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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 23, 2015)
CHILDREN’S WISH LISTS KACEY McCALLISTER IS DEAR SANTA UNSTOPPABLE Page 14A Page 10A Volume 140, Issue 51 www.Polkio.com December 23, 2015 75¢ New DHS offices going up in North Dallas By Jolene Guzman The Itemizer-Observer DALLAS — Construction is humming off West Ellen- dale near Rite-Aid in Dallas, even with the recent inhos- pitable weather. One of the construction projects is a Department of Human Services (DHS) building that will combine programs offered at two fa- cilities the agency leases in Dallas. The agency operates child welfare and self-suffi- ciency programs for Polk County clients at its offices in downtown Dallas and an- other location off East Ellen- dale Avenue. Linda Riddell, the admin- istrator for the Office of Fa- cilities Management for DHS, said the new office building will house both programs in one place, of- fering better efficiency in terms of cost and time. “It will combine those two facilities and it will be a little bigger,” Riddell said. More room means clients of the agency’s Jobs Program be will able to use expanded classrooms, computer and resource spaces, for exam- ple. Services include helping people apply for jobs and write resumes. “For one thing, we will have adequate space to pro- vide services to clients and meet mandates from the federal government for us to do that,” Riddell said. Once finished, the new building will be 32,470- square feet. White Oak Con- struction is the contractor on the project and started work in mid-November. The com- pany has worked on a num- ber of DHS projects, includ- ing a remodel of the fourth and fifth floors of the DHS lo- IN YOUR TOWN DALLAS Dallas High School senior Marcos Molina has surprised everyone on the wrestling mat — even himself. »Page 10A FALLS CITY JOLENE GUZMAN/ Itemizer-Observer Oregon Department of Human Services is building a new office off West Ellendale Av- enue in Dallas. The 32,470-square foot building is slated to be done in spring. cation in downtown Salem. The building, to be called the Multi-Service Center, is located at 190 W. Ellendale Ave. It is slated to be finished in late spring 2016. Riddell said the agency is scheduled to move into the new facility in June 2016. Food For All 260,000 pounds strong Falls City looks for an organization to take over July 3 festivities, including the parade. »Page 3A INDEPENDENCE Nutria can cause havoc on wetlands, na- tive muskrats. Find out how to control the ani- mals in Independence. »Page 2A MONMOUTH Monmouth Inde- pendence Networks board of directors seeks new revenue sources for the company. »Page 3A POLK COUNTY Local organizations offer a variety of activi- ties for children and adults during winter break. »Page 6A SPORTS JOLENE GUZMAN/Itemizer-Observer Perrydale students repack potatoes into family-sized portions at the school on Thursday. Each family receives about 40 pounds of fresh produce. Volunteer ‘trucks’ on for a good cause By Jolene Guzman The Itemizer-Observer PERRYDALE — Food For All, Perrydale FFA’s annual holiday food collection, only works because of coordina- tion of many moving parts. A few of those parts have 18 wheels and a trailer. John Cruickshank has, for more than 10 years, volun- teered his time and semi- truck to help the critical and growing program with mov- ing donated food from farmer or processor to where it is packaged to given to those in need. Cruickshank, also a Perry- dale School Board member and graduate of the school, said he doesn’t have the time to volunteer in classrooms, so this is his way of helping out a program that teaches so many important lessons. “My goal is to try to give back to the school as much as I can,” he said. THE NEXT 7 DAYS PLANNING FOR YOUR WEEK When the final tally is made, Food For All will have collected and distributed about 260,000 pounds of fresh fruit and vegetables to families and food banks from Polk County to Coos Bay to Union. Food For All does more than provide nourishment for the needy. “I think it’s outstanding,” said Perrydale agricultural teacher and FFA advisor Christina Lorenz. “It teaches students so much about giv- ing back to their communi- ty.” Former Perrydale teacher and longtime program coordi- nator Kirk Hutchinson agrees. “When kids go to the de- livery places, they get their eyes opened,” he said. “Those people are so incred- ibly grateful to receive this bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables that not everyone gets this time of year.” That is the reason Cruick- Central’s wrestling team won its home in- vitational on Friday. »Page 12A Central serving lunch to those 17 and younger during break Itemizer-Observer staff report JOLENE GUZMAN/ Itemizer-Observer John Cruickshank has volunteered his truck for Food For All for more than 10 years. shank believes it is so im- portant to support it. He’s proud to watch his son, Devin Cruickshank, an officer in Perrydale FFA, juggle his schedule to give every- thing he can to the effort. Over the years, he’s watched Food For All have the same impact on other students. “It shows them where it (the food) goes,” he said. “It’s fun to see the kids interact with me as the truck driver and all the different farmers and processors.” See TRUCKS, Page 5A INDEPENDENCE — Central School District will offer free lunch to anyone 17 and younger during Winter break, Monday through Th u r s d ay, n o o n to 12:30 p.m. at Henry Hill Education Center, 750 S. Fifth St., Independ- ence. This is the fourth year Central has offered a winter lunch pro- gram. Last year, 40 to 50 children were served per day. The district hosts some simple activities during lunch, also. For more informa- tion:central.k12.or.us. wed thu fri sat sun mon tue Need a last-minute Christmas gift or to unwind before the holiday hits? Head to the Boondocks for painting and drinks. 7 p.m. $30. Wake up at the crack of dawn to help make Christmas wishes come true by volunteering at Christmas Cheer. 6 a.m. Free. Enjoy a free meal, served by volun- teers and members of St. Philips Church, open to anyone in the community. Noon-2 p.m. Free. Dallas Aquatic Cen- ter will host an adults-only swim tonight, perfect to unwind after the busy holiday. 9-10 p.m. $2.50. Sing old-time hymns and blue- grass at the Jubilee Service at Calvary Chapel. Hand-clap- ping is encouraged. 6:30 p.m. Free. Develop a new tal- ent with the Willamette Valley New Horizons Or- chestra, which meets each Monday. 6:30 p.m. Free. Get an early start to weight-loss goals at the weekly TOPS meeting in Dallas. The group also meets in Monmouth. 6 p.m. Free. Rain and wind Hi: 44 Lo: 34 Showers Hi: 40 Lo: 33 Showers Hi: 42 Lo: 32 Showers Hi: 43 Lo: 34 Rain Hi: 45 Lo: 37 Showers Hi: 44 Lo: 36 Showers Hi: 46 Lo: 36