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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 14, 2016)
Polk County News 2A Polk County Itemizer-Observer • December 14, 2016 Falls City searches for code solution DEADLINES NEWS DEADLINES For inclusion in the Wednesday edition of the Itemizer-Observer: Social news (weddings, engagements, anniver- saries, births, milestones) — 5 p.m. on Thursday. Community events — noon on Friday for both the Community notebook and Community Calendar. Letters to the editor — 10 a.m. on monday. Obituaries — 4 p.m. on monday. By Jolene Guzman The Itemizer-Observer FALLS CITY — The city of Falls City is zeroing in on a code enforcement solution. Mayor Terry Ungricht said a Western Oregon University professor and student team are going to help with re- searching and building a plan to have the Falls City City Council judge cases. The only roadblock at this point is finding a qualified officer. Ungricht has had little luck get- ting in contact with the Oregon Code Enforcement Asso- ciation, but may soon meet with the city’s former officer. “I feel we have a plan in place if I can find a code en- forcement officer,” Ungricht said at Thursday’s council meeting. Falls City may have potentially good news on code en- forcement, but received a disappointing response to its application for sewer system improvements. “We were declined,” Ungricht said. He said Community Development Block Grant admin- istrators said it was a strong application and encouraged the city to try again in March. In the meantime, Ungricht will research grant and low-interest loan options to cover the $800,000 in project costs not paid for by the $2.5 mil- lion CDBG grant. In other business, the council: • Applied for a grant to purchase 10 “self-contained breathing apparatus” units for the Falls City Fire Depart- ment. The cost of the equipment is $69,500. The city will provide 5 percent, or $3,311. ADVERTISING DEADLINES Retail display ads — 3 p.m. Friday. Classified display ads — 11 a.m. on monday. Classified line ads — noon on monday. Classified ads are updated daily on www.polkio.com. Public notices — noon on Friday. lUKAS EGGEn/ Itemizer-Observer Jaysen Ridout brings a taste of Hawaii to Independence through his new restaurant. Restaurant brings ‘hearty’ Hawaiian delights to Indy By Lukas Eggen The Itemizer-Observer INDEPENDENCE — When owners Jaysen and Sylvia Ridout opened their doors to the Keeaumoku Hawaiian Grill, located at 268 S. Main St., Independ- ence, on Dec. 3, they expect- ed a chance to settle in. “We were actually think- ing we were going to have a soft opening and get the kinks out in the kitchen,” Ridout said. But word spread through- out the community and Keeaumoku’s “soft opening” turned into the talk of the town. “We were really unpre- pared for that,” Jaysen said. “Word spread, and we didn’t even post anything on social media or pass out fliers.” There’s good reason the community has been chomping at the bit. The Ridouts previously ran the Pandan Leaf food cart out of Salem. “We were doing Filipino Aloha What: Keeaumoku Hawaiian Grill. Where: 268 S. main St., Independence. Hours: Tuesdays through Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Of note: Owners Jaysen and Sylvia ridout bring Hawai- ian flavors to Independence. For more information: 503-420-6695. fusion food,” he said. “It had Vietnamese, Korean and Hawaiian influences, but we wanted to make that transi- tion to a restaurant.” Food is more than Rid- out’s profession. It’s helped him become closer to family. Growing up, Ridout’s fa- ther wasn’t a part of his life, but thanks to a shared pas- sion for food, the two be- came closer when he was 16. “The way we got recon- nected was basically through food,” Ridout said. “He would tell me his dreams and his passion about owning a restaurant.” Keeaumoku is a realiza- tion of both their dreams. “I would say people can expect a really hearty plate,” Ridout said. “Hawaiian food is known for that. We want to offer really hearty plates at affordable prices.” Independence was always high on the Ridouts’ list of places to make a family dream come true. CORRECTIONS The Polk County Itemizer- Observer is committed to pub- lishing accurate news, feature and sports reports. If you see anything that requires a cor- rection or clarification, call the newsroom at 503-623-2373 or send an email to ementzer@polkio.com. WEBSITE The Polk County Itemizer- Observer website, www.polkio.com, is updat- ed each week by Wednes- day afternoon. There, you will find nearly every story that appears in the print version of the newspaper, as well as some items, in- cluding additional photos, that do not appear in print due to space limitations. The Itemizer-Observer is also on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Watch for breaking news, links to sto- ries, sports scores updates and more. “It has this really cool small-town atmosphere,” Ridout said. “This seemed like one of the best spots to open a restaurant in, and then this spot became avail- able. It was a bit like fate.” The Ridouts are open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., but are considering expanding to Sunday mornings, as well as trying a breakfast menu. As for an official grand RECORDED HIGH LOW RAIN opening? Dec. 6................. 40 29 .08 “I think it’s probably too Dec. 7................. 39 29 .00 late for that,” Jaysen said, Dec. 8................. 34 30 .47 smiling. Dec. 9................. 49 33 .52 For now, Jaysen and Sylvia Dec. 10.............. 50 33 .36 are having to work out the Dec. 11.............. 49 42 .67 kinks on the fly because Dec. 12.............. 49 32 .00 Keeaumoku is quickly be- rainfall during Dec. — 3.01 in. coming a popular spot for rain through Dec. 12 — 44.86 in. locals. “We are, in a way, living o u t m y d a d’s yo u n g e r dreams of opening a restau- rant,” Ridout said. “We didn’t expect the community to be this welcoming. That was re- DAllAS — Dallas Public li- ally cool. We’re really here to brary, 950 main St., Dallas, will feature a selection of photo- serve people great food.” graphs by Peter Celich. Celich rediscovered a pas- sion for photography while traveling the world during the last few years. Celich’s photography will be on display through December. For more information: 503- 623-2633. WEATHER Library to feature Peter Celich Sign up in December and receive a FREE One Hour Personal Training Session ALL Memberships includes fitness classes Insurance Memberships Available Expires 12/31/2016 165 E Main St, Monmouth Pencil us in! www.polkio.com www.monmouthfit.com Offers expire Dec. 31, 2016 (Across the street from the courthouse)
