Good morning…..
A spring highlight in Salem is the annual Crystal Apple Awards, a mix of glamour, joy and celebration.
The evening honors educators and school employees from the Salem-Keizer School District, complete with a sort of red carpet walk lined with cheering fans.
In the end, 12 people went home with the coveted honor. Photographer Laura Tesler’s gallery of photos captures the sense of the evening.
And there was clapping at another event in town – and in an unlikely forum. The Salem Budget Committee convened to expand city services. According to reporter Joe Siess’s account: “The passage of the updated budget, which factors in new revenue from a property tax increase approved by voters last week, was met with applause, and budget committee members seemed relieved and were able to conclude their meeting within about an hour.”
Other news from recent days from your Salem Reporter team:
In city government reporting…
The shortage of housing in all forms is a big concern in Salem. Reporter Abbey McDonald reports that the city created its first housing production strategy with 17 ideas. “They include expanding city tax cuts for developers, making the permit process simpler and faster, and pursuing more creative ways to turn available space into apartments,” the story reports.
•Going up! Salem councilors approved a hike in fees, with the tab on utility bills going up about 40 cents a month. An interesting fact from the story by reporter Joe Siess: “The city generates around 21% of income across all of its funds from 1,200 individual fees it charges businesses and residents to pay for services.”
•A perk of living in Salem is disappearing – free parking in downtown. Reporter Ardeshir Tabrizian explains when you have to start paying.
In public safety reporting:
•A Salem man was sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking. He skipped an earlier sentencing, later saying in court filings he didn’t want his children to know he was a drug dealer.
•Three teens were arrested following a middle-of-the-day shooting on Northeast Silverton Road.
•A Salem businessman who avenged the abuse of a relative by killing the offender will serve 10 years in prison.
In community reporting:
•The race for a seat on the Salem-Keizer School Board is the latest example of how every vote does matter. Jennifer Parker is going on the board, defeating Angelo Arredondo Baca by 299 votes out of more than 44,000 ballots returned, according to the latest from Managing Editor Rachel Alexander.
•Hundreds of patients already are on the waitlist for care at a new therapy clinic opening in Salem. Brightways Counseling Group held a ribbon cutting recently.
HAVE A COMMENT? SUGGESTION?
Have thoughts about our reporting? A story we should do? A person we should profile? Or do you have questions about how we do our work? You’re welcome to send me an email – I read every one of them. Email: [email protected].
–Les Zaitz, Editor and co-founder
FOR YOUR INFORMATION: Salem Reporter’s social media policy
SUBSCRIBE – WE NEED YOU
We rely almost entirely on the support of subscribers to provide Salem news no one else covers.
A subscription to Salem Reporter is easy to set up in a secure setting. It’s affordable. The cost is $12 a month. Click HERE and in moments you’ll be a Salem Reporter subscriber. (You can take us for a test spin for just $12 – get three months for the price of one.)
Copyright © 2025 Salem Reporter. All rights reserved. |
Our mailing address is: 494 State St., #410 • Salem, Oregon 97301 |
You are receiving this email because you signed up through our website or participated in a promotion. |