Polk County News
Polk County Itemizer-Observer • September 28, 2016 5A
Suicide prevention efforts grow Wagner funding
By Emily Mentzer
The Itemizer-Observer
MONMOUTH — About
50 people from different
service organizations sat
around the table on Sept. 14,
a group dedicated to cutting
through red tape to get serv-
ices to those in need as
quickly as possible.
A man doesn’t have his
birth certificate, and needs it
to get his life back on track.
He doesn’t have the $50 re-
quired to purchase a copy.
Can anyone help?
In just a few minutes, the
problem is solved.
It’s the Monmouth-Inde-
pendence Service Integra-
t i o n Te a m , o r g a n i z e d
through the Polk County
Health Department.
Teams similar to this meet
monthly throughout Polk
County, a melding of minds
and services, annihilating
the government service silo
model.
At this meeting, Doug
Gouge presented on the
Mid-Valley Suicide Preven-
tion Coalition, a relatively
new resource to the coun-
ty — less than a year old.
The coalition was formed
to address suicide and de-
pression, the eighth leading
cause of death overall in
Oregon, and the second
leading cause of death for
those aged 10 to 34.
Gouge said the increase of
kids in middle school and
high school considering sui-
cide is what sparked the
need for more prevention ef-
forts.
He started with student
surveys, paying close atten-
tion to three questions
about depression and sui-
cide.
“The second question is,
‘did you ever seriously con-
sider attempting suicide,”
Gouge said. “We saw a rise
over the 2011-12 and 2013-
14 school years.”
Eighth-graders reported a
jump in answering ‘yes’ to
this question: 10 percent in
2011-12, up to 17.5 percent
in 2013-14, Gouge said.
When it came to the ques-
tion about actually attempt-
ing suicide, that’s where the
numbers got really concern-
ing, he said.
“It was at 5 percent in
2011-12,” Gouge said. “It was
10.5 percent of 11th-graders
in 2013-14. We don’t know
what that means in their
mind, but that was concern-
ing.”
Efforts to increase aware-
ness and prevention have
spread through training ses-
sions — including at Central
High School, where students
in the leadership class
learned QPR training: ques-
tion, persuade, and refer.
“We feel like we can train
anyone 13 years or older in
QPR,” Gouge said.
The QPR training is free
and takes about an hour or
two, Gouge said.
“We trained 16 facilitators
in Polk County. Four school
counselors in this room
right now are trained as QPR
to target staff and students,”
he said.
Another suicide preven-
tion training, ASIST, is more
expensive and time-con-
suming — a two-day semi-
nar that costs $70.
The coalition has also
done community outreach,
from a high-school video
contest to a website and a
presence on social media
with the hashtag #OK2ASK.
The next QPR training is
Oct. 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. at
the Henry Hill Education
Support Center.
For more information on
suicide and suicide preven-
tion: mvsuicidepreven-
tion.org.
For more information
about the service integration
teams: www.co.polk.or.us/-
fco.
Dallas Fire plans going away for chaplain
Itemizer-Observer staff report
DALLAS — Dallas Fire &
EMS firefighter and chaplain
Dave Pederson will be step-
ping down after 29 years of
service to the department.
Fire & EMS is hosting a
going away party of Peder-
son on Tuesday at the Dallas
Fire Station, 915 SE Shelton
St., at 6:30 p.m. Pederson is
moving to Colorado to be
closer to his family and
grandkids.
During his tenure as
chaplain, Pederson also has
worked with law enforce-
ment during times of need
and served the community
on the Dallas High School
Booster Club. Pederson is
the pastor of Trinity Luther-
an Church, which will hold a
separate going away cele-
bration for its congregation.
All are invited to attend.
For more information: 503-
831-3533.
HEALTH DIRECTORY
AUDIOLOGY
GENERAL DENTISTRY
Trust your hearing to those that specialize in hearing
and hearing related disorders. Evan L. Evans, Ph. D,
and Julie B. Evans, AuD are both doctoral level Audi-
ologists who have the knowledge, experience and
compassion to provide you with the best care for your
hearing health. We offer free hearing screenings; by
our hearing aid specialist. We offer full & complete di-
agnostic evaluations, counseling and recommenda-
tions by our clinical Audiologists. Other Audiological
services include testing, management and treatment
options for Tinnitus. We have the knowledge and ex-
perience to assist your physician with the diagnosis of
diseases and disorders pertaining to hearing and the
hearing mechanism. We offer wax removal or cerumen
management, Tinnitus testing and Tinnitus manage-
ment techniques. An Audiologist, having the Audiol-
ogy credentials of the American Academy of Audiology
(F-AAA) and the The American Speech Hearing and
Language Association’s Certificate of Clinical Compe-
tency (CCC-A) is the professional of choice for any-
thing related to hearing and or hearing related issues.
Serving our hearing impaired since 1980, with two lo-
cations to serve you.
Audiology Associates
1343-A Monmouth St., Independence • 503-838-3001
2296 NW Kings Blvd, Corvallis • 541-757-2500
• RANDALL C. JONES, DMD - 1004 Monmouth St., In-
dependence, OR 503-838-0434. Offering a broad
range of dental services in a relaxed and comfortable
atmosphere. New patients and emergencies welcome.
CHIROPRACTIC
• JOYNT FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC - Dr. Brian Joynt,
DC - 629 Clay Street East, Monmouth, OR 97361
Family-oriented chiropractic clinic, dedicated to cre-
ating an unparalleled experience of service, quality
and care by teaching the true principles of chiroprac-
tic. We look forward to empowering each of you to
help your family participate more fully in life. New pa-
tients welcome. Accept most insurance. Auto/per-
sonal injury and work comp. Massage therapist on
site. Complimentary consultations. Call us today to
make your appointment (503) 837-0550.
• THORNTON CHIROPRACTIC - Drs. Sharon and
Marty Thornton - Palmer Graduates - We care, God
cures. 1650 Monmouth St., Independence, OR 97351
• 503-838-3346. Office hours: Mon-Fri 8-noon & 2-6
pm. Thurs 2-6pm. Proudly serving Polk County for
over 17 years. Offering Thompson Drop and other
hands-on techniques, as well as Advanced Activator
Methods and Functional Neurology. We provide gentle
and effective full-spine and extremity adjusting for all
ages in a loving and caring environment. We are ac-
cepting new patients for Family Wellness Care,
Medicare, Auto or personal injury & Workers Comp. Li-
censed Massage Therapy available on site.
COUNSELING
• CROSS AND CROWN COUNSELING ~ KATE KOENS,
NCCA Licensed Clinical Christian Counselor and Cer-
tified Temperament Therapist is accepting new clients
at her Dallas and Falls City offices. She works with in-
dividuals in a safe environment to help individuals
find healing and fulfillment by teaching good com-
munication skills, appreciation for self and others, ap-
propriate responses to individual and family needs,
how to build relationships of trust, appropriate crisis
responses, and how to obtain overall family wellness
emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Some specific
areas of counsel offered are marriage and family, ado-
lescent issues, depression, past and present trauma,
grief, identity crisis, divorce, childhood losses, and
feelings of hopelessness. Our goal is to help individu-
als realize their full potential and to live decisively
with truth, relevance, perspective and purpose. For
more information or to schedule an appointment
please call 503-917-1625 or visit our website:
www.crossand crowncounseling.com
• WESTON K. MORRILL, DMD - 289 E. Ellendale Suite
#201, Dallas. 503-623-6616. Family, preventive, and
cosmetic dentistry. Complete dentistry for the entire
family. Se habla español.
• DR. MICHELLE HASBROOK, DMD - 120 N. Atwater,
Monmouth, OR 503-838-2998. Providing all phases of
dental care for children and adults. We welcome new
patients!
• KENNETH WINOKUR, DMD - 329 South Main Street
Independence, OR 97351. 503-838-1633. High quality
service with your comfort in mind. Nitrous oxide gas
sedation available. www.independencedental.org
GYNECOLOGY SERVICES
Gynecological care is available in Dallas at the Salem
Health West Valley Specialty Clinic. Gynecologist Keita
Sakon, MD, specializes in gynecology exams and pro-
cedures, including hysteroscopy and laparoscopy, as
well as family planning, abnormal Pap evaluation,
treatment of pelvic pain, symptom control for
menopause and abnormal periods. Dr. Sakon works in
Dallas on Friday afternoons from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.
seeing patients at the clinic and performing gynecol-
ogical procedures in the Salem Health West Valley sur-
gical suites. New patients are welcome! Salem Health
West Valley Specialty Clinic is located at 591 SE Clay
St., Dallas. Call 503-831-0784 for an appointment. Visit
salemhealth.org/westvalley.
HEARING HEALTH
• JOYFUL SOUND HEARING SERVICES, INC. Mark
Sturtevant, 312 Main Street, Dallas OR, 503-623-0290.
Providing Polk County with hearing solutions for 30
years. Services include: Hearing evaluations, Diagnos-
ing hearing loss; Impedance; Fitting all types of hear-
ing devices, Servicing all makes and models of hearing
aids; Ear inspections; Wax removal; Hearing protec-
tion. Hours: Monday - Thursday 9-4pm. (Fridays by
appointment only)
IMAGING SERVICES
• SALEM HEALTH WEST VALLEY offers state-of-the-
art all-digital diagnostic imaging services. With your
physician's referral, we provide bone densitometry, CT
scan, fluoroscopy, mammography, ultrasound, X-ray
and MRI services. Check out our comfortable and spa-
cious mammography suite. We are located at 525 SE
Washington St., Dallas, 503-623-7302.
LABORATORY SERVICES
• SALEM HEALTH WEST VALLEY provides lab services
at two convenient locations in Dallas and Monmouth.
Both labs are fully accredited, providing collections
and testing with healthcare provider referral. Employ-
ment and self-referral drug testing is offered. The West
Valley Hospital lab in Dallas is open 24 hours, seven
days a week, at 525 SE Washington St., 503-623-7303.
The Monmouth lab is located in the Monmouth Med-
ical Center, 512 Main St., Suite 300, 503-838-1388. It is
open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., closed be-
tween noon and 1 p.m. Appointments are not required.
MASSAGE
• OUT OF GRAVITY MASSAGE - Julianne Klingberg
DeForest, LMT - 503.510.2256 - NOW IN INDEPEND-
ENCE Enter Stressed, Leave Blessed - Out of Gravity
Massage offers massage sessions to suit a variety of
needs and health concerns. Intuitive and holistic
bodywork are blended with extensive and varied edu-
options discussed
By Jolene Guzman
The Itemizer-Observer
FALLS CITY — The city
and school district in Falls
City are investigating the
pros and cons of options to
keep the Wagner Commu-
nity Library open.
During a joint meeting
Sept. 19, the Falls City City
Council and Falls City
School Board discussed the
possibility of forming a li-
brary district or seeking a
local option levy. Both
would require voter ap-
proval.
A district would ask vot-
ers to approve a permanent
property tax rate that would
support library operations.
A local option levy asks vot-
ers for a temporary proper-
ty tax increase and would
have to be renewed.
Falls City Schools Superin-
tendent Jack Thompson said
he favored the permanent
solution a district provides
over a local option levy.
“My fear with a local op-
tion is that a local option
has to be renewed. I think
my thought process would
be is this should be a per-
manent district,” Thomp-
son said.
Bob Young, a member of
the school board, also said a
district is the best solution.
“I think that would be the
way to permanently fund it.
Where you are not always
asking the school district or
the city to help pass another
levy, bond, whatever you
call it, to help keep the thing
afloat,” he said.
Falls City Mayor Terry
Ungricht said forming a
district would require creat-
ing a governing board.
“Which is all doable, but
then they become another
layer of government,” he
said.
Library Director Andy
Rommel said he spoke with
Polk County Assessor Doug
Schmidt about funding op-
tions. Schmidt would be will-
ing to meet with the board
and council later this fall to
explain options, he said.
Jami Kidd, the school
board chairwoman, said
nothing will be decided
about which direction to go
until after the meeting with
Schmidt.
“Right now we are hop-
ing to look at as many op-
tions as we have available
and become educated
about what those would
look like down the road,”
she said.
Call the Itemizer-Observer at 503-623-2373
to have your business listed in this directory.
cation, creating a caring and knowledgeable environ-
ment of healing. Also, with a prescription and a claim
number, up to a year's therapeutic massage sessions
will help in your rehabilitation from a motor vehicle
accident. Relaxation, well care, geriatric and pediatric
massage is available, as well as motor vehicle accident
rehabilitation. Infant massage instructional sessions
available. Call today for an appointment. 503-510-
2256 OR # 7627/ National #295187-00
ORTHODONTICS
• YENNE & SCHOFIELD - SPECIALISTS IN ORTHO-
DONTICS - 580 Main Street, Suite E, Dallas, 503-623-
5002. Providing Polk County with orthodontic care for
children and adults for functions and cosmetics. Open
Tuesdays & Thursdays.
PHYSICAL THERAPY/
REHABILITATION SERVICES
• PINNACLE PHYSICAL THERAPY is an orthopedic
physical therapy facility committed to getting great re-
sults for each patient. We focus on advanced spine
care, women's health issues, sport rehab, vehicle acci-
dents, and work injuries. We offer highly specialized
care including manual therapy, aquatic therapy, spe-
cific deep tissue mobilization techniques, Postural
Restoration Institute (PRI) techniques and therapeutic
exercise. We have a warm, caring and friendly staff
and accept most private health insurance, auto insur-
ance, and workers' compensation insurance. We offer
both male and female physical therapists. Often no
physician referral is needed to start care. Call us today
and ask how to get therapy for your condition or talk
to your physician to see if physical therapy is right for
you. Call us: 503-623-2433. We are conveniently lo-
cated at 210 W. Ellendale Avenue Dallas, Oregon
97338; (next to Taco Bell) Check us out on the web:
www.pinnacle-physicaltherapy.com
• SALEM HEALTH WEST VALLEY offers a wide range of
rehabilitation services. Our hospital in Dallas, located at
525 SE Washington St. in Dallas, offers physical therapy,
occupational therapy, speech therapy and aquatic
therapy (at Dallas Aquatic Center). 503-623-7305. Our
clinic in Monmouth offers physical therapy, occupa-
tional therapy and speech therapy. Located at 512 Main
St. 503-838-1388. Visit www.salemhealth.org/westvalley.
PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS
• DR. CHARLES ESSEX, family medicine, is accepting
new patients at Salem Health West Valley Medical
Clinic, located at 512 Main St., Suite 300, Monmouth,
503-838-1182. With a proactive healthcare approach,
Dr. Essex provides care for the entire family and will
work with you to build a healthy lifestyle with annual
exams, immunizations, lifestyle counseling, sports
physicals, skin care, cancer screenings and more. New
patients are welcome.
• DR. JOHN HADLEY, family medicine, is accepting
new patients at the Salem Health West Valley Medical
Clinic at 555 SE Washington St., Dallas, 503-623-7301.
With a proactive healthcare approach, Dr. Hadley pro-
vides offers family medicine for your entire family from
newborns to adults with annual exams, immunizations,
lifestyle counseling, sports physicals, skin care, cancer
screenings and more. New patients are welcome.
SHAMANIC HEALER
• MARIAN SIMON, MA Shamanic healer and coun-
selor specializing in spiritual healing and development
since 1994. If you are ready to open your heart, expand
your mind, understand your soul’s purpose in life and
solve problems from a spiritual perspective, I can pro-
vide you with shamanic tools to empower your life.
503-831-0158. simonart@teleport.com http://marian-
simon.com