PIO by C.M.I.

Willamina

Sports

Hotrods, Hotdogs & Bulldogs See A3

Panthers bid for conference title begins Friday See B1

Wednesday April 3, 2024 | Volume 148, Issue 014

www.polkio.com

$1.00

Foundation presents $42,000 in grants to local nonprofits By DAVID HAYES Itemizer-Observer

Bob Brannigan loves the spring, especially since it represents a time of year his organization Dallas Community Foundation gets to help grow other local non-profits.

The DCF presented $42,000 in grants last week to 24 organizations offering their services in the Dallas area. “This is a really wonderful time of the year for the foundation to recognize all of the fine work going on in the Dallas community that

your organizations are putting forward. We are very proud to support each and every one of you,” said Brannigan, board president of DCF. In the next few months, he added, the DCF will also be presenting just under $40,000 in scholarships to students in the Dallas School District.

While not every organization had a representative present to accept the grant, those who attended expressed their gratitude. Glenda Dunaway, of Bambinos of Oregon, said the non-profit will use their $2,000 grant to purchase “pullups” and wipes, which the

Amazon Kindle, Netflix come knocking on writer’s door, 13 years later

See BRAUTIGAM, page A8

See GRANT, page A6

Community honors Vietnam veterans Mar. 29 By DAVID HAYES Itemizer-Observer

By LANCE MASTERSON For The Itemizer-Observer

It took one bad movie to convince David Brautigam that he could write a better one. “My dad and I used to watch movies as a hobby. And the way I got involved with screenwriting is that we watched ‘The Happening,’ by far one of the worst movies we had ever seen. We walked out of it,” Brautigam said. “And I remember my dad driving me home the day after the movie. I remember just being all, you know, frustrated, passionate, about it. I remember telling him I can write a screenplay off the top of my head better than what we just saw.” That was the night Brautigam turned his words into action. First, he researched how to write and format a screenplay. Then, he began pounding the keys. That was 13 years ago. “It took me about a year and a half to write ‘Revenge is a Must,” which was actually my first project,” he said. Brautigam was comfortable enough with the screenplay to send it to a high school friend, Bret Harrison, an actor with more than 30 screen credits to his name. “Bret looked at it, sent me an email back, and I’ll never forget

organization offers mothers in need, in addition to diapers and formula. She said in 2021, Bambinos gave away 237 packs of diapers. This year that number rose to 1,321.

First taste of Easter

PHOTO BY DAVID HAYES

Jason Little, 9 months, hasn’t quite gotten the hang of his first Easter Egg Hunt at the Monmouth Christian Church event Saturday at Central High School. For more Easter photos, go to page B8.

Once a year, community members gather around for an informal ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in the plaza of Riverview Park on March 29. The memorial was erected in Independence on July 4, 1984, and is believed to be the oldest in the state of Oregon. Leading this year’s observance were members of the American Legion Post 33. Post adjutant Steven Russell said 31 of their members are Vietnam veterans. He explained that while the first Vietnam Veterans’ Day observance was unofficially held in 1975, it wasn’t until 2017 the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act was signed into law. To mark last Friday’s ceremony, Independence Mayor John McArdle read a proclamation from the City Council that read in part, “This anniversary presents the opportunity to honor and thank our Vietnam Veterans for their brave, courageous military service and sacrifice.” McArdle said at the outset while he was not a veteran, his father was a career sergeant major, so he learned a lot of things, including an appreciation of those who were sent to Vietnam. “I want to say, we’re here today to recognize your service, your commitment and the commitment of all of you. Not just those that when you were serving overseas, but when you came back,” McArdle said. See HONOR, page A3

David’s House offers temporary home for unhoused youth By DAVID HAYES Itemizer-Observer

PHOTO BY DAVID HAYES

Representatives from the many organizations who helped bring David’s House to fruition cut the ribbon March 27, celebrating the opening of the youth transitional housing.

A block off Main Street in Monmouth, sits an unassuming historical home that has been repurposed for a new generation in need. The two-story home was rechristened “David’s House” last week, paying homage to youth homelessness advocate David Buntjer, who lost his own battle with chronic homelessness.

Buntjer was a member of Backbone, a youth-led organization tasked with developing a transitional housing plan for the unhoused youth within Polk County. While the ribbon cutting ceremony March 27 may have been rain soaked, spirits could not be dampened marking the home’s opening, bringing to fruition years of effort. See HOME, page A2

CCB#200318

ENJOY THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY, QUIET AND CONVENIENCE OF A DUCTLESS SYSTEM

Cool Deals

Your Local Fireplace Store

FREE ESTIMATES

Wood . Pellet . Gas and Ductless Units

503-378-0162

Visit Us at... ABBstoves.com or scan here

3800 River Road N. Ste.180 . Keizer, OR As an Energy Trust of Oregon trade ally, we can help you access cash incentive to make it easier to improve your home’s energy efficiency.

We always offer a 10% discount to Veterans, Active Military & 1st Responders

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

A4 A4 A6 B2 B2 B3 B7 B7

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

Weather W