Good morning………

Salem got extraordinary news last week that was a bit overshadowed by the holidays.

A national nonprofit tied to the founder of Amazon is giving $5 million to the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency.

The agency is a leader in devising ways to care for the area’s unhoused population. And this money will be used to move more than 800 families into homes.

That’s huge, and Jimmy Jones, who runs the agency, is ready to get to work using that gift to help those impacted in part by the pandemic.

“We had more people who just couldn’t afford to pay their rent. So we have children sleeping in cars and RVs and sometimes outside in tents. And that’s just a real tragedy for the community,” he told reporter Abbey McDonald.

In her report, Abbey explains where the grant came from and how it will be used to Salem’s benefit.

Speaking of the unhoused, we’re pleased to provide a venue for Lynelle Wilcox to share her experiences helping the homeless in Salem. In her columns, she gives us all a unique perspective that helps remind us all that we are dealing not with a community issue or a downtown problem but with people.

Public safety took center stage last week in an unusual gathering of local leaders. They met at the Salem Public Library to get a briefing on a new report on gun violence in Salem. Reporter Ardeshir Tabrizian in his report outlines what’s next.

It’s important to note a couple of key gaps in the report, which is alarming enough on its own. First, the count of gun-related murders and shootings leaves out crimes in a big chunk of east Salem. Researchers didn’t count numbers from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, which patrols that territory. Second, the report doesn’t count shootings where no one went to the hospital or the morgue. That means the gun play between people that sends bullets flying through neighborhoods isn’t counted.

The need for action was underscored when the Salem Police Department released more information on a 15-year-old found dead Nov. 6 in northeast Salem. He was killed – shot to death in a crime where police aren’t saying much.

Meantime, Marion County District Attorney Paige Clarkson is trying to persuade Gov. Tina Kotek to send 55 people back to prison to finishes sentences. She reasons that commutations should be revoked so people serve the time imposed by the system. Clarkson wants to leave in place commutations for another 81 people convicted in Marion County. Three are now dead, three were deported.

The state issued a report chronicling the level of assaults faced by teachers and others working in the Salem-Keizer School District. Managing Editor Rachel Alexander explains what’s been happening in local schools and what school officials intend to do.

Here’s something cheery to anticipate in the week ahead – Salem’s holiday parade. The Salem Main Street Association is hosting the event, which will course through downtown and starts at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1. We’ll get you full details this week, but put it on your calendar.

And it’s always good to remember how much our locally-owned businesses value your patronage. Meet a few of the retailers who are ready to help you with unique gift choices this season.

If your group or school is having a holiday event open to the community, send us details so we can share. Send an email to [email protected].

Finally, here’s a “feel good” story to get your week started. Photographer Laura Tesler captured a special holiday meal served to local teens at HOME Drop In.

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