Good morning………
One of the most important stories Salem Reporter published this week was regarding the fatal shooting a year ago in Bush’s Pasture Park.
Following up on the anniversary of a major news event is common.
But what makes the story by reporter Ardeshir Tabrizian special is that the family of the teen boy killed in the park trusted us. The parents of José Vázquez Valenzuela had no obligation whatsoever to talk to our news crew. They could have insisted on their privacy and we would have respected that.
But his mother, Aida Valenzuela, and father, Alvaro Vázquez, shared detailed of their son’s life and events leading up to the park shooting.
Reporter Joe Siess and Managing Editor Rachel Alexander helped with the story. This was about more than one boy dying on a school day. The team assessed where we are as a community in coping with gun violence.
As the story said, “José’s death shows how teenagers who disengaged from school during pandemic closures were sometimes drawn into conflict that can turn deadly. That’s true even for young people like him who grew up with parents engaged in the community and no gang affiliations.”
The candor of Aida and Alvaro is at the heart of this story and I commend the story to you.
We also were at the park on Friday for a special tree planting ceremony in the teen’s honor.
At Salem Reporter, we approach these accounts with humility and respect. For us, it is a treasure that these parents felt comfortable enough to share themselves with the team – and the community.
Another topic we’re continuing to follow closely for you is the Salem Health dispute with a major insurance company. This is a tough topic for its complexity. Getting the story right while making it clear is a challenge that reporter Abbey McDonald has undertaken.
That’s evident in her latest report about canceled appointments at the hospital and other challenges now getting medical care.
Readers notice the effort. As one wrote, “Good job on your article. It’s clearly complicated and while these two entities haggle the insured/patient is left hanging. You made that clear.”
Reporter Madeleine Moore checked in with a health story too. This one was about a new effort to cut down on people enduring repeat overdoses. “Starting March 10, Salem ambulances and hospitals will start administering and prescribing buprenorphine, a medication that reduces withdrawal symptoms, to patients being treated for overdose,” she reported.
In city government reporting:
•Mayor Julie Hoy threw her support behind a tax levy in her State of the City address, according to this story by reporter Joe Siess. Salem Reporter published the full text of her speech.
•Another technology “oops” as the city of Salem accidentally shared employee information.
•The race is on to fill the Salem City Council seat vacated by Julie Hoy when she moved into the mayor’s chair. So far, four people are in the race with a filing deadline coming up.
•Ardershir Tabrizian shared his five takeaways from intense reporting into the trends in spending at City Hall. This gives you a quick study on a complex topic.
•How do we report on budget issues so we don’t bore you to pieces? Read my Editor’s Note to get a look behind the scenes.
In public safety reporting:
•A Salem man is facing a string of federal charges, accused with firebombing Salem’s Tesla dealership.
•A truck driver convicted in that deadly freeway accident south of Salem is heading to state prison for decades. The sentencing in Marion County Circuit Court was an emotional time.
•A meth trafficker found with 29 pounds of the illegal drug in Salem is heading to federal prison. The FBI found 24 guns in the Salem man’s home.
In community reporting:
•Gregg Peterson has made quite an impression in the community through his business and volunteer activities. He’s being honored at Salem’s First Citizen.
•A refugee from Ukraine shared her experiences fleeing the country and settling in Salem. She’s now trying to help others during uncertain times.
•High school students with jobs are finding free help to claim tax refunds. One Salem teen said the extra money will help with expenses at home.
•Salem is seeing a string of protests these days, the latest on Friday regarding cuts to federal funding for science, covered by reporter Alan Cohen.
Don’t overlook the calendar:
Just a reminder that Salem Reporter now gives you an easy-to-use calendar to find local events all in one place. Give it a look and find something to do.
–Les Zaitz, Editor and co-founder
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