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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 23, 2015)
Polk County Itemizer-Observer • September 23, 2015 3A Polk County News DEADLINES 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. 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 St. Philip Catholic Church’s name was misspelled in a subhead in the Sept. 16 issue of the I-O’s story, “Altar society celebrates rich history,” on Page 3A. 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. WEBSITE The Polk County Itemizer- Observer website, www.polkio.com, is updat- ed each week by Wednes- day afternoon. The Itemizer-Observer is also on Facebook and Twit- ter. Look for breaking news online. WEATHER RECORDED HIGH LOW Sept. 15............ 65 Sept. 16............ 71 Sept. 17............ 70 Sept. 18............ 75 Sept. 19............ 81 Sept. 20............ 81 Sept. 21............ 73 45 52 53 50 49 52 51 RAIN .04 .01 .89 .00 .00 .00 .05 Rainfall during Sept. — 0.99 in. Rain through Sept. 21 — 16.98 in. NEWS IN BRIEF Citations issued during campaign INDEPENDENCE — Ten citations were issued to drivers fail- ing to stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk during a safety en- forcement operation conducted by the Independence Police Department on Sept. 14. Police staked out the intersection of Monmouth and South Sixth streets from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. during the operation. Fourteen warnings were given to drivers for failing to stop for pedestrians, two citations were issued for other offenses, in- cluding using cellphones, and seven warnings were issued for other traffic offenses. “Educating our citizens in traffic safety is our only goal when conducting these types of operations,” said Officer David Oliv- eros. “Please don’t drive distracted; pay attention to what is going on around you; and always drive safe.” For more information on traffic safety: www.oregon impact.org. Dallas police adds two new officers DALLAS — Two officers, Mike Fleming and Hannah Flaming, have joined the Dallas Police Department. Fleming was a police officer for the Newberg-Dundee Police Department for nearly a decade. Prior to that, he was a corrections deputy working in the Polk County Jail. Flaming is a new offi- cer, still completing the Oregon police academy and a field training pro- gram before becoming a certified officer. After that, she will complete Fleming field training working with another officer. That Flaming process typically takes nine month to a year. Before being hired each officer had to pass a standardized written test, a competitive interview process, a background investigation, physical examination and psychological examination. One officer is filling a new position and the other replaces a retiring officer. Salem Health looks for partners SALEM — Salem Health is taking applications from Marion and Polk county organizations for its 2016 Community Partner- ship Grant program. Grant amounts generally range from $20,000 to $50,000, and applicants must meet the minimum requirements. This year, $170,000 in grants went to Salvation Army of Salem, Oregon State University Extension Service, HOME Youth & Resource Center and Boys & Girls Club of Salem, Marion and Polk counties. For more information regarding eligibility, application crite- ria and deadlines, visit www.salemhealth.org/about/communi- ty/community-partnership-grants. Ward honored for work in garden INDEPENDENCE — The Oregon State University Extension Service Master Gardener program honored 25 volunteers on Thursday for their service to their counties and communities. Darrell Ward, a Master Gardener since 2011, was named Polk County’s Master Gardener of the Year for his “tireless” efforts to pay for and develop the 6-acre Inspiration Garden in Mountain Fir Park in Independence. Ward has helped clear brush and weeds, restore landscaping through planting, and helped raise money for a garden build- ing that will serve as a storage, work and meeting space. For more information on the Master Gardeners: extension.oregonstate.edu. County admin earns high marks POLK COUNTY — County Administrator Greg Hansen was given high praise during his annual evaluation last week. The Polk County Board of Commissioners meet with Hansen on Sept. 15 to discuss his performance over the last year. Com- missioner Mike Ainsworth said all three commissioners were more than pleased with Hansen’s work. “We are extremely fortunate to have an administrator with the knowledge he has,” Ainsworth said. “I can’t think of any- thing negative to say about him.” His yearly evaluation is just a performance review and doesn’t include changes in salary or benefits. That is considered during the county’s budget proceedings each year. This year marks Hansen’s 30th year working for Polk County, Ainsworth noted. “That’s a lot of history,” he said. “He has gone through a lot of commissioners.” For more News in Brief, see Page 9A JOLENE GUZMAN/ Itemizer-Observer file About 30 feral cats are being trapped at a Dallas business to be rehomed. Because they are not used to humans, they make excellent rodent controllers in barns. Barn cats seek new homes Feral Cat Awareness Project rescues 50 feral felines By Emily Mentzer The Itemizer-Observer DALLAS — About 50 cats in Polk County need barns to call home or they may be eu- thanized, said Edith Walters, founder of Feral Cat Aware- ness Project. Some of the cats were found at the home of an eld- erly woman in West Salem. Walters said it was a hoarder situation. Others made their home at a local business in Dallas until the new owners wanted them removed. “They’re like a wild cat,” she said. “They’ve never had human contact. They had a caretaker that fed them, but they’ve never been touched by a human.” The feral cats are not suit- ed for living in a home, but are perfect as natural rodent control, Walters said. “A lot of people prefer feral cats for barn cats be- cause they’re skittish,” she said. “They stay away from the house and the dogs. They’re there to do a job, and that is to take care of ro- dents, and that’s what these guys do.” Cats are placed at least two at a time and must be contained for three weeks while they get used to their new barn, which must pro- vide adequate shelter for the cat, Walters said. She has about 30 cats still in need of shelter and caretakers. Not all of them are ready to go today, but having homes lined up makes an easier transition for the animals. “We are in the process of catching the cats,” Walters said. “It’s easier for me if I have people who want them. I can trap them and take them over. It’s easier and less stressful for the cat if we can do it all in one nice swoop.” For more information about trap, neuter and re- lease, or to adopt a barn cat: www.feralcatawarenesspro- ject.com or find the organi- zation on Facebook. A Pleasant Place to Buy or Sell Your RV CALL TODAY FOR A NO-CHARGE EVALUATION. OPEN K! WEE Y A 7 D S A • Sat 9-5 Mon-Fri 9-6 -4 Sun 10 Ruben 503-915-2080 Rick 503-437-5398 4075 NE Three Mile Lane, McMinnville, OR www.macrvsales.com Next to the Spruce Goose Aviation Museum macrvsales@gmail.com Premier Sponsors Enhanced Sponsors Classic Sponsors THANK YOU for the GIFT/PRIZE DONATIONS Hancock Forest Management, Independence Liquor Store, Monmouth-Independence Family YMCA, Oregon State Credit Union, OSU Extension Service Polk County, Pacific Power, The Three Legged Dog, Umpqua Bank, Walt’s Print & Copy