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Wednesday June 17, 2026 | Volume 151, Issue 24 www.polkio.com
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County to send $5 million levy to voters to keep fairgrounds open By DAVID HAYES I-O Editor
Amanda Brenneman is in just her second year as owner and organizer of the Rickreall Auto Swap Meet. Outwardly, she’s not showing any worry for the host location of her signature, branded event. Inwardly, Brenneman has been concerned over the future of the home of the swap meet, the Polk County Fairgrounds and Event Center. If voters do not approve a $5 million operations levy on Nov. 3, county officials have said the fairgrounds will close at the end of the year.
Many community members from Polk County have lent their voices in support to keep the fairgrounds and event center open. At the latest round of public hearings hosted by the County Commissioners June 10, Kim Cummings, a teacher in West Salem, spoke in support of the leadership sending voters a levy in November that would keep the facility running. She said while she takes the summers off, the local youth do not and rely heavily upon the county fairgrounds to participate in popular FFA and 4-H programs. “If we were to lose those important organizations, simply because we do not have a space for them, it would be a detriment to our community, a detriment to our youth,” Cummings said. “We would see problems increase because they don’t have places to belong, to learn, to work hard, to have fun, to be a part of the community.” After weighing all of the latest input from recent public forums, the commissioners approved asking voters for a property tax increase in the Nov. 3 election of 12 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. According to staff reports, if the operations levy fails, the administration will no longer be able to fund the fairgrounds and events center, forcing the entire facility to close at the end of the year. Craig Pope was absent from the evening vote, which passed 2-0 by the other two commissioners. However, he did express his support for the levy
See MEET, page A8
See LEVY, page A7
PHOTOS BY DAVID HAYES
‘Banzini’ Dave Franzen talks about his inventory to Kerri Hiebenthol, of Perrydale, looking for parts for her 1966 Ford Mustang at the Rickreall Auto Swap Meet at the Polk County Fairgrounds on June 13. Longtime Dallas vendor Ron Garrison (below) chats it up with another vendor at the swap meet.
Rickreall is home (for now) of annual auto swap meet By DAVID HAYES I-O Editor
The Shinkle Band brings their country harmonies to Dallas Nights By DAVID HAYES I-O Editor
Every generation, a family seemingly produces enough musical prodigies that they couldn’t help but form a band, including The Jackson 5, the Bee Gees and the Beach Boys, to name a few. While not as internationally acclaimed, the Shinkle Band has garnered quite the reputation here in the Willamette Valley. The group is fronted by brothers Aaron Shinkle, Byron Shinkle and Roger Shinkle. Brother
Joe Shinkle splintered off years ago to forge his own path with 99West. Since 2005, The Shinkle Band has been entertaining crowds from the local fairs, casinos, and festivals. They can also boast they’ve opened for the likes of Reba McIntire, Neal McCoy and Joe Diffy, just to name a few. Their 2026 touring schedule is non-stop, with performances up and down the Willamette Valley and the Oregon Coast. They make their Dallas
IN THIS ISSUE
Nights debut at 6 p.m. June 22. To think, their legacy started years ago with a simple purchase. “Back in the 50s, (our father) bought one of those cheap ukuleles from the Montgomery Wards catalog, and so he would play at home and we’d play along with him,” Roger said in a previous interview. “We started playing guitars, and so we’ve been a singing family for a long time.” With the band rounded out by bassist See BAND, page A8
PHOTO COURTESY THE SHINKLE BAND
The Shinkle Band performs at 6 p.m. June 22 at Dallas Nights.
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