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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 16, 2015)
MOVIES WE LOVE OUT FOR WINS TIS THE SEASON WRESTLING Page 7A Page 10A Volume 140, Issue 50 www.Polkio.com December 16, 2015 75¢ The weather outside is frightful Out-of-town visitor surprised as tree crashes outside his window Thursday By Jolene Guzman The Itemizer-Observer DALLAS — Lee Wanner couldn’t believe he eyes. Looking out of his win- dow on the second floor of a home on Southwest Oak Street, he saw the large oak tree in his front yard moving in an unusual way. Not swaying in the wind, but falling. “It was weird, kind of sur- real,” Wanner said Thursday, just minutes after the large and healthy oak crashed to the ground. The tree falling caused minimal damage, missing the house, owned by Jan and Wayne Rickert — Wanner is their nephew — and the Farmers Insurance building next door. The only casual- ties beyond the tree, were the sidewalk — a large slab was ripped up — and Jan’s f l owe r g a rd e n p l a n t e d around the tree. If the tree had fallen in the direction of the house, it would have fallen through Wanner’s bedroom and may have damaged the living room where Jan and Wayne were sitting. “If it had to fall, it picked the best place,” Jan said star- ing at the tree, the shock still evident in her voice. “I’m just thinking maybe some- one is looking after us.” Jan Rickert guesses the soggy ground from days of soaking rain and the wind that accompanied Thurs- day’s storm combined to bring the tree down. “I came downstairs and said ‘Did you see that?’” Wanner said. “The tree is gone.” Jan said it sounded like a loud thunder clap, not a tree falling in her front yard. “It never occurred to me that that big guy would go,” she said. Wanner, who recently moved from California, had been looking forward to see- DALLAS City Manager Ron Foggin gets a raise for a job well done. »Page 2A FALLS CITY Falls City City Council takes no action on mar- ijuana, medical or recre- ational. »Page 14A INDEPENDENCE City OKs payment on Minet’s behalf for De- cember debt service amount due. »Page 13A JOLENE GUZMAN/Itemizer-Observer Western Oregon Uni- versity’s men’s basket- ball team scores anoth- er win, bringing the team to 10-0. »Page 12A Hadley, Schellenberg honored at Farm Bureau meeting JOLENE GUZMAN/Itemizer-Observer Lee Wanner was surprised to watch the oak fall. ing the “seasons” in Oregon. This probably wasn’t what he had in mind, with the storm that hammered the Northwest with heavy rain, thunderstorms, and flood- ing last week. “I think it’s your fault,” Jan said to him jokingly. “I’m just thankful the damage was as minimal as it was,” she added. Itemizer-Observer staf report JOLENE GUZMAN/ Itemizer-Observer The trunk, spanning nearly 6 feet, took a large slab of concrete with it when it tipped over, but fell between two buildings, causing minimal damage. By Emily Mentzer The Itemizer-Observer THE NEXT 7 DAYS PLANNING FOR YOUR WEEK MONMOUTH An old, otherwise healthy oak fell on Southwest Oak Street after drenching rains and strong winds on Thursday. Townsend teaches others to ‘pay it forward’ MONMOUTH — Thurs- day evening, Kimber Townsend picked up two Christmas trees, stands and lights to deliver to families who otherwise would not have them. They were purchased at the Central High School sen- ior class lot and left there with Townsend’s name on them. It was just a small token of paying it forward, inspired by a post on Face- book by Townsend. “One of the families I know is a single mom who has a disability,” Townsend, 45, said of the recipients of the trees. “I’m told she’s working very hard at that. My thought goes to, a Christmas tree will be nice … but what makes a differ- IN YOUR TOWN EMILY MENTZER/ Itemizer-Observer Kimber Townsend takes a rare break at the coffee shop at Western Oregon University’s Werner Center. Townsend, 45, of Monmouth, works full-time at WOU. ence for her, not just today, but in a couple of months.” wed Learn to paint with good friends, food and drinks at the Boondocks in Falls City each Wednes- day. 7 p.m. $30. Showers Hi: 45 Lo: 41 Townsend decided to see if the city of Independence thu Put your favorite “ugly” Christmas sweater to the test at the Dallas Area Seniors holiday music jam. 6:30 p.m. Free. Rain Hi: 50 Lo: 45 would accept donations to- ward a stranger’s utility ac- count. They would. She can’t wait until the woman gets her first bill with a negative balance. “What a surprise for mom,” Townsend said. “I can imagine the fun of her calling city hall and saying, ‘there’s been an error on my bill.’ Oh no, someone made a donation on your account. How cool is that?” See TOWNSEND, Page 5A SUNRIVER — The Oregon Farm Bureau Federation held its 83rd annual meeting at Sunriver Resort Dec. 8 through Thursday. Four of ive resolu- tions submitted by Polk County Farm Bureau were adopted. Those is- sues included prevent- ing the cross pollina- tion of crops, requiring grazing of forestland to prevent forest ires, re- quiring local farm serv- ice agencies to enforce noxious weed control on government-owned land, and the establish- ment of a state Farm Bureau political educa- tion advisory commit- tee to the federation’s board of directors. K athy Hadley, of R i c k re a l l, wo n t h e statewide Young Farm- ers and Ranchers Dis- cussion Meet and will compete for the na- tional title at the Amer- ican Farm Bureau annu- al meeting in Orlando, Fla., in January 2016. Don Schellenberg, of Dallas, was inducted into the Oregon Farm Bureau Hall of Fame in recognition of his 47 years of service to Farm Bureau. fri sat sun mon tue Calling all teenagers to Dallas Public Li- brary for a Christ- mas party involving food, cookie deco- rating and a movie. 5:30 p.m. Free. New Life Nazarene Church will host its annual clothes give- away at Jinett’s Closet for anyone who needs it. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. A free concert fea- turing scripture, and adult, bell, children and youth choirs will be at Trinity Lutheran Church. 6:30 p.m. Free. Join other Star Wars fans at Independ- ence Public Library for a marathon of the ilms, Episodes IV, V, and VI. 1-8 p.m. Free. Today marks the shortest day of the year, the Winter Sol- stice. After today, the days will start getting longer again. Showers Hi: 48 Lo: 38 Partly Cloudy Hi: 45 Lo: 39 Rain Hi: 45 Lo: 38 Rain Hi: 48 Lo: 40 Showers Hi: 46 Lo: 39