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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 29, 2017)
WINTER FESTIVALS PREVIEWS Volume 142, Issue 48 WOU WOMEN’S Page 8A BASKETBALL Page 11A www.Polkio.com $1.00 November 29, 2017 Grand jury clears sheriff’s office in shooting Jolene Guzman The Itemizer-Observer DALLAS — A Polk County grand jury cleared Polk County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Kevin Haynes and Deputy Kelly Lorence in the shoot- ing death of Baltazar Escalona-Baez, 17, of Silver- ton. On Nov. 21, the grand jury unanimously found the offi- cers were justified in using deadly force during the inci- dent, which happened on Oct. 28 near Fort Hill in Polk County. Following the announce- ment of the grand jury’s de- cision, Sheriff Mark Garton issued a letter to the citizens of Polk County. “I would like to spark a conversation about officer- involved shootings, a sensi- tive topic and an unfortu- nate reality our law enforce- ment officers face every day,” he wrote. “I believe that every life is precious, and it is extremely tragic when someone’s life is lost. This letter is not intended to minimize those events.” He describes the chal- lenges his deputies face while on duty, protocols fol- lowed in officer-involved shootings, and issues a plea for people to not make judgements without seeing all the evidence. “Not all citizens will agree with the grand jury’s deci- sions, but I would ask every- one to keep in mind that the Polk County citizens who serve on the grand jury re- view every piece of evi- dence, talk with witnesses and then decide based on the facts of the case,” he wrote. He posted the letter to the office’s Facebook page. “A lot of times, I want to be able to say something, but I can’t because of the in- vestigation, and ethically, I can’t,” he said, explaining his intent in writing the letter. “I want people to understand that there is more to it.” See JURY, Page 2A Teal steps away from post IN YOUR TOWN DALLAS CTE is changing edu- cation at Dallas High School. »Page 3A INDEPENDENCE After a short ab- sence, the Panther Auc- tion returned. »Page 10A Sue Teal retires after nearly three decades at the Monmouth Senior Center By Emily Mentzer The Itemizer-Observer MONMOUTH — A lot has changed in the nearly 29 years since Sue Teal first took the job as the director at the Monmouth Senior Center. “It was so quiet, I used to call my friends up and say, ‘please come have lunch with me,’” Teal, 67, recalled. “In the summer, it was so quiet, no one came in the door.” When she started, she was 38 years old; the building was two years old; and the senior center had about 85 members, Teal said. The center had no newsletter, no calendar, and few programs. “I was replacing someone who was 80,” she said. “They didn’t know if it would work out because I was so much younger than they were.” But Teal said God gave her a love for seniors. “I have looked at it as a ministry more than a job,” she said. “When I first start- ed, I said I want everybody that comes through this door to know they’re cared for, that we love them, and we want to meet their needs.” She started talking to people to see what pro- grams they’d like and what they’d like to do at the sen- ior center. Twenty-nine years and four remodels later, a calendar packed with classes and potlucks, collaborations with Western Oregon University, commu- nity breakfast and a lively travel program and it’s clear: Sue Teal was just what the senior center needed. “We probably average 100 (visitors) a day,” Teal said. “To get down time, I have to leave the building.” Her favorite activity is the annual Victorian Tea. See TEAL, Page 5A Bon retirement PHOTO COURTESY OF CITY OF MONMOUTH Sue Teal has worked at Monmouth Senior Center for nearly 29 years. What: A retirement reception for Sue Teal. When: Thursday, 1 to 3 p.m. Where: Monmouth Senior Center, 180 Warren St. S, Mon- mouth. Admission: Free. Of note: Refreshments will be provided by the city of Mon- mouth. Pena brings people together By Emily Mentzer The Itemizer-Observer INDEPENDENCE — She’s been pivotal in bringing the community together for a fi- esta for 35 years. She connects the commu- nity to much-needed re- sources and helps anyway she can, whether it’s filling out forms with people, trans- lating, or showing them how to eat healthy meals made from limited ingredients. “She’s been really active in the community for a long time,” said friend and collab- orator Lucy Villastrigo. “Every- body knows her. Everybody knows who Elena Pena is. She really likes the community, that’s why she’s really active.” A Central High School graduate, Pena said her vol- unteerism started with her THE NEXT 7 DAYS PLANNING FOR YOUR WEEK parents and the example they set for her growing up. “They’re the ones who taught me all I know for car- ing for people,” Pena said. “A lot of people in the commu- nity helped me become what I am. A lot of good teachers. A lot of good role models.” Pena added that her par- ents were always helping people in the community. “Basically, that’s how I got in- volved, because they helped,” she said. “I thought, ‘oh, this is something I like doing.’” She connected with volun- teers in the ’60s, people who were out in the community helping people learn English, training people how to help themselves, Pena said. “I used to work with food services through OSU Exten- sion Office,” she said. Pena taught people how to wed The deadline to apply for Adopt A Family is today. Applications are available at the Academy Building in Dallas. Partly sunny Hi: 48 Lo: 36 create meals with govern- ment-provided flour, sugar, powdered milk, butter and other items. “People didn’t know how to use them,” she said. “So the folks that connected with the community when I was in high school would get me involved in the stuff, and I liked being around them. They were beautiful people.” See PENA, Page 5A MONMOUTH Building permits will cost 10 percent more in 2018. »Page 7A FALLS CITY The Wagner Commu- nity Library will remain open until Aug. 31. »Page 2A SPORTS New coach is ready to lead Dallas’ girls bas- ketball team. »Page 11A Fatality in crash south of Monmouth Itemizer-Observer staff report MONMOUTH — Ore- gon State Police Troopers responded to a two-vehi- cle crash on 99 W/Parker Road just south of Mon- mouth Thursday at 7:58 p.m. Preliminary investiga- tion shows a 1999 red Chrysler Sebring operated by a 79-year-old male from Carlton pulled out in front of a 2015 white Ford F150 pickup, operated by Dennis Yoder, 29, and oc- cupied by Jennifer Yoder, 25, and their two children, 1 and 2 years old respec- tively. The Yoders were unin- jured. The roadway was closed for about three- and-a-half hours. Polk County Sheriff's Office, Polk County Fire District No. 1, and the Oregon De- partment of Transporta- tion assisted OSP. This is an ongoing in- vestigation and the identi- ty of the deceased driver will be released when next of kin notification is com- pleted. Social media PHOTO COURTESY OF ELENA PENA Elena Pena said husband Raul is a big supporter. Follow and like the Itemizer-Observer on social media on Twitter (@PolkIONews and @PolkIOSports), Instagram and Facebook. Subscribe to the Itemiz- er to get access to more stories online at www.polkio.com. thu fri sat sun mon tue Western Oregon University’s women’s basketball team opens confer- ence play by hosting Saint Martin’s. 7 p.m. $7/adults The winter sports season kicks off this week and Central and Dallas’ girls bas- ketball teams both host games. 7 p.m. $6. The River Gallery in Independence cele- brates its holiday art show with an open- ing reception at the gallery. 6 to 8 p.m. Free. The Monmouth-In- dependence Cham- ber of Commerce will hold its annual member celebration at Crush Wine Bar. 2 to 4 p.m. If there’s a break in the weather, try your hand at pickle- ball at the new courts across from Roger Jordan Park. 9 a.m. to noon. A free class on deal- ing with challeng- ing behaviors common with older adults is offered in Salem at 12:30 p.m. For more info, 9A. Rain Hi: 47 Lo: 40 Mostly cloudy Hi: 50 Lo: 39 Rain Hi: 48 Lo: 37 Mostly cloudy Hi: 47 Lo: 37 Partly sunny Hi: 47 Lo: 36 Sunny Hi: 48 Lo: 34
