Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 27, 2016)
Polk County News Polk County Itemizer-Observer • January 27, 2016 5A Squatters: Falls City seeks answers EMILY MENTZER/Itemizer-Observer Kevin McMillan plans to get this 1975 Pontiac Astra in racing shape to raise awareness for multiple sclerosis. RACE FOR MS Monmouth man hopes to raise money and awareness for MS through races By Emily Mentzer How you can help The Itemizer-Observer MONMOUTH — Kevin McMillan, 44, was diag- nosed with multiple sclero- sis in 2012, but suspects he has had the disease since high school. “It took a couple years to get diagnosed,” he said. “Looking back, it looks like I had my first episode or exac- erbation in high school. My freshman year when I was 14, the whole left side of my body went numb.” Multiple sclerosis is a dis- ease that affects the central nervous system, disrupting the smooth flow of nerve impulses, causing the symp- toms of MS, according to the Multiple Sclerosis Associa- tion of America’s website. Common symptoms in- clude fatigue, numbness, vi- sual disturbances, bladder problems, mobility issues and more. In the last three years, McMillan has tried three dif- ferent medications to help with MS, all without success. “What I want to do is raise awareness and, hopefully, money for MS,” he said. “So I’m going to put together this drag car and race it at the Woodburn drag strip and other drag strips in the Pa- cific Northwest.” What: “Race for Multiple Sclerosis” gofundme page. Where: https://www.gofundme.com/n4ef7mr8. Of note: Kevin McMillan has a car donated, but it lacks an engine and other parts to be ready to drag race. McMil- lan hopes to put decals on the car and set up booths at races to promote education and awareness of MS, as well as raise money to help those with MS and for research. McMillan has started a gofundme page, “Race for Multiple Sclerosis,” in efforts to raise money or parts to build the racer. So far, he has had a car donated for his ef- forts and raised $625. “We’re trying to round up information to hand out and get donations,” he said. “We want to have a booth and table with pamphlets and everything.” McMillan and his family have long been into racing. He and his twin brother got started on the drag circuit while going to Central High School. “The whole family has been into cars,” he said. “My dad kind of got us into it. We raced in the high school drags a little bit. Actually, the first time I ever raced in the high school drags, I took sec- ond place. I was pumped.” Although MS has affected McMillan’s vision, he can still see well enough to drive — and he prefers to drive fast. He loves the competition and adrenalin rush of racing, he said. “I think it’s something you’re born with,” McMillan said. “You either enjoy it, or you could care less.” MS affects one’s ability to regulate temperature, McMillan said, so cooling vests are useful, particularly in summertime. Cooling vests and other medical sup- plies, such as canes and walkers, can be obtained from MS organizations, such as the MS Association of America. But they are back- ordered and it could take weeks to get a patient need- ed equipment. McMillan said one of the things he will donate the money to is helping organi- zations provide needed medical tools to those who suffer from MS. “It’s pretty basic,” he said. “But most people who have MS are in debt up to their eyeballs.” Adam Garcia, owner of Precision Spa Services in In- dependence, donated a 1975 Pontiac Astra to the cause. “Both of those McMillan brothers have a long history of being passionate about what they do when it comes to their cars and their hobby with racing cars,” he said. “I’ve been watching them through the years, grow and develop and do really well.” When he heard they were in trouble and needed help, he said he had no problems with stepping in. “They have some time that I don’t, and they have passion and a very serious disease that they’re talking about that does need a lot of attention,” Garcia said. “I be- lieve there are a lot of illness- es out there that do need at- tention. This is one that we don’t talk about much.” The Astra has a lot of his- tory for Garcia and a lot of sentimental value. For it to be used to promote aware- ness and earn money for MS is a “perfect situation for the car,” Garcia said. “I’m really looking for- ward to working closer with these guys and helping them achieve their goal, and see what happens,” he said. WHAT’S GOING ON IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD? The Itemizer-Observer is always looking for unique story ideas in the areas of general news, education, 24 hour Service features, personality profiles, sports and business from throughout Polk County. Share your idea by calling Pick up & Drop Off us at 503-623-2373; drop a note to us at P.O. Box 108, Dallas, OR 97338; or send an email to ionews@ polkio.com. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter and let us know there, too. Furniture Upholstery All types: for homes, offices, equip- ment. Also, repairs, RV cushions, slipcovers, High Quality since 1966 Stephen Winters Sewing 503-838-4999 or 503-375-9266 Emmy Joseph 440 E. St • Independence, OR 97351 www.winterssewing.com Serving Polk County 16yrs Continued from 1A “One, I worked directly with the bank to tell them that they had squatters at the property,” she said. “I don’t think they cared.” City officials say addressing the situation doesn’t look like it will be easy given the city’s limitations. “There’s got to be things that we as a city can do for these vacant homes,” Councilor Jenn Drill said. “Is there is a way to find out what our options are?” Protheroe said, as written, the city’s code restricts its power to address the issue. That can be solved, but will take some time with a short-handed staff. Protheroe noted that revisions in the code would have to take into account the city’s financial restrictions and couldn’t just be modeled after other cities. Ungricht noted the banks and the code aren’t the only hurdles in the way. “Most of the cities you are talking about do have a code enforcer,” Ungricht said. “We are being double hammered on these properties, not only within our code, but not hav- ing an active code enforcer.” Falls City hasn’t had a code officer since 2014, and its city court has been inactive for the same length of time. Councilor Tony Meier said even cities with code officers have had difficulties dealing with abandoned properties and the people who choose to live in them. “A lot of big cities are having the same problem that the banks just won’t take care of it, and they are in the same situation we are,” Meier said. “There’s not much they can do except condemn it and bulldoze it.” Ungricht said he wants to work for something better. After talking with the Polk Community Development Cor- poration and Falls City’s Service Integration Team, he be- lieves the plan to have ownership transferred could work. “We could get some properties, and there are people willing to build on them,” he said. Man arrested on firearms charges closed and neighborhood residents were alerted to the incident and directed to stay in their homes. After several hours of un- successful attempts to con- tact the suspect directly, most of the involved officers cleared the area, leaving be- hind a monitoring unit while other officers contin- ued to attempt contact with friends and relatives of the suspect, Banuelos said. At about 9:15 a.m., Robert Christiansen, 57, was contacted by police at his residence and later taken into custody without incident for unlawful use of a weapon, reckless endan- gering, and disorderly con- duct. The involved firearms were seized from the resi- dence. Banuelos said alco- hol may have been in- volved in the incident. “We would like to thank the Monmouth Police ..., the ... Sheriff’s Office and the Dallas Police ... for all of their assistance,” Banuelos said. “We would also like to thank the residents of the Kbel Ylienimi neighbor- hood ... (and) ... the friends of Mr. Christensen who helped resolve the situation without incident.” Itemizer-Observer staf report INDEPENDENCE — An Independence man was ar- rested on Monday after offi- cers and deputies attempt- ed to contact him for roughly six hours. On Monday at about 3:18 a.m., Independence Police officers responded to the area of Kbel Yliniemi and Stryker roads in Independ- ence on multiple calls of shots fired. Independence officers and a Monmouth officer on scene heard additional shots fired and determined they were coming from the backyard of one residence, said Independence Sgt. Tino Banuelos. There was no indication that the shots were being directed at anyone specifi- cally, he said. With the assistance of offi- cers and deputies from Dal- las Police and the Polk Coun- ty Sheriff’s Office, a perime- ter was set while attempts were made to contact the suspect without exposing anyone involved to unneces- sary peril, Banuelos said. An armored vehicle from the sheriff’s office was used to facilitate the contact at- tempts. Stryker Road was !NEW LOCATION! Naomi #22 OES ANNUAL 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. • Friday, Jan. 29 at United Methodist Church 565 SE LaCreole Dr., Dallas Bowl of Stew, Biscuits, Piece of Pie per person & Beverage $ 7 For information 503-623-8442 Supports Projects of Dallas Naomi Chapter #22, Order of Eastern Star Matinees are all shows before 6pm. New pricing for matinees are: Adult $7.25 Children $6.75 • Senior $7.00 Pricing does not reflect 3D showings. Polk County 2016 Relay For Life Kick-Off Saturday, Jan. 30, 2 to 5 pm Independence Elks Lodge • Live Entertainment by Ed Desmarteau at 4 pm FREE performance donations benefit American Cancer Society • Register to be part of the June 4-5, 2016 Relay • Prize drawings, light snacks, beverages • Information on the event • Education on Cancer Services & Cancer Prevention • Luminaria Ceremony • Participants encouraged to bring 1 or 2 (2-4 oz) cans of food for Relay Luminaria bags. Contributions go to the Salem Cancer Institute and pet food going to local animal shelter Relay For Life of Polk County June 4-5, 2016 Riverview Park, Independence For information contact: 2015relayfor lifepc@gmail.com 00 Friday - Saturday Jan 29 - Jan 30 THE 5TH WAVE (Digital) (PG13) THE REVENANT (Digital) (R) FINEST HOURS (Digital 2D) (PG13) FINEST HOURS (NEC Dolby 3D) (PG13) KUNG FU PANDA 3 (Digital 2D) (PG) KUNG FU PANDA 3 (NEC Dolby 3D) (PG) STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS (Digital 2D) (PG13) 13 HOURS (Digital) (R) NORM OF THE NORTH (Digital) (PG) THE BOY (Digital) (PG13) DIRTY GRANDPA (Digital) (R) (1:45 4:25) (12:00 3:05) (1:45) (4:35) (12:10 4:50) (2:35) (12:20 3:25) (12:05 3:15) (12:30) (2:45 5:00) (12:15 2:40 5:05) 7:05 6:10 7:15 9:40 7:10 9:25 6:30 6:25 9:30 9:25 7:20 7:30 9:25 9:55 Sunday January 31 THE 5TH WAVE (Digital) (PG13) THE REVENANT (Digital) (R) FINEST HOURS (Digital 2D) (PG13) FINEST HOURS (NEC Dolby 3D) (PG13) KUNG FU PANDA 3 (Digital 2D) (PG) KUNG FU PANDA 3 (NEC Dolby 3D) (PG) STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS (Digital 2D) (PG13) 13 HOURS (Digital) (R) NORM OF THE NORTH (Digital) (PG) THE BOY (Digital) (PG13) DIRTY GRANDPA (Digital) (R) (1:45 4:25) (12:00 3:05) (1:45) (4:35) (12:10 4:50) (2:35) (12:20 3:25) (12:05 3:15) (12:30) (2:45 5:00) (12:15 2:40 5:05) 7:05 6:10 7:15 7:10 6:30 6:25 7:20 7:30 Monday - Thursday Feb 1 - Feb 4 THE 5TH WAVE (Digital) (PG13) THE REVENANT (Digital) (R) FINEST HOURS (Digital 2D) (PG13) FINEST HOURS (NEC Dolby 3D) (PG13) KUNG FU PANDA 3 (Digital 2D) (PG) KUNG FU PANDA 3 (NEC Dolby 3D) (PG) STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS (Digital 2D) (PG13) 13 HOURS (Digital) (R) THE BOY (Digital) (PG13) DIRTY GRANDPA (Digital) (R) (1:45 4:25) (3:05) (1:45) (4:35) (4:50) (2:35) (3:25) (3:15) (2:45 5:00) (2:40 5:05) 9:35 9:15 7:05 6:10 7:15 7:10 6:30 6:25 7:20 7:30
