By Les Zaitz - Salem Reporter
Les Zaitz is editor and owner of Salem Reporter. He co-founded the news organization in 2018. He has been a journalist in Oregon for more than 50 years in both daily and community newspapers and digital news services. He is nationally recognized for his commitment to local journalism.
Salem pauses to honor Chinese ancestors during Qingming ceremony
On a rainy Saturday, Salem conducted its fifth annual Qingming ceremony to honor the city's Chinese history and ancestors. The event featured Chinese rituals and a string of speeches at Pioneer Cemetery.
Event at Pioneer Cemetery on Saturday honors Salem’s Chinese community
The annual Qingming Festival will be held Saturday at Salem's Pioneer Cemetery. The public event is a Chinese ritual to honor ancestors, using an historic altar at the cemetery.
Want a job with flexible hours? Salem’s school system wants to talk to you.
At monthly job fair, officials at Salem-Keizer School District look for new employees. As school year winds down, that proves challenging.
Since the city’s founding, mayors have dutifully reported on Salem’s needs
One mayor worried about low fines for violators. Another wanted old city buildings replaced. And Salem's current mayor wants progress on civility. A look at the history of the "State of the City" addresses.
Excerpts from Mayor Hoy’s State of the City speech
Mayor Chris Hoy's first State of the City speech addressed housing and shelter programs, airport investment and policing.
Fire quelled in downtown’s Metropolitan Building, cause is being investigated
Fire officials are investigating the cause of a fire in the Metropolitan Building on Northeast Liberty Street in downtown Salem that was reported on Friday, March 17.
Salem housing complex aiming to serve veterans gets city funding
Nonprofits that serve Salem's neediest and victims are getting a boost from city grants. Two housing projects also win funding from the city of Salem, including one providing help with down payments.
SAIF leader gets $200,000 bonus as board catches up to industry rates
After a national salary review, the board of SAIF Corp. voted to give its president a pay raise and a bonus to put him closer to industry averages.
YOUR GOVERNMENT: School board to consider health curriculum, get construction update
Board members will consider adopting a new health curriculum for elementary students, intended to meet new state standards.
Candidates lining up to make run for Salem-Keizer School Board as deadline nears
Only one incumbent on the Salem-Keizer School Board has filed for re-election in the May 16 election. Three seats are open and the deadline to file for running is March 16.