Category City News
After 70 years of sewing machines and vacuums, a new vision on Court Street
Charles Weathers likes uncovering history in old buildings. It’s apparent as he walks around the now vacant storefront that housed Whitlock’s Vacuum & Sewing Center for 70 years before the business moved to a smaller location on Southeast 12th Street in May. With the vacuum…
Chamber names Rich Duncan Construction as ‘Business of the Year’
Rich Duncan (second from left) and some of his team at Rich Duncan Construction, named as 2022 Business of the Year (Salem Area Chamber of Commerce) When much of the mountain community of Detroit burned in the 2020 wildfires, recovery seemed uncertain. But a Salem…
Rising costs, supply chain problems plague construction projects in Salem
For Pence Construction, a Salem commercial contractor, this year marked the first time a construction project hinged on dimmer switches. All other supplies are in, but Brent Pence, owner and senior project manager, said they can’t have dimmable light switches in hand until August. “My…
COLUMN: Low-wage workers who kept society running during pandemic reaped few rewards
About half of local openings for high-demand jobs pay lower wages (Graphic by Pamela Ferrara) In April of 2020, the Salem area unemployment rate climbed in one month’s time from 3.9 percent to 11.3 percent, due to business shutdowns to control the pandemic. The high…
Big jumps in food prices hit Salem restaurants, institutions
Annette’s Westgate Cafe goes through about 330 pounds of bacon a week. It’s a staple for the Salem restaurant on Northwest Edgewater Street, which has been serving hearty meals for 15 years. Owner Brian Kato Dilks said many of the proteins served at Annette’s are…
Spiraling costs have some local families choosing between food, medical care
Holli Thomas’ breast cancer is responding to the drug trial she’s enrolled in. But the 54-year-old Keizer resident has to drive to Oregon Health & Science University in Portland for her treatment. With gas prices over $5 per gallon, she’s now having to sell clothes…
Salem Reporter earns journalism awards in Northwest regional competition
Gov. Kate Brown and kindergarten students give out socially-distanced air-hugs during Gov. Brown’s visit to Lincoln Elementary School in Woodburn. These and related photos were cited in May 2022 for journalistic excellence. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Salem Reporter was recognized for journalistic excellence for its coverage…
SALEM HISTORY: The city’s Civic Center turns 50
May is Historic Preservation Month, and it’s a great time to notice Salem’s wonderful historic landmarks. Some buildings we previously thought of as modern are now eligible for historic designation. Just last year the Salem Historic Landmarks Commission realized that our very own Salem Civic…
Bike repair station coming to Minto Brown Park
People cross the Peter Courtney Minto Island Bridge, which connects Minto Brown Island Park to Riverfront Park (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Salem’s largest park will soon have a station for cyclists to repair their bikes on the fly. A bike repair station with attached tools like…