Category COMMUNITY
After 20 years at the job, Salem’s volunteer coordinator retires
Tibby Larson at a public works event. (Courtesy/City of Salem) When Tibby Larson looks back at 20 years spent as Salem’s volunteer coordinator, Bush’s Pasture Park comes to mind. She said volunteers were able to turn a piece of overgrown land into a destination visit.…
Neighbors angry over plan to bring managed homeless camp to west Salem
West Salem residents gathered at Salemtowne on Tuesday, Oct. 5 to vent their frustrations about a managed camp proposed nearby during a meeting that resulted in frequent shouting and interruptions. (Saphara Harrell/ Salem Reporter) A town hall over a planned managed homeless camp in west…
The Reed renovation brings new eateries, shops and flair to downtown Salem
The Reed Opera House hosted a soft opening on Oct. 1, 2021. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) When the owners of the Reed Opera House decided to sell the building, real estate developer Scott Chernoff saw an opportunity for a re-emergence of downtown Salem. Chernoff has led…
Haunted hot spots, murder stories on Salem’s Ghost Tour
A photo of the late Tim King leading a ghost tour. (Courtesy/Salem Ghost Tours) Austin and Christian King wanted to carry on their father’s legacy, offering Salemites a glimpse into the darker side of the city’s history. There are haunted hot spots, public hangings…
Local art and poetry exhibit slated for October in Bush’s Pasture Park
“Dusk at Baskett Slough,” painted by Salem artist Deanna White. Salem’s outdoor scenery will be rendered in watercolor, acrylic and verse at an exhibit opening Friday. For the 23rd year, Salem nonprofit Artists in Action will display its annual Paint & Write the Town Exhibition,…
Historic downtown Salem building turned food hall earns award for historic preservation
The Gray Belle building which houses Fork Forty at 440 State Street won an award for historic preservation. (Courtesy/Fork Forty) When Charles Weathers looked at the vacant building at 440 State Street four years ago, he saw potential. He wasn’t aware at the time that…
Salem nurse delivers gift baskets to beleaguered health care workers
Kelsie Powell delivered gift baskets to nurses at Salem Hospital in September to lift their spirits. (Courtesy/ Kelsie Powell) Kelsie Powell wanted a way to lift the spirits of nurses like herself. She teaches nursing at Chemeketa Community College and said, “things have gotten really…
A black sheep in the Salem restaurant scene, café requires proof of vaccination for dine-in
Black Sheep Cafe and Catering started requiring its dine-in customers be vaccinated against Covid starting Sept. 7, 2021. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) Jen Mignano said it was a difficult decision to require that customers in her café be vaccinated against Covid to dine inside the small…
Salem’s JCPenney building sold, will be turned into smaller retail spaces
Nick Williams, commercial real estate adviser, stands in a back storeroom at the vacant JCPenney store in downtown Salem on Monday, Nov. 23. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) For the first time since the early 1900s, the JCPenney building in downtown Salem is changing hands. Lindquist Development…