Independence – The Western Howl

March 12, 2025

Written by: Sadie Latimer | News Editor

Located at 226 Main St., Independence, Oregon, The Little Mall on Main is a one-stop shop for all things arts and crafts.

One of the shops, Snickety Picks, sells fabric, sewing supplies, handmade items and resale clothing. The owner, Lisa Purkerson, also offers clothing alterations such as repairing and pant hemming. She first opened her shop because she noticed that there weren’t any local shops that offered things like needle and thread.

Snickety Picks isn’t the only arts and crafts shop in The Little Mall on Main.

Heartfelt Hideaway provides craft supplies, handmade gifts and classes for the community. The owner of Heartfelt Hideaway, Marena Ward, is currently running classes for crafts such as junk journaling and making Easter bunnies out of socks. Also in the mall is Rosemary Ridge Farm Yarn and Fiber Arts, a shop that provides classes and supplies for needle felting, spinning and other fiber arts.

The Little Mall on Main hosts events such as Saturday bake sales, craft supply exchanges and vendor weekends with free tables for anyone who wishes to be a vendor.

“It’s all about ‘shop local,’” Purkerson said. Shopping local helps these shops — and the community — thrive. These local shops provide Independence and Monmouth with goods and services that are crafted and planned with the utmost care.

Snickety Picks opened in November 2024, however, this May, Purkerson and Ward will have their shops combined to create the ultimate craft-lovers paradise. They are also combining shops in order to see more business.

Many of the shops in the mall — and others in Independence and Monmouth — use a Facebook group called “Shop the Shops Monmouth and Independence” to help promote each others’ businesses.

Even with social media such as Facebook and other forms of advertising, many of the shops in the mall struggle to see business from the Monmouth and Independence community. Purkerson emphasized — especially to Western students — that the Monmouth-Independence Trolley is a free and fun way to explore the shops of Independence. Supporting local businesses is a great way for students to get involved with the community that surrounds Western.

Contact the author at howlnews@mail.wou.edu

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Book buying alternatives

Written by: Jaylin Emond-Hardin | Entertainment Editor

We can all admit it — Barnes and Noble is a pretty great store, and buying books from Amazon is more than convenient. While there is nothing wrong with buying from these sources, more and more people have begun to search for much more ethical ways to purchase books. Often, major booksellers promote overconsumption or support authors, viewpoints and movements that do not align with the book buyer’s ideology. That being said, here are three of the best alternatives.

Libraries/Libby — This is perhaps the best alternative, as it doesn’t require any money to sign up for and use, instead just a valid form of identification and proof of address. By signing up for a library card, one immediately receives access to all titles within the library system. For example, the Chemeketa Cooperative Regional Library Service serves Polk, Yamhill and Marion Counties. Library cardholders receive access to 18 libraries across each county, which include Monmouth, Independence and Dallas libraries. Western students aren’t even required to show proof of address, they just need to indicate that they are college students by showing their Western ID or proof of enrollment. With the library card comes access to Libby, an online library with audio and e-books. The only drawback to these services is the often long waitlist for books, though the zero cost might make the wait worth it.

Secondhand and indie bookstores — Secondhand and indie bookstores are another great alternative, especially if one prefers to own whichever book one is reading. Secondhand bookstores typically use a buy, sell, trade method to get the books they sell, where they buy books from people looking to sell or they trade books of the same value — most stores have a staff member dedicated to this method. When these places do sell new books, they are often purchased from the publisher, so it is a much more ethical approach to buying new books. Indie bookstores operate similarly and run independently. Both kinds of stores often feature independent authors as well, often spotlighting local authors.

Other online bookstores — If online bookstores are what one is looking for, then there are plenty of alternatives to shopping on Amazon. Websites like thriftbooks.com, bookshop.org and libro.fm are some of the most popular and do not just sell thrifted and independent books, but also support local bookstores and literacy programs across the country. On these sites, customers can purchase books and audiobooks, while also selecting which partnered bookstore they wish to support. The books will come through the mail and the bookstores will still be supported.

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

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Introspective planning for V-day

Written by: Liberty Miller | Lifestyle Editor

I’ve always questioned the validity and purpose of Valentine’s Day. Why does it matter so much to dedicate one day to a loved one? A devoted partner should be doing that every day. I attribute the existence of Valentine’s Day to consumerist culture and societal pressure to not be single.

So, I started thinking about what else I could do on Valentine’s Day to make it special, but not like how society has designed it. The stereotypical Valentine’s Day event consists of buying flowers or chocolate and planning a date or elaborate escapade with a partner. My version of Valentine’s Day shifts the focus from partners and romantic interests back to oneself.

Instead of buying roses, find a local flower shop and buy a bouquet. Give the bouquet to a family member or friend, or simply keep it in a noticeable place for the next week to brighten the day. Buying locally is a great way to give back to the community and keep some good feelings for oneself. This goes for any product, but with the overstated emphasis on roses at this time of the year, giving more love and attention to some lesser-loved flowers will be a nice change of pace.

Instead of falling into the consumerist scheme of buying ten different heart-shaped boxes of chocolate, make some baked goods at home. The calming ritualistic nature of taking the time to bake will add fulfillment and purpose to the day. Giving baked goods to someone is also a great way to show that time was put into that person’s gift. Now that the roses and chocolates are taken care of, it’s time to think about how to plan an event for the day — or even if planning one is worth it.

For the majority of introverted individuals, Valentine’s Day is a hellscape of acquaintances asking about one’s plans, couples posting a slew of confessions and photo collages, red or pink signs advertising the latest overpriced product and the dreaded phone call from parents trying to glean every ounce of romantic information out of their beloved relative. It’s easy to get caught up in all of these things, but hard to take a moment, breathe and ask oneself what matters on Feb. 14. Is Valentine’s Day the one day the boss lets everyone go home early, or has it simply been a long and hard week? What matters the most isn’t what is expected of someone on Valentine’s day, but the best way one can spend their day to fill up their fulfillment cup and spend time with their most important people, whether it be partner, friend or family.

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

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Dating in a small town

Written by: Claire Phillips | Entertainment Editor

Finding romantic places to take one’s sweetheart in a small town is a difficult task. This Valentine’s Day, refer to this list for date ideas close to Western.

Monmouth

The Sippery — This independent coffee shop is a favorite hang out and study spot for Western students, and it can make for a cute date as well. Curl up in a soft chair or on a couch, and grab a tasty drink.

The Red Poppy Studio — The Red Poppy Studio offers craft classes at a low price for those who are artistically inclined, or for those who are just starting out. Otherwise, come shop for beautiful art pieces created by local artists to hang up at home.

Momijis — On the corner of Monmouth Avenue and Main, a quaint sushi restaurant sits waiting for couples to dine in. Or, if eating a relaxing dinner at home is preferable, their delicious sushi is available for take-out as well.

Sundew Tattoo — Go get matching tattoos with one’s beau or bae at this local Monmouth tattoo parlor. Phoebe, the owner, creates magic on the skin with designs including flowers, animals and bugs for all skin colors.

Main Street Ice Cream Parlor — Want a sweet treat? Look no further than this local ice cream parlor, within walking distance of Western. They provide many delicious flavors of ice cream and milkshakes with dozens of toppings to choose from.

Independence

Witches’ Vine — For those who are in touch with their spiritual side, this plant and crystal store provides all kinds of witchy needs. Don’t walk, run to Witches’ Vine to pick out zodiac crystals, jewelry and cute plants with loved ones.

The Independence Hotel — Take a seat on the roof of this water-front hotel and enjoy a high-quality meal with a sweetheart. The Willamette River provides a stunning, romantic view at any time of the day.

Mangiare Italian Restaurant — If a well-traveled pair are looking for a little slice of Italy, Mangiare will provide that cozy, authentic ambiance. Warm up with the best local pasta and fresh bread.

Independence Cinema — Holding hands in a dark theater is a classic movie date trope. So, come on down to the Independence cinema for a fun film night. Western students can take advantage of the theater’s five-dollar Super Tuesdays.

Jubilee Champagne and Dessert Bar — Jubilee offers a wide range of sweet treats and bubbly drinks — for those 21 and older. A range of desserts will satisfy one’s sweet tooth in a bright, pastel cafe.

Second Chance Books — Find a date within this eclectic used bookstore and pick out unique finds for each other. Watch one’s noggin, the store says — there’s a whole lot to explore.

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

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Restaurants offering delivery and dine-in near Monmouth

Get dinner delivered from these eight local restaurants

Mirella Barrera-Betancourt | Staff Writer

With food delivery apps like GrubHub, DoorDash and Uber Eats becoming popular nationwide, it is no surprise that college students have been amongst the many to hop on the trend of food delivery. Here are some restaurants in and around Monmouth that are offering delivery services.

Yeasty Beasty — 167 Main St. W Monmouth, OR. Offering delivery on their website and dine-in services. Open Sunday – Saturday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Lunitas Mexican Food — 365 E Ellendale Ave. Dallas, OR. Offering delivery on DoorDash and GrubHub. Dine-in and drive-thru services offered. Open Sunday – Saturday, 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Carl’s Jr. — 131 Pacific Highway N Monmouth, OR. Offering delivery on DoorDash, dine-in and drive-thru services. Open Sunday – Thursday from 6 a.m. – 11 p.m.; Friday – Saturday, 6 a.m. – 12 a.m.

7-Eleven — 1696 Monmouth St. Independence, OR. Offering delivery on their website and DoorDash. In-store shopping available. Open 24/7 every day of the week.

Burgerville — 615 E Main St. Monmouth, OR. Offering delivery on DoorDash and drive-thru services. No dine-in. Open Sunday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Momiji Sushi Restaurant — 183 Main St. W Monmouth, OR. Offering delivery on DoorDash, dine-in and takeout services. Open Sunday – Thursday from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Friday – Saturday, 11 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Subway — 113 E Main St. Monmouth, OR. Offering delivery on DoorDash, dine-in and takeout services. Open Sunday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Urban Deli Mexican Food — 145 Monmouth Ave. N Monmouth, OR. Offering delivery on DoorDash, dine-in and takeout. Open Monday – Saturday, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Hours may be subject to change.

Contact the author at staffwriter@thewesternhowl.com

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Dollar Tree opens in Independence

A new business moves into town

Mikayla Coleman | News Editor

Everyone’s favorite store where everything is just one dollar has made its way to the Monmouth-Independence area. Dollar Tree opened at the end of September and is ready to serve the community, catering to those in the market for everything from craft wire, to duct tape, to kitchen utensils or frozen burritos.

While the campus community loves the small town lifestyle that Monmouth offers, the need to drive at least fifteen minutes to get to something as simple as Walmart or the Dollar Tree can be difficult, even for ones that have resided here for several years. Pursuing higher education is a costly endeavor that leaves many students financially straining to keep up with even the most basic necessities.

Having a Dollar Tree a walkable distance away from Western will prove useful for the many students on campus that do not have cars. Plus, Dollar Tree has many accessible and cost effective items that make it very valuable to the town’s community. They carry everything from school supplies, to hand soap, to phone chargers at a very reasonable price. They also accept Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT).

The Dollar Tree located on 1401 Monmouth St. is open for business Monday – Saturday 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Contact the author at newseditor@thewesternhowl.com

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WOU announces plans to require COVID-19 vaccine

Western leadership creates incentive program for vaccines

Sydney Carpenter | News Editor

As of May 11, a total of three private and four public universities in Oregon have announced requirements for students to be vaccinated for COVID-19 for the next school year.

Western became the third public university to announce its plans to require students, staff and faculty to be vaccinated for the upcoming school year during a virtual town hall meeting on May 10.

“I wanted something that rewarded students for doing the right thing,” said Johnson, “and I also wanted to push us to have a more safe opening in the fall.”

The incentive program was initialized by Associated Students of Western Oregon University President NJ Johnson to further encourage the community to be vaccinated against the virus. Under the program, people who have received their first dose of the vaccine qualify to receive a $25 WolfStore voucher that can be used for textbooks, Western merchandise or other miscellaneous items found at the bookstore. To receive the voucher, a vaccine card and student ID must be presented to the Werner University Center information desk.

According to Johnson, the program is currently being funded by the General Fund and anticipates it costing around $100,000. The intent is to eventually have the program funded by the emergency relief fund, however, due to the ambiguity of what emergency relief is permitted to be used for, the university is still working with the federal government to determine if the program is legally permitted to be funded this way.

Western intends to provide students with the opportunity to take in person classes next term. During the virtual town hall meeting, the modalities were presented as follows: in person classes will make up 53% of Western’s curriculum, 22% hybrid, 19% online asynchronous and 6% online synchronous; departments were not specified. For students planning to live on campus next year, Tina Fuchs announced reduced capacity in the residence halls. Ackerman will be filled to 85% capacity while Arbor Park will be filled to 100%. Barnum and Landers will be assessed on a need basis.

The COVID vaccine is not the only required vaccination by the institution; according to the Student Health and Counseling website, all admitted students are required to have the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine before coming to campus. Exceptions include being born before Jan. 1, 1957, religious beliefs and specific nonmedical related issues that are provided by the state of Oregon. Western is still currently researching exemptions for COVID.

“Many of the details remain unfinished,” said Western Vice President and General Counsel Ryan Hagemann, “and that’s because we have to speak to our community.”

Hagemann went on to say how the university is making this a priority and is trying to get it right.

“This really relates to the idea that we should be able to have a safe community,” said President Rex Fuller during the May 10 virtual town hall meeting. “We know that being together in face to face encounters with careful safety planning, we have a better educational experience for all of our students, faculty and staff.”

Contact the author at scarpenter18@mail.wou.edu

Western Oregon University’s Land Acknowledgement
Western Oregon University in Monmouth, OR is located within the traditional homelands of the Luckiamute Band of Kalapuya. Following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855 (Kalapuya etc. Treaty), Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to reservations in Western Oregon. Today, living descendants of these people are a part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians.

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Shopping local

Book buying alternatives

Introspective planning for V-day

Dating in a small town

Restaurants offering delivery and dine-in near Monmouth

Dollar Tree opens in Independence

WOU announces plans to require COVID-19 vaccine

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