PIO1211 by C.M.I.

Sports

County Find the Gnome Clue

Area teams hit the hardwood See B1 & B8

See A8

Wednesday December 11, 2024 | Volume 148, Issue 50

www.polkio.com

$2.00

to post-secondary education and workforce training, and improving the lives of veterans and military families throughout the State of Oregon. “Although I intend on introducing a larger number of legislative proposals to the House for consideration than in past years, my priorities remain affixed on public safety, education, and veterans issues,” Evans added. “Some of the bills will be to set the table for future action, but a few will hopefully become law in 2025.”

In House District 23, Anna Scharff also returns to her seat by a wide margin of victory over challenger Kriss Wright, 24,492 to 14,929. While grateful to the voters, Scharff acknowledged the challenge ahead. “The 2025 Legislative Session will represent the first time since 2009 that both the House and the Senate have super-majority party control, and with it the ability to pass legislation and new taxes

Local officials weigh in on their election victories By DAVID HAYES Editor

Polk County completed its final vote tally Nov. 27, and the Secretary of State’s office certified the election Nov. 5 with results certified one month later on Dec. 5. Locally, leadership around the House Districts and many City Council positions saw a return of many incumbents as well as the selection of some new faces to help steer the future of the municipalities within the county.

According to the Polk County Elections Office, of the 64,246 registered voters, there were 48,167 ballots cast, a 74.7 percent turnout rate. Starting with state elections, in Oregon House District 20, which includes the communities of Independence, and Monmouth, and portions of South and West Salem, Rep. Paul Evans will return for his sixth term. He garnered 20,271 votes to challenger Kevin Chambers’ 14,938.

Christmas Town

DHS band program expands access with generous donation The band program at Dallas High School and LaCreole Middle School, under the direction of Stephen Burroughs, has struck a new chord thanks to the generosity of Band4All, a nonprofit organization founded by Shannon Jorgenson. A recent donation of 14 professional refurbished instruments expands the district’s efforts to provide music education access for all students. Jorgenson, a lifelong musician who began playing flute in the fifth grade, understands firsthand the transformative power of music. After years of witnessing financial barriers limit students’ opportunities to participate in band programs, she launched Band4All to provide quality instruments to schools with limited resources. “I want every child who wants to play to have an instrument,” Jorgenson said. Her work is driven by a lifelong commitment to music and community service, including her role as a member of the Salem Symphonic Winds and her dedication to volunteering at a shelter for homeless individuals. The donated instruments – four flutes, three clarinets, two trombones, and five trumpets – have been professionally repaired by Willamette Music Company, with costs fully covered by Band4All. These efforts ensure that each instrument is performance-ready and can support students who might not otherwise afford instrument rentals. The donation will primarily benefit 6th through 12th-grade students, breaking down barriers for beginners entering the band program and allowing them to select their firstchoice instruments. Stephen Burroughs, whose leadership has energized the district’s band program, emphasized the significance of this gift. “This donation ensures that more students can experience the joy and discipline of music,” Burroughs See DONATION, page A2

Evans said he was truly surprised this challenging election ended in such a wide margin in his favor. “Accordingly, I accept this victory with revitalized energy, a greater understanding of what working families need, and a personal commitment to serve as a worthy steward of the public’s trust,” Evans told the Itemizer-Observer. Evans said he hopes to work with his colleagues in 2025 and build upon the progress made in better preparing Oregon for emergencies, pushing for a more rational approach

See ELECTION PAGE A3

Friends donate $80K for new senior center van By DAVID HAYES Editor

PHOTO BY DAVID HAYES

The official Dallas Christmas Tree was lit Saturday night officially kicking off the Christmas season in Polk County. See more Christmas Town event photos on page A8

Warming centers offer more than shelter on a cold night By DAVID HAYES Editor

Anna Channel never forgets the days she was homeless, living out of the back of a Datsun pickup truck with her two young boys. Now, years later, she and her boys are giving back for the generosity given them to get through the hard times. Her oldest son helps with the homeless in South Dakota. Her youngest at a ministry in Minnesota building houses and remodels. And Channel herself is the volunteer coordinator for Polk County’s warming center program. “My parents once told us, ‘Help those less fortunate than thou.‘ PHOTO BY DAVID HAYES That’s my job,” Channel said. Warming Center volunteer coordinator Anna Channel (cenShe has been in charge of the ter) and volunteer Alissa Sickles (left) wait with Jazzy to volunteers manning the warming serve anyone in need of shelter on a cold night last week. centers throughout the program’s seven-year run, 10 at the rotating “And I train every one of them,” Independence and another six at the sites between Dallas, Monmouth and newest permanent site in Falls City. See SHELTER, page A2

IN THIS ISSUE Voices Corrections Obituaries Puzzle Solutions Social Public Records Classifieds Puzzles

A4 A4 A6 B2 B2 B6 B8 B8

After 24 years and more than 60,000 miles, the Monmouth Senior Community Center was in need of new transportation to their many events. In her report to the Monmouth City Council, Barbara Cronin, Senior Community Center Director, detailed that many of their older riders have a hard time getting in and out of the current vehicle, and it has been a physical hazard for some. In addition, the current van is not wheelchair accessible. “We’ve had a rough idea of the type of vehicle we want to purchase – something larger, more accessible and lower entry point, and in keeping with accessibility goals of council, something wheelchair accessible so people with mobility devices can utilize our travel program,” Cronin told the council at their Dec. 3 meeting. Cronin detailed how the Friends of the Monmouth Senior Center, who purchased the original vehicle, have stepped forward again with an $80,000 donation to purchase a new replacement. However, the arrangement will involve the city’s administration taking out a loan to cover the payment coming into the city in two installments. Cronin said a company the senior center has gotten quotes from in the past emailed in mid-October with a notice of a drastic price reduction in several vehicles including the exact one they were looking at. “We’re looking at acquiring it at $50,000 less than other companies and they have even thrown on a $10,000 senior discount, which is really amazing,” Cronin said. The Senior Center had about $22,000 set aside from fundraising by the Friends of the Senior Center specifically for a vehicle purchase. See VAN PAGE A3

Send us a news tip at www.online.com | Your message could be the first thing our readers see!

Weather W