DALLAS — The Dallas City Council approved Interim City Manager Gene Green’s contract starting July 1, but his pay will increase as of May 24, a month sooner than City Manager Greg Ellis’ retirement.

DALLAS — The Dallas City Council signaled consolidating fire service with Sheridan, West Valley, and Southwest Polk is no longer the path it wants to take.

DALLAS — Thomas Aquinas Blount, 63, is charged with 19 theft- and identity theft-related crimes that are alleged to have occurred between 2010 and 2012.

FALLS CITY — Marissa Bowman just graduated from Falls City High School Friday, but she’s already well into her college coursework.

Marissa Ann Bowman

DALLAS — When Dallas High School junior Hailey McBride asked about why DHS doesn’t allow seniors to decorate their graduation caps, she didn’t get a definitive answer.

Lena Ann Abounadi

Nicholas Ainsworth

INDEPENDENCE — Visitors to Inspiration Gardens in Mt. Fir Park now have a safer path to walk along the south fork of Ash Creek.

MONMOUTH/INDEPENDENCE — Discover MI Town is a choose-your-own-adventure style tour of Monmouth and Independence businesses, said Vikkye Fetters-Delfino, MICC executive director.

DALLAS — Did you know that you are supposed to wash your hands for two minutes to effectively remove germs?

INDEPENDENCE — Nathan Anderson wants his new shop, Musical Independence, to be a hub for all things musical in Polk County.

DALLAS — The Dallas School Board has directed its attorney to investigate allegations the district’s teachers’ and classified employees’ unions brought against Superintendent Michelle Johnstone.

POLK COUNTY – Swing a golf club and support foster kids.

DALLAS — Their slogan is “Be the Change.”

The Civil War was the topic of a series of demonstrations at LaCreole Middle School on Wednesday, May 29.

American Cancer Society's Relay for Life Polk County was Saturday and Sunday in Riverview Park in Independence. 

INDEPENDENCE — The latest addition to the landscape in front of Central High School doesn’t need to be watered, but the Interact Club hopes its intention will flourish in the community.

INDEPENDENCE — Atalin Venegas, 18, wants to pursue a career where she can help other people.

PERRYDALE — Compassion might not be an official part of the curriculum at Perrydale, but senior Sydney Perkins learned more than a few lessons in it during her 14 years at the school.

DALLAS — Nahla Hamilton was in her second year at Dallas High School before she discovered the value of being involved.

DALLAS – The Dallas School Board has directed its attorney to investigate allegations the district’s teachers’ and classified employees’ unions brought against Superintendent Michelle Johnstone.

DALLAS — Retired Dallas Fire & EMS captain and chaplain Dave Pederson’s service with the department began with a compromise.

State Sen. Jackie Winters, a Salem Republican who spent decades in public service, died Wednesday.

POLK COUNTY — Relay for Life is bringing music to the battle against cancer with this year’s theme of “Rockin’ for the Cure.”

MONMOUTH — “Middletown,” by Will Eno, opens today (May 29) at Western Oregon University’s Rice Auditorium.

Margaret Valente celebrated her 104th birthday with family at Dallas Retirement Village on May 13.

DALLAS — Hayden Colvin said his time in the Boy Scouts has been “a life-changing experience.”

DALLAS — Dennis Foley, a member of Dallas’ Boy Scout Troop 288, was inspired by Scouts before him that earned their Eagle by completing a community service project.

DALLAS — Dennis Sarver, of Salem, may soon be headed to trial facing murder and manslaughter charges in the death of Falls City resident Earl “Buddy” Jambura.

DALLAS — Polk County Circuit Court Judge Rafael Caso on May 24 ruled on motions to exclude evidence in the case of Dyllan D. Coons, of Dallas.

POLK COUNTY — Voters in Polk County approved a renewal of the county’s public safety levy by a wide margin.

DALLAS — Becoming an Eagle Scout is something of a tradition in Dallas Troop No. 288 member Kyle Reed’s family.

INDEPENDENCE — Rogue Farms in Independence is a destination for anyone who loves beer, likes to learn how things are made, or just enjoys a beautiful setting.

DALLAS — The Friends of the Dallas Aquatic Center is much closer to its goal of providing $50,000 in support to the DAC, thanks to a donation made in the memory of Paul Mannen.

Grand Ronde