Monmouth News

Expect an excitement filled day as Mid-Valley residents come out to celebrate our nation's independence.

WILLAMINA - Monmouth Police arrested a man suspected of a June 3 break in at the Bi-Mart store located at 444 S. Pacific Ave.

The Monmouth-Independence Rotary Club announced its weekly topics and guest speakers for July luncheons, which take place Thursdays from noon to 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 1505 Monmouth St.

The 'Secret Art Project' has been unveiled. As you pass through downtown Monmouth, life-size photos of seven past Monmouth residents smile at you from trees, balconies and windows.

Dallas resident Tim Halderman appreciated the opportunity to get face time with U.S. Sen.

The next Polk County Democrats Central Committee meeting will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. July 2 at the Polk County Courthouse.

A four-car crash closed a piece of Independence Highway on this afternoon, officials said.

MONMOUTH - Sarah Ritacco was awarded the Monmouth-Independence Rotary Club's 2009 scholarship.

Band director Richard Sorenson announced that the Reconstituted Monmouth-Independence Town Band will begin summer rehearsals at 7 p.m. Monday in Room 108 of Smith Music Hall at Western Oregon University.

MONMOUTH - A philosopher, a harmonizer and a heavy hitter each provided some final words for Western Oregon University's 2009 graduating class Saturday, the school's 152nd.

Folks living in South Salem or West Salem who subscribe to the Statesman Journal, or those who read the Statesman Journal online, may have been confused when they saw a headline in the June 10 Salem Today weekly inserts that read: "Garten Services no longer a state electronics recycler." In fact, the opposite is true.

INDEPENDENCE/MONMOUTH - The local Rotary Club announced that forms are available for individuals and organizations interested in participating in the Western Days Grand Parade on July 4. Forms are available at each town's city hall and library, and at the Monmouth-Independence Chamber of Commerce, 309 Pacific Highway 99W, Monmouth.

Elementary students across the Salem-Keizer School District celebrated the last day of school Friday, as did students in Central School District.

With just a half day of school before them, Monmouth Elementary School students bore a blend of last-day anticipation and post field-day quiescence Friday morning, June 12.

Seven Monmouth gardens will be available for public viewing from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday for the bargain price of $4. The gardens are part of the Monmouth-Independence Community Arts Association second annual home-garden tour.

After a two-year process, the cities of Monmouth and Independence are nearly ready to sign new franchise agreements with local hauler Brandt's Sanitary Service.

Museums If you need a day's or an afternoon's diversion that's not far from home, the Mid-Valley and nearby coast offer a variety of venues that explore local history and science.

CHEMEKETA COMMUNITY COLLEGE Cheryl Roberts, president, 4000 Lancaster Drive NE, P.O. Box 14007, Salem, 97309, 399-5000, www.chemeketa.edu. Of interest: Besides offering college and enrichment courses, Chemeketa also boasts a planetarium that's open to the public.

The city's Arts and Cultural Commission recently unveiled a public art project aimed at eliciting participation from residents.

Monmouth - 'Let there be light' takes on new meaning in June in an art show by Katherine Etzel.