http://www.itemizerobserver.com/ Stories from the Polk-County Itemizer-Observer (c)2012, Eagle Newspapers, Inc. All rights reserved http://www.itemizerobserver.com/images/iologo2.jpg DALLAS -- The Dallas 14U Club Volleyball team placed second at last weekend's McMinnville 14U Tournament. Pictured from left, Cambria Blair, Isabel Tapete, Hailey Miller, coach Kellie Ackerman, Makayla Vincent, Haley Smith, Maci Ackerman, coach Cathy McCarron, Abby Sampont, Alisa Aime, Lindsey Golly and Makena Linn. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22515/dallas-14u-volleyball-team-takes-second Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:33:56 GMT 22515 IF YOU GO... Western Oregon Men's Basketball Thursday: vs. Northwest Nazarene, 7 p.m. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22501/wou-roundup-western-oregon-mens-track-team-captures-fifth-straight-indoor-title Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:50:36 GMT 22501 Perrydale players earn recognitio n PERRYDALE -- Four members of the Perrydale girls basketball team have been named to the 2011-12 Casco League all-conference squad. Senior guard Katie Hallock and junior guard Brooke Barnes each received all-league first-team honors, while junior wing Ashley Griffin and freshman guard Cheyenne Locke were selected to the all-conference second team. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22502/polk-county-sports-briefs Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:50:36 GMT 22502 POLK COUNTY LOST BOYS RUGBY What: Rugby Oregon-sponsored team comprised of area high school boys from Dallas, Central, West Salem, North Salem and Sprague high schools. Coach: Joe Boyd (third season). http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22503/rugby-thrives-in-polk-county Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:50:36 GMT 22503 WEDNESDAY UPDATE: GIRLS: PERRYDALE 44, PORTLAND WALDORF 27 The Pirates defeated Portland Waldorf in Tuesday's Class 1A first-round playoff game, advance to second round at McKenzie for 7 p.m. tip Friday. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22504/perrydale-basketball-teams-face-tough-road Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:50:36 GMT 22504 WEDNESDAY, FEB. 22 Boys Basketball: Class 1A State Playoffs, First Round: Perrydale at Triangle Lake, 7 p.m. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22505/local-sports-schedule-for-feb-22-feb-29 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:50:36 GMT 22505 OSAA Class 5A State Wrestling Championships When: Friday, 8:30 a.m.; Saturday, 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22506/bigger-dreams-ahead-for-dallas-wrestlers Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:50:36 GMT 22506 GRESHAM -- When Deaven Vessell -- seeded second in the event -- finished fourth in the Feb. 11 Mid-Willamette Conference girls 100-yard breaststroke championship final, she was disappointed, to say the least. What a difference a week makes. After learning her time had qualified her for last weekend's Class 5A State Swimming Championships, the Dallas junior made the most of her first trip to the big stage with a huge personal record - 2 seconds off her best time -- to capture a team-best fifth-place finish in Saturday's 100 breaststroke final at the Mt. Hood Community College Aquatic Center. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22507/dallas-deaven-vessell-has-breakout-performance-in-first-state-swimming-meet Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:50:36 GMT 22507 WEDNESDAY UPDATE : As of Wednesday afternoon, the Class 5A girls and boys basketball playoff brackets had yet to be set. Check back here at www.polkio.com or check out our Facebook page at www.facebook.com (search for Polk County Itemizer-Observer) for updates on those brackets. You can also follow sports editor Nicole Watkins on Twitter at www.twitter.com/NicoleWatkinsIO . DALLAS -- Dave Brautigam has seen what his Dallas girls basketball team is capable of all season long. Now it's just time for the Dragons to put it all together -- and they'll need to do it perfectly. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22508/dallas-basketball-teams-have-nothing-to-lose Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:50:36 GMT 22508 2012 Oregon State United States Bowling Congress High School Bowling Championships When: Friday-Sunday. Where: Lava Lanes, Bend. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22509/bowling-dreams-dallas-girls-win-first-district-title-advance-to-state-championships Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:50:36 GMT 22509 SWEET HOME -- A youthful Central wrestling team sent seven athletes into a "brutal" field on the second day of the Special District 4 Championships hoping to qualify for the biggest stage -- this weekend's Class 4A state tournament. Just one -- freshman Tanner Swinehart -- made it out on Saturday at Sweet Home High School. Coach Van Holstad said that for the fourth-place 145-pounder, that's not all that surprising. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22510/centrals-tanner-swinehart-through-to-state-wrestling-meet Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:50:36 GMT 22510 GRESHAM -- For Robert Berry and Andrew Hasbrook, Saturday's Class 4A-3A-2A-1A State Swimming Championships was no new experience. The Central senior duo managed to qualify for their year-end goal every season including their last one, amidst injuries that could have sidelined some athletes. That was plenty to like for Central coach Teresa Tolzmann. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22511/centrals-robert-berry-andrew-hasbrook-end-on-high-notes-at-state-swimming-championships Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:50:36 GMT 22511 WEDNESDAY UPDATE: CENTRAL 32, NEWPORT 31 The Central girls defeated Newport in Tuesday's Oregon West Conference finale to lock up third place and will take the No. 3 seed into Friday's 7 p.m. Class 4A play-in contest at Cottage Grove, the Sky-Em League's No. 2 seed. Game time is set for 7 p.m. The winner will advance to the first round of the Class 4A state playoffs on March 2. INDEPENDENCE -- Combing through this season's box scores for the Central girls basketball team doesn't do much in terms of helping you find the Panthers' "star" player. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22512/central-girls-basketball-team-thrives-on-balanced-attack Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:50:36 GMT 22512 WEDNESDAY UPDATE: Central defeated Newport 62-42 in Tuesday's Oregon West Conference finale to capture the regular-season title with a perfect 10-0 record. The Panthers carry the No. 1 seed into Saturday's 6 p.m. Class 4A play-in game against Junction City, the No. 4 seed from the Sky-Em League at Central High School. The winner of that game will advance to the first round of the Class 4A state playoffs on March 3. INDEPENDENCE -- With the way that the Class 4A No. 1-ranked Central boys basketball team has rolled through the regular season, it's easy to point to 6-foot-4 senior all-everything forward Tanner Omlid as the reason for all of the success. Omlid is a big reason -- but he knows another that might be even more important. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22513/centrals-chan-bal-a-perfect-fit-at-point-guard Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:50:36 GMT 22513 Deaven Vessell Dallas High http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22514/polk-county-athletes-of-the-week Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:50:36 GMT 22514 MONMOUTH-INDEPENDENCE -- Cec Koontz has been tapped as the Monmouth-Independence Area Chamber of Commerce "First Citizen." Koontz is a Monmouth city councilor and treasurer of the Monmouth-Independence Community Foundation. She works as a regional program coordinator for the Rural Development Initiative. She will receive the honor at the M-I Chamber's Community Awards Banquet on March 9 at Central High School. Others who will be recognized at the event include: http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22500/222-breaking-news-m-i-chamber-award-winners-announced Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:55:33 GMT 22500 POLK COUNTY -- There will be no criminal charges for anyone involved in the mishandling of evidence related to the Philip Scott Cannon murder case, the Marion County District Attorney's Office announced Tuesday afternoon. Oregon State Police completed last month an investigation into the 2011 discovery of four boxes of evidence and exhibits inside a storage cabinet in the facilities of the state Department of Justice that were previously thought lost. Attorney General John Kroger had asked for the review and tasked the Marion County DA's Office with determining whether a crime was committed regarding the evidence. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22499/222-breaking-news-no-criminal-charges-in-cannon-evidence-mishandling Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:41:14 GMT 22499 RICKREALL -- Need ideas for a kitchen remodel? Or how about that house painting project that's still on your to-do list? The 2012 Polk Home and Garden Show, taking over the Polk County Fairgrounds & Event Center for its fifth-annual event Friday through Sunday, may have just the answer all in one location. The show will feature three days of demonstrations, vendors, exhibits and merchandise, all designed to inspire home decorating and remodeling projects. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22473/home-and-garden-show-will-have-something-for-everyone Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:19:27 GMT 22473 INDEPENDENCE -- When designed in 1915, Airco's de Havilland 2 (DH-2) biplane appeared as though it would give the British Royal Flying Corps the air combat edge it needed during World War I. The DH-2 was a "pusher" -- its engine sat behind the cockpit. The configuration eliminated the need for pilots to fire a machine gun through the propeller and risk shooting themselves down. With aviation still in its infancy, the then DH-2 was the F-16 of its time -- at least until Germany introduced the more capable Albatros fighter in the latter half of 1916. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22474/into-the-wild-blue Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:19:27 GMT 22474 Elective classes vital for students Dallas School District enrollment numbers are dropping in direct proportion to the decrease in electives offered for students ("State enrollment numbers are flat," Feb. 15 Itemizer-Observer). http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22475/222-letters-to-the-editor Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:19:27 GMT 22475 DALLAS 950 Main St. 503-623-2633 http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22476/222-library-calendar Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:19:27 GMT 22476 Snegirev Adalynn Marie Snegirev was born to Alexander Snegirev and Stephanie Leos of Salem at 11:32 p.m. on Feb. 6 at Salem Hospital Family Birth Center. She weighed 8 pounds, 11 ounces, and was 19 3/4 inches long. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22477/222-births Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:19:27 GMT 22477 SALEM -- Dr. Nancy Boutin, a Salem radiation oncologist, has been awarded Marion-Polk County Medical Society's prestigious "President's Achievement Award." The President's Achievement Award recognizes doctors who have accomplished a noble deed in their lifetime. As a 22-year veteran of the Salem medical community, Boutin was instrumental in starting and pioneering the Palliative Care program at Salem Health, which focuses on improving comfort and quality of life for patients who are facing life-threatening or chronic illness. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22478/local-doctor-honored-for-noble-deed Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:19:27 GMT 22478 MONMOUTH -- High schools girls and teachers with a passion for numbers are welcome to attend a math fair Saturday at Western Oregon University. Sonia Kovalevsky Mathematics Day is an annual program of hands-on workshops and talks for students and their teachers, both women and men. The purpose is to encourage young women to continue their study of math and to assist the teachers of female math students. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22479/math-in-limelight-at-wou Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:19:27 GMT 22479 We're nearing the end of February and it won't be much longer before we will be planning and plotting out flower and vegetable gardens. Along with the little purple violets and crocus and daffodil sightings in MI Town, garden catalogs and brightly colored packets of seeds are everywhere. While it's much too early to set out plants, this is a great time of year to think about the benefits of growing fruits and vegetables for your families. Even though we can find a variety of good produce in our local grocery stores year round, nothing can begin to compare with something you've grown in your very own garden. Apartment dwellers can grow lettuce and tomato plants in a sunny window or on a small patio if space is at a premium. Starting a tray of seedlings is a fun activity for children, too. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22480/222-mi-town-patty-taylor-dutcher Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:19:27 GMT 22480 MONMOUTH -- Dogs come in all shapes and sizes -- and for Shannon Maroney, all kinds of beauty needs. Sunshine, for example, just needs her toenails clipped. Inside her grooming shop off Highway 99W, Maroney helps lift the hound-lab mix onto the table -- she has a bad back. "Too much (fetch)," her owner, Jackie Alloway said. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22481/monmouth-shop-can-fill-doggies-grooming-needs Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:19:27 GMT 22481 INDEPENDENCE -- The staff of the Independence Heritage Museum ran a sump pump and shop vacuum in the basement for two straight days during the height of the heavy rains last month in an attempt to keep the space dry. But that didn't stop water from seeping through foundation walls, pooling 3 inches deep and threatening artifacts in storage. Curator Peggy Schorsch threw in the towel on the third day and called on volunteers to help evacuate old photographs, documents, clothes and other objects to higher ground. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22482/museum-water-dont-mix Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:19:27 GMT 22482 Robert Chester Davenport Dec. 25, 1926 - Feb. 12, 2012 http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22483/222-obituaries Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:19:27 GMT 22483 POLK COUNTY -- Dean Freeborn of the Polk County Farm Bureau recently received the Oregon Farm Bureau's "Service to Agriculture Award." Freeborn "has been a consistent, dependable leader dedicated to the advancement of Oregon agriculture -- and is a true advocate and fighter for family farms and ranches," said OFB President Barry Bushue. Freeborn represents Polk and Yamhill counties and has the the second-longest tenure on the OFB board of directors. He served from 1987 to 1997, and was re-elected to the board in 2005, where he still volunteers today. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22484/oregon-farm-bureau-honors-polk-county-resident Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:19:27 GMT 22484 POLK COUNTY -- Word that budget cuts may force the Oregon State Police to cut personnel has law enforcement officials across the state watching funding negotiations carefully. Sen. Jackie Winters, who sits on the legislature's Ways and Means Public Safety subcommittee, and OSP officials said no decisions have been made yet and cuts may be less drastic than originally proposed. However, the possibility that budget reductions could impact local drug teams or affect local patrols is cause for concern for the Polk Interagency Narcotics Team (POINT) and the Polk County Sheriff's Office. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22485/osp-cuts-concern-other-law-enforcers Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:19:27 GMT 22485 DALLAS -- Valentine's Day may have already come and gone, but love -- and a little bit of magic -- is in the air in Dallas High School's production of "Almost, Maine." The play, written by John Cariani, is a string of vignettes portraying love in its many varieties -- new love, old love, ending love, endless love or love that the couples' didn't even realize was there. Dallas High begins its run of "Almost, Maine" Thursday. For those with a soft spot for romantic comedies, the play will be a delight. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22486/play-vignettes-portray-love Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:19:27 GMT 22486 Information for the police report comes from local law enforcement agencies. Not all calls for service are included in this report. The status of incidents reported may change after further investigation. Individuals arrested or suspected of crimes are considered innocent until proven guilty. -- DALLAS http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22487/222-police-report Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:19:27 GMT 22487 MONMOUTH -- MaMere's Bed & Breakfast, which has grown into a local institution during the last four years, will be going up for sale next month. Owner Terri Gregory said she plans on returning to her education career roots. Before MaMere's, she was a teacher, then a behavior specialist for the Salem-Keizer School District and Oregon Youth Authority. Gregory said she wants to devote more time to her business of coaching parents of at-risk teens; she has recently written a book on the subject. She also wants to spend more time with family. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22488/popular-monmouth-bb-up-for-sale Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:19:27 GMT 22488 Public Agenda is a listing of upcoming meetings for governmental agencies in Polk County. To submit a meeting, send it at least two weeks before the actual meeting date to the Itemizer-Observer via fax (503-623-2395) or e-mail (kholland@polkio.com). -- WEDNESDAY, FEB. 22 http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22489/222-public-agenda-calendar Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:19:27 GMT 22489 SCHOOL NOTES Dinner, auction will aid Central FFA INDEPENDENCE -- Tickets are now on sale and donations are being accepted for the Central FFA Alumni benefit dinner and auction scheduled Saturday at Central High School. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22490/222-school-notes-academic-honors Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:19:27 GMT 22490 MONMOUTH/INDEPENDENCE -- Roughly a third of parents with children at the middle and high schools whose first language isn't English have never attended a parent meeting, a Central School District survey showed. And almost 45 percent of elementary school respondents weren't sure how to access their students' state exam results. Those are some of the findings in a recent survey Central School District conducted of families of students considered English Language Learners. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22491/seeking-better-communication Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:19:27 GMT 22491 FALLS CITY -- Construction of a full-size basketball court in Riverside Park is inching closer to reality. Falls City High School students Nathan Bowman, Deven LaVoie and Stephen Reynolds are spearheading the effort as their senior project. It will include adding 7 feet to the paved surface of the court, installing permanent hoops, and erecting a fence to prevent losing basketballs to the nearby Little Luckiamute River. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22492/students-project-is-on-track Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:19:27 GMT 22492 POLK COUNTY -- Are you a survivor? A caregiver? Have you lost a loved one to cancer? Are you ready to make a difference in the fight against cancer? The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Polk County is seeking more teams to participate in the June 9-10 relay at Riverview Park in Independence. Relay For Life of Polk County is part of an international movement that has raised more than $4 billion for the American Cancer Society. That money goes to support research and services for survivors. Last year alone, Polk County contributed more than $90,000. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22493/teams-are-needed-for-2012-relay Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:19:27 GMT 22493 WEST SALEM -- Two people were arrested in connection with a nonfatal stabbing near the pedestrian bridge at Wallace Marine Park on Thursday, Salem Police said. Aloysius Virgil Meshell, 37, was charged with first- and second-degree assault, menacing, three counts of unlawful use of a weapon, and parole violation. His girlfriend, Katrica Dean Graham, 25, was also arrested and charged with fourth-degree assault. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22494/two-arrested-in-stabbing Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:19:27 GMT 22494 WASHINGTON -- Those hoping for a solution to the county timber payments crisis were given reasons for optimism last week, however cautious. Thursday, Reps. Peter DeFazio (D-Springfield), Kurt Schrader (D-Canby) and Greg Walden (R-Hood River) released details of a joint proposal involving Oregon's O&C lands. At the same time, a bill -- House Resolution 4019 -- was reviewed in the House Natural Resources Committee. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22495/two-plans-aim-to-ease-timber-payments-loss Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:19:27 GMT 22495 DALLAS -- Polk County's Nutrition and Screening Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) has received an award and additional funding in recognition of its high rate of mothers who breastfeed their children. The county's program was recognized with all others in Oregon due to the statewide WIC program's success in encouraging breastfeeding. "Breastfeeding has been a primary focus of the WIC program because it is known to reduce the incidence of infections, asthma and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome," said Randi Phillips, Polk County's Public Health manager. "Breastfeeding is also associated with lower rates of childhood obesity, diabetes, hearth disease and cancers later in life." http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22496/wic-program-gets-additional-funding Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:19:27 GMT 22496 MONMOUTH -- Nineteen students at Western Oregon University were honored last week by the state for helping rescue valuable historic items during the January flooding. Volunteers from Western's football team, the Wolves Helping Others Club, and the Werner University Center rushed over to the Heritage Museum in Independence on Jan. 19 after the building's basement and storage area began to fill with water. The students carted boxes of historic documents, clothing, and not-yet-completed assessions to higher ground. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22497/wou-students-step-up-to-help-evacuate-items Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:19:27 GMT 22497 Think of it as early spring cleaning. A few chores this time of year that will get your garden ready to bloom. Barb Fick, horticulturist for the Oregon State University Extension Service, recommends a few tips to help make your summer flowerbeds healthy and beautiful. * Remove heavy winter mulch from perennial beds after night temperatures stay above freezing to allow sunshine to warm the soil. Leave a thin layer of mulch in place. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22498/222-your-garden-judy-scott Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:19:27 GMT 22498 Social media workshop is Thursday MONMOUTH -- Current and aspiring business owners are welcome to attend the third and final program in the Polk County Lunch & Learn Series at Western Oregon University on Thursday. The free workshop is designed to help individuals determine the best practices and strategies when it comes to social media and business and will look at real-world social media successes. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22461/222-business-notebook Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:19:27 GMT 22461 INDEPENDENCE -- Checkmate. Teams from Henry Hill Elementary School and Talmadge Middle School will take part in the Chess for Success State Championship Tournament next month. Students from the two schools advanced to state during a regional contest in Independence on Feb. 11. Henry Hill placed first among elementary schools, while Talmadge tied for top honors in the junior high division. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22462/chess-teams-bask-in-success Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:19:27 GMT 22462 DALLAS -- BeckenRidge Vineyard will sparkle with "Dazzling Diamonds" during the 55th annual Dallas Community Awards Ceremony Friday evening. The yearly award ceremony honors individuals and businesses who made a positive impact on the Dallas-area community in the previous year. This year, the Dallas Area Chamber of Commerce is planning the ceremony around a "Dazzling Diamonds" theme. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22463/community-awards-will-honor-dazzling-diamonds-of-dallas Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:19:27 GMT 22463 Community Calendar is a listing of upcoming events taking place in Polk County that are open to the public. To submit an event for calendar consideration, please send it at least two weeks before the actual event date to the Itemizer-Observer via fax (503-623-2395) or e-mail (ionews@polkio.com). -- WEDNESDAY, FEB. 22 http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22464/222-community-calendar Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:19:27 GMT 22464 Reception to mark art exhibit opening An opening reception for the exhibit "Image, Identity, Allegory" takes place Wednesday from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the Dan and Gail Cannon Gallery of Art on the Western Oregon University campus in Monmouth. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22465/222-community-notebook Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:19:27 GMT 22465 DALLAS -- Dallas High School senior Jackson Geiger has qualified for the Oregon Thespians State Festival scheduled in April. Geiger qualified at the Oregon Thespians South Regional Acting Competition at McNary High School on Feb. 4. He performed two monologues in the category of solo acting, one from "African Company Presents Richard III" by playwright Carlyle Brown and the second from "The Imaginary Invalid" by French playwright Moliere and adapted by Oded Gross and Tracy Young. This was the third time Geiger has participated in the regional competition and the first time he has advanced to the state festival, which will be held April 12-14 in Salem. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22466/dallas-senior-qualifies-for-state-acting-event Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:19:27 GMT 22466 DALLAS -- Enjoying sushi in a restaurant no longer requires a drive out of town. Tiga Sushi Bar and Japanese Restaurant opened Friday in downtown Dallas, adding variety to Dallas' dining options. Owner Erwin Gunarsu Pieroni took over the former Capone's Pub & Grill Feb. 1 after discovering Dallas didn't have a sushi bar. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22467/dallas-sushi-bar-is-now-open Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:19:27 GMT 22467 DALLAS -- A Dallas teen was named a Distinguished Finalist in the 2012 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards for Oregon. Zachary Odegard, 15, was named a finalist for his work as the youth chairman of American Cancer Society's Relay For Life. As chairman, Odegard is responsible for encouraging youths to participate in the event. For the past four years, he has visited local schools and other organizations to recruit walkers. The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards recognize the volunteer efforts of young people in Oregon. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22468/dallas-teen-honored-for-local-service Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:19:27 GMT 22468 DALLAS -- The dreary financial outlook for Dallas schools is likely to continue into next year. The Dallas School District is projecting it will have to cut more than $1.2 million from its general fund next year to balance its budget and maintain an adequate contingency fund. District staff estimate the general fund expenditures at about $24.36 million for the 2012-13 school year. Projected resources for the school year total about $24.15 million. The district is hoping to hold $1 million in reserve for unforeseen expenses, leaving a sizable gap to fill. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22469/district-is-facing-budget-blues Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:19:27 GMT 22469 DALLAS -- Kevin Parnell was named Firefighter of the Year and Paul McCallum EMT of the Year Saturday at the annual Dallas Fire Department Sweetheart Banquet and Awards Program. Awards presented earlier this month at Bollman Auditorium at Dallas High School honor those who serve in the city's fire and Emergency Medical Services departments or assist the agencies in their mission. Jason Locke, the Community Development Director for the city of Dallas, received the Dallas Fire Department Excellence in Service Award for his oversight of two major grant projects: a grant for fire station seismic upgrades and an energy grant replacing doors, windows, lights and heating systems at the station. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22470/firefighters-emts-are-honored Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:19:27 GMT 22470 POLK COUNTY -- Polk County Sgt. Mark Garton had the task of driving the new Humvee the sheriff's office acquired from Camp Withycombe in Clackamas County last week. It's nothing he wants to patrol in. The ride is "stiff, not good for a back." When running, it's too loud to hear anything below a yell inside. "Honestly, it's probably more fun to look at," he said. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22471/free-is-a-very-good-price Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:19:27 GMT 22471 Flood. It's the dreaded "F-word." As Oregonians, we are no stranger to flooding. The rivers and creeks that provide our drinking water, our sources of recreation, and the aesthetic beauty that makes Oregon such an attractive place also give us a source of frustration and helplessness. The topographic nature of the Willamette Valley, having been formed by a mega-flood, serves as a depository for all the precipitation that falls east of the Coast Range and west of the Cascades. The Willamette Valley Basin drains an area just under 12,000 square miles. The network of streams and rivers flow to the Willamette River, which heads north, and empties into the Columbia River. The Columbia then drains to the Pacific Ocean. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22472/222-guest-column-every-little-bit-counts-when-dealing-with-local-flooding Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:19:27 GMT 22472 WEST SALEM -- Joe Downes is ready for his first horseback ride. He has his boots, jeans and plaid shirt on, the latter underneath a warm hooded jacket to shield against a bitterly cold winter afternoon in the hills west of Salem. Joe, who is autistic, eagerly awaits his turn on Red, one of four horses at Love Reins Ranch, a nonprofit equine therapy center that offers free sessions to people with special needs. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22460/on-this-ranch-love-reigns Wed, 15 Feb 2012 14:21:50 GMT 22460 Public Agenda is a listing of upcoming meetings for governmental agencies in Polk County. To submit a meeting, send it at least two weeks before the actual meeting date to the Itemizer-Observer via fax (503-623-2395) or e-mail (kholland@polkio.com). -- WEDNESDAY, FEB. 15 http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22459/215-public-agenda-calendar Wed, 15 Feb 2012 14:10:51 GMT 22459 WEDNESDAY UPDATE: BOYS -- SILVERTON 52, DALLAS 50 Brady McKinley scored 22 points as the Dragons took the No. 6-ranked team in the OSAA power rankings to the wire Tuesday. GIRLS -- SILVERTON 52, DALLAS 45 http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22456/dallas-boys-basketball-team-remains-confident-down-the-stretch Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:25:16 GMT 22456 WEDNESDAY UPDATE: GIRLS -- CENTRAL 51, TAFT 8 Mo Tapasa scored 11 points for the injury-plagued Panthers to lead them to a big Oregon West Conference win Tuesday at home. BOYS -- CENTRAL 73, TAFT 35 http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22457/no-letdowns-for-central-boys-basketball-team Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:25:16 GMT 22457 WEDNESDAY UPDATE: BOYS -- PERRYDALE 49, ST. PAUL 43 With Tuesday's win, the Pirates advance in the Casco League playoffs. Perrydale will face C.S. Lewis Thursday to determine seeding. The winner of Thursday's game will advance to face league leader Country Christian Saturday for the No. 1 seed, while the loser of Thursday's game will be the No. 3 seed. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22458/big-week-for-perrydale-basketball-teams Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:25:16 GMT 22458 MONMOUTH -- Monmouth has interesting footnotes in its nearly 160-year history: It was settled three years before Oregon was admitted to the union and is the site of the oldest public university in the state. But it has relatively few of what most consider historic buildings -- think turn-of-the-20th century -- that are formally recognized under national or local standards. There are eight properties listed as significant landmarks in town to date. Only five are on the National Historic Register. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22440/monmouth-puts-focus-on-historic-properties Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:17:17 GMT 22440 INDEPENDENCE -- Marilyn Morton will step down as manager of the Monmouth-Independence Chamber of Commerce next month. Morton gave formal notice last week to the chamber's executive board of directors that she has accepted a job as account manager for the Monmouth-Independence Network (MINET), the two towns' broadband utility. "I feel sad about leaving, I've really enjoyed this and am still going to have a connection to it," Morton said. "But I also feel excited about a new adventure." http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22441/morton-leaving-m-i-chamber-role Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:17:17 GMT 22441 DALLAS -- The husband and wife team of Gabe Prewitt and Lyndsay Posey have gone from San Diego to China to study acupuncture and Chinese medicine. Now they have brought their expertise to Dallas, opening a clinic, Willamette Acupuncture & Wellness, in the Dallas Health & Vitality Center. After working part time in other clinics, Posey, who grew up in Dallas, said they believed there was a need to start a practice in town. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22442/new-wellness-clinic-opens Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:17:17 GMT 22442 Senator slates Saturday town hall WEST SALEM -- U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) will hold a Polk County town hall meeting Saturday afternoon in West Salem. The gathering takes place at 4:30 p.m. at Straub Middle School, 1920 Wilmington Ave. NW, in West Salem. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22443/215-news-in-brief Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:17:17 GMT 22443 DALLAS -- To Travis Godkin, science was never a dreaded subject. In fact, he had long planned to make a career out of it -- in one way or another. "I've been involved in science forever," Godkin said. "I've always been interested in nature." Now, as a science teacher at Dallas High School, Godkin is charged with passing that interest on to his students -- at least to the point they understand the concepts he is teaching. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22444/nsta-honors-dallas-teacher Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:17:17 GMT 22444 Ronald 'Ron' Anthony August June 4, 1941 - Jan. 28, 2012 Ronald 'Ron' Anthony August http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22445/215-obituaries Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:17:17 GMT 22445 Paul and Diane Telfer took Paul's mother, Martha Telfer, and Aunt Naomi Goodman, with them to Indio, Calif., in January, where they spent 2« weeks drying out and hiking through the desert and mountains in the area. They love to hike and their goal was to log 50 miles, which they made by the last day. They hiked every other day, then did other activities with Martha and Naomi the days between. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22446/215-pedee-news-arlene-kovash Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:17:17 GMT 22446 Information for the police report comes from local law enforcement agencies. Not all calls for service are included in this report. The status of incidents reported may change after further investigation. Individuals arrested or suspected of crimes are considered innocent until proven guilty. -- DALLAS http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22447/215-police-report Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:17:17 GMT 22447 POLK COUNTY -- Polk County Community Corrections lists these individuals as "most wanted" for February. Citizens with information on the whereabouts of any of these individuals should call Community Corrections at 503-623-5226. * Amanda Shaeanne Vaughn, born June 20, 1979, 5-foot-6, 185 pounds, brown hair, brown eyes. Charges: Delivery of methamphetamine (two counts). * Jesse Andrew Helt, born Dec. 28, 1991, 6-2, 146, blonde hair, blue eyes. Charges: Trespass I. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22448/polk-county-most-wanted-for-february Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:17:17 GMT 22448 Poetry reading is Thursday at WOU MONMOUTH -- Western Oregon University will host a poetry reading in connection with February's Black History Month on Thursday. Guest speaker is Crystal Williams, a nationally-known poet and essayist whose works have appeared in Ms. Magazine, The Ithaca Times, Icarus and BookPage. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22449/215-school-notes-academic-honors Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:17:17 GMT 22449 POLK COUNTY -- News that Polk County Circuit Court Judge William Horner is retiring has caused what will be a significant shake-up in the Polk County District's Attorney's Office come election day. William Horner http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22450/shake-up-looming-in-polk-court-system Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:17:17 GMT 22450 POLK COUNTY -- Dallas School District saw its enrollment numbers fall by 132 students -- or nearly 4 percent last year. Falls City School District also saw a similar percentage enrollment decline, while Central and Perrydale experienced slight increases in student numbers. Flat might be the best word to describe the enrollment figures across the state, according to data released by the Oregon Department of Education last week. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22451/state-enrollment-numbers-are-flat Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:17:17 GMT 22451 POLK COUNTY -- Tax and lottery revenue in Oregon for the current biennium are projected to drop by another $35 million. Slow growth, meanwhile, will "continue to be the norm" and Oregon likely won't recover all of the jobs it has lost since the recession began seven years ago until the end of 2014. Those were some of the points made in last week's quarterly revenue forecast by the Office of Economic Analysis. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22452/state-forecast-falling-revenue-slow-growth Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:17:17 GMT 22452 MONMOUTH -- If you've ever wanted to combine your passion for civic involvement with the manic fun of a game show, clear your calendar for March 17. Partnerships in Community Living will host its first "Uh'Mazing Race." The fundraiser will see teams of contestants traveling to locales throughout Polk County to test their mind and athletic ability in a number of strange and unusual challenges -- from wall climbing to making juice. Needed gear includes a swimsuit, running shoes, a change of clothes and shoes. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22453/uhmazing-race-is-seeking-participants Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:17:17 GMT 22453 POLK COUNTY -- Kirk Lewis surveyed what was left of a section of dirt road on the banks of the Luckiamute River on his property Friday morning. Last month's flood took out a large chunk of the road with the rushing water that inundated the lower portion of his property near the confluence of the Luckiamute, Willamette and Santiam rivers. Wisely, Lewis' home was built on a hilltop on the property, out of reach of raging flood waters. "We would have been under 10 feet of water here," Lewis explains as he points out where the road broke off into the river. "I'm surprised I didn't lose the whole road." http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22454/when-the-floods-come Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:17:17 GMT 22454 Many homeowners who have inherited aging fruit or nut trees from previous owners must make a difficult decision: manage the trees or replace them. An easier decision is whether to go it alone or to take advantage of Oregon State University's Extension research and experience. Detailed information and 17 illustrations from experts in the field are offered in a recently revised publication that brings horticulture expertise from OSU Extension to the people of Oregon. PNW 400, "Training and Pruning Your Home Orchard," is online at http://bit.ly/PNW400. Or, you can purchase the 12-page booklet for $3 plus shipping and handling (call 541-737-2513 or 800-561-6719). http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22455/your-garden-judy-scott Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:17:17 GMT 22455 DALLAS -- All seven campuses of Chemeketa Community College, including the Dallas satellite campus building, were closed Monday morning due to a bomb threat. The threat, later found to be a hoax, was called in to KPTV (Channel 12) at about 5:40 a.m. KPTV staff members said a woman told them a bomb would go off at the college Monday morning. The caller wasn't specific about the location, so police closed all campuses during a search for a device. Five Marion County Sheriff's Office deputies, five campus security officers and two Oregon State Police bomb technicians assisted in searching the school's main campus and satellite locations in Dallas, McMinnville and Woodburn. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22422/bomb-threat-closes-all-ccc-campuses Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:17:17 GMT 22422 Bread Board opening second outlet FALLS CITY -- The Bread Board will be opening a new location in Silverton in March. John Volkmann said he and bakery co-owner Keith Zinn had been contemplating a second location in Silverton after gaining a following in that town's farmers markets. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22423/215-business-notebook Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:17:17 GMT 22423 MONMOUTH/INDEPENDENCE -- Central School District's board of directors unanimously approved a resolution to keep its existing inter-district transfer policy intact. In other words, Central opted out of an oft-discussed state law that went into effect in January and allows students to transfer between school districts without permission from the child's home district. Currently, students who want to leave Central must get signatures from their own superintendent and the head of the district they're bound for. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22424/central-chooses-to-opt-out-of-new-open-enrollment-law Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:17:17 GMT 22424 Community Calendar is a listing of upcoming events taking place in Polk County that are open to the public. To submit an event for calendar consideration, please send it at least two weeks before the actual event date to the Itemizer-Observer via fax (503-623-2395) or e-mail (ionews@polkio.com). -- WEDNESDAY, FEB. 15 http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22425/215-community-calendar Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:17:17 GMT 22425 PSWCD native plant sale set for Friday Polk Soil and Water Conservation District will hold its annual Oregon native plant sale Friday. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22426/215-community-notebook Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:17:17 GMT 22426 DALLAS -- The Dallas City Council will hold a hearing for the appeal of the city's planning commission approval of Walmart's expansion plans on March 5 during its regular meeting. While the public is welcome to attend, the hearing will only accept testimony from the parties involved in the appeal, said Dallas Community Development Director Jason Locke. "This is not a public hearing where people can testify," he said. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22427/council-to-hear-walmart-decison-appeal-march-5 Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:17:17 GMT 22427 GRAND RONDE -- Two Albany men were arrested on Feb. 7 for allegedly passing more than $1,700 worth of counterfeit bills inside Spirit Mountain Casino. Polk County Sheriff's deputies responded to the casino after the suspects, Terry Conner and Eric Willem, had tried to cash phony $100 bills at a gaming cage and at some of the table games, said Lt. Jeff Isham. Terry Conner http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22428/counterfeiters-caught-near-casino Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:17:17 GMT 22428 DALLAS -- The Dallas School District discussed, but did not vote, on two much-debated topics at its meeting Monday night: open enrollment and withdrawing from the Willamette Education Service District. The board clearly is leaning toward not adopting the new open enrollment law approved by the state legislature last session for the 2012-13 school year. The new open enrollment policy allows districts to accept out-of-district transfers without the approval of the student's home district. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22429/district-weighing-two-key-local-issues Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:17:17 GMT 22429 FALLS CITY -- Amy Houghtaling probably didn't expect to be doing the work of a paid city administrator when she was elected Falls City's mayor just over a year ago. The council terminated the employment of City Administrator Gian Paolo Mammone at its Jan. 10 meeting. Houghtaling has been assisting city staff with the details of running a city, while the council figures out what to do next. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22430/falls-city-council-looks-to-fill-key-city-positions Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:17:17 GMT 22430 POLK COUNTY -- Gov. John Kitzhaber added Polk County and 13 other counties to a state of emergency executive order on Feb. 6 because of last month's flooding. Eighteen counties in the state are now eligible to receive federal disaster relief funds because of the January winter storm that pummeled Western Oregon. Kitzhaber included four counties -- Marion, Benton, Linn and Coos -- in an initial emergency declaration on Jan. 20. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22431/governor-adds-polk-to-flood-disaster-list Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:17:17 GMT 22431 POLK COUNTY -- Polk County officials are urging owners of structures damaged by the recent flooding to be aware of important information. The county participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). All NFIP-participating communities have adopted locally enforced flood damage reduction regulations. These regulations contain standards for new, substantially damaged, and/or substantially improved structures in identified Special Flood Hazard Areas (100-year floodplains). A substantially damaged structure is one that has damage equal to or exceeding 50 percent of the pre-damaged market value. Substantially improved structures include those with repairs, alterations or additions that are equal to or exceeding 50 percent of the market value of the structure before any improvements. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22432/information-for-flood-victims-facing-repairsreplacement Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:17:17 GMT 22432 HALO, partners doing good things I would like to thank the Itemizer-Observer for its Jan. 18 article about the HALO program. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22433/215-letters-to-the-editor Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:17:17 GMT 22433 DALLAS 950 Main St. 503-623-2633 http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22434/215-library-calendar Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:17:17 GMT 22434 Rempel -- 50th LeRoy and Karen Rempel of Dallas celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Feb. 5 with an open house at the couple's home hosted by their children. LeRoy J. Rempel and Karen K. Wood were married on Feb. 2, 1962, at Keizer Community Church. The Rev. Wayne Carr performed the ceremony. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22435/215-anniversaries Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:17:17 GMT 22435 Darrington Shyla J. Darrington was born to Brent and Becky Darrington of Dallas at 12:58 p.m. on Jan. 25 at Silverton Hospital Family Birth Center. She weighed 7 pounds, 7 ounces, and was 20 inches long. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22436/215-births Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:17:17 GMT 22436 Lemmon-Eisele Jennifer Lemmon of Salem and Matthew Eisele of Salem were married Nov. 19 at Green Villa Barn in Independence. Jim Ferguson officiated the ceremony. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22437/215-weddings Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:17:17 GMT 22437 INDEPENDENCE -- Students in Jennifer Bruning's early afternoon algebra class at Central High on a recent day were able to work on their products of powers lessons alongside tutors. And iPads featuring a mobile app with video demonstrations of rules and practice problems, all at the touch of the screen. Sophomore Taylor Harris' review of the app was lukewarm -- "it was sort of helpful." The software from last week's visit was better, he noted. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22438/math-lessons-go-high-tech Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:17:17 GMT 22438 I'd like to send belated Valentine's Day greetings and a big helping of gratitude to those who help make living in MI Town extra special all year long. * To everyone at our local elementary schools, Central High School and Western Oregon University who work hard to provide an excellent education to our younger generation, thank you for sharing your gifts with our students and giving them the opportunity for a bright and happy future. Best wishes to the professors, teachers, clerical folks and the men and women who keep our campuses neat, tidy and safe, and those who are there to help with physical and emotional needs, as well. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22439/215-mi-town-patty-taylor-dutcher Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:17:17 GMT 22439 Special District 4 Wrestling Championships When: Friday, 11 a.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. Where: Sweet Home High School. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22421/sam-armstrong-steven-worthington-lead-central-wrestlers-to-districts Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:14:45 GMT 22421 Western Oregon Women's Basketball If you go... WOU vs. Alaska Fairbanks http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22412/elise-miller-leads-western-oregon-womens-hoops-to-overtime-victory Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:04:57 GMT 22412 2012 WESTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY SOFTBALL Coach: Pam Knox (10th year, 203-230 in nine seasons). 2011 record: 13-33 overall; 10-24 GNAC, sixth place. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22413/dallas-eryka-brill-finds-home-with-western-oregon-softball-team Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:04:57 GMT 22413 LACEY, Wash. -- Blair Wheadon scored 18 points to lead the Western Oregon men to a 68-48 win at Saint Martin's Saturday. Jordan Freelander added 13 points, Kyle Long scored 12 and James Gehring added 10 in the balanced scoring effort. The win avenges an earlier loss to the Saints, who snapped WOU's nine-game winning streak back on Jan. 14. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22414/western-oregon-mens-basketball-team-avenges-earlier-loss-to-saint-martins Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:04:57 GMT 22414 THURSDAY, FEB. 16 Boys Basketball: Central at Stayton, 7 p.m. Perrydale at Casco League Tournament, McMinnville, 6 p.m. (if needed). Girls Basketball: Central at Stayton, 5:30 p.m. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22415/local-sports-schedule-for-feb-16-feb-22 Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:04:57 GMT 22415 FALLS CITY -- The Falls City girls squad ended its season on a high note by winning two contests last week: A 35-15 decision over Oregon School for the Deaf and a 44-32 win over Willamette Valley Christian. Carrie Mack scored a game-high 24 points in the win over WVC and Arcelia Castle led against OSD with 13. http://www.itemizerobserver.com/archives/story.aspx/22416/falls-city-basketball-teams-wrap-up-seasons Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:04:57 GMT 22416