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What’s making news in Salem you might have missed

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Good morning and thanks for spending a little time with me.

Voting is underway for this year’s election in Oregon and in other parts of the country.

Western University of Health Sciences Lebanon Oregon

Mischief is already affecting our state.

The state Elections Division reports it has fielded hundreds of calls from people complaining that Donald Trump has no message in the Voters Pamphlet. The calls, from around the country, in some instances have been ugly, with threats.

The callers have ignored one report after another, including one published by us, documenting that Trump’s campaign itself chose not to file a statement in the Voters Pamphlet.

But the calls show how heated this year’s campaign has become.

At Salem Reporter, we’re planning to follow the ballot counting process closely. And we’ll do our level best to get you accurate election results in the local races that matter to you.

Readers have been kind with encouraging notes about our coverage of local candidates. Just Friday, one applauded our coverage of the Chemeketa Community College tax measure. “Keep up the good work. Unbiased news is the best!”

And here’s a roundup of some of the stories we shared with readers in recent days.

One of our most popular stories was the report by Managing Editor Rachel Alexander about what’s happening on Salem’s own Cannery Row. People seem excited about what’s ahead for the old cannery complex on Northeast Front Street.

And one of Salem’s landmarks, the Elsinore Theatre, is planning on a facelift. Reporter Abbey McDonald’s story provides some fun historic photos.

Some parents got a surprise when they answered their phones last week. Gov. Tina Kotek was on the line, talking about school attendance.

In other school news, six schools plan to sequester student phones. Rachel Alexander explains the matter in her exclusive story.

City leaders are likely asking themselves “Now what?” after not-so-good survey results came in. Most voters made clear they are in no mood for more taxes, as reporter Joe Siess reports.

The Salem City Council, though, went ahead with the next step for the city to take over ambulance services. Councilors voted to hire 60 medics.

Volunteers help make the city go, and they will be recognized in a ceremony scheduled for Sunday. Reporter Madeleine Moore has details about today’s event ­­– and she’ll be there to chronicle who is honored.

ELECTION NEWS

Our team continued its reporting on those who want you vote to stay or go into public office. That includes a story about a contested race for a government board you might not even know exists ­– Marion Soil and Water Conservation District Board.

Other races we spotlighted:

We have gathered all of our election reporting in one place in case you need more information as you work your through your ballot: 2024 Election.

In other helpful posts, Columnist Jim Sellers has good advice for those considering their Medicare options and columnist Pamela Ferrara dives into Salem’s employment and wage numbers.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK:

Gov. Tina Kotek thanks a Salem parent for efforts to get their kid to school regularly during a phone bank to promote school attendance at Waldo Middle School on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter)

I’m always delighted to hear from readers. Send me your ideas, your questions, even your concerns or complaints. My direct email: [email protected].

Let’s go have a great week and do something helpful for the community.

– Les Zaitz, co-founder and editor, Salem Reporter

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