Rachel Alexander
Rachel Alexander is Salem Reporter’s managing editor. She joined Salem Reporter when it was founded in 2018 and covers education, economic development and a little bit of everything else. She’s been a journalist in Oregon and Washington for over a decade and is a past president of Oregon's Society of Professional Journalists chapter. Outside of work, you can often find her gardening or with her nose buried in a book.
Capitol Auto Group employees raise record $200,000 for United Way
A Capitol Auto Group manager kisses a piglet as part of the dealership’s annual fundraising drive for United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley (Courtesy of Capitol Auto Group) Salem’s Capitol Auto Group has figured out one secret to raising money…
Center for Hope and Safety begins project to turn vacant Greyhound station into affordable apartments
Sen. Peter Courtney topples a wall at the former Greyhound station on Church Street in downtown Salem on April 1, 2019 (Courtesy/Center for Hope and Safety) With affordable housing scarce in Salem, the Center for Hope and Safety is looking…
Two South Salem teams finalists in state workplace safety video competition
Bonn Wright heads outside to work in a South Salem High School video “70 and Counting” Donning safety glasses and lab coats, two South Salem video production teams earned finalist spots in a state workplace safety competition. Their videos are…
Jessica Howard is “all in” as Chemeketa’s next president
Jessica Howard in her office at Portland Community College (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) Most college students start their academic careers with an associate’s degree before moving on to more advanced education. But Jessica Howard isn’t most college students. The college administrator,…
Marty Heyen seeks re-election to school board to represent parents in northeast Salem
Marty Heyen (Courtesy photo) Marty Heyen wants a second term advocating for parents on the Salem-Keizer School Board. First elected in 2015, the retired state IT worker represents zone two, the portion of northeast Salem including McKay High School. She’s…
Fresh out of high school, Raul Marquez wants to be a Latino voice on Salem-Keizer school board
Raul Marquez (Courtesy photo) As a senior at McKay High School, Raul Marquez was deeply involved in Salem, serving on the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley board and as student body president while interning at the state legislature. Now…
Lee Elementary principal Don Hakala resigns
The principal of Lee Elementary School has resigned, shifting to a new school post to work one day a week until the end of the school year, according to Salem-Keizer School District officials. Principal Don Hakala’s last day at the…
Six candidates in the race for three Salem-Keizer School Board spots
A psychiatrist, electrician, university student and the business group executive are among the citizens seeking seats on the Salem-Keizer School Board. Filing for the May 21 election closed Thursday, and six candidates have put forward their names for three seats…
Sprague parent and electrician David Salinas seeks school board seat to focus on career education, mentorship
David Salinas (Courtesy photo) David Salinas grew up in a farm-working family in Jefferson and dropped out of high school before getting his GED and becoming an electrician. Now a parent of four Salem-Keizer students, Salinas is running for the…
Groundbreaking at North kicks off $70 million campus renovation to add new classrooms
North High School senior and student body president Kiara Ballard speaks at the school’s groundbreaking ceremony with vice president Ben Garcia, right. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) Senior Kiara Ballard won’t be around to see North Salem High School’s renovations over the…