Alan Bushong. (Courtesy/CCTV) A new era is about to dawn at CCTV Salem after its first and only executive director announced he’s seeking a replacement. Alan Bushong, who helped spearhead the area’s nonprofit community media center, is retiring after 30 years on the job. Bushong was instrumental to getting local[Read More…]
COMMUNITY
‘No war with Iran’ said demonstrators at the Capitol
A lighted sign reading “No war” was on display during a protest against a potential war with Iran. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter) Around 60 people gathered in front of the Oregon State Capitol Thursday night to protest a potential war with Iran. The demonstration came a week after a U.S. drone[Read More…]
For Salem’s seniors, “fix it” man always there to help
Bill Stortzum has been supervising the woodshop at Center 50+ for years. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter) Bill Stortzum has kept a dollhouse in his garage for three years, waiting for its owner to be in better health before its finished. Stortzum, 68, has been a longtime fixture at Center 50+ and[Read More…]
Refugee youth choir brings joyful songs, dances to Salem
Uhuru Youth Choir. (Courtesy/Uhuru Youth Choir) Lumona and Nely Mbama remember singing in a choir every day after school at a refugee camp in Tanzania. The 17- and 19-year-olds were born in the refugee camp in the east African country after their parents fled war in the Democratic Republic of[Read More…]
Local rock favorite Wild Ire heads to California for the world’s largest music trade show
Local Salem band Wild Ire is performing at one of the world’s largest music trade shows next month. (Courtesy/Wild Ire) In the basement music venue, the Space Concert Club, Wild Ire is setting up for a show on a Thursday night. The alternative rock band is a local favorite around[Read More…]
Chemeketa hits lowest number of students in more than a decade
Chemeketa Community College (File/Salem Reporter) Enrollment at Chemeketa Community College is the lowest it’s been in over a decade, with 625 fewer students this fall than compared to last year. Nearly 11,900 students were taking a course at Chemeketa the fourth week of fall quarter, according to state data released[Read More…]
Salem seniors rescued from loneliness as volunteers drop in to chat
Connie Hayworth, right, plays cards with Emma Langford, center, and Julie Nibler, left. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter) Connie Hayworth is thankful for her infectious personality, which has helped get other residents at Salem Transitional Care out of their rooms and social again. At 79, Hayworth looks forward to a weekly card[Read More…]
Caesar the Llama promoting blood drives in memory of teenage friend who died of cancer
AvaLynn Hosmer, left, and Caesar, meet at an October 2019 event for Hosmer’s homecoming. (Courtesy/Kimberly Hosmer) Salem’s celebrity llama wants your blood. Caesar, the four-year-old therapy llama who regularly makes public appearances at events around western Oregon, is expanding his community service efforts into local blood drives in honor of[Read More…]
Did you have a good year? Help those who didn’t…
The Christmas tree at the Oregon State Capitol (Caleb Wolf/Special to Salem Reporter) It’s cold, days are short and holiday lights are going up around Salem. If you’re looking to make the darkest part of the year a little brighter for local families in need, we’ve rounded up a list[Read More…]
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 years, we’re going to have[Read More…]
