Category COMMUNITY
Employee surprised with car at Salem KFC
Crystal Lachance won a new car on Tuesday thanks to a wish-granting initiative at KFC. (Courtesy/KFC) When Crystal Lachance showed her 9-year-old son her brand-new car on Tuesday, he told her: “My dreams are coming true and yours are too now.” For more than a…
Local designer uses Instagram account to highlight Salem community
Vin Thomas, creator of Salem Takeover, poses with his puppy, Telly, outside Isaac’s in downtown Salem. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) There’s more to Salem than meets the eye. That’s the premise of Salem Takeover, a homegrown Instagram account run by a different resident each week. Last…
Chemeketa Press aims for publishing “revolution” by creating textbooks for $40 and under
Brian Mosher, managing editor of Chemeketa Press, poses next to algebra textbooks on sale in the college bookstore. The books cost $36.50. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) A mission in four bullet points is outlined on a glass door leading to an office in Building 9 of…
Plans for northeast Salem food hub in the works
Plans are in the works to create a food hub at 2640 Portland Rd N.E. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter) Residents in a part of Salem that has limited access to fresh food could soon have new eateries to patronize. Plans are in the works to create…
Salem warming centers work to boost volunteer roster before winter
Lead volunteer Russ Lipetsky directs warming center volunteers before opening at First Presbyterian Church on Feb. 27, 2019 (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) It will likely be months before Salem temperatures drop below freezing at night, but local churches and social workers are already planning how best…
Salem residents gather in protest of immigration detention centers along the border
Ben Dinsdale, Leda Dinsdale (8 months) and Anne Conners participate in Friday’s protest in downtown Salem against immigration detention centers. (Sonia Boeger/Special to Salem Reporter) An estimated 200 people from around Oregon gathered Friday, July 12, at the Salem Transit Center in downtown Salem for…
In Salem, Sidewalk Talk volunteers listen with no strings attached
Kelly Ward holds a Sidewalk Talk sign at the group’s first event on May 18, 2019 in Riverfront Park. (Courtesy/Kelly Ward) As nurses, Kelly Ward and Lindsey Cretella spend a lot of their time listening to people. Now, they’re taking those skills to the streets…
PHOTOS: 700 graduate from Chemeketa Community College
Chemeketa Community College graduates wave to audience members as the 2019 ceremony begins (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) Winemakers, adult high school graduates, formerly homeless students and military veterans were among the 700 students who walked across the stage at Chemeketa Community College’s graduation on June 18…
Here’s where kids can get free summer meals in Salem
Veronica Diaz squirts mayonnaise on her son Victor’s sandwich during a free summer lunch at Washington Elementary School on June 18, 2019 (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) Veronica Diaz remembers eating summer lunches at Four Corners Elementary School when she was a kid in Salem. It was…