Category Community
City officials revoke permit for church program in park – and say go ahead anyway
David and Amanda Vital of Salem Awakening 2020 at Riverfront Park on Thursday, August 6. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) When churches closed in March under pandemic orders from Gov. Kate Brown, David and Amanda Vital felt like the world was hurting and people needed some hope.…
First executive director will guide deeper research, online museum for Oregon Black Pioneers
Zachary Stocks, the first executive director of Oregon Black Pioneers (Courtesy/Oregon Black Pioneers) For more than 20 years, a small group of volunteers has worked to find historical records of Black Oregonians scattered across the state. They’ve documented hundreds of lawyers, distance runners, miners and…
Need groceries delivered? A Salem high schooler wants to help.
Neel Jain, PDX Concierge founder, shops at Trader Joe’s for people at high risk during the pandemic. (Courtesy/Neel Jain) Since the coronavirus pandemic began, Luke Clifton, 17, hasn’t been able to visit his grandparents in Coos Bay. His family hasn’t taken their usual trip to…
Nearly 72% of Salem residents have experienced discrimination, city survey shows
Salem’s Human Rights Commission conducted a survey in January that found 72% of respondents have experienced discrimination. Salem has work to do around discrimination, a new city-sponsored survey has found. A sampling of Salem residents gave the city a “C” grade for discrimination, according to…
In the wake of Salem protests, a new community leader emerges
Gregg Simpson stands in Lee Park near to where he grew up on Thursday, July 16. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Gregg Simpson was stunned as he looked over a crowd of thousands of people gathered for the March for Floyd on June 6, an event he…
Capitol will be busy on Saturday – two rallies with differing views of police
Protesters walk up the mall to the Capitol after marching through downtown Salem on Saturday, June 6, as part of a Black Lives Matter demonstration. Two new rallies are planned for Saturday, July 11. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Two rallies with opposing goals are planned in…
Black Lives Matter solidarity event planned for Fourth
Protesters by the thousands gathered at the Capitol for the March for Floyd on Saturday, June 6. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) For Natascha Antes, patriotism and protest go hand in hand. Antes, 20, was tired of seeing the American flag used by people opposing the Black…
With Riverfront Park show canceled, Salemites have limited options for firework shows
The fireworks on the Fourth of July in 2019. (Ron Cooper/Special to Salem Reporter) Salem’s signature fireworks show which draws thousands to Riverfront Park each year is the latest in a string of events that have been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. But there’s…
Following art fair cancellations, photographer auctions her work for charity
Caren Ann Jackson’s photography is up for auction at IKE Box to help raise money for nonprofit Isaac’s Room. (Courtesy/Caren Ann Jackson) As businesses were forced to reduce operations and art fairs were cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic, artist Caren Ann Jackson had an…