Category COMMUNITY
Five years ago, this Salem mom lost her son to the state. Now, they’re buying a home.
Ellisha Pepper and her children celebrate the wall raising on their Habitat for Humanity home, under construction in south Salem in 2019. (Courtesy/Salem Habitat for Humanity) When Ellisha Pepper got her son back from the state, she made a promise. “I told him, ‘In five…
For years she’s been trying to get on Jeopardy! Her episode airs Wednesday.
Davita Curtis with Alex Trebek on Jeopardy! (Courtesy/ Kelly Thomas) When Davita Curtis walked across the polished floors of the Jeopardy! stage in Culver City, California, she kept thinking: “Don’t slip.” Curtis, 56, had spent years trying to get on the game show and had…
Salem residents promote reading and build community, one free library at a time
Sarah Chilcote organizes books in her Little Free Library on D Street in Northeast Salem (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) Some want to help local kids get books. Others are in it to meet neighbors. Dozens of Salem homeowners have erected miniature libraries in their yards and…
A holiday tradition of trains at Capitol makes its final call
A model train display at the Oregon State Capitol is making its last appearance this holiday season. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter) Sitting at the base of the 30-foot tall Noble fir in the Capitol is a remnant of Americana. An antique black American Flyer locomotive pulling…
Major League Baseball could cut the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes loose under new proposal
The Salem-Keizer Volcanoes are a list of minor league baseball teams that could lose their major league affiliation under a new MLB proposal. (Courtesy/Salem-Keizer Volcanoes) The Salem-Keizer Volcanoes minor league baseball team is one of 42 teams that could lose their Major League Baseball affiliation.…
Salem’s Value Village is closing. Here’s why its parking lot will stay busy
Salem’s Value Village is closing this Saturday. (Courtesy/Wikimedia Commons) Salem’s Value Village is closing its doors this Saturday, and a Salem Health employee parking lot will take its place. Sara Gaugl –– a spokesperson with Value Village’s parent company, Savers –– said the lease was…
In Salem’s VFW attic, military uniforms tell stories of war
Tom Vanderhoof puts away the uniforms of a Civilian Conservation Corps member. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter) Hundreds of uniforms hang neatly in clear plastic in the attic of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Marion Post 661. On an overcast day in early November, Tom Vanderhoof walks…
Thanks to a grant, local houses of worship will turn to the sun for electricity
Some Salem area worship centers will get solar panels thanks to a grant. (Courtesy/Portland General Electric) A group of Salem worship centers are about to become a lot greener. Temple Beth Sholom and Open Door Churches, a group of Methodist churches in the Salem area,…
Salem firefighter honored for going above and beyond in community service
Captain Willy Giddings was awarded the Gerry Frank Meritorious Achievement Award for his work teaching CPR to the community. (Courtesy/Salem Fire Department) At first, Willy Giddings thought he just wanted to be a firefighter. He saw his dad and two uncles respond to calls as…