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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 11, 2015)
Polk County News 2A Polk County Itemizer-Observer • November 11, 2015 Dallas man accused of abusing student Trying it on for size Four charges involve a girl at KVCS By Jolene Guzman The Itemizer-Observer DALLAS — A Dallas man is facing four sex abuse charges in incidents involv- ing a student at Kings Valley Charter School (KVCS). The school and its spon- s o r, t h e Philomath School Dis- trict, also were re- c e n t l y named in a lawsuit stemming South from the incidents. Axel South, 19, was indict- ed in July on charges of sec- ond-degree encouraging child sexual abuse and three counts of first-degree sex abuse. He was originally ar- rested on seven charges, but three were dropped after the grand jury heard evidence in the case. According to a probable cause statement filed with Polk County Circuit Court, the abuse occurred while the suspect and victim — a teenaged girl — were riding on the bus between Dallas and the charter school last spring. Both the suspect and victim live in Dallas. Polk County Chief Deputy District Attorney Jayme Kim- berly said South was not a student at the time of the in- cidents, but an employee or volunteer at the school. The incidents were first re- ported to Dallas police by the victim’s father after he found explicit videos on his daugh- ter’s cell phone. The pair used Vine, a video sharing site, to exchange short videos. Kimberly said the first-de- gree sex abuse charges are Measure 11 offenses carrying a mandatory sentence of 75 months each, if South is con- victed. With no prior convic- tions, South would serve probation on the encourag- ing child abuse charge. South’s attorney, Martin Habekost, has requested South undergo a “psycho- sexual” assessment, a series of interviews, review of the charges, a polygraph test and other evaluations to de- termine his “threat level” of reoffending. The assessment could conclude if South would benefit from treat- ment or if his risk is high enough to recommend in- carceration, Kimberly said. The Corvallis Gazette- Times reported last week that both the school and Philo- math School District have been notified they have been named in a lawsuit filed by the victim’s family. Calls to the family’s attorney were not returned by press time. South was scheduled for a pretrial conference in Polk County Circuit Court on Tuesday after the Itemizer- Observer’s press time. JOLENE GUZMAN/Itemizer-Observer Faith Christian School fifth-grader Jessica Stoddard, second from right, tries on a military helmet Friday at a veteran’s celebration and brunch at the Dallas school. Veterans gave presentations, including teaching the stu- dents how to properly salute, answered students’ questions and were treated to brunch at the school. Flu shot clinics continue Friday Itemizer-Observer staf report DALLAS — The lu season has arrived. The Polk County Public Health Department will sponsor a lu shot clinics on Friday. This year’s lu vaccine is $26. Payments may be made by cash or check. Oregon Health Plan and Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oregon, non- Medicare, is accepted. No one will be turned away for inabili- ty to pay. Pneumonia vaccines also are available. The lu vaccine is recommended for those 6 months of age and older, ac- cording to the public health department. This year’s vacci- nation is the quadrivalent lu v a cc i n e, w h i c h p ro te c t s against four strains of lu in- stead of the three strains of- fered in previous years. This year’s vaccine should be more efective in covering the strains that are most prevalent during lu season. The schedule is: • Friday: 1 to 4 p.m., Polk County Public Health, Suite 302, Academy Building, 182 SW Academy St., Dallas. • Walk-ins: welcome Mon- day through Friday, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1p.m. to 4 p.m., Polk County Public Health De- partment, while supplies last, 182 SW Academy St., Suite 302, Dallas. For more information on lu vaccine clinics in Polk County: Polk County Public Health In- formation Line, 503-623-8176. WEBSITE DEADLINES The Polk County Itemizer- Observer website, www.polkio.com, is updat- ed each week by Wednes- day afternoon. There, you will find nearly every story that appears in the print version of the newspaper, as well as some items, in- cluding additional photos, that do not appear in print due to space limitations. The Itemizer-Observer is also on Facebook and Twit- ter. Watch for breaking news, links to stories, sports scores updates and more. NEWS DEADLINES For inclusion in the Wednesday edition of the Itemizer-Observer: Social news (weddings, engagements, anniver- saries, births, milestones) — 5 p.m. on Thursday. Community events — Noon on Friday for both the Community Notebook and Community Calendar. Letters to the editor — 10 a.m. on Monday. Obituaries — 4 p.m. on Monday. RECYCLE A little effort. A big difference. ADVERTISING DEADLINES Retail display ads — 3 p.m. Friday. Classified display ads — 11 a.m. on Monday. Classified line ads — Noon on Monday. Classified ads are updated daily on www.polkio.com. Public notices — Noon on Friday. CORRECTIONS The Polk County Itemizer- Observer is committed to publishing accurate news, feature and sports reports. If you see anything that re- quires a correction or clarifi- cation, call the newsroom at 503-623-2373 or send an e- mail to nadams@polkio.com. WEATHER RECORDED HIGH LOW Nov. 3................ 59 Nov. 4................ 53 Nov. 5................ 53 Nov. 6................ 64 Nov. 7................ 55 Nov. 8................ 55 37 34 46 41 41 44 RAIN .00 .00 .44 .00 .71 .04 Rainfall during Nov. — 1.19 in. Rain through Nov. 8 — 21.98 in. Your local library: a great place to spend some time. Look what’s coming up! Holiday Gift Guide Last Minute Gift Ideas Publishes Nov. 25th Publishes Dec. 16th Full Color Pick-up Ads Holiday Greetings Publishes Dec. 2nd & 9th Publishes Dec. 23rd Gifts From A-Z Who’s Who in Polk County Only 26 spots! Publishes Dec. 9th Publishes Jan. 20th Reserve by Nov. 10th! Itemizer-Observer 503-623-2373