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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (July 12, 2017)
INDEPENDENCE DAY FOURTH MINI MARATHON A LOOK BACK RACE RESULTS Page 7A Page 13A Volume 142, Issue 28 www.Polkio.com July 12, 2017 $1.00 Plan ahead for heavy traffic in August IN YOUR TOWN ODOT officials expect two- to three-hour delays at best during eclipse weekend By Lukas Eggen The Itemizer-Observer POLK COUNTY — During the Great American Eclipse, the total eclipse will last about two minutes. Arriving to and leaving from your destination will take a bit longer. “We don’t anticipate clos- ing any roads, but we expect all the roadways to be very, very busy, especially in the path of totality,” Oregon De- partment of Transporta- tion’s Angela Beers-Seydel said. Expect delays of a few hours, and that may be opti- mistic. Be prepared to sit in traffic during eclipse weekend. “I’m thinking that’s the minimum,” she said. “We’re asking people to arrive early and then stay put and leave as late as you can.” It will be imperative for people to plan ahead. That includes making sure gas tanks are filled, directions are nailed down, and having supplies such as food and water, in case you get caught in traffic. “What are you going to need if you have to hunker down,” Beers-Seydel said. “If you’re stuck in traffic for potentially hours or if you can’t leave for maybe a day, what will you need to have with you. We want people to anticipate those kinds of things and get that stuff to- gether the week before- hand.” Having food, water, med- ications and fuel is key, Beers-Seydel said. Just as important will be packing an extra dose of patience. “This is one of those events that everyone wants to be at,” she said. “We don’t want people stopping at places that aren’t safe. Plan- ning extra time is really, re- ally important. Be aware of everyone around you. Once the eclipse is over, will everyone try to leave at the same time?” Potentially complicating matters during the eclipse weekend is the Grand Ronde Powwow. “We’ll have flaggers out there,” Beers-Seydel said. “That can be a nightmare on a regular year.” See TrAffIc, Page 5A DALLAS sheriff recognizes teens’ quick thinking in an emergency. »Page 6A fALLS cITY Two die after crash on 99W south of McMinnville on July 3. »Page 2A InDEPEnDEncE TAKING MATTERS INTO HIS OWN HANDS Volunteers help on Ella Curran Food Bank moving day. »Page 2A Dallas resident Alex Lofton, family and friends restore and renew Tawney memorial sign By Emily Mentzer MOnMOUTH The Itemizer-Observer DALLAS — When Alex Lofton found out Sgt. Ian Tawney’s memorial park sign was vandalized, he was- n’t going to let it sit overnight without trying to fix it. The Sgt. Ian Tawney Me- morial Park sign was tagged at about 4:30 p.m. on July 4. Someone posted a picture of the defaced sign on the Dallas Community Face- book page, and comments began streaming, people upset that anyone would damage the sign marking the park named in memory of the fallen Marine. Dallas resident and U.S. Army veteran Lofton didn’t see the thread until 11:30 p.m. on July 4 and decided to take action. “To me it’s really — it wouldn’t have mattered what day it was, that would have bothered me — but es- pecially Veterans Day, Me- morial Day, Fourth of July, those are the days it’s more sacrilegious,” Lofton said. He, his brother, his girl- friend and friend packed up buckets of soapy water and scrub brushes, parked his Western’s new ath- letic Curtis Campbell is on the job. »Page 12A SPOrTS Dallas’ turf field will have many benefits for the athletic program. »Page 13A Countywide burn ban in effect Itemizer-Observer staff report Lukas EggEn/Itemizer-Observer The Sgt. Ian Tawney Memorial Park sign was informally rededicated Thursday night with a pizza party. car in front of the sign and used the headlights to try and clean off the pink spray paint. The paint would not scrub off. “Our friend Jenny was like, ‘I’ve got acrylic paints, do you think we can just paint over it?’ I said, ‘Let’s try,’” Lofton said. Dallas police officers were called out on July 4. After confirming Lofton was try- ing to fix the sign, they left him to work. The next morning, it was- n’t good enough for Lofton, as the spray paint continued to show through. Lofton thought the employees of Dallas Parks Department would be busy cleaning up after the Fourth of July fes- tivities, so he took the day to get back to the sign. “So I went back and start- ed working on it again,” he said. “I worked on it about six hours (on July 5), and then my friend Janie (Sires) showed up because she was like, ‘Are you still working on the sign?’” Lofton and his girlfriend were at the park for five and a half hours on July 5. “I think I only got about three and a half hours’ worth of work because peo- ple stopped and hugged me and wanted to shake my hand,” he said. “It’s been a huge community thing.” Lofton decided to paint the background a darker, “Marine Corps green.” See SIgn, Page 5A Blueberries abound in Polk County By Stephanie Blair The Itemizer-Observer sTEphanIE BLaIr/Itemizer-Observer Blueberry farms are in Perrydale and Independence. THE NEXT 7 DAYS PLANNING FOR YOUR WEEK wed Try your hand at pickleball at the roger Jordan Com- munity park with the Dallas pickleball Club. 9 a.m.-noon. free. Sunny Hi: 80 Lo: 52 POLK COUNTY — It’s blueberry season and the native North American berries are ready for harvest. The blueberry season is a long one, running from April to late September, according to the U.S. Highbush Blue- berry Council. In Polk Coun- ty, many farmers provide farm-fresh blueberries that can be carton-bought or self-harvested. Though blueberries are available in-store, buying local supports local farmers and provides an opportunity to soak in sunshine while picking the antioxidant- thu Check out what’s new and in season at the polk County Bounty Market on the lawn at the academy Building. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. free. Sunny Hi: 79 Lo: 53 dense fruit. The u-pick options for blueberry lovers span from larger operations, such as Perryhill Farms in Dallas, who also provide cherries, peaches and apples through- out the year, to small patch- es run out of family yards. In Independence, a self-service blueberry patch can be found behind the Central Vi- sion Clinic. When picking blueberries, it’s important to keep hy- drated and wear sunscreen. Similarly, to get the best berries, Pickyourown.org ex- plains that pickers should “select plump, full blueber- ries with a light gray-blue color. A berry with any hint of red isn’t fully ripened.” However, red berries will still ripen after picking, un- like white or green berries. After harvesting, blueber- ries can be used for a multi- tude of recipes, from fruit salad and blueberry lemon- ade, to blueberry pies and preserves. Blueberries are also per- fect for snacking on during the car ride home from the farm. The early harvest is com- ing to a close, so potential patch pickers should call ahead before heading over to ensure that a u-pick is open and ready for the next wave of fruit-picking frenzy. pOLk COunTY — The polk County Fire Defense Board in conjunction with the Oregon Department of Forestry has enacted a countywide burn ban for all of polk County. residents of polk Coun- ty are reminded that no burning of any type is al- lowed during the county- wide burn ban. The burn ban will remain in effect until significant rains re- turn in the fall. For burn complaints and informa- tion: www.wvcc911.org or call 503-588-6420. Work causes delays on HWY 99W Itemizer-Observer staff report pOLk COunTY —Trav- elers should expect delays and watch for crews on highway 99W at milepost 74.5 this week, a press re- lease from the Oregon De- partment of Transporta- tion states. The southbound lane is expected to remain closed near adair Village much of the week as crews contin- ue cleanup of a diesel spill that occurred on Friday. Flaggers will control traf- fic. alternate routes should be considered to avoid the area. Check TripCheck.com or call 511 for the latest traffic infor- mation. fri sat sun mon tue The american red Cross is having a blood shortage. Do- nate today at Trinity Lutheran Church in Dallas. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. The polk County Museum in rickreall will host its annual porch sale, a fundraiser for the museum. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. free. Come fly with the Dallas Wingdingers rC Flying Club at its indoor fly at Whit- worth Elementary school gym. 1 to 3 p.m. free. Mingle with other professionals and eat lunch at the Dal- las Chamber lunch- eon at the Dallas Civic Center. Dallas library hosts two story times for children, so you can find a time that’s right for you to read. 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. free. Sunny Hi: 82 Lo: 54 Sunny Hi: 84 Lo: 53 Sunny Hi: 83 Lo: 52 11:30 a.m. $12-$15. Sunny Hi: 81 Lo: 53 Sunny Hi: 81 Lo: 53
