Polk County Itemizer-Observer

40 Years Ago Wednesday, July 2 Principal picked at Dallas High Dallas High School students and staff will see two more new faces this fall – those of the principal and dean of students. Lynn A. Hurt of Bend was selected for the position of principal and Ruston D. Lynde of Salem for the position of dean of students June 24 following a nearly two-month search. About 25 to 30 applications were received for each of the two positions, said district Superintendent Gary Burton.

Sky-high energy bills. Record-breaking wildfires. Air too toxic to breathe. Oregonians are already paying the price for pollution from large corporations, which is fueling climate disasters and extreme weather. To make matters worse, some corporate special interests are now trying to take away one of the best tools we have to lower energy costs and clean up our air: Oregon’s Climate Protection Program.

Oregonians deeply value their state parks, are increasingly noticing signs of wear across the park system and support exploring additional ways to provide stable, long-term funding, according to a new statewide survey released by Environment Oregon. The findings were released along with a national Investing in Nature report, which examines maintenance backlog trends and how states are addressing those backlogs.

Local students make Oregon Institute of Technology president’s list The following students have been named to the 2025-26 Spring Term president's list at Oregon Institute of Technology. Inclusion on the list requires a 3.70 grade-point average and above.

As technology evolves, so does the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF). ODF continues to adapt and integrate technological advancements into their work. During fire season, the agency uses several different types of tech for early detection, prevention, data collection and to support suppression efforts. Wildfire Detection Cameras ODF’s wildfire detection cameras play an integral role in the state’s early detection and response on fires. These cameras monitor thousands of acres of land.

Shawarma takes its name from the Turkish word çevirme, meaning “turning.” The term refers to the traditional cooking method, in which marinated meat is stacked on a vertical spit and slowly roasted as it turns. This popular Middle Eastern dish is made with chicken, beef or lamb, the more traditional option. Meat is seasoned with garlic, lemon juice and spices, then sliced thin and served in flatbread with garlic sauce and pickles.

If the “Big One” — the anticipated massive Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake — hit today, Oregonians west of the Cascades would be luckiest to find themselves at the recently-retrofitted state Capitol in Salem or on the roof of the new terminal at the Portland International Airport. The comment from Tom Wharton, an engineer at the Port of Portland, drew laughs from an audience Thursday at the 13th annual National Conference on Earthquake Engineering in Portland, but it wasn’t entirely a joke.

Summer brings warmer weather, longer days, outdoor activities and, unfortunately, an increase in theft and burglaries. Here are ways you can help prevent these crimes in your communities. • Keep vehicles locked with the windows up at all times, even when parked at home. Remove all valuables including purses, cell phones, laptop computers, gym bags, briefcases etc. • Avoid Home Improvement scams. Beware of anyone offering to perform an unscheduled home repair or asking to gain entry into your home.

On July 18-19, the streets around the Polk County Courthouse will be rumbling with a new event sure to attract more than just the participants. The annual PacWest Motorcycle Show makes its debut in downtown Dallas. For the past four years, organizer Brad Columbus and a couple thousand of his closest motorcycle enthusiasts got together annually. This year, however, the hammer of bad fortune came down hard on the event.

The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) has activated the State Emergency Coordination Center (ECC) as of 8 a.m. on July 17, 2026, escalating to Level 3: Regional Response as wildfire conditions intensify across the state. At this time, the activation will be conducted in a hybrid format. Photo of the Hoag Fire. This activation allows OEM and partner agencies to increase coordination, situational awareness and resource support as wildfire danger escalates.