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Former Bank of America building nears date with demolition expected little disruption to festival

By DAVID HAYES Itemizer-Observer

By LANCE MASTERSON For The Itemizer-Observer

Rockin’ Rad Relics is a vintage store with attitude. Located near the city of Independence library, store owner Darlene Brush is careful as to which items make her suitable-for-selling list, and thus garner floor space. After all, with a name like Rockin’ Rad Relics, image is everything. “We like to call it the cool store because of all the cool things we have in here,” Brush said. “We’re not your grandma’s antique store … We like fun, bright, colorful … We like things that bring us joy.” For Brush, a sampling of what brings her joy includes:

“The stuff you see around here,” she said, as she looked around.

“Different kinds of clothes. The alien. Carhartt. The BMX bikes. Different art. Marilyn Monroe. Road signs. Jewelry. Hats. The fun t-shirts. Egg paperweights. Different types of furniture. Foosball table. Comics. Toys.”

The two Monroe pieces are originals, and indicative of Brush’s taste. One piece came from an art show, the other from a garage sale. Both are “cool” in their own way, she said.

See COOL, page A8

And they give their time and support to those around them, and hopefully

See MICC, page A7

Charlie Mitchel, Economic & Community Development Director, said the city is about ready to move forward with a contractor to demolish the building, “If we stay on tract calendar wise, that should occur in July. Will probably take 2-4 weeks, causing possible disruption in that part of town with parking and such, hopefully to be done before the summer festival,” Mitchel said.

He said staff are track about ready to award a contract to hire a consultant to help develop the site’s future.

“(The consultant) will guide staff and the community through a design and feasibility study process that will ultimately lead to selection of a developer to make that transition from city ownership to private ownership to build something really cool,” Mitchel said. “We want the process to be engaging and have broad community support.”

According to the staff report, the end goal of the acquisition and replacement of the former Bank of America site is to develop a project that provides tax revenue back to the city as quickly as possible and ultimately back to the city’s general fund.

Mitchel said city staff has narrowed consultant proposals down from four.

“Three of us scored them and we ended up with a tie for first,” he said. “We’re checking references now on two consultants. It’s a good problem to have. They’re both high quality consultants.”

Before moving on to demolition phase, Mitchel said the salvation

PHOTO BY DAVID HAYES

Sarah Ramirez, Monmouth-Independence Chamber of Commerce board chair, is all smiles after presenting the Lifetime Achievement Award to Rick Gydesen at the annual MICC Community Awards Ceremony April 18 at Eola Winery.

PHOTO BY LANCE MASTERSON

Darlene Brush and her new store, Rockin’ Rad Relics, are upping the cool in downtown Independence. Located at 120 D Street, the store is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday through Sunday.

THE

NEWS BRIEFS

Mid-Willamette Valley Innovation Hub receives innovation grant

The Mid-Willamette Valley Innovation Hub was one of nine regional organizations recipients of the 2024-2025 Regional Innovation Hub Grants. Developed by Business Oregon and the Oregon Innovation Council, the Regional Innovation Hubs provide technical assistance, capital, networking, mentorship, and talent development to innovation-based entrepreneurs statewide. Regional Innovation Hub grant funding supports these Hubs in continuing their work assisting entrepreneurs with innovation-based business concepts across varied industry sectors and supporting a regional innovation network. The Strategic Economic Development Corporation was awarded $270,000 as the lead organization for the Mid-Willamette Valley Innovation Hub in Marion, Polk and Yamhill Counties. To learn more about Regional Innovation Hubs, visit www.oregon.gov/biz.

Merkley town hall tour returns to Polk County April 26

Oregon’s U.S. Senator

Jeff Merkley will be closing out April with eight in-person town halls, including a stop in Polk County. The town hall is from 1:302:30 p.m. April 26 at the Colonel Nesmith Readiness Center – Assembly Hall, 12830 Westview Dr., in Dallas. Merkley also has two other town halls on April 26: - Marion County: 10:30 a.m. at the Chemeketa Community College –Salem Campus, Building 6 – Auditorium, 4000 Lancaster Dr,, Salem - Yamhill County: 4:30 p.m. at McMinnville High School gym,

Polk County Fire District extinguishes early morning Monmouth fire

The Polk County Fire District No. 1 was dispatched to a report of an apartment fire with a possible trapped victim April 19 at 8:07 a.m.

According to PCFD, units arrived on the scene at 8:11 a.m. with smoke and flames showing from an upstairs

apartment on Clay Street in Monmouth. The apartment occupant met firefighters outside and reported that she had been alone in the apartment with her two dogs, one of which had run out of the apartment with her. Nobody else was inside the apartment.

The adjacent apartments were immediately searched and all were unoccupied. Firefighters suppressed the fire at 8:19 a.m. Medics evaluated the apartment occupant for injuries. The PCFD reported that unfortunately, the other dog was located by firefighters and found dead. The American Red Cross has been contacted to work with the displaced families.

“Polk County Fire District No. 1 appreciates the assistance from Monmouth Police (with an officer on the scene

Dallas woman arrested for setting fire to Majestic building

On April 11, around 8 a.m., Dallas police responded to a structure fire behind The Majestic building at 976 Main St. in downtown Dallas. The Dallas Fire Department also responded and quickly extinguished the fire. There

The city of

existing

was moderate damage to the north side of the building. Fortunately, no flames spread to surrounding buildings or the apartment above The Majestic.

Detectives investigated the scene and collected evidence

is updat-

Hazards Mitigation Plan (NHMP). This work is being performed in cooperation with the University of Oregon’s Institute for Policy Research and Engagement - Oregon Partnership for Disaster Resilience and the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM). The review utilizes funds obtained from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s

(FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. With re-adoption of the plan, the city of Dallas will maintain its eligibility to

that indicated the fire was likely human-caused. After working on the case throughout the day, and after collecting video evidence from nearby businesses, a suspect was identified.

Later that evening, the suspect was located and interviewed. Denise Bader, of Dallas, was subsequently arrested and lodged at the Polk County Jail on charges of arson 1, burglary 2, criminal mischief 2, and theft 3.

evacuating units less than a minute after dispatch), Independence Police, Dallas Fire & EMS, and Monmouth Public Works,” PCFD said in a press release.

and long-term recovery and reconstruction costs; increased

cooperation and communication within the community through the planning process; and increased potential for state and federal funding for recovery and reconstruction projects.

electronic version of the updated draft city of Dallas NHMP

to bit.ly/4cA5s64.

WOU Board of Trustees approves tuition increase

The Western Oregon University Board of Trustees convened on April 16 and 17 to consider and approve several items, including the tuition & fees for the 2024-25 academic year.

The Tuition Advisory Committee, which includes students, staff and faculty, submitted a proposed five percent tuition increase, which was accepted by President Jesse Peters and presented to the Board of Trustees on April 17. The trustees approved the five percent increase to resident undergraduate tuition and a 4.86 percent increase to nonresident undergraduate tuition. Graduate tuition will increase

Chair Betty Komp. “While a slight increase was necessary, it enables us to continue delivering quality education and support to our students, ensuring their success and fulfillment throughout their academic journey.”

According to the university, Western offers the second-lowest tuition rate in the state. Western is also a member of the Western

Undergraduate Exchange, the largest regional interstate tuition savings program, where students from participating states can attend Western and pay no more than 150 percent of the in-state resident tuition rate. “Students choose Western because it’s a special place. We take pride in offering students a tailored educational experience, fostering a sense of belonging, and delivering quality support services,” said

President Jesse Peters. “We have worked hard to maintain affordability without compromising the exceptional quality of education and services that define Western. This slight tuition increase reflects our dedication to sustaining the excellence that makes us truly extraordinary.”

If anyone has information pertaining to this investigation, please contact Detective Sergeant Josh Calef or Detective Jordan Schrock, at 503-831-3516. Case number 24-3266. Visit

- Improvements to commercial buildings (interior and exterior)

- Upgrades to building infrastructure systems (e.g. electrical, mechanical and plumbing)

- Installation of heating & cooling systems

- Energy efficiency upgrades

- ADA improvements that will make a business more accessible to the public.

and natural disasters. Funding for the grant program comes from the American Rescue Plan Act that was awarded to the city of Monmouth in 2021 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and mitigating its negative economic impacts. Eligible grant activities include:

Funding for local small businesses will be awarded on a first come, first served basis. Mayor Cecelia Koontz said Monmouth is deeply committed to helping its small businesses grow and thrive now, and for years to come.

“This grant funding opportunity will help our small businesses prepare to withstand and recover more quickly from natural disasters and emergencies,” Koontz said. “It also puts into practice the City’s values of creating a more sustainable and inclusive community.”

In addition to the creation of the Monmouth Small Business Resiliency grant program, Monmouth has funded a multitude of business support programs in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic including a business technical assistance program, free marketing classes and support for shop local campaigns such as, the Love Local utility credit program.

“Our businesses have been put to the test by a number of emergencies and challenges over the past several years, including a global pandemic, toxic wildfire

smoke, ice storms, extreme heat events, and cybersecurity threats,” said Suzanne Dufner, Monmouth’s Community and Economic Development Director. “Today’s small businesses have to navigate these challenges on top of everything else they do to manage their business on a day to day basis. This grant program is an exciting opportunity for our local small businesses to think strategically about how to prepare for those threats so they can respond quickly, stay in business, and keep their employees safe when the next

emergency or natural disaster strikes in the future,”

The City Community and Economic Development Department will begin accepting grant applications for the Monmouth Small Business Resiliency Grant Program on May 1 and conduct the first review of complete applications on May 15.

For more information, go to the city of Monmouth’s website at www.ci.monmouth. or.us.

Dallas Library to host author Elizabth Mehren with Sankar Raman

The Dallas Library hosts a visit with author Elizabeth Mehren and Sankar Raman, board president of the nonprofit The Immigrant Story, April 26 at 6:30 p.m. They will be discussing Mehren’s book, “I Lived to Tell the World: Stories from Survivors of Holocaust Genocide, and the Atrocities of War.” The book presents 13 inspiring profiles of men and

women who have endured unthinkable cruelty, only to resume productive lives in their new homes in Oregon. They come from Rwanda, Myanmar, Bosnia, Syria, and more—different stories, different conflicts, but similar paths through loss and violence to a new, not always easy, life in the United States. Mehren is a Portlandbased writer, editor and

educator. After working at The Washington Post, she became a national correspondent for the Los Angeles Times and later spent a decade on the faculty at Boston University. Raman, who immigrated to the U.S. from India, founded the non-profit The Immigrant Story in 2017. The group seeks to provide a platform that focuses on the common

strengths of all Americans, not their differences. This free event is made possible with funding from the Polk County Cultural Coalition and the Friends of the Dallas Library. Books will be available. For more information, contact the Dallas Public Library at (503) 6232633 or visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ dallaslibraryoregon.

21 Mental Health Facts That Can Help Someone You Know

By STANLEY POPOVICH

I dealt with fear and anxiety for over twenty years and there are 21 facts that I discovered during my mental health struggles that can help anyone who struggles with fear and anxiety.

Knowing these important mental health facts can save someone you know a lot of time and money in the long run.

- Getting help for your mental health is the best thing you can do.

- Ignoring your mental health issues will only prolong the problem.

- Running away from your mental health issues does not work.

- There is no such thing as a quick fix when it comes to your mental health.

- There is nothing wrong in asking for assistance for your anxieties and stresses.

- Your situation is not hopeless regardless of what you may think.

- Focus on your recovery rather than trying to please others.

- Go to the nearest hospital if you are experiencing a mental health crisis.

- Your mental health is just as important as your physical health.

- You have to make an effort in finding the answers to your mental health issues.

- Focus on the facts of your situation rather than your fearful thoughts.

- Joining a support group is a great way of finding people who can relate to you.

- Follow the advice from the professionals, rather than your friends.

- Do not try to manage your mental health problems all by yourself.

- Determine the source of your anxieties and then find ways to overcome them.

- Do not make assumptions regarding your current mental health situation.

- Do not underestimate the power of God when it comes to your mental health.

- Learning from your past mental health experiences will help you in the present.

- Drugs and alcohol are not the answers. They just make things worse.

- It takes practice in managing your mental health. Be patient but persistent.

- Do not be afraid to ask questions when dealing with your mental health.

If you happen to struggle with fear, anxiety, or any other mental health related issues, it is important to admit that you have a problem and get some help.

Your doctor or other medical professionals in your area will know of some qualified mental health professionals who can give you some assistance.

The key to overcoming your mental health issues is to “learn” effective techniques to manage your anxieties and stresses and “applying” these skills to your life. The best way to learn these techniques is by talking to a mental health professional.

Everyone deals with stress and anxiety sometime in their life. You are not alone and there is nothing wrong with asking someone for advice on how to deal with these mental health related issues.

BIOGRAPHY Stan is the author of “A Layman’s Guide to Managing Fear” which covers a variety of techniques that can drastically improve your mental health. For more information, please visit Stan’s website at http://www managingfear.com.

Lyle Mordhorst is a proven leader who understands the issues

Commissioner Mordhorst has clearly demonstrated his diverse managerial skills in a number of issues facing the county, since becoming Polk County Commissioner.

He supported changing Measure 110 which would allow stronger accountability, rather than the open use of hard drugs. Lyle is a strong supporter of law enforcement and giving them the tools to make us safer from serious crimes.

U.S. intervention has made Middle East tensions worse

The meddling by western powers in the Middle East seems to be culminating in a war of all against all, with nothing but dire consequences for all concerned. The peoples who live there have seldom been masters of their own affairs, from the time of the Roman Empire through the Ottoman Empire, ending with European and American powers determining the shape of the countries and who would hold power in those countries.

If you registered as nonaffiliated (unaffiliated) or with one of the minor parties, your ballot will include the nonpartisan positions: county clerk, county commissioner, district attorney, judges, sheriff, and county treasurer. Salem voters will also choose the mayor and some city councilors.

If you registered as Democrat or Republican, your ballot will also include the partisan positions: U.S. president, U.S. Congressional District 6, secretary of state, state treasurer, state attorney general, state senate, state representative.

By LUCIE WINBORNE

• The Aztec death whistle produces a horrifying sound sometimes described as “the scream of a thousand corpses.”

• “Miracle” berries stop human taste buds from discerning sourness for about 30 minutes.

• Beginning in June of 1979, as Skylab’s re-entry approached, many American newspapers jokingly proposed “Skylab insurance,” which would pay their subscribers for death or injury caused by flying orbiter fragments.

• And while we’re on the subject of dogs: “Dogfooding” is the term for using a company’s product to gain the trust of customers. It’s said a dog food company president ate a can of the firm’s food in a shareholders meeting to demonstrate that “if it’s good for me, it’s good for your dog.” We’ll take his word for it, thank you.

• The fertilizer used by the tobacco industry is radioactive.

• In 1970, actor Bill Murray joked to a fellow airline passenger that he had two bombs in his bag. The jest backfired when U.S. marshals searched his luggage, discovered $20,000 worth of marijuana, and arrested him.

• There’s a territory in Costa Rica called Territorio de Zaguates, or Land of the Strays, which is basically a huge, no-kill dog shelter where one can hike for free with the canines.

• The Black Diamond is a rare (and expensive) apple, with its jetblack hue, sweeter-than-honey taste, and crispness unmatched by any other apple. But don’t look for it in your local grocery store; you’ll only find this gem in Tibet.

• De-scented skunks make great pets, similar to ferrets. They’re extremely docile and can even learn tricks and be called by name.

• Louis Chevrolet died bankrupt and poor working as a mechanic for the company he started.

••• Thought for the Day: “Don’t spend time beating on a wall, hoping to turn it into a door.”

– Coco Chanel

Commissioner Mordhorst has not shied away from challenges, including those which may be unpopular, issues like the homeless and highway safety including our county road system and the major state Highways. The county’s population is over 85,000 and growing. Lyle understands as our communities grow, we will need to address not only traffic safety, but how we effectively move our commerce to market, attract business, enhancing rural broadband for economic success to name a few.

Most importantly, Lyle keeps an open mind, listening to issues at hand and is able to make the difficult decisions in the best interest of all of us.

This is why, I am asking you to strongly consider voting for Lyle Mordhorst this May.

Ray E. Steele Retired Sheriff Polk County

Political signs are illegal?

This is in response to Mr. Koubek’s letter. When has political signs been illegal to put up on private property?

I take it that if they’re republican signs then it’s illegal and not so if it’s for a liberal candidate?

You stated that if you view these signs then you won’t vote for that candidate. If this is true and you’re liberal then that’s one less vote for Biden and Harris and one more vote for Trump.

I strongly urge you to keep your promise and not vote for any liberal candidates who post their signs legally on private property that you may view as you drive around town.

Jake Dutton Independence

The Great Game in which European powers engaged to control the oil and trade routes of the Middle East is reaching a crescendo with potentially devastating impact. The insertion of a homeland for the Jewish people into this tinderbox, onto land which had been occupied by other people for generations, just lit a match to an already volatile area. The United States is now continuing to aggravate the situation by arming an unstable leadership in its attempt to defeat an idea and eliminate a people. We are as guilty as Israel of the atrocities occurring in Gaza and the continuing theft of land from the Palestinian people.

A previous leader of Israel, Moshe Dayan, said “Our American friends offer money, arms and advice. We take the money, we take the arms, and we decline the advice.“

It’s time for us to stop the money and the arms.

Dale Derouin Dallas

Know how to vote as registration deadline approaches

Voting is important! April 30 is the voter registration deadline for our primary election on May 21. People can check on their current registration status at oregonvotes.gov. People can register to vote, or change address, or choose/change political party at oregonvotes.gov. For a name change, update by using a paper registration form. Any voter can complete a paper registration form and bring it to the county clerk. This form is at public libraries, post offices, and the county clerk’s office. Oregon has closed primaries, so voters must be registered with a party to vote for that party’s candidates. Voters who are not affiliated with a major party will receive a nonpartisan ballot that contains nonpartisan offices.

I hope this information is useful. I anticipate that Williams.Kim@ co.polk.or.us or the staff at the county clerk’s office (503) 623-9217 will clarify anything I missed.

Carol Christ Dallas

This election season jettison career politicians

It’s not Republican v Democrat, but rather the people verse career politicians. When it comes down to it, career politicians become corrupt politicians. And there are plenty of corrupt politicians on both sides, at all levels of government.

When someone decides to call politics their career, we as the people should be leery. For too long we’ve seen special interests and corporate overlords control politicians and politics. We allow ourselves to be divided, when the truth is we agree on the problems - debt, deficit, wars, healthcare, infrastructure, the economy, the cost of living.

We need to do a better job of holding our elected leaders accountable. Now it’s harder at the federal level, so we must hold our leaders at the local level accountable. And it starts with firing those who have been in office for more than 10 years; especially the last 10 years where nothing in this state has gotten better.

Our government is better, when new and fresh ideas are presented. For example, associated healthcare, judicial reform, reforming the CAT tax so large corporations like Nike and Intel pay their fair share. Especially since they used their lobbyists to make sure they didn’t have to pay into the CAT tax.

We can do better, and we will, when we realize that it’s the people versus the elected career politicians and their corporate overlords and special interests that control them with money.

Kevin Chambers Monmouth

• 11:15 a.m.,

• 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.

• 11 a.m. - Simple games/ Walking Club, Monmouth Senior Center

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

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

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

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

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

• 5:30 p.m. - Monmouth City Hall Ribbon Cutting, 151 Main St.

• 6:30 p.m. - Get Lit Book Club, Monmouth Public Library, 168 Ecols St. S. Friday, April 26

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

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

• 9 a.m. - City of Dallas Arbor Day Celebration Kicks off with ivy removal in City Park, meet near restroooms

• 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 a.m. - Forest Therapy (Session 1) at the Delbert Hunter Arboretum, Dallas

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

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

Central Lions Club hosts crab feed fundraiser April 27

The Central Lions Club’s annual crab feed, with proceeds going to the Ella Curran Food Bank, is from 5-8 p.m. April 27 at the Eola Hills Winery, 501 S. Pacific Highway N., in Rickreall. Tickets are $45 per meal, with only 125 available. Each dinner includes two half crabs, corn, cole slaw and French bread. Get an extra half crab for $15. For more information, contact Terry at (503) 9302360 or central.lions.m.i@ gmail.com.

Luckiamute Valley Charter Schools hosts fundraiser April 27

Luckiamute Valley Charter Schools hosts cans and bottles fundraiser 8 a.m. to noon

April 27 at the Dallas Les Schwab, located at 121 Main St. Funds go toward installing a four-seat swing set on their new playground, also installed through fundraisers. Cans and bottles may also be dropped off at the Bridgeport Campus on any school day or by contacting Mr. Kibbey at jkibbey@lvcs.k12,or.us.

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.

Central class of 1974 plans 50th reunion

The Central High School Class of 1974 will have its

City Park, registration required at (503-831-2830 or Jennifer.Ward@dallasor.gov

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

• 12 p.m. - The Need for Trees guided walk through Delbert Hunter Arboretum, Dallas

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

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

• 1 p.m. - Forest Therapy (Session 2) at the Delbert Hunter Arboretum, Dallas City Park, registration required at (503-831-2830 or Jennifer.Ward@dallasor.gov

• 4 p.m. - Volunteer Appreciation Dessert, Monmouth Senior Center

• 6 p.m. - Live Music: Next of Kin, Redgate Winery, 8175 Buena Vista Road, Independence

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

• 6:30 p.m. - Elizabeth Mehren, author of “I Lived to Tell the World: Stories from Survivors of Holocaust, Genocide, and the Atrocities of War” with special guest Sankar Raman. will be at the Dallas Library

Saturday, April 27

• 9 a.m. - Independence Farmers Markets,

50th reunion on Aug, 3-4. For more information, contact DeAnn (Cobine) Ainsworth at (503) 559-2400 or email central74reunion@gmail.com.

New Horizons Orchestra seeks new members

The New Horizons Willamette Valley Orchestra is looking for that person who at some point in the past was a violin or cello player, maybe a trumpeter or a tromboninst. If that’s you, connect with your inner musician past and join their orchestra. The New Horizons Willamette Valley Orchestra consists of players from all different lifestyles and abilities. There are no auditions to join and they accept all levels of experience. Rehearsals are Mondays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Monmouth Senior Center, 180 Warren St. S. Instruments that are part of an orchestra include violin, viola, cello, string bass, trombone, trumpet, tuba, French horn, bassoon, clarinet, flute, percussion and oboe. Message the orchestra on their Facebook page if you would like to join.

4 All Muttkind seeks donations for Spring auction

Dog rescue 4 All Muttkind online spring auction is May 3-10 and is accepting donations through April 29.

Donating an item or service is a great way to promote your

Riverview Park and Umpqua Bank parking lot.

302 Main St. S.

• 10 a.m. - All Day Scapbooking Group, Monmouth Senior Center

• 2 p.m. - Live Music: King Thornton Duo, Redgate Winery, 8175 Buena Vista Road, Independence

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

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

• 7:30 p.m. - Pentacle Theatre presents “Ripcord,” 324 52nd Ave. NW, buy tickets at https://pentacletheatre.org

Sunday, April 28

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

• 2 p.m. - Pentacle Theatre presents “Ripcord,” 324 52nd Ave. NW, buy tickets at https://pentacletheatre.org/

Monday, April 29

• 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

business and help support at risk pups.

Items that 4 All Muttkind loves for its auction include: gift baskets, gift certificates, wine, services, products, adventures, trips, and more. 4 All Muttkind is a 501c3 organization, which means your donation is a tax deductible. Have an item to donate to the silent auction? Want to donate a basket or gift certificate to promote your business? Message them on their Facebook page for more info or email them at info@4allmuttkind.org.

• 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

• 4 p.m. - Dallas Public Safety Committee meeting, City Hall, 187 SE Court St.

• 4 p.m. - Dallas Buildings and Grounds Committee meeting, City Hall, 187 SE Court St.

• 5 p.m. - Independence Library Board meeting, 175 Monmouth St.

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

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

Tuesday, April 30

• 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

and Family Resources available.

Apple Box holds auditions

April 27 for ‘A Comedy of Errors’ Apple Box Children’s Theater is holding auditions

Karma Coffee hosts fundraiser for Dallas Education Foundation

April 26

Join the Dallas Rotarians in supporting the Dallas Education Foundation with a coffee fundraiser April 26 at Karma Coffee, located at 1062 Main St., Dallas. Karma Coffee will donate $1 to the DEF for each drink purchased. WOU hosts Children’s Day

April 27

Western Oregon University presents Children’s Day, April 27 from 4-6 p.m. in the Central High School cafeteria. Events include Ballet Folklorica performance, carnival games, free popcorn and Kona shaved ice, free haircuts, a book giveaway, kindergarten registration, free burritos from San Antonio’s and more. There will also be Community

April 27 at the Central High School auditorium from 9-11 a.m. The play will be “A Comedy of Errors” by Shakespeare as adapted by Maren Anderson. Performances will be July 10-13. Rehearsals are planned the third week of May and will be Tuesday through - Thursday 4-6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to noon through June 24, after which we will be rehearsing every day except Sunday. To participate in Apple Box, actors need to be at least 9 years old, or completing the 4th grade through completing 9th grade. Students who are older can be part of the production team. All students in high school are eligible for two free college credits at Western Oregon University for participating in Apple Box. High school students can also use Apple Box as part of their volunteer requirement. For more information email appleboxtheater@gmail.com.

Women’s Club hosts

Beauty and the Beast Tea Party April 27

The Historic Independence

Women’s Club presents a Beauty and the Beast Tea Party April 27 from 1-3 p.m.

at their headquarters, 340 S. Third St., in Independence. There will be prizes for best themed hats for adults and youth, plus a raffle, silent auction, great food and fun. Tickets are $25 for ages 13 and older, $15 for 12 and under, or $125 for a full table of six. Tickets are available online at https://givebox. com/524610.

Sign up for early Mother’s Day paint party April 28

Join in April 28 on an early bird Mother’s Day extravaganza at Wetzel Estates Winery with Artistic Chaos by Deb - a fun paint party just for moms. Get a choice of a door hanger or a 11-inch by 14-inch canvas. The event will be held at Wetzel Estate, located at 17485 Highway 22, in Dallas. Tickets are $40 and available at bit.ly/4d5kwJw. New Morning Bakery celebrates 3rd anniversary April 29

Louise Niesen

June 12, 1930 - April 11 2024

Marilyn Louise Niesen passed away on April 11 2024, in Dallas, Oregon, at the age of 93. She was born

June 12, 1930, in Elkhorn Wisconsin, to Lewis and Lucille Catlin.

Marilyn was raised in Wisconsin, graduating from Elkhorn High School in 1948. After graduation, she went to work for the State Bank of Elkhorn as a teller. She eventually moved on from the bank and worked at the Walworth County Courthouse as a typist.

In 1950 she met her first husband Wayne Bradshaw, and they married in 1951. In 1953 their daughter Lea was born. When Wayne was discharged honorably from the U.S. Air Force in 1954, they moved to Wayne’s hometown of Gardena, California, and Marilyn started working at Crown Drug Store. She eventually went to work in the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office as an auditor. She and Wayne divorced after 25 years of marriage. In 1980, she met Harry Niesen while out square dancing. They were married in 1985. The couple lived in West Los Angeles, California, until they retired in 1988. In 1989 they bought a 5th wheel RV, placed everything in storage and went on a year long adventure across the United

States. Marilyn was so proud of the fact that they got to see every state in the United States. During this trip they also found the town of Dallas, Oregon, where they decided to settle down. They both became active members of a Good Samaritan chapter in Dallas. She was the chapter secretary for many years.

In addition to traveling in the RV, Marilyn was also a wonderful seamstress and she sewed many of her clothes including her and Harry’s square dance outfits. He preceded her in death on Oct. 5, 2016, after 31 years of marriage.

Marilyn is survived by her daughters Lea Bradshaw Kimball, Gay Bradshaw Wilson and husband Rod, and son Chris Bradshaw. She is also survived by her three stepdaughters, Sheila Niesen Cravens and husband Mike, Areanne Niesen Lloyd, and Linda Niesen Nelson. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Dustin Evenson, Jacob Wilson, Brandi Evenson Chavez and husband Robert, and Rachel Wilson; and three great grandchildren. Bollman’s Tribute Center is caring for the family. www. BollmansTributeCenter.com.

Mark Bliven

Nov. 19, 1933 - April 3, 2024

Mark Bliven, resident of Dallas, Oregon, passed away on Wednesday, April 3 at

Windsong at Eola Hills in West Salem. Mark was born on Nov. 19, 1933, in Salem, Oregon, the son of William and Marie Bliven.

He was a graduate of St. Martin’s High School and the University of Portland. He then served in the U.S. Air Force from 1955 until 1958 and was honorably discharged at the rank of captain during the Korean Conflict.

Mark graduated from Willamette Law School and then started his law practice in Dallas, Oregon, in 1963 He was the municipal judge for the city of Dallas from 1970 until his retirement after 32 years in 2002. He also served the city of Monmouth for 10 years as municipal judge.

Mark married Nancy Povey on Aug. 30, 1985, in Salem. Mark was a member of St. Philip Catholic Church for 60 years. He was the founding grand knight for the local Knights of Columbus #8129 in Dallas, as well as a fourth-degree knight. Mark was an avid fisherman and most loved fishing for salmon and steelhead from his drift boat.

Mark was a dedicated judge, with a reputation for being levelheaded, firm, and fair. He was also an author and historian, having written the history of Father Michael McDevin and the chapel cars, as well as the history of St. Philip Parish. Mark was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He was dedicated to his family and enjoyed many family activities.

Mark is survived by his wife Nancy; daughter Karen, of Dallas; sons Matthew (Tina) of McMinnville, and Michael (Julie) of Kalispell, Montana; along with his

grandchildren Emily, Katelyn, Grace, Ben, Matthew, Travis, and Samantha. He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Anne and son in law Charles Smart, as well as his siblings Fr. Edmond Bliven, Sandra Bliven and Gary Bliven.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, May 3 at 11 a.m. at St. Philip Catholic Church in Dallas. Memorial contributions may be made to De La Salle Blackfeet School in Browning, Montana. To leave an online condolence or share a memory with the family go to www. BollmansTributeCenter.com. Bollman’s Tribute Center is caring for the family.

Thomas Fischer

Feb. 19, 1947 – Mar. 20, 2024

Thomas Stewart Fischer, 77, passed away unexpectedly on March 20, 2024, while in LaQuinta, California. Tom was a beloved father, grandfather, husband and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Tom was born on Feb. 19, 1947, to James Joseph Stewart Fischer and Beverly Isaacson Fischer, in Pasco, Washington. Tom graduated from North Salem High School in 1965. He then went to Oregon College of Education (now Western Oregon University) where he went from being a walk-on player to captain of the varsity basketball team. While at OCE, he was also enrolled in Willamette University’s Air Force ROTC

program. Tom graduated from OCE in 1969 and went into the Air Force serving as operations crew commander of a Titan II ICBM.

Tom served at Little Rock AFB and Fairchild AFB, with intermittent assignments at Vandenberg AFB, Sheppard AFB and Patrick AFB.

Tom married his college sweetheart, Connie Jean Dodge, in 1969 and had two daughters, Jill and Abby. During this time, the family lived in Dallas and Tom worked for the state of Oregon. Tom was very active on various city league basketball and baseball teams, enjoyed all sports, coached little league, fishing, reading and spending time with family and friends. Tom served his community with his involvement in Kiwanis Club, City Planning Board, Youth Group leader and member of the Monmouth Christian Church.

Tom married Jenette Ledgerwood Wagner in 1998 and they made their home in Keizer. During this time, Tom reignited his love of golf and became very active in the McNary Golf Club, even serving a couple terms as board chair, and reinstated his Elks membership. Tom retired from the state of Oregon and, soon after, went to work for Holiday Retirement Corporation. In 2003, Jenette passed away after her battle with cancer.

In 2006, Tom married Marlena Standley, and they continued to live in Keizer. They purchased a second home in La Quinta, California, and after retirement, began the “snow bird” lifestyle along with many of their friends.

Tom is preceded in death by his father, Jim Fischer, his mother, Bev Wadsworth, his grandson, Darian King, and his wife, Jenette Fischer.

Tom leaves behind his wife Marlena; his two daughters Jill (Steve) Love and Abby (Craig) King; his grandsons

Andrew Love, Bryson King and Ethan Love; his brother Larry (Linda) Fischer; Jenette’s sons Shaun and Jeremy (Amy) Wagner; and grandsons Evan and Eli; and Marlena’s son Marcus Osburn; grandchildren Dovrann, Sydney and Erien (Samuel) Schrader; and great-grandchildren Daniel, Ethan and Gwendolyn. A Celebration of Life will be held this summer in Salem.

If you are interested, please send an email to jill.fischer. love@gmail.com, so we can share the details once they are finalized.

Brent Bode

Feb. 13, 1947 – Apr. 9 2024

He was preceded in death by his wife, Karen in 2003. He is survived by his daughter Aimée Whitney (Matt) of Salem, Oregon: son Travis Bode (Amy) of Turner, Oregon: sisters Janice Spielman (Ray) of Gaston, Oregon; and Paula Runnells (Jim Oravetz)

it means they will continue to do this, even after they receive this award,” Marazzani said.

Rick’s friend Miriam Haugen, and vice president of the Monmouth Business Association, introduced the award, saying for 29 years and 11 months, Gydesen provided the Monmouth community with a welcoming gathering place, good coffee and great sandwiches.

“There were a lot of other ways this business impacted the community. Love blossomed at Rick’s Place. How many of you met your significant other at Rick’s Place? (Several hands went up). Rick was an enthusiastic ambassador for our town,” Haugen said.

She added that Rick has also been an active part of the community, as he was the key person who started the Monmouth Merchant’s Association, which is now the Monmouth Business Association. Rick lined up the bands in the early days of Monmouth Music in the Park, before the amphitheater, when the bands played in the gazebo.

“Rick also provided a comfortable place for people to gather for many planning meetings, plans made for our community, whether it be rotary plans on the 4th of July Parade, or other community meetings, would meet and Ricks and he would stay open late to accommodate,” Haugen said. “We love you, Rick. We look forward to seeing you at the fairgrounds and other places where you continue your catering business. But we will certainly miss that comfortable coffee shop on main street.”

After accepting the largest, handcrafted award from Independence’s Maganda Glassworks, Rick wasn’t allowed to go back to his table without saying a few words. He recalled he and his wife Mary have been taking orders for the last 35 years, ticking off the coffee houses they acquired and ran, from the Independence Coffee Company to Coffee Escape and finally Rick’s Place. “Now I’ve gone from hip waders to sandals, and house slippers, if you get the drift,” Rick said, from the room full friends who did get it.

“I thank you so much for your support all these years, I have deeply appreciated working with so many of you. Probably the highlight other than (his wife) Mary in

my life is the organizing of the bands and movies at both Monmouth and Independence for almost 10 years in Independence. A lot of people didn’t realize we were involved in that.”

Rick had said the decision to close was a difficult one, as they wanted to keep Rick’s Place open at least another year. But rising operational costs, increased competition from other restaurants, and declining student enrollment at Western Oregon forced their hand.

“The last day was Jan. 31, and now we are continuing on with things at the fairgrounds,” he said where they plan to offer catering services, “and we’ll continue to do that to the best of our abilities. Thank you so much for the award. I appreciate all of you.”

While the evening featured grateful honorees thanking everyone who contributed to their award, Community Member of the Year, Josh Brandt, was given an extra “minute” to expand upon what makes the communities of Monmouth and Independence so great to work for.

“I’m always asked what makes Monmouth/ Independence so special? It’s really hard to answer because there are so many things,” said Brandt, latest owner of

the family business, Brandt’s Sanitary Service. “Part of that is it’s less of what we have to offer and more of the people involved in this community. There are a lot of people who work tireless hours, that do a ton of volunteer work. I appreciate all of you. You do a fantastic job.”

He added the community is absolutely fabulous. “It’s beautiful, both towns are doing a fabulous job and I think you all have a lot to do with that. I thank you for your continual support for me and my business. We continue to be blessed to be a part of your community for 76 years. I hope to see it make it to 100, it would be a massive blessing to me,” Brandt said. The event’s other award winners

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CHIROPRACTIC - Dr. Sharon and Marty Thornton - Palmer Graduates - We care, God cures. 1650 Monmouth St., Independence, OR 97351 503-838-3346.

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,

Cool Rockin’ Rad Relics brings the cool to downtown Indy

From Page A1

just randomly go selling stuff. Certain things are here for people to look at,” she said. “I don’t want to get rid of (everything). The Beavers sign? That’s not going anywhere. Some of the bikes are not not going anywhere. My alien isn’t going anywhere. Everything isn’t

necessarily for sale. But most of it is. The majority of it is.” Also in the majority? The inventory, with most of it coming from Brush’s personal collection. But eight other vendors also have items for sale. Room for more exists if prospective vendors meet the store’s criteria. “I can make room for more vendors, but I’m very picky about what I want,” Brush said.

Sound is in demand at Rockin’ Rad Relics, as are vendors who sell vinyl records, retro audio equipment, radios from the 60s and 70s, including boomboxes. “I’d also like more toys here. The vintage kind of

toys,” she said. “Some of that would be great.” Not wanted are items common to more traditional vintage stores. For example, “I’m not interested in routine old-school stuff, like photos and postcards. Dime a dozen stuff,” she said. “People aren’t looking for it.”

Brush advises prospective vendors to check Rockin’ Rad Relics on Facebook or Instagram to see if a match exists.

“I need to see pictures of what they got, or they can come in and talk with me, and we’ll talk about renting a space,” she said.

Brush and partner Jason Cotner were vendors when the

store was Val’s Vintage. They took over the business, and, a few months later, the perks of ownership still agree with her.

“You get to be your own boss. You get to make up all the rules. You get to bring in your own things and set it up the way you want,” she said. “You get to run the show the way you want.”

For many, selling vintage items is a lifestyle choice. That’s certainly true with Brush and Cotner. “We’re pickers. So everyday we’re picking, looking, watching, seeing what we can find,” she said. “We’ve got a couple of houses full, and garages full and storage sheds full. We’ve got a lot.”

Brush’s go-to places to add inventory include the three sales of picking: estate, garage and yard.

“We like so many different things that it’s pretty easy for us to go someplace and find something we want,” she said.

Brush and Cotner shy away from storage unit auctions because they find their winner-take-all sales’ requirement too restrictive.

“We don’t want to get a storage unit full of generic brown, gray, old-fashioned kinds of things that aren’t to our taste,” she said.

Brush has noticed that her taste is appreciated by younger generations of shoppers.

“I have a lot of young people that shop here, and they’re shopping for clothes, shopping for toys. They’re buying records,” she said.

Rockin’ Rad Relics, at 120 D Street, Independence, is open everyday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

It offers air conditioning and heating as weather dictates. The store’s garage-style door is closed when the AC or heat are on, she added.

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• Central, McKay, So. Albany at DHS Track, 3:45 p.m.

• DHS Softball at Silverton, 4:30 p.m.

• South Albany at DHS Baseball, 5 p.m.

Friday

• DHS Track at Nike/ Jesuit Twilight Relays, 2 p.m.

• DHS Track at Rob Allen Twilight Invitational, 3:30 p.m.

• Heath Stadium (Lebanon)

• DHS Baseball at South Albany, 5 p.m.

• DHS Softball at West Albany, 5 p.m.

Monday

• Corvallis at DHS Softball, 4:30 p.m.

• DHS Baseball at Woodbury, 5 p.m.

CLASS 1A

FALLS CITY HIGH

Thursday

• FCHS Track at Willamina, TBA

Friday

• FCHS Track at Kennedy Twilight Invitational, 4 p.m.

Tuesday

• FCHS Track at Austin Smith Throwers Invitational, 3:30 p.m.

• St. Paul

PERRYDALE HIGH

Thursday

• PHS Softball at Willamina, 3 p.m.

• PHS Softball at Willamina, 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday

• Gaston at PHS Softball, 4:30 p.m.

Dragons girls golf eyes repeat of last year’s regional title

By DAVID HAYES Itemizer-Observer

Last year, the Dallas girls varsity golf program qualified for the regional tournament for the first time in head coach Danielle Landis’s seven years. After years of qualifying individuals, the Dragons as a team shook up the competition, winning the regional and went on to place sixth at state.

Landis had high expectations for this year’s squad, as all three of her athletes were returning as seniors - Grace Hannan, Savannah Roblin and Lilly Aime. They were joined this year by sophomore Bethany West promoted up from the JV team.

But with only one tournament left on the schedule before districts (Monday’s match results from Corvallis were after the ItemizerObserver’s deadline), another school has already secured the regular season No. 1 seed – Silverton. The Lady Foxes proved why Landis called them the Dragon’s biggest competition this year.

“Our goal was to try to win that conference title since we’ve never done that ever here,” Landis said. “We just come up shy, finishing in second. That’s OK. We still qualified for regional and can make the state tourney.”

With No. 1 seed Silverton already in at state, Landis said the Mid-Willamette Valley Conference’s 2-4 teams will compete at the May 6-7 regional against representatives from the Mid Western Conference, including Thurston and Crater. Landis said she likes the Dragon’s chances at regionals this year. The biggest advantage going in is their experience.

“Three come with experience. This is Grace and Savannah’s fourth year on varsity, Lilly has three years’ experience. So, experience is for sure a strength,” Landis said. Hannan is currently fifth overall in the conference as an individual and Roblin is tied for seventh overall. However, Landis added, the

talent level is a lot more even this year than most, making the outcome less certain.

“It’s hard to say. All the teams are way closer than they ever have been... a lot more tighter,” Landis said. “Each week depends a lot more upon how they play. It puts more pressure on them than they’ve ever had. It’s something new for these kids’ experience, knowing they have to put it together every week.”

She said at this point, it will be hard to predict the competition at regionals and who will go on to state May 13-14.

“We don’t see much scores from other conference. OSAA has put out new live scoring ap this year, some of those times I can see stats from other conference. They’re OK,” Landis said. “Honestly I believe two teams will come out of the Mid-Willamette - us and Crescent Valley or Woodburn. We’re all pretty even. My kids gotta bring it.”

After the season is over, Landis said only Hannan has

expressed an interest in pursuing golf in college.

“Grace came up to me the other day and asked, I got accepted to George Fox. How do I get ahold of their golf coach?” Landis said. “I’m happy to hear she’s wanting to pursue it at the next level, being she also played volleyball for four years.”

She added Roblin has already committed to wrestle at Eastern Oregon University.

Landis said although she’s also coached basketball in her years’ heading girls’ sports teams, golf by far is her favorite, especially since there’s no one out there on the course to bail them like in a team sport. She enjoys watching them grow as athletes.

“Between here and my previous school, I’ve always had wonderful girls on the team. It’s just fun to be outdoors. Not to be stuck in gym,” she said. “All the coaches get along. We meet up each week.

And all the other girls in the conference get along with ours. It’s fantastic.”

Central tennis squads power towards districts

The Central High School girls’ tennis team hosted Corvallis High School on Thursday, April 18. They pulled off two wins against their formidable opponents.

Chelsea Bowman at No. 2 singles won in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3 and Savannah Murray at No. 4 singles did likewise, 6-1, 6-4.

This is the first year for head coach, Jayne Abney. “What most don’t realize is that our district is pretty tough and that is because many schools we compete against have indoor courts and the personal resources to utilize them. This allows their student athletes the opportunity to play all year round,” Abney said. “Our student athletes play when the weather cooperates. We attended a tournament last weekend where a Bend team would not play because the courts were slightly damp. If we waited for the courts to be completely dry, we wouldn’t play most of the season.”

The girls have 25 on their roster which is an excellent turnout. Of those, nine are seniors so the next couple of years will be recruiting/ building years – according to Abney. “There are no line judges in tennis. So, this sport definitely teaches individual accountability, integrity, and working out disagreements in a polite way,” Abney said.

Boys Tennis

The Central boys’ team traveled to Corvallis and No. 1 singles Hannes Zumfelde took the only win at 6-1, 6-1. The boys have eight on their team with five seniors. “CHS has a good number of student athletes in track and baseball.” said head coach Ryan Bibler. “But, I hope to increase our numbers in future years as tennis is a sport you can enjoy your whole life. My grandad played until he was 90. I’m really enjoying my first season because there are two other head coaches in our district I played against in high school. It is great to see our love for the sport evolving into giving back and developing others.”

The CHS panthers compete every Tuesday and Thursday at 4 p.m. until the end of April. The district competition will be May 16-17 in Corvallis at Timberhill Tennis Club.

PHOTO BY SMY PHOTOGRAPHY

Senior Savannah Roblin tees off in the match April 15 in South Albany. She shot a 99 helping the Dragon’s place second.

50 years ago

Apr. 24, 1974

Dallas boy wins organ festival

Terry Kliever, 13, son on Mr. and Mrs. Ray Kliever of Dallas, won first place honors Sunday afternoon at the Yamaha Electric Organ Festival held at the Black Angus Restaurant in Salem. Young Kleiver, who has only had 25 hours of lessons on the organ, took first place out of a group of 18 contestants. In addition to taking home the first place trophy, Kleiver won an expense-paid trip to compete in the regional level of the Yamaha competition to be held in Berkely, Calif. Search and rescue practice held by Polk Mounted posse Eleven members of the Polk County Sherriff’s Mounted Posse responded to a simulated emergency call at Basket Slough Game Refuge on Saturday. The lost person exercise was termed a success by the posse, with all emergency gear under the direction of Loren Lange and Al Vognild. Riders participating were Tom Gage, Larry Chase, Ed Tegge, Ken Birch, Bob Haworth, Bob Tegge, Ted Molinari, Dale Newton, Vognild, Lange, and Arnold Dalke.

Cinderellas and cinderfellas defeat

McMinnville

Dallas High’s boys and girls track and field teams continue to roll along with unblemished records in their duo league cinder meets. The gals steamrolled the visiting McMinnville Grizzlies Thursday 91-16 while the boys, at the same time, were giving the hosting Mac squad a 101-45 thrashing.

40 years ago

Apr. 25, 1984

Dallas FFA finishes strong

Two Dallas Future Farmers of America Chapter members placed well in the Agriculture Mechanics Contest April 12 at Central High School, which involved various mechanical skills used on the farm. Glen Stoller topped all other contestants in arc welding and placed well in Oxy-Acetylene cutting. Jim Gardner also placed well, taking second in both farm surveying and grain drill calibration.

Peter Messer to attend national meet in Texas

Peter Messer, Dallas High School sophomore, will be going to the National Forensic League National Student Congress in San Antonio Texas. He qualified

to attend the national meet by being named Outstanding Speaker of the House at the annual South Oregon National Forensic League Student Congress Saturday. Messer has been one of the outstanding speakers for the Dallas High School speech team, winning numerous honors during the year.

Oath of Office ceremony with Barrera, welcoming her to the PCSO corrections division. Barrera started her career with the PCSO last year as a corrections technician, working in the control room at the Polk County Jail monitoring inmates, checking in visitors and helping move both inmates and staff safely through the jail. She showed an interest in moving into a deputy position and was given the opportunity when a spot became available. Barrera will work diligently over the next several months to train with staff then attend the Corrections Academy at the DPSST to become a fully certified corrections deputy.

MOMENTS IN TIME

• On May 6, 1979, more than 65,000 anti-nuclear power demonstrators marched on the U.S. Capitol in protest against more nuclear power plants. Consumer advocate Ralph Nader had described nuclear power as “our country’s technological Vietnam.” The group was formed after the accident at the Three Mile Island nuclear plant.

• On May 7, 1934, the Pearl of Lao Tzu, almost 10 inches around and weighing about 14 pounds, was found by a diver in a giant clam in the Palawan Sea. Gemologists did not consider it to be a true pearl, however, as it did not have the iridescence of true pearls.

• On May 8, 1988, Stella Nickell, who put cyanide in Excedrin capsules, including her husband’s, as well as five additional bottles she placed on store shelves in the Seattle area, was convicted of her husband’s murder and that of Susan Snow, who had ingested one of the capsules and died instantly.

• On May 9, 2005, the Thorp processing plant in Sellafield, U.K., experienced a leakage of about 20 tons of nuclear material via a cracked pipe. While the leak was contained and didn’t impose a risk to the public, the estimated cost to repair the damage was expected to fall heavily on taxpayers.

• On May 10, 1899, singer/ actor/dancer Fred Astaire was born in Omaha, NE. Widely considered the most influential dancer in the history of film, his stage and subsequent movie and television careers spanned a total of 76 years.

• On May 11, 2006, a Chinese website called Baidupedia was launched in China. The American website Wikipedia had been growing in popularity in China until the government banned it in 2005. Baidupedia was set to feature a similar format of a user-created encyclopedia, though it would be subjected to far heavier self-censorship in order to remain in good standing with the country’s government.

• On May 12, 1981, following the death of IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands on May 5, a second striker, 25-year-old Francis Hughes, died of starvation in Northern Ireland’s Maze Prison.

TRIVIA TEST

By FIFI RODRIGUEZ

QUESTIONS

1. LITERATURE: What are the names of the four sisters in “Little Women”?

2. U.S. STATES: Which northeastern state has a desert?

3 MOVIES: Which long-running movie series features the character Legolas?

4. ANATOMY: What does the lacrimal gland produce?

5. GEOGRAPHY: Ellesmere Island belongs to which nation?

6. SCIENCE: Which of the human senses is most closely related to memory?

7. LANGUAGE: What does the Latin phrase “ad meliora” mean?

8. TELEVISION: Which TV sitcom features a mom named Rainbow Johnson?

9. THEATER: Who wrote the play “A Little Night Music”?

10. MUSIC: Which alternative rock band went by the name of The Warlocks before becoming famous?

ANSWERS

1. Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy.

2. The 40-acre Desert of Maine.

3. “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” trilogies.

4. Tears.

5. Canada.

6. Smell.

7. “Toward better things.”

8. “Black-ish.”

9. Stephen Sondheim.

10. The Grateful Dead.

secured by the Deed of Trust, the words “trustee” and “beneficiary” include their respective successors in interest, if any. Dated: 3/21/2024 CLEAR

EAST 121.85 FEET, ALONG THE EAST LINE OF A 20 FOOT WIDE ROADWAY, TO AN IRON ROD; THENCE NORTH 06°46’28” WEST 19.29 FEET TO AN IRON ROD AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF THIS TRACT; THENCE SOUTH 89°50’30” EAST 135.95 FEET TO AN IRON ROD AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF THIS TRACT; THENCE SOUTH 00°01’47” EAST 141.00

and attorney’s fees not exceeding the amounts provided by ORS 86.778. The mailing address of the trustee is: ZBS Law,

before you read it... ...they have to write it.

PUBLIC RECORD

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

Dallas Police Department

Thursday, April 11

• At 8:05 a.m., a report of arson on the back side of The Majestic on Main Street. Officers later arrested Denise Bader, of Dallas, lodged her at the Polk County Jail on charges of arson 1, burglary 2, criminal mischief 2, and theft 3.

• At 10:06 a.m., a report of a suspicious person walking on Ellendale Avenue with a Samuri sword in their backpack. The subject was located at 10:38 a.m. but no crimes were committed.

• At 2:42 p.m., a motorist was cited for speeding 35 mph in a 20-mph zone.

• At 6:50 p.m., report of trespassing on Ellendale Avenue. An unhoused person by the dumpsters was advised to move along.

• At 7:36 p.m., a report of suspicious activity on Denton Avenue. The subject was removing scrap wood from a garbage bin and was advised to contact the builder first.

• At 8:35 p.m., a report of a suspicious vehicle on Mill Street. The unhoused person was parked on a plot of land and was asked to move along.

• At 10:12 p.m., officers responded to an alarm. All was secure at the location on Ellendale Avenue.

• At 10:23 p.m., a report of theft on Washington Street of a large wheeled tote from a truck bed.

Friday, April 12

• At 3:28 a.m., a report of a suspicious vehicle on Brandvold Drive. Occupants were verbally warned for park hours.

• At 9:04 a.m., a report of a suspicious vehicle on Sagebrush Lane. Subject was working on a home.

• At 10:17 a.m., a report of suspicious activity on Davis Street. A resident had entered the residence through a back window.

• At 3:53 p.m., a report of theft on Kings Valley Highway. Casey Carr was cited and released for theft 3.

• At 4:30 p.m., an officer was flagged down and given a found ATM card, which was later returned to the owner.

• At 9:44 p.m., a report of theft on Kings Valley Highway. Shannon Parmer was cited and released for theft 3 and was formally trespassed from the location.

Saturday, April 13

• At 7:41 a report of illegal camping on Uglow Avenue. Subjects were asked to move along.

• At 12:19 p.m., a report of a suspicious vehicle on La Creole Drive. Dakota Kamna was arrested on three outstanding warrants out of three counties and was lodged at Polk County Jail.

• At 5:23 p.m., a report of a vehicle doing cookies on Jonathan Avenue. Officers found the vehicle parked unoccupied and contacted the residents.

Sunday, April 14

• At 12:42 a.m., a report of a suspicious person on Miller Avenue. An officer drove all around and did not find any suspicious person or activity.

• At 11:19 a.m., a report of a single vehicle crash into a power box and a phone box. The driver was cited for no operator’s license and driving uninsured.

• At 3:42 p.m., a report of theft on Kings Valley Highway. Jennifer Short was arrested and charged with theft 2 for stealing over $500 in merchandise and was lodged at Polk County Jail.

Monday, April 15

• At 10:46 a.m., a report of theft on Davis Court. The investigation is ongoing.

• At 11:20 a.m., a report of a theft from a vehicle on Jefferson Street. The investigation is ongoing.

• At 2:40 p.m., a report of a burglary in progress on Miller Avenue. Jimmy Murray was arrested and charged with burglary 2, trespass 1, criminal mischief 2, and theft of services. Alex Stuller was arrested and charged with trespass 1. Both suspects were lodged at Polk County Jail.

• At 5:14 p.m., a report of a domestic disturbance on Walnut Avenue. No crimes were committed, it was a verbal disturbance.

• At 4:18 p.m., a report of a suspicious person on Kings Valley Highway. Individual had been in Walmart for 4 hours and did not have the means to pay for the items in their cart. They were asked to leave.

• At 5:55 p.m., a report of criminal mischief on Mifflin Street. The suspect was cited and released for offensive littering after throwing an object at their neighbor.

Tuesday, April 16

• At 8:42 a.m. a motorist was cited for driving 39 mph in a 20-mph zone.

• At 11:23 a.m., a juvenile was cited for driving 41 mph in a 25-mph zone.

• At 1:30 p.m., a report of suspicious activity on Ellendale Avene. A male was reported to be smoking a pipe and was contacted by officers who were shown it was a marijuana pipe.

• At 2:16 p.m., a motorist was cited for speeding 40 mph in a 20-mph zone on Miller Avenue.

• At 5:51 p.m., a report of a suspicious person on Virginia Drive. Sales reps from DeBella were advised to pack up until they had a solicitor’s permit.

Wednesday, April 17

• At 1:31 a.m. a report of a suspicious vehicle on La Creole Drive. Individual was driving his RC car at the skate park.

• At 4:06 a.m., Logain Richert was arrested and

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

• At 4:21 a.m., a report of suspicious activity on Uglow Avenue. A subject was just rummaging in her vehicle.

• At 11:25 a.m., a motorist was cited for driving 40 mph in a 20-mph zone.

• At 12:20 p.m., a report of fraud on Uglow Avenue.

• At 5:25 p.m., a individual lost their ID card and debit card at Gala Park on Uglow Avenue. A group of juveniles found them and an officer returned them.

Independence Police Department

Friday, April 12

• At 10:23 p.m. a report of a hit and run with a possible fight in progress at the scene. The driver, who smelled of alcohol, was on scene being held there by citizens. He consented to field sobriety tests and performed poorly, blowing 0.19% BAC. He was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of an intoxicant adn hit and run with injury.

Monday, April 15

• At 12:16 a.m., a report of the theft of a generator gas cap on Main Street.

• At 2:48 a.m., a report of a disturbance on Monmouth Street. A sober friend was walking home with an inebriated friend. No crimes were committed.

• At 5:32 a.m., a motorist was given a verbal warning for a rolling stop through a stop sign, illegal plate covers and no registration in the vehicle.

• At 5:52 a.m., a motorist was given a verbal warning for driving 48 mph in a 35-mph zone.

• At 6:17 a.m. a motorist was given a verbal warning for driving 34 mph in a 20-mph zone and failure to carry current registration in the vehicle. The officer

discussed a rear taillight being out.

Wednesday, April 17

• At 9:03 p.m., a report of a suspicious vehicle on C Street. The officer warned multiple people of park hours.

Monmouth Police Department

• Harold Jackson, 53, was arrested April 12 on two outstanding warrants.

• Daniel Goodwin, 37, was arrested April 17 on an outstanding warrant.

• Juan Hernandez, 21, was arrested April 14 and charged with driving under the influence of an intoxicant.

• Jason Brown, 37, was arrested April 19 and charged with criminal trespass 2.

• Summer D Ludvigson, 46, was arrested April 17 on an outstanding warrant.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office

• Solomon Bejiko was arrested April 18 and charged with two counts of probation violation (robbery 3, assault 4).

• Jason Jamieson Brown was arrested April 19 and charged with criminal trespass 2.

• Robert Alexander Day was arrested April 16 and placed on hold for Benton County (burglary 2, interfering with police, theft, trespassing).

• Allen Charles Estes was arrested April 19 on a Polk County secret indictment warrant (unauthorized use motor vehicle).

• Daniel Kelly Goodwin was arrested April 17 and charged with failure to appear a (weapons offense).

• Dennis Ray Heiney was arrested April 19 and charged with criminal driving while suspended/revoked.

• Isaiah Stephen Honsaker was arrested April 19 and charged with two counts

of violation of release agreement.

• Sterling Makya-Thomas Link was arrested April 18 and placed on hold for Yamhill County Probation violation - assault 4).

• Jeremy Ray Lovelady was arrested April 18 and charged with post prison violation (robbery).

• Jimmy Ervin Murray was arrested April 16 and charged with theft of services, burglary 1, burglary 2, criminal mischief 2, criminal mischief 3, criminal trespass 1 and post-prison violation (theft 1).

• Brett Todd Regimbal was arrested April 15 and charged with possess burglary tools, strangulation (domestic violence), identity theft, criminal possession of forgery instrument 1 and was placed on hold for Yamhill County (failure to appear – attempted coercion) and was placed on hold for Marion County (failure to appear - forgery 1, theft 1, identity theft).

• Freddy Daryl Rabauliman Reyes was arrested April 15 and charged with unlawful entry into motor vehicle, theft 3, identity theft, criminal trespass 2, and was placed on hold for Oregon State Parole Board (post-prison supervision violation – unauthorized use of a motor vehicle).

• Kyle Steven Ropchan was arrested April 16 and placed on hold for Benton County (burglary 1, four counts of trespassing and three counts of contempt).

• Jason Beau Slate was arrested April 18 and charged with parole violation (attempted assault 2).

• Mari Ady Caballero was arrested April 19 and charged with two counts of criminal driving while suspended/ revoked.

• Patricia Lynn Moore was arrested April 17 and charged with reckless burning and criminal mischief 2 and placed on hold for Marion County – failure to appear (obstructing justice).

• Sisiley Sasha Scott was arrested April 17 and charged with criminal driving while suspended/revoked.

West Albany snaps Panthers’ streak to open league play

By LANCE MASTERSON For The Itemizer-Observer

All good things must come to an end.

A 7-0 loss at West Albany on Friday snapped the Panthers varsity baseball team’s six-game winning streak to open Mid-Willamette Conference play.

The two teams met again Monday at Central High.

Results from the game were not available at press time.

With the loss, the Panthers fell to third place in the league. West Albany and Crescent Valley, each at 7-0, are tied for first.

Last week began with a two-game sweep of Silverton by the Panthers, 10-5 and 6-2.

According to Panthers coach Ben Kramer, pitchers Isaiah Sanchez, Derek Brinton and Jackson Barba have dominated from the mound, allowing only one earned run in four league games heading into last week.

The Bulldogs are ranked second, the Panthers seventh and the Raiders ninth in Class 5A statewide by OSAA. Central (6-1, 12-3 overall) is at Corvallis Wednesday and at home against the Spartans on Friday. The home game begins at 5 p.m.

Joe Mendazona, a freshman, was batting .816 in league with 4 RBIs and 7 runs scored in four games to begin last week.

PHOTO BY LANCE MASTERSON Central first baseman Josh Resch applies a late tag to the Silverton runner. The Panthers defeated the Foxes, 6-2, in a home game played April 17.