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Wednesday October 8, 2025 | Volume 150, Issue 41

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Fairgrounds generates more revenue, interest By DAVID HAYES I-O Editor

Commissioners were given a look at the increased revenues generated by the Polk County Fair and other facilities used on the fairgrounds last week. Fair Manager Tina Anderson and Fair Board President Tim Ray broke down the numbers comparing this year’s fair to last year’s; while containing mostly good news, revenue still falls short of being self-sufficient without aid from county coffers.

“We’re obviously very proud of the progress the fair has made,” Ray said. “We also understand the fair faces some severe challenges. We are prepared to roll our sleeves up, look at solutions and work together to whatever that looks like, understanding we are huge advocates of the fair and believe it is a resource for the county and want it to continue. We also know it is a financial drain at some points.” This year’s admission revenues – were up 3% over last year, which

surprised Ray, as it didn’t feel as full to him. “The numbers don’t lie. More people were there, doing more things,” Ray said. One of the biggest draws, the Youth Livestock Auction, attracted 219 animals which was up 4.5%. The overall revenue of the auction was down by 15.5% with a total of $528,686. “Anyone in the Ag economy knows that no one in the Ag economy is making any money,” Ray explained. “Predicibly, revenue

was down a little bit on those animals, but still topped half a million dollars.” Cash sponsorships, which includes banners and donations, were up by 6.5% from last year, while in kind sponsorship was down by 7.5%. Ray said this is still growing, as there were four banners sold during the Good Morning Polk County event that are still coming in. Premiums for 4-H, FFA and open class youth were covered by donations from Polk County Farm

Bureau, who paid out $2,774, plus special awards, that were donated. Numbers were up and down regarding vendor booths. There were 13 food vendors (one more than last year) and Oregon Beverage handled all alcohol sales. Food sales were up 2.5% and alcohol sales were up 14.5%. However, there were 39 commercial vendor booths, which is a decrease of 11 from last year. See FAIR, page A2

New Dallas freshman wins world championship in mini horse competition behavioral health crisis

“Yaaah! That’s my baby!” Becky could be clearly heard on their family recording. Sometimes, the biggest rewards “I cried so hard,” Becky admitted come in the smallest packages. after watching Lillie compete. Dallas High School freshman Lillie Lillie’s known for her cart obstaNicole was always into horses growcle. But at this level, ages 13-18 ing up. But it was her discovery of year olds, it’s not a given against the miniatures that has led her to the curworld’s top competitors. rent title holder of World Champion. Once through the course, she later During the American Horse learned she received a unanimous set Association World Championships of perfect 10s, one from each of the in Fort Worth Texas Sept. 18-27, three judges. up against about 600 of the world’s However, the scores are not best horses competing in various announced until after everyone has categories, Lillie and Hootie, an competed. 11-year-old American miniature “It’s really nerve wracking,” Becky (with a little touch of Arabian in his said. “You don’t know if you got bloodline) won in cart obstacle, deftly gated or got first.” maneuvering cart and horse around, In that class, a harder category of over, around and even on top of competition with a smaller amount obstacles, better than any of the other of participants, Lillie was up against competitors. about 10 others. On their property off Airlie Road, “It wasn’t a big class, but it was Lillie practices with Hootie through really hard. When you know there are such elements as the bridge, ladder 10 people there, you know why they and jumps, all handcrafted by her are all there, they all have enough father, Ben. talent to win,” Lillie said. “Most horses freak out over these After she was announced the winthings,” her mother Becky explained. ner, she couldn’t stop smiling. “But Lillie takes (Hootie) through COURTESY PHOTO “I was really proud of Hootie. them over and over and over again. Lillie Nicole and Hootie, her 11-year-old American Because he’s come a really long way She never got a ‘gate’ in one of her Miniature, celebrate after getting three perfect 10s in the since I’ve had him,” Lillie said. competitions, which is very hard to cart competition at the American Horse Association World In total, Lillie won 17 ribbons do.” A gate is failing to place in the Championships in Fort Worth Texas last month. at the championships, showing six top 10, thus being eliminated from horses, including a reserve World “The whole competition was dedrecording of Tina Turner’s ‘Simply the event. “Which is a big deal. She Champion working with a friend’s icated to him,” Becky added. “On the Best’). But all she has to do is was in, like, 30 classes.” miniature horse. his paperwork, it has her name and kneel down and he comes right to When she was 7 and still had her She said the secret to working with her. People love it,” Becky said. heart on acquiring a horse, a trip with his. This was their horse. She really Hootie is practice. wanted to win it for him.” “This little horse will do anything “poppa” changed her future. “With Hootie it’s better, because When they acquired him, Hootie she asks. The horse has a really good “When I was little, my poppa (her I have a bond with him. And just was trained for driving, hunter and head about him.” grandfather Stan) took me to a little building the bond and having him halter. The trick earned Lillie an addiminiature horse show. I loved it and trust you. We trust each other and it “I trained him for driving obstacle tional award for Best Catch. told my mom about it. But she didn’t helps a lot,” Lillie said. Having trained Hootie to do well know how much we could do,” Lillie and hand obstacle, showmanship and “He’s had a rough past. When he Liberty,” Lillie said. all around in each event, she’s trainrecalled. After qualifying to go to world ing their other two mini’s – Dynamo, got her and the love of a little girl, Becky figured if anything the famhe’s kinda of a little puppy dog and championships by getting an Hootie’s brother, and Luke – and ily would go with big horses. just follows her,” Becky added. American Legion Award under her a horse of a friend of theirs in the “What are you going to do with a Lillie said the sport is growing mini? Apparently everything you can belt, Lillie raised all the funds to get showworld to also be all around back in popularity after the pandemic excellent performers as well. do with a big horse you can do with a both her and Hootie to the competition, doing everything from selling Becky explained one of the reasons closed down much of the competimini,” Becky said. art to loading logs. Lillie enjoys competing so much with tions. She’s even training her best The other difference, she friend to show a miniature horse of “We didn’t know how well she Hootie in cart obstacle is it takes explained, is with big horses, you her own. could do,” Becky said. “We were away the decisions from judges. ride them over the elements. With “We’re going to let her ‘besties’ “If you go through cart obstacle minis, the handler stands beside them hoping for some top 10’s. She ended show the other two. We’ll have a up taking it.” and nick something or bump someas they guide them through each little girl gang. Girls and geldings,” Lillie won some special awards thing, that’s a point deduction. So, obstacle. Becky said. along the way. she’s more in control of the outThey started looking for a horse There are no more shows this year, Becky explained Lillie developed come,” Becky said. and found Hootie in 2021. but she’s already got eyes on the a really cool, unique signature move When it was Lillie’s turn to com“When we did, I was really 2026 AMHA circuit with shows in pete, not a competitor or family excited, because I just loved the pic- for the Liberty event. Washington, California and Eugene. “You let them go. They (the member in the arena could miss tures of him,” Lillie said. “If we can figure a way to make it horses) have to run for 1 minute and Becky cheering her introduction. Becky said Lillie and her father happen again, we’ll send her back to Stan teamed to bring Hootie up from 30 seconds and then you have to worlds,” Becky added. catch them (which Hootie runs to a Texas. By DAVID HAYES I-O Editor

IN THIS ISSUE

stabilization center opens in Dallas By OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY

The doors will open soon at the Polk CARES Center, a behavioral health crisis stabilization facility, thanks in part to strategic funding and support from Oregon Health Authority (OHA). The center held its grand opening on Sept. 30 and will offer walk-in care for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis. The center leverages state investment to expand behavioral health crisis services across Oregon. “This center is a result of our state’s ongoing work for more spaces and places for Oregonians to get the help they deserve,” Governor Kotek said. “This is the type of capacity that we need across the state so someone in crisis can stabilize and get the help they need.” The Polk CARES Center, which stands for Connect, Assist, Respond, Empower, Support, provides walk-in crisis care at 182 SW Academy St. in Dallas. The county administration abandoned their original plan of transforming the old Wells Fargo Building on Main Street after re-evaluating the location in the wake of public concerns over it being located so near a school and businesses. Noelle Carroll, county health services director, said the new location next to the current Academy building is much better suited for the services they provide. “We were able to bring both sets of services to the same place. And even though it’s two different sets of services, these two teams can actually leverage what they can do to help a lot of the same clients at the same time,” Carroll said. The 10,300 square-foot CARES center provides a range of critical services, including suicide prevention, safety planning and referrals to longer term behavioral health care. Individuals can also get support on their recovery journey from substance use disorder See HEALTH PAGE A3

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