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Dallas

Dallas Library hosts author Melody Carlson

Expect big fun at MicroMania Wrestling event See B1

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Wednesday June 19, 2024 | Volume 148, Issue 24

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Downtown Dallas added to list of National Register of Historic Places

By DAVID HAYES Itemizer-Observer

The Dallas Downtown Historic District in Polk County is among Oregon’s latest entries in the National Register of Historic Places. The State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation received the city of Dallas’s application to the National Register of Historic Places in February. Tyler Ferrari, Economic Development Specialist, said the city initiated these efforts in 2019 through a survey identifying historic homes, businesses and other resources in the downtown core.

He was surprised to get a decision back so quickly from the advisory committee, as he was initially told the process could take into the fall. The National Park Service — which maintains the National Register — accepted the nomination on May 24. “I think it’s definitely exciting. It was a long time coming for the downtown core to get properly recognized as a history downtown district. It’s the first step preserving its history,” Ferrari said. The Advisory Committee said in a press release they chose to list the Dallas Downtown Historic District

in the National Register of Historic Places because of its local significance in the area of commerce for its association with broad patterns of history and its representation of the economic development of the city of Dallas. “Near the center of the historic district is the Polk County Courthouse (completed in 1900), a building that exemplifies an era when agriculture and timber led to Dallas’ unprecedented economic vitality,” the committee wrote. See DALLAS, page A3

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The downtown core of Dallas has been added to list of National Register of Historic Places.

Indy approves $51 million budget with new public safety fee Proposed 15% across the board spending cut fails By DAVID HAYES Itemizer-Observer

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Axel Delsman eats freshly picked broccoli from the Luckiamute Charter School’s student garden.

Student garden grows into popular program for charter school By DAVID HAYES Itemizer-Observer

Before the COVID pandemic, the Luckiamute Valley Charter Schools had a seed of an idea for a new program for their students. They applied and received a one-year mentorship from the Farm to School Institute to create an outdoor school garden.

That imitative has since grown to a popular garden that’s about 60-feet by 150-feet that involves every student at both their schools, grades K through 8. Lua Siegel, hired to facility and grow the program, said the students have since cultivated and harvested quite the bounty. “They’ve grown several hundred pounds of tomatoes, pumpkins,

mini watermelon, zucchini, peppers, beans, corn, garlic, onions, potatoes. A lot so far,” Siegel said. She said LVCS was one of four schools in Oregon Eco Trust chose to host their program. After surveying parents and teachers, it was exactly the initiative they felt was perfect for the school to utilize for their Student Investment Account.

Christy Wilkins, LVCS Director, said it’s rather rare for schools to support a garden program with a full-time coordinator and assistant. “We have growing programs on both campuses that is absolutely supported by our board. It’s something they’ve wanted for long time,” See GARDEN, page A3

To avoid a projected budget shortfall, the Independence City Council approved June 11 attaching a public safety fee to its utility bill that will also help continue funding city services. However, in a last-ditch effort to bypass the need for the unpopular safety fee Councilor Dawn Roden proposed a 15% across the board cut to every department within the city’s budget. After city staff walked the councilors through the budgeting process that leaves natural room for cuts should grant funds not materialize, Mayor John McArdle outright stated Roden’s proposal was a “bad amendment” he was not in favor of supporting. The City Council approved a $51 million budget, up from $37 last year. However, according to the staff report, if additional actions were taken the city was facing a deficit by 2025-26 that would balloon to $3 million by the 2028-29 fiscal year. The Budget Committee recommended implementing a public See INDY, page A8

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

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