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What’s making news in Salem you might have missed

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Good morning…

At Salem Reporter, we listen to readers like you.

Western University of Health Sciences Lebanon Oregon

And one result is a new feature we rolled out last week.

Managing Editor Rachel Alexander produced a listing of events around Salem for the month of June. That way, you and your family can better plan what to do on weekends or other times.

This is a work in progress, developed as a result of our recent survey of readers. We’d welcome your thoughts on how to make the feature more useful to you. You can send an email to Rachel at [email protected].

Speaking of events, city officials report that signups are down for summer recreation programs. There’s still time to get kids involved. Reporter Abbey McDonald reports that among the offerings are camps for kids to build LEGOs, design terrariums and solve mysteries.

In city news, the election was over May 21 but two Salem City Council races aren’t yet settled. A recount may be needed in one matchup where just 33 votes separated the candidates. No matter the results, the council will maintain a progressive leaning.

The city council put in a long night last week as it considered addressing the war in Gaza. Testimony from the community was passionate, as reporter Joe Siess chronicled.

A Salem man who mentored local youth was found dead along Interstate 5 near Wilsonville. Reporter Ardeshir Tabrizian reports Oregon State Police are investigating the murder.

And who would steal an 80-pound brass bell? Thieves made off with an historic school bell maintained by the Assistance League of Salem-Keizer. The group would like to see it returned.

In Salem economy news, a factory finishing glass for buildings is closing, ending 37 jobs.

At Stettler Supply Company, new owners are bringing new vigor to a firm that serves the agriculture industry.

Anne Giffin of Salem shares a bit of her life story as she earns the title Ms. Wheelchair Oregon. “It was different, and difficult. I made it, though,” she tells reporter Abbey McDonald.

And finally, a look back at the return of soap box car racing in Salem through the photography of our Laura Tesler.

COMING UP….

I wanted to alert you that we’re putting the finishing touches on a three-part series you won’t want to miss. Reporter Ardeshir Tabrizian has worked over months to examine the life of a 16-year-old Salem teen killed in a shootout with police. I expect the series to start in about a week and it’s one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken by your team at Salem Reporter.

As always, thank you for reading and feel free to reach out to me anytime at [email protected] with ideas, questions or concerns.

–Les Zaitz, CEO and editor, Salem Reporter

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Salem Reporter’s new team includes, from left, Les Zaitz, Rachel Alexander, Abbey McDonald, Ardeshir Tabrizian and Joe Siess. (LAURA TESLER/Special to Salem Reporter)


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