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Dr, Sandeep Jauhar’s presentation on dementia and Alzheimer’s June 11

Dragons’ repeat title run ends in semifinals See B1

See A6

Wednesday June 5, 2024 | Volume 148, Issue 22

www.polkio.com

$1.00

Dallas public safety fee raises July 1

PHOTO BY DAVID HAYES

Family and friends of Alex Maxfield hold a rally May 27 in front of the Polk County Courthouse to bring awareness to his death in a shooting incident in Falls City Feb. 24.

Family and friends seek justice for Alex Maxfield Falls City man was shot and killed at party Feb. 24 By DAVID HAYES Itemizer-Observer

The family and friends of Alex Maxfield want him remembered as an avid outdoorsman, a beloved grandson and a loyal husband and father of three. A gentle giant. What his family and friends from Falls City don’t want him remembered as is an unsolved mystery.

They gathered in a Justice for Alex rally May 27, Memorial Day, in front of the Polk County Courthouse in an effort to keep his memory alive in the wake of his death Feb. 24. “We’re just trying to spread a little awareness on a situation. A little push for accountability and

answers,” said his cousin Brittany Damewood. From the rally, which garnered honks of support as holiday goers drove past, Damewood said they knew it was only a small act on a holiday, destined to be seen by few. “Most of us are off work. We figured other people would at least be driving through. Our point wasn’t

really for the courthouse but more so for the people in the community to know,” she explained. “We ran into a lot of people who didn’t know. And it’s so bizarre for such a small town. It’s been quiet. It was time to make a little noise for him.” See JUSTICE, page A3

Earlier this year the Dallas City Council addressed the general fund needs after careful research and community input by implementing a public safety fee increase. The public safety fee was adopted by the City Council through a resolution on Jan. 22. This fee will be reviewed annually and may be adjusted by the City Council as needed. Effective July 1, the Public Safety Fee will be $12.50 per city sewer account, and be collected with the monthly city bill. The Public Safety Fee provides direct financial support to Dallas Police, Fire, and EMS personnel services. Chief of Dallas Fire & EMS April Wallace, expressed her thankfulness towards the community. ”The Dallas Fire & EMS Department wants to express our deepest gratitude to the community for your unwavering support of the public safety fee,” Wallace said. “Your commitment ensures that we can continue to provide the highest level of emergency response and maintain the safety and well-being of all residents. Thank you for standing with us as we work to protect and serve our community.” July marks one year since the Dallas Fire Department expanded its team by adding paid firefighters. This addition has enabled the department to provide continuous fire and EMS coverage. Tom Simpson, Chief of Police, also shared his appreciation. “On behalf of the officers and members of your Dallas Police See SAFETY, page A3

New class hits the right notes for music writers

Students do not need to bring their instrument with them to class. Ideal class size is 10 to 15 stuNow is the time for those who want to learn how to write music to dents. Each session lasts one hour, with time for questions and answers act. afterward. There is no hard line as to Talented musician, producer, when instruction ends. singer Lee Wanner is offering class “As of right now, the class can go instruction to music writers - be they newbies or advanced students - as long and as deep as the students are willing to go,” he said. “It conbeginning Tuesday. Those who have expressed interest cludes when people feel like, okay, I’ve got a lot to work with; I’m good in the class range in age from 9 to for now.” 80. The median age is closer to 40, Additional classes will be added however. as demand requires. “This (class) is meant for pretty Though students do not have much any age group,” Wanner said. to have musical training to enroll, “But if the student is really on the don’t assume this class is strictly for young side, it would be wise if a beginners. parent was with them. Just sharing “I’d be willing to bet that people the interest, and then being able to who have been writing songs for do it with them at home.” 20 years could come in and learn a By LANCE MASTERSON For The Itemizer-Observer

lot; in the first one or two lessons, they’ll learn a lot,” Wanner said. The goal is for each student to create their own composition, which will then be performed in front of the class. To get to that point, students will initially focus on the building blocks of writing music, such as the understanding of chord structure and chord tones. “I’m keeping the class accessible with fundamentals,” he explained. Once a student understands chord tones and, later, chord passes, writing “becomes so effortless you could shake songs out of your sleeve,” he said. As a student’s skills set grows, as they master the building blocks, they See MUSIC, page A3

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

There’s still time to sign up for a music writing class with Lee Wanner (pictured), owner of Northwest Music Studio in Dallas. The class meets for the first time on Tuesday.

P E N TA C L E T H E AT R E P R O U D LY P R E S E N T S

JUNE 7-29, 2024 WRITTEN BY

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Prices start at $19

www.PentacleTheatre.org

Produced by special arrangement with THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY of Woodstock, Illinois. Poster by Isaac Mitchell

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

A4 A4 A6 B2 B2 A2 B6 B3