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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 1, 2017)
DALLAS INDOOR PLAY PARK Volume 142, Issue 5 DALLAS BASKETBALL JAKE COLLINS Page 13A Page 7A www.Polkio.com $1.00 February 1, 2017 Court security to limit access BOC reviews bid to close all courthouse doors except main entrance By Jolene Guzman IN YOUR TOWN The Itemizer-Observer DALLAS DALLAS — Limiting access to the Polk County Courthouse to one en- trance for court security has been contemplated for years, but move- ment in that direction has picked up speed. Last week, the board of commis- sioners reviewed a bid to close all doors except the main entrance on the Jefferson Street side of the court- house. That would shutter doors on the historic side of the courthouse. The bid included cameras and locks on the doors that would only open when the fire alarm is pulled. The board rejected that method and said the county would have to put significant effort into communi- cating with the public about the changes before they happen. “We would literally need to put signs at the bottom of the stairs out there,” said Matt Hawkins, the coun- ty’s human resources director. “This is a topic that we’ve had conversa- tions around for a long time now.” County officials said education and signs will be important to make the move successful, especially given the confusing nature of the building, which includes the historic courthouse and an addition. Court- rooms are located in both buildings, and at the Polk County Jail across the street. The floor height in the newer building doesn’t match to the older building, adding to possible confu- sion. County employees often help Dallas Aquatic Center users may see a rate in- crease to use the pool. »Page 2A FALLS CITY School board to ask for donations and vol- unteer support to build an elementary school gym. »Page 2A INDEPENDENCE Richard Davis to re- ceive the First Artist award at CHS. »Page 2A MONMOUTH Police department to crack down on seat belt enforcement, distracted driving and speeding. JOLENE GUZMAN/ Itemizer-Observer Access to the Polk County Courthouse may be limited to one entrance for court enhanced security. PERRYDALE people find their way out of the building. “We deal with people who are confused and disoriented on a regu- lar basis,” said Austin McGuigan, the county’s community development director. “It’s kind of weird that just having the two buildings misaligned by a few feet can cause so much confusion for people, but it does.” He said people tend to exit on the old courthouse side, but under the security plan, those doors will be closed. See DOORS, Page 5A Districts see mixed results Central grad rates rise, Dallas rates decrease from 2015 By Emily Mentzer The Itemizer-Observer Committee revises biz registration By Jolene Guzman The Itemizer-Observer DALLAS — The city of Dal- las is reviewing a compro- mise to begin a business reg- istration in town. The city tabled its first at- tempt at establishing the reg- istration, proposed after months of discussion and debate. It would have made it a requirement for currently operating and new business- es in town, and came with a fee of $25 for the first year (for new businesses) and $10 for annual renewal. B u s i n e s s ow n e r s e x - pressed concern, especially about the “mandatory” part, and the Dallas City Council decided to have the city’s ad- ministration committee re- view it again because of those issues. See BUSINESS, Page 10A THE NEXT 7 DAYS PLANNING FOR YOUR WEEK »Page 2A POLK COUNTY — Super- intendent Buzz Brazeau was ecstatic when he heard about Central High School’s graduation rates for 2015- 16: 86.5 percent. “K ids working hard; teachers working hard; par- ents working hard; adminis- trators working hard as well, and that’s a good deal,” Brazeau said. “Great news.” Central’s rate is up from 72.6 percent last year for its four-year cohort graduation rate. Its five-year rate is even higher at 91.71 per- cent. Overall, schools across the state saw an increase in graduation rates in the class of 2016, up one percentage point to 74.8 percent. “It shows the dedication of our teachers and school administrators that gradua- tion rates are increasing across the board,” Deputy Superintendent Salam Noor said in a press release. “We are making progress, while recognizing there is still more work to do. We are pleased our state’s focus on improving graduation out- comes for all students is making a difference.” Not all students’ success Four-year cohort graduation rates 2016 Four-year Completer State 74.83 78.11 Central 86.5 86.98 Dallas 74.63 79.78 Falls City 82.35 88.24 Perrydale 96.43 96.43 counts on graduation-rate data. In Perrydale, graduation rates fell from 100 percent in 2014-15 to 96.43 percent in 2015-16. The reason? “One special ed student got an alternative certifi- cate,” Superintendent Eric Milburn said. “Those don’t count as completer or as a graduate. So if you have a high-needs special ed stu- dent that is well below abili- ty, they’re most likely going to get an alternative certifi- cate. That’s the highest level they can complete.” With everyone — includ- ing those in special educa- tion — completing high school in one way or anoth- er, Milburn said Perrydale is 2015 73.82 72.60 82.17 50 100 glad to be on track – and it looks like the student suc- cess will continue. “We just finished the se- mester,” he said. “In the conversations I’ve had with the teachers, it seems like kids are on track” to gradu- ate in 2017. Falls City’s graduation rate has shot up to 82.35 percent from 50 percent in 2014-15. With such a small student population, Falls City High School’s gradua- tion rates are largely affect- ed by one or two students. Su p e r i n t e n d e n t Ja c k Thompson said the high school started a careers class, focusing on helping students plan for what they wanted to do after graduat- ing. He said it’s helped stu- dents stay focused. “They’ve been spending a lot of time reviewing tran- scripts looking at, ‘Where am I, and what do I have to do to be where I need to be,’” he said. “It’s made a big difference, and we are see- ing the fruits of our labor now.” T ho m p so n sa id he’s proud of the effort employ- ees have put into assisting students with the first part of those plans: graduate from high school. Dallas High saw a dip in its four-year cohort rate: from 82.17 percent in 2014- 15 to 74.63 percent in 2015- 16. Its five-year cohort in- creased nearly 4 percent from 81.63 in 2014-15 to 85.06 in 2015-16. “It’s important to note that it’s always a different group of kids,” said Steve Martinelli, director of in- structional services. “In many cases, they have left our district and not en- rolled in another district. That’s the majority of our students who have not completed.” Martinelli said district employees are working hard to identify those students who have left Dallas earlier. See GRAD, Page 5A Perrydale girls and boys basketball prep for stretch run. »Page 15A SPORTS Sophomore Ali Nelke helps Western Oregon’s women’s basketball team make steady progress. »Page 13A Sheriff’s office investigates two shootings Itemizer-Observer staff report POLK COUNTY — The Polk County Sheriff’s Of- fice and Salem police are investigating two shoot- ing incidents that oc- curred on Friday night. Polk County Sheriff Mark Garton said a woman’s car was shot at while she was driving near Rickreall. Windows were broken, but no one was hurt in the incident, he said. He said the woman pro- vided a vague description of the shooter’s vehicle as a silver or white car. The driver was a man who ap- peared tall, according to the victim. A similar shooting hap- pened in Salem the same night, but Garton said in- vestigators aren’t certain if the two incidents are con- nected yet. The victim in that case gave police a partial license plate on the shooter’s car. “It seems like Salem might have a little bit more,” he said. wed thu fri sat sun mon tue Join Polk County Fire District No. 1 at a celebration and swearing-in cere- mony at Central High School. 7 p.m. Free. Need help with your taxes? AARP volun- teers will help seniors get through the pa- perwork at Mon- mouth Senior Center. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. For a toe-tapping good time, head to Guthrie Park’s acoustic music jam session on Kings Valley Highway. 6:30 p.m. Donation. Rickreall Grange Flea Market is back at the grange hall, 280 Main St., featur- ing vendors and baked goods. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Enjoy the musical stylings of “Keepers of the Faith” at a concert at Evangeli- cal Bible Church in Dallas. 6 p.m. Donation. Why not spread some joy and take part in National Pay- a-Compliment Day? Looking to check out some basket- ball action? Dallas’ boys basketball team hosts Corval- lis. 7 p.m. $5 Rain Hi: 39 Lo: 28 Wintery mix Hi: 37 Lo: 31 Wintery mix Hi: 40 Lo: 34 Rain Hi: 46 Lo: 36 Cloudy Hi: 44 Lo: 35 Rain Hi: 41 Lo: 34 Showers Hi: 44 Lo: 36