Saphara Harrell - Salem Reporter
Too hot to handle? A Salem reporter tries her luck at a hot wing contest
Reporter Saphara Harrell competed in the Hot Mama Salsa hot wing contest at the Oregon State Fair Friday. Lollipops are used to counteract the heat from the peppers. (courtesy/Aaron Bree) Friday marked my first-ever hot wing eating contest, but it’s…
PHOTOS: Opening day of the Oregon State Fair
12-week-old piglets flew down the race track at the fair. (Anna CK Smith/ Special to the Salem Reporter) The fair is in town and brings more than a week on nonstop activities to Salem. There are carnival rides, pig races…
Plans for northeast Salem food hub in the works
Plans are in the works to create a food hub at 2640 Portland Rd N.E. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter) Residents in a part of Salem that has limited access to fresh food could soon have new eateries to patronize. Plans are…
Historic photos of the Oregon State Fair
Several rides at the Oregon State Fair in the early 1900s. 0082.002.0022.051 (Courtesy/ Willamette Heritage Center) The Oregon State Fair is a time-honored tradition that boasts carnival rides and blue ribbons. The fair has been taking place at its current…
Thousands of entrants compete for a blue ribbon at the Oregon State Fair
Roger Williams holds up a hand-carved horn at the Oregon State Fair. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter) On an overcast Wednesday morning, Roger Williams scrutinized multimedia creations in Columbia Hall at the Oregon State Fair. He spent about an hour looking at…
CHECK OUT: The Oregon State Fair, abstract watercolor paintings or a roller derby bout
Carnival rides! Rodeos! Demolition derbies! Visitors to the Oregon State Fairgrounds will find all that and more. The Oregon State Fair kicks off this Friday and runs until Labor Day. Every day provides something new for visitors, below is a…
Salem comedy fan is bringing the jokes closer to home
Chad Johnson is one of the performers at Saturday’s event. (Courtesy/ Chad Johnson) Clifford Eiffler had been enjoying the local comedy scene from afar for a year before he decided to bring the laughs to his own backyard. Literally. On…
Monthly crime, fire service reports for Salem area now available
(Graphic by Anna CK Smith/Salem Reporter) Salem Reporter is introducing a new monthly series bringing public safety data to the community. This is a snapshot of June’s numbers compared to the same time last year. These charts give you some…
Excitement builds as Sprague Little League’s World Series debut nears
Sprague Little League is representing the Northwest at the Little League World Series. (courtesy/Traci McHenry) Update: Sprague Little League lost 6-2 against New Jersey-based Elmora Youth Little League. The team is scheduled to play at 5 p.m. Saturday PT, taking…
CHECK OUT: A naked swim, scavenger hunt or tiny homes
Thursday The Salem Library is hosting an end of summer reading party on Thursday for kids who have completed at least 10 hours of reading. The afternoon will be filled with games, food and guest appearances from Caesar The No…