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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (June 29, 2016)
MOVIES AND MUSIC AT THE PARK POLK COUNTY SPECIAL Page 7A Volume 141, Issue 26 OLYMPICS www.Polkio.com Page 11A June 29, 2016 $1.00 Falls City joins the party IN YOUR TOWN DallaS new business offers music lessons. »Page 3a FallS City By Jolene Guzman City council, school board to discuss future of Wagner library. The Itemizer-Observer FALLS CITY — Falls City will have an Independence Day celebration after all, except it will be on July 2 instead of the traditional date of July 3. The Boondocks co- owner Laura Britton jumped in at the last minute to coordinate a pa- rade and community potluck starting at noon. “The city needed some- one to step up to do it, and no one was stepping up, so I decided to do it,” Britton said. The parade will follow the same route as in previ- ous years and will disperse at North Main and Bridge streets. The Boondocks has ap- plications available for those who want to partici- pate in the parade. At 1 p.m., Falls City resi- dents are invited to a potluck at Fay Wilson Park, aka Lower Park, along the Little Luckiamute River. The Boondocks and the city of Falls City are provid- ing hot dogs, hamburgers and cotton candy. Resi- dents are asked to bring a dish to share. The grill master for the afternoon is Falls City Mayor Terry Ungricht. At 2 p.m., Britton will present a trophy to the best in show parade entry. Falls City’s annual Third of July activities were can- celed this year, as the fire department didn’t have the funds to put on the fire- works show. See FallS City, Page 6a »Page 2a iNDEPENDENCE Chamber ambassa- dor program provides fun networking. JOlEnE GuzMan/Itemizer-Observer Using fireworks inappropriately can lead to increase risks of fire or injuries. MoNMoUth SAFETY FIRST Monmouth Fitness has new ownership and same feel. »Page 6a Follow instructions on fireworks to avoid injury, fire By Jolene Guzman Did you know? The Itemizer-Observer DALLAS — Mateasa Bathky saw it happen right outside the TNT fireworks stand in the Anytime Fitness parking lot off East Ellendale in Dallas. Customers decided to put on a fireworks show in the parking lot, thinking it was a big and safe enough area. It would have been, ex- cept for one detail: the dry grass bordering the parking lot. A spark from one of the fountain fireworks flew into the grass and lit it on fire. “All it took was a tiny spark, even though they were 10 feet away from the grass,” she said. “Fountain” fireworks — those that send a cascade of colorful sparks in the air — estimate the height and dis- tance the sparks will travel on the box. Bathky advises • In 2015, there were 227 reported fireworks-related fires in Oregon, resulting in 28 injuries and more than $423,000 in property damage. • During 2011 through 2015, there were 924 reported fireworks-related fires in Oregon resulting in one death, 161 civilian injuries, and more than $2.7 million in property damage. For more information: www.oregon.gov/OSP/ SFM/pages/licensing_fireworks_home.aspx#Education- al_Materials. — Source: Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office people to leave a little extra room just to be safe. “They always go higher than it says,” she said. Bathky’s story is a good reminder of how easily a July Fourth tradition can turn from fun to flammable. She said people should read directions on fireworks carefully and not be tempt- ed to improvise. Bathky said more than a few customers have as- sumed the stick on “rocket” fireworks is a handle, like that on sparklers. “It (the directions) clearly says ‘stick in the ground,’” she said. “But people say, ‘There’s a giant stick. It must be for me to hold.’” No, it isn’t, Bathky said, and if used that way, the re- sult would be painful as the rocket fires sparks from the top and bottom. Bathky added it’s good to keep a source of water around in case something does go awry. The Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office (OSFM) agrees, and offers an easy- to-remember four-step fire- works safety checklist, “The Four B’s.” • Be prepared before light- ing fireworks: Keep water available by using a garden hose or bucket. • Be safe when lighting fireworks: Keep children and pets away from fireworks. • Be responsible after lighting fireworks: Never re- light a dud. Wait 15 to 20 minutes then soak it in a bucket of water before dis- posal. • Be aware: Use only legal fireworks and use them only in legal places. OSFM officials also warn people to keep their celebra- tions legal. See FirEworKS, Page 5a Get ready for a birthday bash, America By Emily Mentzer Inside ... See Section C The Itemizer-Observer POLK COUNTY — The smell of freshly spun cotton candy, roasting corn, sun- screen and sulfur can only mean one thing: It’s time to celebrate America’s birthday, and nobody does it better than Polk County. Whether you prefer a more laid-back atmosphere or the excitement of adrena- line-rushing carnival rides, one of our cities will have something for you. Celebrations kick off Fri- day night in Independence Riverview Park with a show- ing of “Jurassic World.” Many food trucks also will be open Friday night, so grab a blan- ket and get ready to enjoy a THE NEXT 7 DAYS PLANNING FOR YOUR WEEK »Page 2a For a complete schedule of all the Fourth of July cele- brations in Dallas, Independ- ence and Monmouth. alcohol, fireworks and pets are not allowed in Inde- pendence Riverview Park during Western Days. Please leave those things home. dinosaur movie of epic pro- portions — picnic optional. Don’t forget to brave the carnival rides on Friday for only $1. Saturday, festivities con- tinue in Independence with the annual Hometown Cele- bration, a time set aside for locals to come out and enjoy the parks — and an evening fireworks display — without fighting the crowds of tens of thousands that gather there for the Fourth. Monmouth’s new Art in the Park festivities open at noon, with a Community Art Show at its new home in the fire hall across from Main Street Park on Warren Street, and arts and crafts for children. Three bands will take the new stage at the amphithe- ater at Main Street Park throughout the day on Sat- urday, all locals. Sunday, you’ll have a choice between Monmouth and Independence. With the cities so close together, it isn’t difficult to explore all they have to offer. Church services will open the festi- vals in both locales, followed by concerts and activities. In Monmouth, the Willamette Valley Concert Band will play its patriotic concert Sunday night. In In- dependence, the band Ro- mance will fill the air with Latino beats. The evening wraps up in Independence with a show- ing of “McFarland, USA.” Fortunately, Falls City res- idents pulled together at the last minute and will host a parade on Saturday. Monday, something is going on in Dallas, Inde- pendence and Monmouth. From the Polk County Firefighters Breakfast in Independence, to the Mini Marathon in Monmouth, followed by the children’s parade and the start of the Monmouth Independence Rotary Grand Parade — which finishes at R i ve r v i e w Pa rk — t h e morning is packed full with events. See FoUrth, Page 6a SPortS Central junior dies in swimming accident. »Page 11a PolK CoUNty County remains on watch list for state. »Page 3a Dallas puts out fire quickly itemizer-observer staff report DallaS — Dallas Fire extinguished a house fire on Monday morning in less than 15 minutes. Responders received a call at 9:59 a.m. on reports of a fire in the 1500 block of Hill Street. all occupants in the house evacuated prior to firefighters’ arrival. Once on scene, respon- ders extinguished the small kitchen fire, and the occupants were able to re- turn home. The cause was a sus- pected cooking fire, ac- cording to april Welsh of the Dallas Fire Depart- ment. “We would urge people to just be careful of the placement of items in your kitchen next to your stove top and to make sure burn- ers are turned off,” Welsh said. Working smoke detec- tors are also key in being alerted to a fire and a per- son’s ability to evacuate safely, Welsh said. “This home’s smoke detectors were active,” she said. “They did their job and alerted people. Checking smoke detec- tors on a regular basis and replacing the batter- ies as needed is impor- tant. Working smoke de- tectors save lives.” wed thu fri sat sun mon tue looking to tap into your artistic side? Check out Painting, Canvas and Cock- tails at The Boon- docks in Falls City. 7 p.m. $30. Find your latest treasure at the Polk County Bounty Mar- ket on the academy Building lawn. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. let the Fourth of July fun begin! Check out a free showing of “Jurassic World” at Riverview Park. 9:30 p.m. Free. looking to avoid the Independence Day crowds? Check out the Hometown Cel- ebration fireworks display. 10 p.m. The Willamette Val- ley Concert Band performs at the am- phitheater in Mon- mouth for a fun patriotic concert. 6:30 p.m. Free. Happy birthday, america! Dallas, In- dependence and Monmouth all offer Fourth of July festiv- ities all day long. See Section C. Feeling generous? You can donate blood at the ameri- can Red Cross blood drive at Western Oregon. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunny Hi: 80 Lo: 52 Sunny Hi: 79 Lo: 51 Sunny Hi: 79 Lo: 54 Mostly sunny Hi: 75 Lo: 53 Mostly sunny Hi: 76 Lo: 52 Sunny Hi: 78 Lo: 51 Sunny Hi: 80 Lo: 53
