Category Community
Mystery passport in state hospital archive tells of laborer who slipped across border, found love
A bright red booklet caught Todd Shaffer’s eye as he was working through a stack of patient files. Shaffer, an archivist with the Oregon State Archives, said it’s not unusual to find surprises in the decades-old records of people committed to the state’s psychiatric hospital.…
Coffee grounds get a second life at Chemeketa’s startup farm
Amanda Roberts, a Dutch Bros. barista and leader of the “Tulip Team,” drops off coffee grounds to compost at Chemeketa Community College’s agriculture complex on Feb. 10, 2022 (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) Amanda Roberts grinned as she dumped a hefty bag of coffee grounds onto a…
Salem Art Department hosts tiny art show full of miniatures
Miniatures at the Salem Art Department’s Tiny Art Show. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter) If you walk to the back of the Salem Art Department downtown, you’ll see a row of dollhouses. And if you look closely, you’ll see a tiny, tiny can of soup. It’s one…
Salem church hosts couple living in their RV to help them transition out of homelessness
Westminster Presbyterian Church in south Salem is hosting a couple that lives in their RV as part of the Safe Parking program. (Courtesy/ Ted Burney) When Ted Burney’s congregation decided to allow a couple living in their camper to stay in the Salem church’s parking…
COLUMN: Community leaders gather, applaud mayor’s final State of the City
Mayor Chuck Bennett gives his final State of the City address on Feb. 9, 2022 at Salem Convention Center (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter) Mayor Chuck Bennett gave his 6th State of the City Address on Feb. 9 at the Salem Convention Center. Over 150…
Street outreach team delivers medical care, social services at Salem homeless camps
Justin Davis, outreach nurse, listens to Rita Edward’s heart after she complained of chest pain at her camp in Wallace Marine Park on Friday, Jan. 28, 2022. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) For four days, Scott Botel yelled for help. He laid in a tent at Cascades…
Capital FC offers new soccer program for kids, young adults with disabilities
Capital FC soccer fields. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) JoAnna Fields wants all kids to be able to play soccer in Salem, no matter their ability. “My goal to give everybody an opportunity to play on the field,” she said. Fields is the program director for the…
PHOTOS: An icy swim raises funds for Special Olympics
Emma Friesen, third from left, Taylor Ehrens, center, and Roman Castronova, right, of the South Salem High School Unified Program team, jump into the pool during the 2022 Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Oregon at Illahe Hills Country Club on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. (Amanda…
Ankeny Hill Nature Center offers opportunity to learn through guided walks, activities
The Ankeny Hill Nature Center opens to the public Feb. 5. (Courtesy/ Ankeny Hill Nature Center) Dusky Canadian geese flock to the Ankeny Wildlife Refuge just south of Salem for winter refuge each year. This winter, it will be easier for children, educators and outdoor…