1+ hour, 15+ min ago  (320+ words) This year's 10th annual Peter Sears Poetry Prize winners were (from left) Jandika Borden, Richard Loos and Elizabeth "Lizzie' Saager. Western Oregon University's English Department recently announced the 10th annual 2026 Peter Sears Poetry Prize winners. This competition received over 60 poem submissions. A…...

8+ hour, 15+ min ago  (237+ words) Polk County Itemizer-Observer Western Oregon University has renamed its annual student leadership conference, which was formerly named the Cesar E. Ch'vez Leadership Conference. In March, the university removed Ch'vez" name from the conference due to the troubling reports of abuse as…...

3+ day, 1+ hour ago  (112+ words) 66, passed away on May 4, 2026, in his hometown of Dallas, Oregon." Craig is preceded in death by his eldest brother, Tony, his mother, Lorraine, and his father, Alvin." Craig would be so proud of how his community has come together to…...

2+ day, 19+ hour ago  (158+ words) Thomas Lee Balcom Polk County Itemizer-Observer Thomas Lee Balcom, age 84, passed away on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at his home surrounded by family, after a courageous battle with cancer. Tom believed in the value of hard work and led by example throughout…...

3+ day, 8+ hour ago  (1429+ words) Information for the report comes from law enforcement agencies. Not all calls for service are included. The status of arrests reported may change after further investigation. Individuals arrested or suspected of crimes are considered innocent until proven guilty. At 7: 14 a. m. , officers…...

1+ week, 1+ day ago  (216+ words) Award-Winning author and publisher Laura Stanfill will speak at the Dallas Library at 6: 30 p. m. June 18 at the Dallas Public Library, located at 950 Main St. , in a free presentation about writing, publishing, and the creative journey. Stanfill is the founder and publisher…...

1+ week, 1+ day ago  (117+ words) Dallas elected official candidate packets now available Councilors serve four-year terms and the mayor serves a two-year term. Candidates must be a registered voter of the state of Oregon and have been a legal resident of Dallas continuously during the…...

1+ week, 1+ day ago  (297+ words) PCIO26-294 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF POLK Polk County Itemizer-Observer Details for PCIO26-294 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF POLK Probate Department In the Matter of the…...

1+ week, 1+ day ago  (96+ words) PCIO26-293 Notice of Budget Hearing 4 columns x 13 inches Polk County Itemizer-Observer Details for PCIO26-293 Notice of Budget Hearing 4 columns x 13 inches 06-10-26 There was a problem reporting this. Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language. The Itemizer-Observer's E-Edition…...

1+ week, 2+ day ago  (769+ words) Greg Sharp (right) has put the 31-year legacy of his General Rental Center in the capable hands of new owners, former employee Cory Turner and his wife Nicole. Cory Turner had only worked there for five of General Rental Center's…...