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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 28, 2016)
MAKE 2017 THE YEAR OF RICHEY TAKES THE LEAD PREPAREDNESS BASKETBALL Page 8A Page 10A Volume 141, Issue 52 www.Polkio.com $1.00 December 28, 2016 IN YOUR TOWN dALLAS Barb Buchan named Distinguished Educator. »Page 5A FALLS CITY Water rates to in- crease for residents of Green Haven RV Park. »Page 12A LUKAS EGGEN/ Itemizer-Observer Monmouth Inde- pendence Networks finds stability in spite of debt shortfalls. Tiffanie Bowles, assistant director at the food pantry at Western Oregon, and volunteer Sabbrenna Bowles help run the food pantry. Facing HUNGER »Page 6A MONMOUTH Students struggle, not knowing where their next meal is coming from By Lukas Eggen The Itemizer-Observer MONMOUTH — The hunger is bad enough to deal with, but the stress may be worse. Western Oregon Universi- ty junior Tiffanie Bowles knows this firsthand. “I’ve had to use churches and food pantries my whole life,” Bowles said. “I know what it’s like to not know where my next meal is com- ing from.” Bowles, the first in her family to attend college, ar- rived at Western Oregon ex- cited before a harsh reality set in. “I was barely eating three meals a day and my (meal) p l a n w a s g o i n g d ow n quick,” Bowles said. “That wasn’t with me buying snacks or going out or any- thing. That was just me try- ing to feed myself break- fast, lunch and dinner. … Around dead week and fi- nals week, I was like, oh my gosh, I have no money left LUKAS EGGEN/ Itemizer-Observer A 2014 study found that more than half of WOU students experienced food insecurity. on my meal card.” With the biggest tests of her young collegiate career looming, Bowles also had to find new ways to get food. Luckily, Bowles knew about WOU’s food pantry. But Bowles, who is now the associate director at the food pantry, knows food in- security hasn’t gone away and remains a big issue at Western. — A 2014 study by Oregon State University found that 59 percent of students at WOU suffered from food in- security — defined as having limited or uncertain avail- ability of nutritionally ade- quate and safe foods, and the ability to acquire such food in acceptable ways. Rebecca Hardgrave, direc- tor of the food pantry at WOU, said that number is likely higher thanks to a di- verse student population and rising costs. “The cost of education is rising, debt levels are rising, and many people work two or even three jobs to get through school,” Hardgrave said. No matter the reason, food insecurity can nega- tively impact a student’s health and performance. See FOOd, Page 5A County considers facilties bond for May ballot By Jolene Guzman How would it be spent? The Itemizer-Observer DALLAS — The Polk County Board of Commis- sioners will decide in early January whether to move forward on a possible 10- year, $10 million facilities maintenance bond. Greg Hansen, county ad- ministrator, made the rec- ommendation to place the bond on the May 2017 bal- lot. If approved, it would cost an average of 20 cents per $1,000 of assessed value on properties. The bond would be used for improvements to existing buildings only, not new con- struction. “We need to make a deci- sion the first or second week in January,” Hansen said. THE NEXT 7 DAYS PLANNING FOR YOUR WEEK Courthouse complex — $6.65 million Polk County Fairgrounds — $1.5 million Polk County Jail — $500,000 Equipment and furniture — $450,000 Public Works — $400,000 Academy Building — $200,000 Contingency — $300,000 Total — $10 million He said the board would consider the matter further at either its Jan. 4, 2017, or Jan. 11, 2017, meeting. Those meetings begin a 9 a.m. at the Polk County Courthouse conference room, 850 Main St., Dallas. If the board approves moving forward, it would schedule a hearing to take comments from the public on the proposal for Feb. 15, 2017, at 9 a.m. Open-house meetings are slated prior to that hearing. The board would make its final decision on the bond on March 1, 2017. The dead- line to file it with the county clerk is March 16, 2017. A recent study identified more than $8.5 million in needed improvements at the county buildings, including the Polk County Courthouse complex on Main Street in Dallas, the Polk County Jail, and Polk County Fair- grounds in Rickreall. The study didn’t include needs at the Academy Build- ing, which had a significant upgrade five years ago, and public works facilities. “Not having adequate fund to address these main- tenance needs with the county operating budget, it is necessary to look at fund- ing options to finance these needs prior to them escalat- ing in cost substantially,” Hansen wrote in a memo to the board. Recommended improve- ments include: new roofs at the courthouse and jail; ex- terior repairs on the court- house; parking lot improve- ments at the courthouse, fairgrounds and the Acade- my Building; main building renovation at the fair- grounds; HVAC upgrades and window replacement at INdEPENdENCE the courthouse; ADA up- grades at the courthouse and fairgrounds; asbestos abatement; basic restoration of the old courthouse build- ing; seismic upgrades; and emergency generator and security upgrades. Taxpayers finished paying off the county’s road bond this year, which amounted to 51 cents per $1,000 as- sessed value. That bond was approved in 2006. Hansen said he recom- mended using $1.4 million to pay off the remainder of the Academy Building reno- vation, but the board pre- ferred to use that money for upgrades at the courthouse complex. The county will continue to make regular payments on the Academy Building balance. Mayor John Oberst steps down after 10 years. »Page 3A SPORTS Central’s Grace Hol- stad ready to swim to victory. »Page 10A Three arrested after chase Itemizer-Observer staff report MONMOUTH — On Sat- urday at about 1:10 a.m., Monmouth Police Officer Alaster Graham noticed a vehicle travelling at high speeds west on Hoffman Road from Glazemeadow Street. The vehicle, a black BMW, turned north onto Highway 99W. The car continued north at a high rate of speed. Graham attempted to initiate a traffic stop. The vehicle slowed and pulled to the shoulder before ac- celerating northbound. The driver attempted to turn east onto Clow Cor- ner Road, but was unable to navigate the turn and went into a ditch. Deverick Thomas, 37, of Dallas, was charged with a warrant for probation vio- lation and conspiracy to attempt to elude a police officer. Brandon Parker, 35, of Independence, was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm (concealed), possession of heroin, and supplying contraband. Amy Montgomery, 36, of Sheridan, was charged with attempting to elude a police officer, driving while suspended, reckless driving, two counts of reckless endangering, and possession of metham- phetamine. The suspects were not injured, and were lodged at Polk County Jail without incident. wed thu fri sat sun mon tue Helping Hands Emergency Food Bank provides for el- igible families at Monmouth Chris- tian Church. 10 a.m.-noon. Free. James2 Community Kitchen feeds all who are hungry at Dallas United Methodist Church. 4:30 p.m. Free. Taking your tree down? Dallas Mat Club will recycle it tomorrow at LaCre- ole Middle School. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. By donation. As you make your way to New Year’s celebrations tonight, what is your plan to get home safely? Designate a driver or call a cab. Happy New Year! Make a healthy choice starting today with a walk in the fresh air at a local park. Free. The Itemizer-Ob- server office is closed today in honor of New Year’s Day. Many govern- ment offices also are closed. Salem Health West Valley hosts Overeaters Anony- mous each Tuesday at the hospital in Dallas. Noon-1 p.m. Free. Partly sunny Hi: 44 Lo: 33 Partly sunny Hi: 45 Lo: 35 Partly sunny Hi: 42 Lo: 29 Showers Hi: 41 Lo: 33 Showers Hi: 40 Lo: 33 Partly sunny Hi: 32 Lo: 21 Sunny Hi: 30 Lo: 20