Category City News
From derelict to desirable: downtown Salem continues to transform
Diana Cureton had a chance to take over a small convenience store and Mediterranean restaurant in downtown Salem a few years ago. Cureton, who’s lived downtown for about five years, said she’s long wanted to run such a store in the downtown core, catering to…
Salem City Council takes no action on proposed fireworks ban
Sparklers and fireworks on sale at the discount fireworks stand at Commercial Street SE and Bush Street SE in Salem on June 26, 2019 (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) A Salem city councilor’s motion to ban the sale and use of fireworks fizzled Monday evening when councilors…
Hilton hotel coming to downtown Salem
The future site of a 7-story hotel, part of the Hilton Tapestry Collection, in downtown Salem. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter) A new 7-story hotel is coming to downtown Salem – with a big boost from the city. Portland-based developer Sturgeon Development Partners is breaking ground on…
SALEM ECONOMIC INDEX: Indicators show the Salem area economy is roaring back
A ‘now hiring sign outside of a Les Schwab Tires location on Lancaster Drive on Friday, May 28. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) The median price of a house in Salem and Keizer continues to climb as fewer are sold. Despite the demand for housing, builders…
Unlike other Oregon cities, Salem won’t ban fireworks this year
Sparklers and fireworks on sale at the discount fireworks stand at Commercial Street SE and Bush Street SE in Salem on June 26, 2019 (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) As Oregon emerges from an exceptionally dry spring followed by a record-shattering heat wave last weekend, the list…
Salem budget by the numbers: what City Hall is doing with your money
Salem City Hall. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) The Salem City Council on Monday approved the city’s annual budget amidst the backdrop of a waning pandemic and a windfall of federal cash. The city is expected to receive $32 million through the American Rescue Plan Act, a $1.9 trillion federal economic stimulus bill…
Salem’s vacant Nordstrom building will be replaced with apartments
The former Nordstrom building boarded up on June 29, 2021. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter) A once-bustling retail hub in downtown Salem will soon be torn down. A developer working with the city of Salem is moving forward with plans to replace the vacant Nordstrom building downtown…
PHOTOS: As Chang Tuh expands, the Salem company keeps cooking up Korean cuisine
Workers assemble the ingredients for spicy beef and vegetable soup pouch at the Chang Tuh facility on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) In an industrial area in northeast Salem, workers were busy turning slices of beef, chili powder, onions and other vegetables into…
After operating in Salem for decades, Chang Tuh hopes to make Korean food mainstream
Korean pop music (or K-Pop) acts are selling out U.S. stadiums. A Korean film was named best picture at last year’s Oscar awards. Now, Salem is the springboard for a Korean company hoping to capitalize on Americans’ embrace of cuisine from the East Asian country.…