David Chassman, left, and son-in-law Dan Miles, right, posing in ABC Music Company, which closed earlier this month. (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter) After nearly 60 years in business, the remnants of ABC Music Company were gone in a single phone call. The music store has been a consistent sight in downtown[Read More…]
COMMUNITY
Despite spending increase, survey finds Salem residents less satisfied with city street, sidewalk maintenance
Previous sidewalk damage on Pearl Street Northeast on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Salem residents’ satisfaction with the city’s maintenance of streets, sidewalks and bridges reached an all-time low since it began surveying residents in 2016. This year, fewer than half of residents who responded to a community[Read More…]
After 20 years at the job, Salem’s volunteer coordinator retires
Tibby Larson at a public works event. (Courtesy/City of Salem) When Tibby Larson looks back at 20 years spent as Salem’s volunteer coordinator, Bush’s Pasture Park comes to mind. She said volunteers were able to turn a piece of overgrown land into a destination visit. There was a hillside with[Read More…]
Neighbors angry over plan to bring managed homeless camp to west Salem
West Salem residents gathered at Salemtowne on Tuesday, Oct. 5 to vent their frustrations about a managed camp proposed nearby during a meeting that resulted in frequent shouting and interruptions. (Saphara Harrell/ Salem Reporter) A town hall over a planned managed homeless camp in west Salem turned vitriolic Tuesday night[Read More…]
The Reed renovation brings new eateries, shops and flair to downtown Salem
The Reed Opera House hosted a soft opening on Oct. 1, 2021. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) When the owners of the Reed Opera House decided to sell the building, real estate developer Scott Chernoff saw an opportunity for a re-emergence of downtown Salem. Chernoff has led the building’s renovation since California-based[Read More…]
Haunted hot spots, murder stories on Salem’s Ghost Tour
A photo of the late Tim King leading a ghost tour. (Courtesy/Salem Ghost Tours) Austin and Christian King wanted to carry on their father’s legacy, offering Salemites a glimpse into the darker side of the city’s history. There are haunted hot spots, public hangings and hundreds who went missing[Read More…]
Local art and poetry exhibit slated for October in Bush’s Pasture Park
“Dusk at Baskett Slough,” painted by Salem artist Deanna White. Salem’s outdoor scenery will be rendered in watercolor, acrylic and verse at an exhibit opening Friday. For the 23rd year, Salem nonprofit Artists in Action will display its annual Paint & Write the Town Exhibition, this time at a larger[Read More…]
Historic downtown Salem building turned food hall earns award for historic preservation
The Gray Belle building which houses Fork Forty at 440 State Street won an award for historic preservation. (Courtesy/Fork Forty) When Charles Weathers looked at the vacant building at 440 State Street four years ago, he saw potential. He wasn’t aware at the time that the building has been awarded[Read More…]
Salem nurse delivers gift baskets to beleaguered health care workers
Kelsie Powell delivered gift baskets to nurses at Salem Hospital in September to lift their spirits. (Courtesy/ Kelsie Powell) Kelsie Powell wanted a way to lift the spirits of nurses like herself. She teaches nursing at Chemeketa Community College and said, “things have gotten really overwhelming and hard.” Powell said[Read More…]
A black sheep in the Salem restaurant scene, café requires proof of vaccination for dine-in
Black Sheep Cafe and Catering started requiring its dine-in customers be vaccinated against Covid starting Sept. 7, 2021. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) Jen Mignano said it was a difficult decision to require that customers in her café be vaccinated against Covid to dine inside the small space. The co-owner of Black[Read More…]