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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (June 28, 2017)
FIREWORKS SAFETY Volume 142, Issue 26 47TH ANNUAL Page 8A MINI-MARATHON Page 10A www.Polkio.com June 28, 2017 $1.00 IN YOUR TOWN Pollen, pollen everywhere DALLAS School Board votes to replace track at Dal- las High School. »Page 10A INDEPENDENCE Bystander saves youths from Willamette River. »Page 9A MONMOUTH NASA scientist speaks to library. JOLENE GUZMAN/ Itemizer-Observer »Page 12A Salem was listed as number two on the list of worst places for people with allergies on Monday, according to Pollen.com. By Jolene Guzman The Itemizer-Observer POLK COUNTY — The offi- cial count of allergy-causing pollen is tabulated at a station in Eugene, but those with the misfortune of being allergy sufferers measure the season in itchy eyes and throats, sneezes and congestion. Residents of the Willamette Valley, where grass seed is king, can experi- ence a unique level of misery. Monday, Pollen.com list- ed Eugene and Salem as one and two on the list of worst places for people with aller- gies. Portland was No. 5. This season started off with a bang, but the spring rain we had for a few weeks in a row took the edge off of what could have been pollen hell in the valley. “It started to pick up, but then it rained,” said Beth Brenner, a nurse with Allergy & Asthma Associates in Eu- gene. See POLLEN, Page 5A SPORTS Western Oregon run- ner David Ribich named Great Northwest Athlet- ic Conference’s Male Athlete of the Year. »Page 10A POLK COUNTY Sheriff reviews use- of-force policy. EMILY MENTZER/ Itemizer-Observer Pollen from cottonwood trees dust trails throughout the county. Silbernagel retires after 29 Merritt ready to years with corrections office become director By Jolene Guzman By Jolene Guzman The Itemizer-Observer The Itemizer-Observer DALLAS — One of Marty Silbernagel’s favorite events of the year is Polk County Community Corrections an- nual pizza party in October. The occasion celebrates those people who have gradu- ated from probation and are now leading healthy, produc- tive lives. Each year, invitations for the reunion are sent out to former clients of the office. See RETIRE, Page 9A DALLAS — When Jodi Merritt saw the advertise- ment for Polk County’s Community Corrections di- rector position this spring, something clicked. Merritt was working as a manager with Jackson County Community Justice and hadn’t thought of changing jobs or moving. “I had been in my last po- sition for almost 10 years. JOLENE GUZMAN/Itemizer-Observer Marty Silbernagel will retire on Friday after 29 years. And then working with Jack- son Coun- ty for 15 years, I was very comfort- able,” she Meritt said. “I needed a change, some- thing to challenge me. I love to learn, I love to ask ques- tions. I love to develop things and people.” See MERRITT, Page 5A Polk County offers Fourth of July fun Itemizer-Observer staff report POLK COUNTY — Find- ing a way to celebrate Inde- pendence Day in Polk Coun- ty won’t be a problem, whether you are looking for a laid-back day in the park or a thrill-ride carnival expe- rience. July Fourth celebrations will take place in Dallas, Falls City, Independence and Monmouth, spanning from one-day events to a long holiday weekend of fun. Falls City is first in line to mark the nation’s birthday on July 1 with a short, but entertaining parade and THE NEXT 7 DAYS PLANNING FOR YOUR WEEK community gathering in Lower Park, complete with music, grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, and cotton candy. Saturday evening, Inde- pendence’s Western Days joins the party with the car- nival in Riverview Park opening at 6. Western Days run from Saturday to July Fourth with two fireworks displays on the schedule. Monmouth’s July Fourth celebration opens on Mon- day and runs through Inde- pendence Day. The main event has an art show, held both days. Artists can enter until 11 a.m. on Monday. Independence Day brings the long-standing Mini- Marathon, Children’s Pa- rade, and the highlight Monmouth-Independence Rotary Club’s Fourth of July Grand Parade, all starting in Monmouth. This year, Margaret John- son will be the Grand Mar- shal. “We talk about how much we want to honor the person or people involved,” said Jim Birken, parade committee chairman. “We discuss how much they warrant recogni- tion. This year, the Grand Marshall is Margaret John- son, and she is representing all of the community volun- teers.” Dallas will mark July Fourth with Freedomfest and the revival of its barbe- cue contest. It was not part of the 2016 celebration, so Freedomfest founder Beth Jones stepped in to bring it back. This year pits six amateur smoker teams against each other. “We are opening it up to something that embraces everybody,” Jones said. Freedomfest opens in Dallas City Park at 3 p.m. with the contest, a beer gar- den, vendors and live music. At 6 p.m. it moves to Roger Jordan Community Park for more live music, food truck vendors and, of course, fire- works. »Page 9A Salem Health presents grant Itemizer-Observer staff report SALEM — Salem Health presented a $41,370 Com- munity Partnership Grant to Family Building Blocks to pay for a pilot project to electronically conduct de- velopmental screenings for children in a family’s home. Salem Health intro- duced the Community Partnership Grant pro- gram in October 2014 and will grant a total of $306,382 in 2017. Successful initiatives improve the quality of life for those most at risk in our community and decrease the need for catastrophic care and its associated social, emo- tional and economic costs. Electronic screenings increase the chance of early detection of devel- opmental delays. Early de- tection followed by quali- ty interventions result in better long-term health outcomes. Research indicates that detection rates for devel- opmental disabilities with- out using tools is 20 per- cent, compared to 80-90 percent when using a screening tool. Only 30 percent of chil- dren with disabilities are identified for intervention before starting school. Providing intervention prior to kindergarten for children with potential de- lays has significant bene- fits. wed thu fri sat sun mon tue Come enjoy some laughs with come- dian Michael O’Neill at Dallas City Park thanks to the Dallas Library. 11:30 a.m. Free. Extend a hand to everyone you meet and take part in Na- tional Handshake Day! Rock out with musi- cians or just enjoy the music at the Guthrie Park Acoustic Music Jam Session. 6:30 p.m. Free. Kick off your holiday weekend with Falls City’s Independence Day celebration, which begins with a parade. Noon. Free. Got a special talent? Come out to West- ern Days and com- pete in Talent Quest at Riverview Park. Noon to 10 p.m. Free. Check out local artists’ latest master- pieces at Mon- mouth’s Community Art Show. Noon to 5 p.m. Free. Happy Fourth of July! Keep your cel- ebrations safe with smart use of fire- works and, if you drink, have a desig- nated driver. Mostly sunny Hi: 74 Lo: 51 Mostly sunny Hi: 80 Lo: 54 Sunny Hi: 80 Lo: 54 Mostly sunny Hi: 80 Lo: 52 Mostly sunny Hi: 79 Lo: 52 Mostly sunny Hi: 73 Lo: 49 Sunny Hi: 74 Lo: 49