Polk County News
Polk County Itemizer-Observer • February 17, 2016 5A
Gophers create hazard at fair FEMA may foot the
By Jolene Guzman
The Itemizer-Observer
RICKREALL — Gophers,
building maintenance and
an official move to a three-
day fair.
Those were the topics on
the Polk County Fair Board’s
annual meeting on Saturday.
Fair Board Chairwoman
Anna Scharf said the fair-
grounds lost its maintenance
manager a few months ago
and hasn’t been able to re-
place him. For that reason,
projects slated for comple-
tion this year are in limbo.
In the long term, facilities
issues at the Polk County
Fairgrounds & Events Center
go beyond finding a new
maintenance manager.
Greg Hansen, Polk County
administrator, said for the
last two years, the county
has had to send the fair-
grounds about $50,000 for
projects from its economic
development fund. In 2015-
16, the fairgrounds will need
that and a $50,000 to
$75,000 infusion from the
county’s general fund.
Hansen said it doesn’t ap-
pear that will be a one-time
thing.
“It is something that is
probably going to be neces-
sary to keep this facility op-
erational and safe for the
people who use it,” Hansen
said. “That is where this or-
ganization is going. It can-
not pay for itself.”
For that reason, he’s likely
to make a proposal for going
out for a county mainte-
JOLENE GUZMAN/ Itemizer-Observer
Gopher holes, like this one, make for dangerous walking
on the Polk County Fairground & Event Center lawn.
nance bond. Polk’s road
bond will expire in fiscal
year 2016-17, giving the
county an opportunity to
ask voters to support other
infrastructure needs
throughout the county, in-
cluding the fairgrounds.
If it moves forward, the
proposal would be for $8
million to $9 million and
cost less than the 52 cents
per $1,000 of assessed value
paid for the road bond.
“It would not go to build
new buildings, but to main-
tain and upgrade existing in-
frastructure,” Hansen said.
He added Polk County
Budget Committee or the
Board of Commissioners
hasn’t had a formal discus-
sion or made a decision yet,
something Commissioner
Craig Pope made clear.
“It’s just exploration, con-
sideration, trying to plan for
what would happen,” he
said.
For the immediate future,
it was suggested the fair
hold volunteer work days to
address some basic mainte-
nance issues. Fair Board
member Tammy Dennee
volunteered to organize
those days if enough people
would agree to help.
“Everyone has some sort
of knowledge base, so if we
all pull together, we could
get it done,” she said.
As for the gophers, if
you’ve ever taken a stroll on
the pasture-playground area
at the fairground, you know
to watch your step. It’s a go-
pher haven and the critters
have made their presence
known with fresh mounds
and holes generously dot-
ting the landscape pretty
much year-round.
It’s a problem of Cad-
dyshack proportions that has
plagued the fairgrounds for
decades. Fair Manager Tina
Andersen said she contacted
experts for help, but hasn’t
been able find a solution.
Pope suggested the fair
board and the commission-
ers all work on trying to find
a business, organization or
individual who would be
willing to create a gopher-
free zone.
“It really does change the
entire face of the fair when
we have a really nice yard
that people want to come
hang out at,” Pope said.
“This is not a yard people
want to spend any time on.”
Annoying burrowing ani-
mals aside, there was plenty
of positive reports from the
2015 fair.
Last year’s experiment
with holding a three-day fair
was a success, so the board
decided to do it again. The
2016 schedule will be Thurs-
day through Saturday, Aug.
11-13, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The beer and wine gar-
den is returning with a
more visible location and
an independent operator.
Feedback from last year’s
new food vendors was over-
whelmingly positive, and
Andersen is working to add
more variety.
Scharf said the opening
night rodeo caused what
could be considered a posi-
tive problem: It was so pop-
u l a r t h a t t h e re w a s n’t
enough seating. She said the
board and Andersen are
brainstorming ways to make
more seats available for the
rodeo in 2016.
“That rodeo brought in so
many folks that we are going
to figure out how to make it
happen,” Scharf said.
bill for FC bridge
By Jolene Guzman
The Itemizer-Observer
FALLS CITY — The city
of Falls City may receive
money from the Federal
Emergency Management
Agency to rebuild Dutch
Creek Crossing, which
washed out during Decem-
ber’s heavy rains.
The Falls City bridge was
among a number of bridges
and roads that were dam-
aged in the storm that were
included in a bid for federal
funding Polk County sub-
mitted following Gov. Kate
Brown’s emergency decla-
ration.
“We did get a declara-
tion, it’s not official, of
emergency from FEMA,”
said Mayor Terry Ungricht
at Thursday’s city council
meeting. “I’m thinking the
president is going to sign
it.”
If that happens, the city
will be able to repair the
aging bridge with grant re-
sources already secured
from the Bureau of Land
Management.
“We are hoping with the
$95,000 (from BLM) and
FEMA money, we can re-
solve Dutch Creek,” Un-
gricht said.
Ungricht said the city
also is attempting to move
forward with a plan for
wastewater treatment plant
upgrades and securing
funding to complete it.
He said for Falls City to
apply for a Community De-
velopment Block Grant, the
city would have to prove
that 51 percent of residents
fall below the “low income”
threshold. The last census
had low income levels at
48.5 percent. Ungricht said
he will be getting bids from
Portland State University
and Mid-Willamette Valley
Council of Governments for
the cost of performing that
survey.
“We are still in the devel-
opment stages of what ex-
actly we have to do, but
we’re still moving forward
on that,” Ungricht said.
In other business, the
council:
• Heard an update from
business owner Kirby Frink
about the status of the for-
mer gas station in town. He
owns the property on North
Main Street where the tanks
and pumps are located and
said the expiration date of
the “temporary closure” on
the tanks is approaching.
Frink said he’s at the
point of deciding whether
to put the station back into
use or seek an extension of
the temporary closure and
wanted to find out where
the council stood on the
issue.
All councilors and Un-
gricht said they would be
supportive of efforts to
bring a gas station back to
town.
P OLK C OUNTY W ORSHIP D IRECTORY
DALLAS
Calvary Chapel Dallas Currently meeting for
worship and verse by verse Bible teaching at
628 SE Jefferson St. www.calvarydallasor.com
Worship service begins at 10 a.m. on Sunday.
Sunday school is available from youth ministry
and below to nursery. Wednesday evening cafe-
style Old Testament study starting at 6:30 pm.
Come join us for a relaxed study around a cup
of coffee or drink. Mens prayer is Saturday at
7:30 a.m. Womens Bible studies are scheduled
also, call for times. Last Sunday of the month
Jubilee Service, old time hymns and bluegrass
music, 6:30 pm -7:30 pm. Community invited.
The Pastor/Teacher is Larry King. Come join us
and be a part of God's family here in Dallas. For
more information call 503-831-1074.
Church of God of Prophecy New Beginnings
- 575 SW Ash St., (corner of Ash & Stump St.)
Pastor Travis Clemons, 541-671-0375. Bible
Study School 10:00 a.m. Morning Worship
11:00 a.m. We welcome all to come and get ac-
quainted with our Pastor and his wife Christina.
Home Bible Study 6:00 p.m. Sunday. Associate
Pastor Jim Dickason 503-302-9816.
Church of Christ - 691 N.E. Kings Valley Hwy.
Sunday Class 9:30 A.M. Worship Service 10:30
A.M. Sunday Afternoon Service 2:00 P.M.
Thursday evening Bible Study 7:00 P.M. We fol-
low the New Testament Plan of Salvation in be-
coming a Christian and the Pattern of the N. T.
Church. We would be glad to study the Bible
with you and answer any of your questions. We
would like to present a very helpful one hour
overview of the Bible. Call 503-831-4886.
Dallas Alliance Church - 775 E. Ellendale, Dal-
las, 503-623-2265, Email office@dallasal-
liance.org, Lead Pastor Jim Jamieson; and
Youth/Children’s Pastor Lance Baker; Every
Sunday: classes for all ages at 9:15 a.m., Morn-
ing Worship at 10:30 a.m., (Nursery provided for
a.m. services); Tuesdays: Youth Night 7:00 p.m.
in Ediger Hall; Wednesdays: Adult Prayer Meet-
ing 1:00 p.m., Choir practice 6:45 p.m. Call for
info on current Bible Studies. Web: dallasal-
liance.org.
Dallas Church - PO Box 462, Dallas, OR
97338, 503-623-2711. Worship Gatherings:
Sundays 10am. Meeting at 450 SE Washington
St., Dallas OR 97338. Atmosphere is relaxed,
families & children welcome, come as you are,
current music & relevant teaching about Jesus.
Pastor: Ben Bauman. www.dallaschurch.org
Dallas Foursquare Church—Located at 976
SW Hayter St. on the corner of Washington and
Hayter. Worship Service: Sundays at 10am.
Youth Group: Sundays 6pm to 8pm. Pastor:
Darrin Hausler. We are a multi-generational
church with a heart for our community. Our mis-
sion is to Love God and Love People to Extend
His Kingdom. For more info call us at 503-623-
8277 or visit us online at dallasfour.com.
Dallas Presbyterian Church invites you:
Warm, spirit-filled fellowship with traditional
Sunday worship 10:30 am, engaging discus-
sion study groups, prayer "chain" and a loving
spirit.—Adult Sunday School 9 am, men's
breakfasts Tuesdays at 7 am, women's
groups, needle crafts group and Indoor Play
Park (for children with accompanying parent).
Sensitivity to older adult accessibility and
needs. 789 SW Levens, Dallas. 623-3397
dalpreschurch@gmail.com.
Evangelical Bible Church - 1175 S.E. Howe,
Dallas 503-623-2331. Senior Pastor Jerry
Franz, Visitation Pastor Allan Wiebe, Youth Pas-
tor Nathan Ensz. Sunday: Worship *8:00 a.m.;
*10:45 a.m.; *6:00 p.m.; Sunday School 9:30
a.m.; High School Youth Group 7:00 p.m.;
Thursday: Jr. High Youth Group - 7:00 p.m.; 2nd
& 4th Tuesday: MOPS *9:00 a.m.; Wednesday:
AWANA - 6:30 p.m.; Prayer Meeting & Bible
Study 7:00 p.m.; Thursday: Bible Studies *9:00
a.m. & *7:00 p.m. (women); Thursday Group
Bible Study 2:00 p.m. *Nursery care provided.
Faith Evangelical Free Church - 2290 E. El-
lendale Ave., Dallas, 503-623-8034; Interim
Pastor Dennis Beatty, Associate Pastor Ed Sut-
ter, Worship Pastor Ted Kitzmiller, Youth Pastor
Aaron Swank, Ministry of Children & Family
Debbie Davies. Sunday School 9:00 a.m.; Sun-
day Worship 10:30 a.m., Sunday High School
Youth Group 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday Jr. High
Youth Group 7:00 p.m. Please call or visit our
website for information about other meetings.
www.faithfreechurch.org
First Baptist Church - 245 S.W. Church St.,
Dallas, 503-623-5189; www.gofbc.org; Church
Office Hours: Mon - Fri. 10 am - 2:30 pm; Pastor
Rick Bratton 503-551-9561; Sunday School
9:30 a.m., Worship 10:45 a.m., Wednesday
Bible Study 6-7 p.m; Everyone Welcome!
First Christian Church - Joyfully Worshipping &
Serving 1079 S.E. Jefferson Street, Dallas, 503-
623-2569. Pastor Darren Anderson. “Live Wire
Worship” with Praise Team - 8:30 a.m., Adult,
Youth & Children Sunday School - 9:30 a.m.,
Morning Worship - 10:30 a.m. (Nursery pro-
vided), Men’s Bible Study - Thursday, 8:30 a.m.
Christian Women’s Fellowship - 2nd Tuesday,
1:00 pm (Sept through June). Please call church
office for information about other meetings.
Grace Community Church - 598 E. Ellendale
Ave. PO Box 69, Dallas, 503-623-4961. Senior
Pastor-Dave Bertolini, Pastor of Worship & Dis-
cipleship-Ryan Bucher, Pastor of Student Min-
istries-Ben Potloff. Sunday Worship: 1st
Service-9:00 a.m. with Kids, Youth, & Adult Sun-
day School running concurrently. 2nd Worship
Service-10:45 a.m. with Kids Worship running
concurrently. Nursery provided for 0 - 2 year
olds during both services. Office open Tuesday-
Friday for office hours visit our website at
www.graceindallas.org. All are welcome!
Living Hope City Church - 186 SE Mill St.,
Dallas. Family Worship 10:30 am. www.living-
hopecitychurch.org Equipping Center & Offices
186 SE Mill St., Dallas. For more information
call 503-623-6890.
Living Word Faith Fellowship - 830 SE Shel-
ton Street, Dallas, 503-623-9062. Pastor Joan
Siewert. Sunday Worship 10:00 a.m. Wednes-
day Worship 7:00 p.m. Children's Sunday serv-
ice 10:00 a.m., nursery provided. Men’s
fellowship second Saturday of month breakfast
at 8:00 a.m. at Murphy’s Restaurant, Dallas.
Pastor Michael Van Dyke in charge of men's fel-
lowship. Call for additional information. Website:
www.proclaimhim.org
Salt Creek Baptist Church - 15075 Salt Creek
Road, Dallas, 503-623-2976. Senior pastor
David Curtis. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Sunday
morning Worship 10:50 a.m. Nursery provided
for worship services. Classes for all ages.
Wednesday Senior High and Middle School
Youth at 6:30 p.m. Please call for information
about other meetings or visit our website at
www.saltcreekchurch.org.
Seventh-Day Adventist Church - 589 SW
Birch, P.O. Box 450, Dallas 97338-0450. 503-
623-5872. Services on Saturday: 9:30 A.M.
Sabbath School Bible Study for all age groups.
10:50 A.M. Worship Service. Office Hours: Mon-
day, Wednesday, Friday, 9 to Noon. Pastor:
Lary Brown
St. Thomas Episcopal Church – 1486 SW
Levens St., Dallas (at the corner of Levens &
Cherry) 503-623-8522. Email: stthomasdalla-
sor@gmail.com www.stthomasdallasor.org
10 AM worship with Holy Eucharist. Father
Fred Heard. Sunday School and Nursery
Care available during worship. The church
has formally adopted a policy of welcoming
and fully affirming individuals who are les-
bian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT).
The new policy formalizes and expands on
the church’s longstanding tradition of radical
hospitality towards all people regardless of
race or ethnicity, marital status, disability or
socio-economic status. St. Thomas Wel-
comes you—please join us.
Trinity Lutheran Church - 320 SE Fir Villa Rd,
Dallas, 503-623-2233. Pastor - David Pederson.
Adult Sunday School 9:00 a.m. Worship Service
10:00 a.m.; Kids Church during 10:00 a.m. Wor-
ship. Youth Group HS/MS 11:30 a.m. Sundays.
Free Medical Clinic 1st & 4th Saturday of each
month. www.dallastlc.org. Catch us on Facebook.
United Methodist Church – A church with
Open Hearts, Open Minds & Open Doors. 565
SE LaCreole Drive, Dallas, 503-623-2481. Rev.
J. Quinton Kimbrow, Minister. Worship Service
11 a.m. Sunday School for Adults & Youth, 9:30
a.m. Sunday School for Children during worship
service. Child-care available. Handicap access.
All are welcome! Email: dallasumc@qwestof-
fice.net Website: www.sites.umcdallas.com
Valley Life Center (Assemblies of God) -
1795 S.E. Miller Ave., Dallas, 503-623-4116.
Lead Pastor: Chris Barker; Associate Pastor:
Ted Gibson; Children’s Director: Crystal Barker;
Youth Director: Kirk Bathke. Sunday Morning
Service 10:30 a.m., Wednesday Family Night
6:30 p.m. Please call for more information or
visit our website at www.valleylifecenter.com
FALLS CITY
Falls City Christian Church 233 S. Main
Street, Falls City, Oregon 97344, 503-787-3104
Sunday Service: 10 am; www.fallscitycc.com
Falls City United Methodist Church - 242 N.
Main Street, Falls City, 503-851-3213. Pastor
Rebecca Strader. Morning worship Sunday 9:20
am. All denominations are welcome. www.fallsc-
ityumc.org
Mountain Gospel Fellowship - 303 N. Main,
Falls City, 503-787-8037. Sunday School 10:00
a.m., Worship Service 11:00 a.m., Wed. Dinner
6:15 p.m. Everyone welcome just as you are.
Join Us!
Seventh-Day Adventist Church - 205 N. Main,
Falls City 97344, 503-787-3907. Pastor Lary
Brown. Sabbath School Sat. 9:30 am-10:40 am;
Worship Service 11 am. Community Service
Center (Food Bank) third Wed. of each month,
noon-3pm.
INDEPENDENCE
Buena Vista Community Church - 11355
Church St., Buena Vista. Independence. Pastor
Larry Lyon. Morning Worship 11 a.m.
Cornerstone Church of God - 4395 Independ-
ence Hwy, Independence, 503-838-5119. Sun-
day Service 10:30 a.m., Wednesdays 6:30 p.m.
Nursery available.
First Baptist Church - A warm, friendly church
that cares about you! Located at 1505 Mon-
mouth St., Independence (across from Central
High School); 503-838-1001. Senior Pastor
Michael Parks. Sundays: Worship Service 11
am Wednesdays: AWANA 7 pm (during the
school year). Thursdays: Youth Group 6:15pm.
Join us for small groups and life groups through-
out the week. First Baptist Church has min-
istries for children, youth, adults, families and
seniors, throughout the week. Check us out at
www.independencefirstbaptist.com
St. Patrick Parish, Catholic - 1275 E St., Inde-
pendence. 503-838-5801. Father Henry Guillen
Vega Masses Sat., vigil 5 p.m.; Sunday 9:30
a.m. (English), 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. (Spanish);
Weekdays Mon, Tues, Wed, & Thurs. 9am, Sat-
urday 7 p.m. (Spanish). Evergreen Nursing
Home; Holy Days 9 a.m. (Eng) & 7 p.m.
(Eng/Span). Sacrament of Reconciliation: Sat
3:30-4:30 p.m. or by appointment. Religious Ed-
ucation: RCIA Mon 7:00-8:30 p.m.; Mid-High &
High School Grades Mon 7:00-8:30p.m.;
Grades 1-4 Tues. 7:00-8:30 p.m. WOU Campus
Ministry: Mass Sun. 5:00 p.m. at 315 N. Knox
St., Monmouth followed by a social hour.
MONMOUTH
Christ The King Christian Church - Meets at
959 Church St. W., Monmouth 7:00 pm Satur-
day Night. Christ The King Christian Church is
a conservative, contemporary, charismatic Bib-
lical Church. At Christ the King we learn: the
truths of the Bible, how to live Biblical truths,
how to please God, and how to be a blessing to
all people. Come and join us as we learn and
grow together. Everyone is welcome. Wally
Wildman, senior pastor. For more information
call 503-623-2262. www.ctkmonmouth.com
Christ’s Church Methodist & Presbyterian
United - Come care and share with us. 412
Clay Street West, Monmouth, 503-838-1724.
Pastor Rebecca Strader. Worship Service 11
a.m. Call for information on small groups.
Church of Christ - 127 N. Heffley St., Monmouth,
503-838-2360. Minister - Dan Brewer, Youth Min-
ister - Jon Siegrist. Sunday School 9:45 a.m.,
Worship Service 10:45 a.m., Sunday Evening
Service 6 p.m., Wednesday Service 6 p.m.
Faith Lutheran Church – 200 Monmouth-
Independence Hwy., Monmouth (the church
with the lighted cross on the “S” curve).
Pastor Dallas C.R. Dubke. Sunday School
& Adult Bible Class 9:00 am; Divine Service
of Holy Communion 10:30 am. Wednesday
Soup Suppers 6:00 pm followed by Lenten
Worship at 7:00 pm beginning Feb. 10 (Ash
Wednesday), 17, 24, March 2, 9, 16.
Everyone is welcomed! 503-838-3459.
www.FaithLutheranMonmouth.org;
Monmouth Christian Church - 959 Church
Street W, Monmouth, OR 97361; Office: (503)
838-1145; Fax: (503) 838-1162; Email:
mcc@mymcc.cc; Website: mymcc.cc; Lead
Pastor: Sean Bitzer; Pastors: Ulysses Vela, Mary
Weinbender, & Seth Halligan; Sunday Worship
Service: 10 am, English & Spanish; children’s
programming for birth to 6th grades also avail-
able. Momentum (7th & 8th Grades) meet Tues-
days 6:30-8:00 pm MCC; Join us this Sunday in
person or live online at www.mymcc.tv.
New LIFE Ministries – we’re growing in Polk
County! CHILDREN'S CHURCH NOW AVAIL-
ABLE! We are a God-loving, Bible-believing,
non-denominational church body. This church
is a little different, in that it’s not just a church
service, but is all about being a “service church”.
We strive to seek out and serve the needs of
the community. It is our hope that God will use
us to make a difference. Come join us! We
meet at Henry Hill School 750 S. 5th St. in In-
dependence every Sunday morning at 10:00-
11:00 am. Our minister is Marion Seick. Feel
free to call us at (503) 871-5207. Please come
visit and worship with us this Sunday!"
Praise Assembly 189 Monmouth Ave S., Mon-
mouth (locations in McMinnville and Willamina
as well). Our English worship gathering is 11 am
on Sundays, followed by a Spanish service at 2
pm. Kid’s church available for 12 and under.
Youth group meets at 9:30 Sunday morning.
Other ministries include: Celebrate Recovery
(Tues, 7 pm), College Bible study (Wed, 7 pm),
and Spanish Bible study (Thurs, 7 pm). Please
check our website for the most up-to-date infor-
mation, www.praiseonline.net, or call us at 503-
837-0300.
St. Hilda's Episcopal Church 245 Main St. W.,
Monmouth, 503-838-6087, sthildas church.org
Sunday Eucharist - 10:00 am followed by Fellow-
ship. Children's Sunday School & Adult Bible Study
9:00 am. Wednesday Worship at 8:00 am and
7:00 pm. Nursery care provided. Call for periodic
small groups and celebrations. All are welcome!
Call 503-623-2373
to be added to this directory.