns.” Pacific Power topped off the donations, by throwing in $3,500 for the installation of trees, which will be installed in the fall, when they take better to being planted locally, McArdle said.

He added the park will be ADA compliant, will include irrigation and drainage and Nature Play Equipment that embraces the natural

“So, when water goes in, it’s slowly sinking the foundation. As the foundation sinks, it’s pulling the wall with it.”

The regular flea market was cutting it after 15 years or so.

“Everything we had built up is pretty much gone with what repairs we’ve been able to do. That’s even with the loan,” Brown said.

Their flea market experienced a resurgence right after COVID, because nobody else was open.

“We had vendors like you would not believe,” Vannette said. “But now that COVID is over, and there are so many other events out there, it’s even harder to get vendors for down here. So, we struggle with that, too.

“Our gas bill alone in the winter is almost $500. So, we’ve got to be bringing in enough money to cover all of our bills, which is a lot,” she added.

Some of Jumble Junction’s vendors transitioned from the Grange’s own flea market regulars. Others, were shoppers giving it their own go after hearing about the new mall.

surrounding area. The park will include seating suitable for picnicking in small groups such as picnic tables. A safety surface of engineered wood fiber or something similar will also be installed. Lastly, the installation will include concrete work to tie the project location into the existing trail infrastructure and connect individual site elements.

Shawn Irvine, city economic development director explained why it took nine years for the park to finally come to fruition.

“Planning takes time. These master plans are intended to be 20-year documents. Looking out to the future. These things happen as growth develops,” Irvine said. “It had a lot of public involvement. So literally, talk about the type of play equipment, the park design, it was really designed by the community.”

He added Sunset Meadows is a growing part of Independence that was in need

More info

Vannette said if the Rickreall Grange also wants to keep offering free events like the kids’ Halloween Party, or offer community bingo the third Wednesday of each month with just a $5 buy-in, much rides on the success of Jumble Junction. “In order for us to keep doing community things for the community, free events, we have to have income coming in so we can pay our bills and have extra left over so we can do more for the community,” Vannette said.

of its own park within easy walking distance, especially families with kids.

“Being able to have this park here, not just the open space, but the playground and fully developed, is going to be a great asset for the whole neighborhood,” Irvine said.

Rep. Paul Evans, who participated in the groundbreaking ceremony, agreed the park was an amenity even his grandmother would have enjoyed.

“My grandmother lived about 1,000 feet that way, when the place my mom had to play growing up was actually that log rack in the fields near it,” Evans shared. “They didn’t really have a lot of parks in Independence in the 1940s and 50s. They would be very grateful to see the children of today have something very special.”

Wednesday through Saturday Regular Grange Flea Market is the first and third Sunday. Bingo third Wednesday of the month, $5 buy in. For more information, go to the Rickreall Grange Facebook page, and there is a page dedicated to Jumble Junction.

Jumble Junction Mall Hours 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

PHOTO BY DAVID HAYES

Rickreall Grange President Tara Vannette (right) and assistant steward Tia Brown hope the new Jumble Junction mall will help generate funds to go toward the upkeep of their historic building.

CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL

Wednesday

• Silverton vs. Softball, 4:30 p.m.

• Baseball @ South Albany, 5 p.m.

Friday

• Softball @ South Albany, 4:30 p.m.

• South Albany vs. Baseball, 5 p.m.

Monday

• Corvallis vs. Softball, 4:30 p.m.

• Baseball @ Silverton, 5 p.m.

Saturday

• Track at Sherwood Need for Speed, TBA

DALLAS HIGH SCHOOL

Wednesday

• Crescent Valley vs. Softball, 4:30 p.m.

• Corvallis vs. Baseball, 5 p.m.

Friday

• Baseball @ Corvallis, 4 p.m.

• Softball @ McKay, 4:30 p.m.

Monday

• South Albany vs. Softball, 4:30 p.m.

• Baseball @ Crescent Valley, 5 p.m.

FALLS CITY HIGH SCHOOL

• Track @ Perrydale Invitational, 10:30 a.m.

PERRYDALE HIGH SCHOOL

Friday

• Softball @ Knappa, 4:30 p.m.

Saturday

• Track, Perrydale Invitational, 10:30 a.m.

Tuesday

• Clatskanie vs. Softball, 4:30 p.m.

Scoreboard

• April 1-7

CENTRAL/FALLS CITY HIGH SCHOOLS

April 5

• Lebanon 15, Softball 0

• Baseball 3, Lebanon 2

DALLAS HIGH SCHOOL

April 4

• Softball 6, West Albany 0

April 5

• West Albany 6, baseball 2

Young Panthers’ squad shows promise on diamond

By LANCE MASTERSON For The Itemizer-Observer

Last season, when the Panthers varsity softball team won eight games, they struggled winning the close ones. That’s not the case so far in 2024.

Central posted a 6-2 mark this preseason. Four of those wins were by two runs or less. Not a bad percentage for a team with only two seniors, Brielle Lowery and Matilda Miller, on its roster. Conversely, seven players on the roster are either sophomores or freshmen. Though the sophomore core is experienced, as five played varsity last year as freshmen.

Lily McCormick is the team’s top pitcher. She has won all six games she started, and is one of two juniors in the lineup.

McCormick “is pitching really well for us. Ball control is good. Has a lot of confidence. Feels comfortable with the team behind her,” Panthers coach Wes Seidel said. The team showed it may have turned a corner by squeezing out wins during last month’s North Medford Spring Break Tournament. There, the girls defeated Thurston (9-8), Redmond (4-3) and Yreka (5-3) of California. That’s three wins by a combined four runs.

“We proved that we can win close ball games. That’s a place where we struggled last year. We’d get down on ourselves. We’d lose momentum,” Seidel said. “But we managed to walk out of Medford with three of those kinds of wins. We left with more confidence in our ability to compete when it is close.”

McCormick agrees that the Panthers are headed in the right direction. “I think we’ve started off stronger,” McCormick said of the Panthers so far. “I think the way we’re going, we’re going to get even better as a team.”

Central’s only loss at the tournament came against Eagle Point (8-0). The team’s other non-conference loss was 18-1 against Glencoe. Seidel cites lack of pitching depth for the disparity, something the team continues to address as the season progresses.

A reminder as to just how tough life in the MidWillamette Conference (MWC) is comes courtesy of the latest Class 5A power rankings. Six of Oregon’s 12 top-ranked teams are

WOU SPOTLIGHT

in-conference. Defending state champion Dallas is number one, followed by Silverton (2), West Albany (3), Lebanon (6), Central (10) and Corvallis (12).

“That’s an unusual spot for us,” Seidel said of their ranking. “But it feels good to be in that spot, to watch our girls compete, to feel like they can get out there and play with anybody.”

But there’s “anybody” and then there’s the upper tier of the MWC. Dallas and Lebanon played in the state title game last year, Seidel added, and Silverton, West Albany and Corvallis also made the playoffs. Even so, at least one Panther is confident about her team’s chances.

“I think we can compete very well against these teams,” said sophomore shortstop Sophia Beasly. We’ll soon find out if the girls can maintain their fast start. The schedule makers didn’t do them any favors, as the Panthers opened with Lebanon (a 15-0 loss on Friday), hosts Silverton today, travels to West Albany Friday, and then hosts Corvallis Monday. The two home games start at 4:30 p.m. “We have a tough first four games,” Seidel said . “I want to see us compete. It’s something we’ve been working on the last two years. We may not come out on the right side of the score. But I just want us to play a complete ballgame.”

The gauntlet will help determine whether the Panthers are indeed contenders.

“If we can make it through the first part of the league and still feel like we’re in contention, we’re going to feel really good about ourselves,” Seidel said. He added for Central to have any shot at the state playoffs they will have to finish conference play no lower than fifth place, but even then they’ll advance only if their RPI rating is high enough for them to sneak in as a 15th or 16th seed.

“We’ve set a goal of making it to the playoffs this year. We really want to get there,” said Beasly. “I think we’ll make it because we’re all, like, strong-willed.”

Caiden Madzelan competes in American Ninja Warrior

Caiden Madzelan, a first-year Western Oregon University student majoring in exercise science, has now competed on the hit show American Ninja Warrior three times at the age of 19. American Ninja Warrior is a competition show where elite athletes compete on the world’s most difficult obstacle courses. In the newest season, athletes compete in new, leveled-up stages, including a never-before-seen pole vault, the tallest-ever Mega Wall, and thrilling head-to-head races.

Madzelan was in fourth grade when he was inspired by his father’s CrossFit coach, who applied for the show. In middle school, they

announced their inaugural season American Ninja Warrior Junior and he applied. He placed in the semi-finalists at the age of 13. The age limit for American Ninja Warrior was lowered from 21 to 15 during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he competed in his first adult season.

“There are other ninja warrior leagues that are not affiliated with the show all around the country. I compete in these all the time,” Madzelan said. “In my last competition, which was a month ago, I placed first. It fills my cup up to compete in these leagues when I’m not competing on the show.”

Madzelan competes in the World Ninja League during his off-season. His goal is to become a physical education teacher and eventually open his own ninja warrior gym for other athletes to train. Ninja warrior gyms have obstacle courses similar to the show, where athletes can train and practice.

PHOTO BY LANCE MASTERSON

Lily McCormick, no. 13, celebrates with teammates during a recent non-conference game. The Panthers won six of eight games in the preseason. They now take on the tough Mid-Willamette Conference. The girls host Silverton today (Wednesday) and Corvallis on Monday. Games begin at 4:30 p.m.

50 years ago

Apr. 10, 1974

PINT drug arrests round up 17 suspects

Polk Interagency Narcotics

Team (PINT) officers this week arrested a total of 17 persons in various parts of the county up through Tuesday afternoon, with additional arrests pending on a number of drug related charges. The arrests are the result of Grand Jury indictments returned Monday, following almost three months of undercover work by PINT officers. Four of the arrests were made in Dallas, the remainder of the arrests were made in West Salem and the Monmouth and Independence areas.

Polk voters will decide the fate of Ritner bridge

Following action of the Polk County Commissioners last Wednesday, the voters of the county will now have the decision of whether or not to preserve the structure of the Ritner Creek bridge near Pedee. The special ballot tax measure calls for a special levy of $29,000 to move and restore the structure and a $2,000 annual levy for yearly maintenance on the structure.

One of two remaining covered bridges located in Polk County, Ritner Creek bridge is the only remaining bridge on a state highway. The other one, known as Waterman’s bridge, is located on Rickreall Creek at the site of the Dallas pumping station.

Wolve’s baseballers on the ‘ropes’

With still another weekend baseball series cancelled because of rain and wet field conditions, Oregon College of Education’s baseball coach, Joe Caligure, hoped to play yesterday against Portland State in Portland. The weather has proved to be the Wolves’ toughest opponent so far this season, forcing cancellation of seven of the first 10 games scheduled. The rained-out games cannot be made up, so all Caligure and the Wolves can do is watch the weather and hope that they will be able to play their remaining 12 games.

40 years ago

Apr. 11, 1984

Computer extension

Community Pride Club members helped raise $2,300 toward the purchase of computer equipment for

the Oregon State University Extension Office in Polk County. The computer’s $6,600 cost was offset by Extension funds.

Banquet will honor Stineff

First Citizen Ed Stineff will be honored Thursday at the Monmouth Independence Community Awards Banquet. The dinner will also honor Kay Dee Marr and Dwayne Riddle, community service awards winners, and Central School District teachers of

Local students make OIT president’s list

Local students have been named to the 2023-24

Winter Term president’s

list at Oregon Institute of Technology. Recipients of the honor achieved a 3.70 gradepoint average and above.

Those honored were:

Dallas

Luke Borja, studies

Operations Management

- Mickenzie Chase, of Independence, studies Business Management Option

- Ian Hunt, of West Salem, studies Cybersecurity.

- Megan Marchwicz, of West of Salem, studies PreMedical Imaging Gen Study

- Krista Watson, of Dallas, studies Medical Laboratory Science

Drake Hartinger, studies

Business Management Option

Alexis Luna, studies Dental Hygiene

Kaylee May, studies Pre-

Dental Hygiene Gen Study

Jordan Myers, studies

Radiologic Science

Toby Ruston, studies

Mechanical Engineering

Monmouth

Kylie Burk, studies Dental Hygiene

the year, Cathi Rooth and Jan Jobe.

WOSC slates nuclear rally

A Nuclear Awareness Week examining political, educational and religious issues of the

New parents at Valley Community Hospital may now enjoy a free champagne dinner. Darda Howse, R.N. , director of education and community relations at the hospital, said the new service is available after the mother and father have gone through their child’s birth. The dinner features a special menu and is served on the evening of discharge from the hospital. It is available to persons using the hospital’s birthing

Ryan Jones, studies

Radiologic Science

Kennedy Kantola, studies

Pre-Dental Hygiene Gen

Study

Joanna Munoz Betancourt, studies Vascular Technology

West Salem

Kendall Allbritton, studies

Dental Hygiene

Jonathan Baez, studies

Mechanical Engineering Tech

Lauren Boseke, studies

Dental Hygiene

Scott Cooke, studies

Mechanical Engineering

Sydnee Jones, studies

Dental Hygiene

Aidan Long, studies

Mechanical Engineering

Elizabeth Maina, studies

Dental Hygiene

Parker Pratt, studies Data Science

Karly White, studies Dental Hygiene

MOMENTS IN TIME

• On April 22, 2000, 6-year-old Elián Gonzalez, who was the sole survivor of an abortive attempt by 13 other Cuban citizens to enter America as illegal immigrants, was taken by a S.W.A.T. team from his Miami relatives. Following a number of court battles, the child was returned to his father, Juan Miguel Gonzalez.

• On April 23, 1898, Spain declared war on the U.S. after rejecting its ultimatum to withdraw from Cuba. Following the declaration, the American Asiatic Squadron, under Commodore George Dewey, engaged the Spanish Pacific squadron under Admiral Patricio Montojo y Pasarón in the Philippines’ Manila Bay, and decimated the Spanish squadron.

• On April 24, 1942, singer/ actress/film producer Barbra Joan Streisand was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. Considered “the girl on the block with the good voice” in her youth, and determined to be a star, her breakthrough came with the lead role in the 1964 Broadway musical “Funny Girl.” In 1968, the movie version of the role earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress. To date, Streisand has sold more than 140 million albums and won 10 Grammys. On April 25, 2006, Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that his country was happy to share its nuclear technology with other nations, during a meeting with the visiting Sudanese president. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice condemned the comments, and Iran’s top nuclear negotiator threatened to suspend its cooperation with the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog if the country was threatened with sanctions.

• On April 28, 1789, Fletcher Christian led a mutiny against William Bligh aboard the HMS Bounty and set him and 18 loyal crew members adrift in a 23-foot open boat, but the men survived a 47-day voyage to the Dutch East Indies and returned to England to report the mutiny. Christian and the rest of the crew eventually settled on Pitcairn Island and Tahiti.

TRIVIA TEST

By FIFI RODRIGUEZ

QUESTIONS

1. GEOGRAPHY: The island of Ibiza belongs with which European country?

2. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is a group of flamingos called?

3. MOVIES: What is the name of the island terrorized by a shark in “Jaws”?

4. U.S. STATES: Which state capital has the highest elevation in the United States?

5. ANATOMY: Where is the corpus collosum located?

6. LITERATURE: Who wrote the children’s book “Where the Wild Things Are”?

7. TELEVISION: Which 1970s TV show had a spinoff hit with “Laverne & Shirley”?

8. MATH: How many sides does a dodecagon have?

9. ASTRONOMY: Which one of the planets in our solar system has the Great Red Spot?

10. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Which president ended the military draft?

ANSWERS

1. Spain.

2. A flamboyance.

3. Amity Island.

4. Santa Fe, New Mexico.

5. In the brain. It connects the two hemispheres of the brain.

6. Maurice Sendak.

7. “Happy Days.”

8. 12.

9. Jupiter.

10. Richard Nixon.

PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE OF BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING FOR THE URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY OF INDEPENDENCE, OREGON

A public meeting of the Budget Committee of the City of Independence Urban Renewal Agency, Polk County, State of Oregon, to discuss the budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025, will be held at City Hall, 555 S. Main Street. The meeting will take place on April 22, 2024, at 6:30 pm. The purpose of the meeting is to receive the budget message and to receive comment from the public on the budget.This is a public meeting where deliberation of the Budget Committee will take place. Any person may appear at the meeting and discuss the proposed programs with the Budget Committee. The meeting will be livestreamed on our YouTube channel, http://www.youtube.com/c/ CityofIndependenceOR. A copy of the budget document may be inspected or obtained on or after April 18, 2024 on the city’s website: www. ci.independence.or.us, or at City Hall, 555 South Main Street, between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:30 pm. To provide comments in advance of the meeting, please email them to the City at CouncilComments@ ci.independence.or.us no later than 4:00 pm, April 22, 2024. This notice is also posted on the city’s website: www.ci.independence.or.us. NOTICE OF BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING FOR THE CITY OF INDEPENDENCE, OREGON A public meeting of the Budget Committee of the City of Independence, Polk County, State of Oregon, to discuss the budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025, will be held at City Hall, 555 S. Main Street. The meeting will take place on April 22, 2024, at 6:30 pm. The purpose of the meeting is to receive the budget message and to receive comment from the public on the budget.This is a public meeting where deliberation of the Budget Committee will take place. Any person may appear at the meeting and discuss the proposed

Notice of Default by tendering the performance required under the Deed of Trust at any time not later than five days before the date last set for sale. Without limiting the trustee’s disclaimer of representations or warranties, Oregon law requires the trustee to state in this notice that some residential property sold at a trustee’s sale may have been used in manufacturing methamphetamines, the chemical components of which are known to be toxic. Prospective purchasers of residential property should be aware of this potential danger before deciding to place a bid for this property at the trustee’s sale. In construing this notice, the masculine gender includes the feminine and the neuter, the singular includes plural, the word “grantor” includes any successor in interest to the grantor as well as any other persons owing an obligation, the performance of which is secured by the Deed of Trust, the words “trustee” and “beneficiary” include their respective successors in interest, if any. Dated: 2/28/2024 CLEAR RECON CORP 1050 SW 6th Avenue,

with any interest which the grantor or his successors in interest acquired after the execution of the Deed of Trust, to satisfy the foregoing obligations thereby secured and the costs and expenses of sale, including a reasonable charge by the trustee. Notice is further given that any person named in ORS 86.778 has the right to have the foreclosure proceeding dismissed and the Deed of Trust reinstated by payment to the beneficiary of the entire amount then due (other than the portion of principal that would not then be due had no default occurred), together with the costs, trustee’s and attorneys’ fees, and curing any other default complained of in the Notice of Default by tendering the performance required under the Deed of Trust at any time not later than five days before the date last set for sale. Without limiting the trustee’s disclaimer of representations or warranties, Oregon law requires the trustee to state in this notice that some residential property sold at a trustee’s sale may have been used in manufacturing methamphetamines, the chemical components of which are known to be toxic. Prospective purchasers of residential property should be aware of this potential danger before deciding to place a bid for this property at the trustee’s sale. In construing this notice, the masculine gender includes the feminine and the neuter, the singular includes plural, the word “grantor” includes any successor in interest to the grantor as well as any other persons owing an obligation, the performance of which is secured by the Deed of Trust, the words “trustee” and “beneficiary” include their respective successors in interest, if any. Dated: 2/26/2024 CLEAR

Wolves

sweep

doubleheader

Saturday, take 3 of 4 from No. 10 NNU

MONMOUTH, Ore. ---

The Western Oregon baseball team crept within a game of first place in the GNAC after sweeping a doubleheader from 10th-ranked and firstplace Northwest Nazarene, 7-3 and 1-0, Saturday at WOU Baseball Field.

The Wolves (18-15 overall, 12-8 GNAC) got a timely three-run, go-ahead homer from John Oleson in game one to propel them past the Nighthawks (23-9-1, 13-7) before Jacob Memmott and Devin Bell combined for a four-hitter in game two.

In game one, WOU trailed 3-1 heading to the fourth before Oleson blasted a threerun shot to give the Wolves a 4-3 advantage as they would score three more unanswered (two on bases loaded walks) to come away with the win. Owen Bischoff was a perfect 3-for-3 with a triple, RBI and run. Oleson finished 1-for-2 with three RBI, two runs and a walk to go along

with his third homer of the year. Arturo Alvarez picked up the win, going five innings and giving up one earned run on four hits with four strikeouts and a walk. Ryan Shipley (three innings, four strikeouts) and Bryce Bond (one inning, one strikeout) retired 12 of the 14 batters they faced to close out the game.

It was Oleson again coming up clutch for the Wolves in game two as he hit a run-scoring single in the second inning to score AJ Cortese (who doubled to lead off the inning) to make it 1-0.

It’s all the WOU pitching staff needed as Memmott went five scoreless inningsallowing just three hits while striking out four to pick up the win - while Bell tossed two scoreless innings - giving up just a lone hit with striking out three.

WOU women’s basketball coaches reinstated

Western Oregon University

women’s basketball head coach Jessica Peatross and assistant coach DJ Marlow were reinstated last week after they were placed on administrative leave while the school investigated “internal team challenges.”

The athletic department announced in February the cancellation of the final six games of the 2023-24 women’s basketball season.

According to the school, a comprehensive fact-finding

investigation was conducted and was recently completed by Portland employment law firm Littler Mendelson to determine whether the coaches “jeopardized player safety.”

“Following the comprehensive investigation, the allegations against the coaches were not sustained,” said Maureen Brakke, WOU public information officer. “Both coaches will return to their regular duties and resume their roles as coaches of the women’s

basketball program effective April 2.”

Brakke said if players wanted to remain on the team, they would need to meet with Peatross to discuss participation. She added players also have the option to enter the NCAA transfer portal.

“We recognize the significance of this moment and the impact it may have on some in the community,” Brakke said. “Western is committed to upholding its values and fostering an environment that

promotes student success, well-being, and a sense of belonging for all.”

In Peatross’s and Marlow’s first year coaching the women’s basketball team, the Wolves finished 10-13 overall and 3-15 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.

The university in February did not provide a reason why the final games had been canceled.

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.

PHYSICAL THERAPY/ REHABILITATION SERVICES

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

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

PRIMARY CARE

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

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

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

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

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

URGENT CARE

• BESTMED URGENT CARE  provides treatments and services for time-sensitive injuries and illnesses. We have caring and knowledgeable providers to treat a variety of conditions such as fever & flu, sprains & strains, allergies & asthma, UTIs, and dehydration. Additional services include sports physicals, on-site lab & x-ray, sutures & stitches, and vaccinations. Walkins are welcome. Learn more online at bestmedclinics.

com. The BestMed Urgent Care clinic is located at 186 West Ellendale Avenue in Dallas; 971-900-4984.

PHOTO BY EDDIE BRUNING

WOU’s Bryce Bond, right, celebrates with Collin Irwin after the Wolves game one win Saturday at WOU Baseball Field.