Category COMMUNITY
Downtown streets to close for “End White Silence” march Saturday afternoon
Protesters by the thousands gathered at the Capitol for the March for Floyd on Saturday, June 6. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Downtown streets will be closed for several hours Saturday afternoon as people gather for a rally titled “End White Silence.” It’s the latest in a…
For black Salemites, recent protests highlight longtime concerns over racial profiling and equity
Zack Jackson speaks to protestors on the Oregon State Capitol steps during the third night of demonstrations against police violence on Monday, June 1. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Five days of protests and marches over the death of George Floyd have catalyzed discussions around race and…
Chemeketa lays off part-time workers, offers retirement incentives to cut costs
Chemeketa Community College on Thursday, April 16. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Chemeketa Community College has laid off 250 part-time and student workers and is offering retirement incentives to others to trim spending for the coming year. More steps will likely be needed to balance the college’s…
In uncertain times, Salem cellist turns to music for connection
Joseph Harchanko filmed himself playing cello at the Oregon State Capitol State Park on Sunday. (Ron Cooper/Special to Salem Reporter) NOTE: Salem Reporter is providing free access to its content related to the coronavirus as a community service. Subscriptions starting at $5 a month help support this. In…
Salem young professional opens the way for women through financial advice
Brenna Baucum. (Courtesy/Brenna Baucum) When a camera crew approached Brenna Baucum, she knew what they intended before they said anything. “I know what this is,” Baucum exclaimed as a group of people filed into Bentley’s Grill, boom mic and cameras in tow. Baucum, a financial…
South Salem resident recounts experience being quarantined in China for nearly a month
Dago Benavidez and his wife in quarantine in China. (Courtesy/Dago Benavidez) During the month Dago Benavidez quarantined himself in Guilin, China, he would watch a small, white husky from the window of his fifth-floor condo. He noticed the owner’s routine as they took the dog…
Former Oregon Supreme Court Justice Paul De Muniz to be honored for service to community
Paul De Muniz will be awarded First Citizen at a banquet Saturday night. (Courtesy/Willamette University) Former Oregon Supreme Court Justice Paul De Muniz will take the top award at Saturday’s First Citizen banquet. First Citizens are nominated for improving the lives of those in the…
Through a century-old set of keys and pipes, Rick Parks sets the mood at Salem’s Elsinore Theatre
Rick Parks sits in front of a Wurlitzer console, which represents about 2% of the entire theater pipe organ in the Elsinore Theater. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter) In the early morning a few times a week, Rick Parks enters the Elsinore Theatre, sits down before a…
Chemeketa board unanimously raises tuition for fifth year in a row
The Chemeketa Community College Board of Education at a Feb. 26, 2020 meeting (Taylor Wynia/Special to Salem Reporter) The Chemeketa Community College board of education voted in favor of a tuition increase for the fifth year in a row Wednesday night. For the 2020–21 school…