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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

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

Anti-protest bill in Oregon to be conscious of

Important protest bill to keep on the lookout for heading into summer

Sydney Carpenter | News Editor

A national debate over peaceful and violent gatherings has sparked U.S. lawmakers to engage in writing “anti-protest laws.” 46 states have currently proposed or passed bills.

In Oregon, there have been three bills presented; two of them have been defeated or expired, while one known as House Bill 3329 — introduced on March 2 — is currently under review by the House Committee On Judiciary.

The proposed bill, sponsored by Representative David Brock Smith of  District 1, introduced a new felony charge to peaceful protesters who block traffic.

Under the bill, vehicles or people blocking roadways would be classified as a Class C felony. Convicted of the felony, people could expect to serve up to five years in prison and pay around $125,000, done during a ‘violent or disorderly assembly,’” according to icnl.org. 

Additionally, the legislative proposal introduced a Class C felony for “engaging in threatening or intimidating conduct” in public, which disqualifies people from receiving financial aid from the state if convicted of these charges. In addition, it prohibits immediate release if arrested for rioting or for “violent” behavior, and gives protection to police if a person filing a civil claim was “grossly negligent.” More information about the specificities of the bill can be found at incl.org.

Associated Students of Western Oregon University President NJ Johnson said he believes the bill is in direct response to People of Color in Oregon after a full year of using their voice to protest.

“Whether we want to admit it or not, the state of Oregon has a history of trying to silence the voices of People of Color,” said Johnson. “This is obviously a bill (that) if passed is going to be implemented largely to punish and silence People of Color for speaking out against racial injustice. I want to make it clear (that) a lot of this violence that we see and blame on protesters is incited by law enforcement.”

To follow the bill’s movement, community members can visit olis.oregonlegislature.gov or email Rep.DavidBrockSmith@oregonlegislature.gov to learn more.

Contact the author at scarpenter18@mail.wou.edu

WOU softball enters GNAC championship as alternates

Wolves softball team place third overall in GNAC championship

Sydney Carpenter | News Editor

A rise in COVID-19 cases in the state of Washington caused the Great Northwest Athletic Conference’s original fourth seed — Central Washington — to drop out of the softball championship being hosted at Western.  

As a result of the Conference’s bylaws, the Western Oregon Wolves softball team — fifth seed — was promoted to the fourth seed position and entered into the championship game for the eighth consecutive year.

Similar to years prior, GNAC formatted the championship game as a double elimination tournament. The first round winners went head to head in a second round, and the losing teams from the first round played in a second round match to determine the competitors for the third and final championship match. 

In the first round of the tournament on May 6, Western lost to first seed Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks 2-1. The following day, Western competed against third seed Saint Martin Saints; the team gave the Wolves several walking opportunities to fill the bases, leading to a 7-6 victory for the Wolves. Western advanced to face off again against the Nighthawks, only to lose 9-0 in five innings, bringing an end to the softball season. With this, the Wolves placed third in the GNAC conference. 

After the game, the Wolves commemorated the senior members of their team that will be graduating in June. Head Coach Lonny Sargent commented on how proud of the team he is after having such a hectic year. 

“It’s such a great group of kids,” said Sargent. “We have a lot of young kids … they just (want to) go play.”

Going forward, Sargent is excited about the upcoming season and what the next year will bring.

“The players we have and the players we have coming in, we’re building another great program for next year,” he said.

Contact the author at scarpenter18@mail.wou.edu

Western professor wins “Educator of the Year”

IndyMo honors Dr. Leanne Merrill during  the 56th year of community awards

Sydney Carpenter | News Editor

For a little more than half a century, the cities of Monmouth and Independence have celebrated community members through their “Community Awards.”

This year, Western’s own mathematics professor Dr. Leanne Merrill was honored as co-honoree in the “Educator of the Year” category. A newer hire at Western, Merrill has been teaching full time for less than four years, and taught part time at University of Oregon while completing her master’s degree.

“I feel very lucky to have been recognized at such an early stage in my career — I don’t even have tenure yet,” said Merrill. “I love my job because I am so grateful that I get to work with (Western) students. Every single day I am energized and inspired by (Western) students’ work ethic, humility, bravery and accomplishments.”

Merrill goes on to say how rewarding it is for her department to receive such a high achievement.

“Mathematics gets a bad rap a lot of the time,” said Merrill. “But I strongly believe that everyone can be a successful practitioner of mathematics, and that mathematical empowerment is a human right.

As an educator, Merrill says she has struggled with imposter syndrome, particularly being a woman in science, technology, engineering and math. Being given the award made Merrill feel empowered, and that her teaching style is resonating with students while also making a difference in their lives.

“Teaching is a great but challenging career because there is no one right way to do it — what works well is depending upon the teacher, the students and the relationships that are formed in the classrooms,” said Merrill. “As a teacher, I believe it is my duty to meet students where they are. Teaching is so dependent upon the individuals involved that it’s always possible to rework ideas or discover new fun ways of doing things.”

Contact the author at scarpenter18@mail.wou.edu

IndyMo celebrates a month of buying from local businesses

IndyMo businesses reward locals with utility bill discounts and in-store coupons

Sydney Carpenter | News Editor

In honor of Valentine’s Day, Monmouth and Independence have come together to dedicate the entire month of February to the purchase of products from local businesses, known as the “Love Local” event. In each town, residents are rewarded with different benefits. 

For Monmouth, all patrons who purchase $20 worth of goods from local retail stores, restaurants, fitness facilities or personal service businesses with a physical storefront will be credited with $10 towards their next utility bill. Participants can earn this $10 credit up to three times per account.

Photo courtesy of Love Local Indy 2021

“(We’re) trying to get some recreational things happening out here,” said Dancing Muse Costume Shop owner and Vice President of the Monmouth Business Association James Martin.

“I have to remind people that there’s fun still. Even if you are stuck in the house because of COVID-19, you can still go to a Zoom meeting and hang out in different costumes.”

Martin explained he intends for his patrons to escape the mundane life activities brought on by COVID.

“I enjoy dressing up and having fun and I want to have other people dress up too,” said Martin. “Drinking a mug of ale with a bunch of friends and singing sea shanties while dressed as a pirate, well there’s nothing better, even if it is through Zoom.”

Photo courtesy of City of Monmouth – Love Local Challenege

For businesses in Independence, patrons who make purchases from any of the 14 participating businesses will receive a scratch it ticket worth $1, $5, $10 or $20 that will go towards their next purchase. 

For more information on the event, contact Suzanne Dufner at 503-838-0722.

Contact the author at scarpenter18@mail.wou.edu

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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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