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This Friday, Salem will celebrate Juneteenth, a federal holiday recognizing the end of slavery in the United States.

The holiday falls on the day in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to enforce the freedom of some 250,000 African Americans who were still enslaved over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. Though long-celebrated throughout the country, Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021 under then-President Joe Biden.

That means most city and state offices will be closed Friday, including post offices, the Salem Public Library and the DMV. Many banks will also be closed.

The Salem-Keizer NAACP will have a festival to celebrate the holiday in Riverfront Park from 12-6 p.m., featuring music, crafts, activities, vendors and a community meal. The Willamette Heritage Center will have four free guided walking tours where you can learn about the lives of William P. and Elizabeth Walker Johnson, a Black couple who resided in Salem in the 19th century.

Read more about Juneteenth events and other local happenings in this week’s events roundup.

Gas price watch:
Average price for regular gas in Salem:

  • Tuesday: $4.92.
  • One week ago: $5.04.
  • One month ago: $5.26.

Average price for diesel in Salem:

  • Tuesday: $5.99.
  • One week ago: $6.11.
  • One month ago: $6.32.

Source: AAA

www.salemreporter.com

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County officials declared Betsy Vega the winner of the Salem City Council race for Ward 6, representing northeast Salem. City officials will decide in the coming weeks whether she was…

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COLUMN: Will Medicare counselors ask for personal information?

Jim Sellers, former Oregon journalist and state agency employee, writes a regular column to help thousands in Salem deal with the confusing world of Medicare and federal benefits. In this…

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READERS REACT: “Wonderful reporting on a wonderful event, thanks to you Hailey and Judson Middle School.” – Sharon D. on Hailey Cook’s photo gallery of a south Salem middle school’s multicultural assembly.

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