Covering Dallas, Monmouth, Independence, Falls City and surrounding areas since 1868
POLK COUNTY -- Robbery was reportedly the motive in the slayings of David "Scott" and Marilyn Jondle, Polk County Sheriff's Office said on Wednesday.
POLK COUNTY -- A Salem man was arrested on Tuesday, Aug. 31 for allegedly killing his father and mother on their ranch south of Dallas.
POLK COUNTY -- Most public agencies are bracing for additional cuts following the Aug. 26 state economist report projecting Oregon's biennial revenue shortfall would grow by another $377.5 million.
POLK COUNTY -- A dispute between two Independence families last week ended with a husband and wife allegedly shooting a relative -- then immediately driving him to the hospital, law enforcement officials said.
Candidates for city offices are set for the November general election. Dallas, Falls City and Monmouth will have contested races for mayor and their open at-large city council seats. In Independence, one of three city positions is contested and Mayor John McArdle is running unopposed.
MONMOUTH -- This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Paul Jensen Arctic Museum and its mission of educating the public on the culture of the frozen north and its people.
POLK COUNTY -- Firefighters responded first to an accident at Independence State Airport the morning of Saturday, Aug. 28, that saw a runaway plane crash into a ditch.
DALLAS -- Police still are seeking information regarding a suspected incident of arson that damaged playground equipment at Rotary Park in Dallas on Aug. 23.
INDEPENDENCE -- Independence leaders will move forward with a lawsuit against the developer of Independence Station.
POLK COUNTY -- The upcoming Labor Day holiday has resulted in several changes to the usual news and advertising deadlines at the Itemizer-Observer for the Wednesday, Sept. 8, edition.
POLK COUNTY -- Helen Cherry, a 91-year-old Lincoln resident, has lived on the same farm almost all her life.
POLK COUNTY -- A fire engine fell into a stretch of Ash Creek on Saturday, Aug. 28, when the bride it was attempting to cross to reach an auto-accident victim collapsed, officials said.
FALLS CITY -- Before picking up pencils and books, students in Falls City -- and their parents and teachers -- picked up rakes and garden shears to spruce up Falls City Elementary School on Thursday, Aug. 26.
INDEPENDENCE -- Summer is coming to a close, but there's still time to party in downtown Independence this weekend.
DALLAS -- Larry Bennett has been a busy man the last several weeks. Bennett is in charge of maintenance at the former TTM building and, with a crew of subcontractors, has been working feverishly to get the facility ready for new tenants.
RICKREALL -- The 40th season of the Polk Flea Market begins Sunday, Sept. 5, at the Polk County Fairgrounds, 520 S. Pacific Highway (99W), Rickreall.
POLK COUNTY -- Budget constraints and an increasing number of criminal offenders needing post-prison supervision are forcing changes in the Polk County Community Corrections Department.
POLK COUNTY -- Due to scheduling issues, several road overlay projects that were scheduled to begin last week have been delayed and rescheduled.
SALEM -- The Oregon Business Development Department will be taking public comment on proposed changes on 2011 Community Development Block Grant guidelines until Sept. 8.
POLK COUNTY -- For local school districts, the state's revenue forecast announcement Aug. 26 meant trying to forget there was ever hope of restoring what had been cut earlier in the year.
POLK COUNTY -- Students in elementary and high schools scored slightly better overall on statewide assessments, according to the Oregon Department of Education.
MONMOUTH -- Western Oregon University received a mention as one of the nation's top schools in PARADE magazine's recent College A-List.
DALLAS -- With the start of a new high school sports season comes many changes for area athletes.
DALLAS -- The first day of school is just around the corner. And if you still haven't found enough activities to enrich your school year, Dallas High School's Dragon Pride Night can help.
KINGS VALLEY -- The Advanced Placement Program of the College Board recently approved three AP level courses for high school students at Kings Valley Charter School.
DALLAS -- A Sheridan-area resident convicted of two counts of first-degree sex abuse of two young girls will spend 10 years in prison.
DALLAS -- Police arrested a Dallas man Aug. 22 on multiple charges after he led an officer on a high-speed chase.