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Wednesday February 5, 2025 | Volume 150, Issue 6

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Call to Action Local graduation Polk County firefighters recall lasting rates show memories on strike teams in L.A. resiliency of Class of 2024 By DAVID HAYES IO Editor

By DAVID HAYES IO Editor

Both Dallas and Central school districts experienced an improvement in their graduation rates based on data released by the Oregon Department of Education on Jan. 30. Dallas saw its numbers go from 73.2% in 2022-23 to 85.8% in 2023-24, well above the state average of 81.8%. Meanwhile, Central students in the class of 2023-24 graduated at a higher rate at 78.4 percent than students in the year 2022-23 a 76.4 percent. Central School District communications director Emily Mentzer said the board and district’s goal is 90 percent of students graduating with their four-year cohort. She said looking at the graduation rates since 2018-2019 (81.06), the data for the class of 2024 shows that they are going in the right direction. Principal Dale Pedersen agreed. “I’m pleased that our graduation rates have improved, reflecting the dedication and hard work of both our high school recent graduates, their families, and our staff,” said Pedersen. “While our graduation rates are trending in a positive direction, I recognize that there is still room for growth, and we are committed to continuing our process.” The administration pointed to some data points showing improvement for focal groups of students, including: - Students identifying as Hispanic/Latino saw graduation rates at 80.5 percent, higher than the prior year (73.9). - Students experiencing poverty graduated at 71.7 percent, up from 64.6 the prior year. - Central students with disabilities graduated at 75.6 percent, also higher than the prior year (52.4). - Ever English Learner students graduated 6.7 percentage points higher than the prior year, at 81.7 percent. “I am especially proud of the progress made within our focal groups, demonstrating the impact of our collective efforts,” Pedersen said. The class of 2023-24 started their high school career in the midst of COVID-19 protocols and distance learning. As freshmen, 46 percent of them were “on track” to graduate in four years. The resiliency they’ve shown to graduate at high numbers is remarkable. “The resiliency and growth that the Central High School class of 2024 showed during their four years is remarkable,” Superintendent Jennifer Kubista said. “To have growth in the graduation rates, See SCHOOLS, page A3

Each of the six members of Polk Fire District No. 1 strike team deployed to California Jan. 8 had been sent to incidents in the past, mostly in Oregon. None of them were prepared for what they’d experience in Southern California. Garrett Hardwick, 19, was blunt in what he saw. “It was something that I hope I never have to experience again in my lifetime,” he said. He was joined by engineer Jeff Joles and Department Chief Neal Olson on Strike Force 9, while Polk’s Capt. Mike Rusher took engineer Nick Wooldridge and firefighter Colton Biggs in Strike Team 14. They took off south Jan. 8 in two of their type three engines, ideal for use fighting structural fires and wildland/urban interface type fires, Rusher said. According to the Oregon State Fire Marshal, a total of 96 local fire agencies formed 21 strike teams, consisting of 370 firefighters and 105 fire engines and water tenders, representing 23 of Oregon’s 36 counties. The Polk County members knew the enormity of the thousands of acres being ravaged by wildfire when the plumes of smoke were visible up to 50 miles away from Los Angeles. The devastation left behind by the fast-moving wildfires through the urban oasis left lasting impressions on each fireman. Rusher said their first assignment was Sunset Boulevard at Pacific Coast Highway.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Polk Fire District No. 1 strike team members mark their return after 18 days augmenting firefighting forces around the L.A. fires. They are (from left) Captain Mike Rusher - Strike Team 14, Deputy Chief Neal Olson - Strike Team 9, Engineer Jeff Joles - Strike Team 9, Engineer Nick Wooldridge - Strike Team 14, Firefighter Garrett Hardwick - Strike Team 9, and Firefighter Colton Biggs - Strike Team 14. “A pretty devastated area. Lots of structures had burned completely or partially down. Smoke alarms were still going off in commercial buildings that needed to be checked. One alone had 80-100 units,” he recalled. All the way up Sunset Boulevard they witnessed the full extent of the aftermath.

“It was tragic,” Olson said. “It was probably one of the most devastating fires in our times. It was very tragic to see. We had probably never had anything like that in Oregon before. It was horrible to see.” Rusher said he heard more than 10,000 structures were destroyed and probably another 10,000 damaged.

“And to see that on both sides of the road as far as you drove up Sunset was crazy. Then there might be one house that is still standing then another 20 that is gone,” he recalled, adding from Santa Monica all way up the Pacific Coast See TEAMS, page A3

Community recruits Surprise Squad to Donut Bar’s rescue By DAVID HAYES IO Editor

Eric Brown was in need of some good fortune. His business, The Donut Bar, a food kiosk on Jackson Street in Monmouth, had been experiencing a series of setbacks after six years of success. Then salvation came knocking in the form of a television crew. Fox12’s Surprise Squad was alerted to Brown’s plight via a letter from one of his ardent customers. After learning of his plight, reporter Joe Vithayathil jumped into action. He had learned that first, Western Oregon University closed off two of the main streets leading to The Donut Bar, cutting off drive-up business while crews repaired underground steam pipes last year. Brown said this choked off his main source of revenue, driving him into See RESCUE, page A3

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

A4 A4 A4 B2 B2 B6 B4 A6

PHOTO BY DAVID HAYES

Donut Bar owner Eric Brown now has new tires to install on the food truck and $2,500 to help move it to its new location thanks to Fox12’s Surprise Squad.

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