Saphara Harrell - Salem Reporter
Commissioners talk trash burning during annual speech
Covanta Marion, rural broadband and In-N-Out Burger were all topics at the State of the County address by Marion County commissioners Wednesday before a crowd of Strategic Economic Development Corp. members. The commissioners focused much of their time on the…
Inspired by nature, composer’s work debuts at Oregon Symphony in Salem
Gabriella Smith’s new composition will debut in Salem on Friday. (Courtesy/ Gabriella Smith) Gabriella Smith likes to make recordings of the natural world. The 28-year-old composer will listen to early morning bird songs or dip a hydrophone into the water…
UPDATED: Police investigate suspicious death at Keizer Station
Update 2/5 9 a.m.: Police identified Oscar Martinez, 21, as the man found dead inside a car Monday evening. An autopsy revealed Martinez died of a gunshot wound, the Keizer Police Department said. Detectives with Keizer police said the public…
In south Salem, ‘garbageman angel’ aids woman calling for help
Joe Hettwer, also known as the ‘garbageman angel’, helped a woman who had fallen in her garage. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter) Joe Hettwer was running his garbage route in south Salem last month when he heard a faint noise through his…
Local museums, theaters and festivals will get a boost with Oregon Arts Commission grants
Nupurum Folk Dance showcased dances from the different states of India in brightly colored saris during the World Beat Festival in June. (Saphara Harrell/ Salem Reporter) Salem art organizations will have more money in their pockets after the Oregon Arts…
In temporary home, Salem Public Library to reaffirm “all are welcome”
Salem Public Library (Caleb Wolf/Special to Salem Reporter) After facing backlash over the Salem Public Library’s temporary location and who owns it, the city is taking steps to reaffirm its welcoming to LGBTQ patrons. In July, the city approved a…
Downtown cleanups costing Salem tens of thousands
People camp downtown, along the former home of Nordstrom. (Troy Brynelson/Salem Reporter) On Thursday, Jan. 30 the city of Salem is closing and cleaning parts of downtown where homeless residents have slept since a citywide camping ban started in December.…
Grammy-nominated singer to perform at Willamette University
Theo Bleckmann is performing at Willamette University Wednesday evening. (Courtesy/Willamette University) A Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist is performing at Willamette University Wednesday evening. Theo Bleckmann and pianist-composer Dan Tepfer will perform a mix of dark and political songs from a pre-World…
Salem no closer to solution for homeless campers downtown
Tents line the boulevard next to The ARCHES Project in November. (Troy Brynelson/Salem Reporter) It’s been six weeks week since Salem banned camping on public property and Salem City Council is no closer to finding a dry place to sleep…
City clears way for land owners to host car campers
Lorrie Walker, a volunteer with The ARCHES Project, talks with Doug Pendleton at the van he lives in at Cascades Gateway Park. (Troy Brynelson/Salem Reporter) After declaring a housing emergency last week, Salem city officials now are opening the way…