Category Community
5 things to do in Salem this week: Free gift swap, new plays, holiday market
This week in Salem, the Oregon State Fairgrounds Holiday Market returns, and Willamette University will show five new, short holiday-themed plays by local writers.
PHOTOS: The Grinch makes nice with Salem Whos during green pancake breakfast
Over a thousand people attended the fourth annual Pancakes with the Grinch event Saturday, hosted by Bridges Oregon. The breakfast was staffed by volunteer American Sign Language interpreters, making it accessible for all children.
NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS: What’s happening across Salem in December
Highland Neighborhood Association is pairing up with Center 50+ for a gift drive supporting seniors, and Northeast Neighbors has an update on owls found in Englewood Park.
Geer Park expedition closes out Salem’s 2026 bird-watch season
Salem's park ranger hosts monthly bird-watching tours in city parks starting in the spring. Geer Park proved fruitful Saturday, with sightings of 22 birds.
Fantasy-themed combat tournament for charity to fill Woodmansee Park Saturday
The Salem chapter of Amtgard, an international live action role playing combat society, is collecting toys for a fire department Toys for Tots event during its tournament Saturday, Dec. 6.
Oregon Capitol nears a full open after decade-long construction project
Hundreds of millions of dollars, thousands of workers and ten years went into the Capitol building’s long-awaited transformation, which will finally finish in early 2026.
Keizer neighbors set to launch 2025 Miracle lights season
Keizer Miracle of Lights opens Friday evening and runs nightly from 6-10 p.m. through Dec. 26.
Marion Polk Food Share saw need, donations surge during SNAP delays
The Marion Polk Food Share recorded an all-time high of 20,000 visits during the weeks of uncertainty over federal food benefits last month. That was up from the 17,000 monthly visits the food share has seen recently.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Readers share what they want covered in Salem
EDITOR'S NOTE: Salem Reporter is adjusting its coverage to meet expectations shared in a recent survey of readers. Editor Les Zaitz shares some of the findings.