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Good morning, Salem.

Our city is very good at trees.

That’s according to the Oregon Department of Forestry, which named Salem the state’s Tree City of the Year.

The honor was deserved for Salem’s aggressive efforts to control the invasive emerald ash borer, which threatens native trees, according to Scott Altenhoff, who manages the Tree City program for the state. That meant an immediate survey of existing city trees that were potentially vulnerable, and treatment of hundreds of trees with an insecticide to project them.

He said Salem also deserved recognition for its efforts to catalog trees, increase the urban forest canopy and host an internship program for urban foresters.

We plan to write more about the city’s tree program in the future. Is there something you’d like to know about trees in Salem? Send your questions to Managing Editor Rachel Alexander at [email protected].

Here’s some of today’s news. Head to our website anytime for the latest in local news.  

www.salemreporter.com

City hopes to help more West Salem businesses expand through grant program 

The city of Salem has expanded the West Salem Urban Renewal Area grant program to be more flexible and attract more businesses, including now allowing businesses to get grants to…

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www.salemreporter.com

5 things to do in Salem this week: Nighttime cherry blossoms, Pentacle Theatre musical, Salem Center egg hunt

Events in Salem this week include the annual nighttime viewing of the Oregon Capitol cherry blossoms, showings of Pentacle Theatre’s Something Rotten! musical and an Easter egg hunt and market…

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www.salemreporter.com

Money to continue battle with beetle tucked into bill balancing Oregon’s budget

After an outcry from farm and nursery groups who warned tens of millions of dollars in crop value could be lost, lawmakers in the most recent legislative session added $1.8 million for…

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www.salemreporter.com

City testing new AI dispatch system to handle non-emergency calls 

A new automated system is taking some non-emergency calls at the Willamette Valley Communications Center as a way to relieve overworked dispatch center staff, and provide faster service for callers.…

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Oregon Symphony Salem Smith Auditorium Salem Oregon

Salem Reporter Town Hall graphic - March 2026

SALEM REPORTER TOWN HALL: CITY ELECTIONS

Meet the people who want to run Salem city government. Our special live program will include all eight candidates for Salem City Council and the challenger who wants to become mayor. The event is Tuesday, March 31, at the Elsinore Theatre and your tickets are free in advance. Doors open at 5 p.m. so you can meet the candidates and the program begins at 6 p.m. The show will be broadcast by Capital Community Media in a collaboration to deliver this important community service. TOWN HALL TICKETS: FREE

SEE LOCAL EVENTS: Our events calendar lets you browse what’s happening in Salem – completely free. Want to submit an upcoming event? You can do that here.

TIP US TO NEWS: Email Managing Editor Rachel Alexander – [email protected]

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