Good morning!
The joy of trying something new clearly animated seniors at Capitol Manor in West Salem.
The story about the staging of “Fiddler on the Roof” by residents was by far one of our most popular stories of the week.
With good reason.
Reporter Abbey McDonald wrote the piece and reporter Hailey Cook added terrific photos.
This is a story makes the world seem a lot less bleak.
Readers seem to agree.
“What an uplifting story!” wrote one.
“Loved this peek into something joyful and uplifting that seniors are engaged in,” wrote another.
As a bonus, watch a video clip of the performance.
Meantime, master photographer Ron Cooper captures the cherry blossoms at the Capitol.
In community news reporting:
•An ambitious new plan has emerged to transform the shuttered cannery on Northeast Front Street.
Reader comment: “I can only hope that investment is made in aesthetics. Signage, low level power lines, please Salem include aesthetics in the design concepts.”
•A year after opening, a shelter for homeless families is marking success. From the story: “Many have two things in common: They’ve never been homeless before, and they’re struggling because they can’t afford their rent.”
•Salem is about to get its first sobering center. As reporter Abbey McDonald writes, “With the new center, more people can have a smooth transition to long-term recovery with quicker access to treatment that avoids jail and crowded emergency rooms.”
Reader comment: “Our justice system certainly could use a break, but is this sobering center going to work or will it just cycle people through a different system?”
•More kids will get a chance to play soccer at no cost as a new field comes online in east Salem.
•Gene Derfler, a civic leader and a gentleman, died at 101. Reader comment: “Gene was a kind and humble friend. He will be missed very much.”
In government news:
•Salem Reporter is hosting a Town Hall to let you learn about candidates for city council and mayor. Free tickets are now available.
•You’re not alone in feeling the pinch of higher fuel prices. We checked in with local governments with high fuel needs to assess the impact.
•Want to own a school? The Salem-Keizer School District is selling off two school houses from schools long closed.
•ICYMI: Officials say they are making progress to get development going on an empty block in downtown Salem. Find out what’s been holding up this costly effort.
From our columnists:
•Harry Fuller describes a duck you don’t often see in Oregon. “To feed it can dive almost 200 feet below the surface. Its food includes small fish, shellfish and other invertebrates, eggs, and larvae. It can feed day and night,” he writes.
•Jim Sellers explains why people sometimes don’t get the full value of Medicare help.
In Oregon news:
•A judge has decided that Gov. Tina Kotek acted illegally in her effort to drive up wages for construction workers, Oregon Capital Chronicle reports.
•The challenge of training teachers persists in Oregon, the Oregon Journalism Project reports. Reader comment: “It’s shocking to me that Western Oregon University, which is a teaching/teachers’ college, was unwilling to be examined. As a reader, I would like to know more about how our state funded universities are missing the mark in teaching teachers how to teach reading.”
•Republican legislators explain the high percentage of votes they missed during the recent session of the Oregon Legislature. Two are running for governor, according to Oregon Capital Chronicle.
Gas price watch:
Average price for regular gas in Salem:
Saturday: $4.76. One week ago: $4.40. One month ago: $3.78.
Average price for diesel in Salem:
Saturday: $5.89. One week ago: $5.42. One month ago: $4.27.
Source: AAA
Finally….
A reader raised concerns about political advertising on Salem Reporter’s site, wondering if that signals support for a candidate. I’m glad she asked.
Here’s what you should know.
Anyone can advertise on our site as long as the content doesn’t violate legal or ethical limits.
We have an outside agency handle that advertising. No one on the news team has any clue who’s going to advertise. Our journalists see such ads the same time you do.
In the case of political advertising, every candidate has the same chance to pay for the same space. In the instance of the current city races, every candidate was contacted about the opportunity.
I have great faith in our readers. I trust they know an ad when they see it.
And I trust readers like you know Salem Reporter doesn’t do endorsements in campaigns. We don’t do editorials at all. We are too busy getting the news.
I understand the perception, but political advertising is a form of free speech. Barring that from Salem Reporter’s website would be at odds with the protections of the First Amendment.
OUR FUND DRIVE: We’re taking reporting on local schools and education to a level never done before in Salem. We’re bringing in nationally-recruited talent to tackle this assignment. You can support this with your tax-deductible contribution. Join scores who have already given.
DONATE: Salem Reporter News Fund
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 owner
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