Independence News

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.

INDEPENDENCE - Before it stopped here during the third week of June, the Tooth Taxi's route during the past several months sounded like an Oregon version of the Johnny Cash classic 'I've Been Everywhere.' 'We've been all over the state,' Tooth Taxi program manager Mary Daly said.

Paul Drollinger was named as the new president of the Monmouth/Independence Rotary Club for 2009-2010 year during a June 5 banquet held at Western Oregon University's Gentle House.

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

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

With summer here and people getting outside and preparing for vacations, I thought it appropriate to offer a series of short updates on things that have been going on around town: Work is moving forward on Independence Station with an expected completion date of spring 2010, according to project manager Dan Maxwell.

Jan Jackson, a writer, photographer and tour development specialist, has been elected president of Bootstrappers No.

Band director Richard Sorenson announced that the Reconstituted Monmouth-Independence Town Band will begin summer rehearsals at 7 p.m. Monday, June 22, in room 108 of Smith Music Hall at Western Oregon University.

INDEPENDENCE/MONMOUTH - The Free Lunch Summer Break program runs from noon to 12:30 p.m. today to Aug.

Reid Liesinger, 14, of West Salem led fellow members of Boy Scout Troop 150 on Sunday in honoring the American flag.

INDEPENDENCE - The Central School District said 12 teaching positions will be cut and six more will be curtailed next year.

The first thing Mayor John McArdle asked the assemblage north of town to do early Friday afternoon was to take in the scenery.

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.

The city is holding a ceremonial groundbreaking for the North Riverfront ball fields at noon Friday, June 12, just east of Hwy.

Advocacy is a powerful word. It's a call for action; doing something that results in having your voice counted in a way that matters to you.

INDEPENDENCE - The River Gallery holds its own against peers in the capital some 12 miles up the road.

Chuck and Loraine Biederman talk about the souvenirs they've collected over the years on heritage tours they've led to the East Coast.

Dozens of students, parents and staffers made their voices heard Monday in support of Central School District programs that they worry could fall victim to budget cuts.

Thomas Jefferson and James Madison will answer questions about the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights at a Capitol forum.

We wish it was last weekend, Memorial Day all over again. But it's not and so we must soldier forward.