By Salem Reporter
SALEM HISTORY: New downtown alley names pay homage to city’s first steel building, theater that burned
The Wexford Theater in 1911 (Oregon Statesman, Jan. 1, 1911) In 2019, the Salem Main Street Association asked residents to suggest names for downtown alleys and vote for their favorites. About 600 people weighed in. As part of Salem Reporter’s local history series,…
Salem police identify person found dead at Capital Inn
Salem police have identified the person who was found dead at the Capital Inn on Northeast Fisher Road Tuesday morning as 21-year-old Portland man Davontae Deshawn Smith. Salem police are investigating Smith’s killing but have released few details about the…
Salem man arrested for attempted murder following May shooting
A month after a man was shot in the chest in the unincorporated area of east Salem, police arrested a man they believe was involved. Quintin Smith, 36 of Salem, was taken into custody after he was pulled over by…
State Rep. Mike Nearman expelled from Legislature over involvement in Capitol riot
Capitol surveillance footage shows state Rep. Mike Nearman, R-Independence, allowing demonstrators into the building. (Screen grab.) A Salem area state representative just earned a distinction that no lawmaker would likely want: being the first to be expelled by the Oregon…
Western Oregon University announces interim president
The Western Oregon University campus in Monmouth (Courtesy/Diane Stevenson/WOU) Western Oregon University has a new interim president for the upcoming school year. Jay Kenton was selected following a months-long selection process that involved a nine-member advisory committee. “Dr. Kenton comes…
Survey shows Salem seniors like city life and points the way for city progress
Center 50+ cafe coordinator Judy Pack portions out meals for center staff members while volunteers pick up their daily deliveries in the background. Tuesday, April 14. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) A recent analysis indicates that Salem is doing well in accommodating…
COLUMN: Some reasons for the labor shortage have been decades in the making
Men’s participation in the U.S. labor force has been on the decline for decades, while women have increasingly found work. (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) Salem’s economy is improving, there are lots of job openings and employers say they…
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: Bill directing local governments to decriminalize homelessness passes Oregon Legislature
A city of Salem Public Works truck parked at Marion Square Park, across the street from an encampment that encircled The ARCHES Project in 2019. (Troy Brynelson/Salem Reporter) The Oregon Legislature passed a bill on Wednesday prohibiting local governments from…
Salem-Keizer School Board election results unchanged after recount
A stack of counted and signed ballot envelopes at the Marion County Elections Office on Tuesday, May 19. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) After an official recount Wednesday, the results of the Salem Keizer School Board election are unchanged. Ashely Carson Cottingham…
PHOTOS: Tours offer gardening inspiration as part of Lord & Schryver Conservancy fundraiser
Attendees tour a garden during the Lord & Schryver Conservancy neighborhood garden tour on Sunday, June 6, 2021. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Garden enthusiasts took a self-guided tour of nine unique residential gardens in the Historic Court-Chemeketa District, east of downtown…