Good morning………
The holiday tunes started on certain channels weeks ago, but now’s the time to really rev up for the season.
The crew at Salem Reporter will keep sharing details on what there is to do to entertain you, your family and friends. It’s been a challenging year in a lot of ways for all of us. So, let’s be determined in the coming weeks to pause, reflect and enjoy the good about people and life in Salem.
You can help. If you know of event or performance or even a terrific light display that we might overlook, share. And if there are those special people who really make the holidays come alive, tell us. I’m not suggesting we’ll look the other way on traditional news, but we’re ready to join you in looking for reasons for optimism and hope.
Reporter Abbey McDonald shared just such a short recently. Her account of Monthly Movie Fun at the Elsinore Theatre was a hit with readers.
And who can’t love a story about an eighth grader winning a communitywide competition. Reporter Joe Siess tells how the city’s new street sweeper got its name.
In more serious news from City Hall, the Salem City Council is still toying with asking voters for more money. We have the background on the council vote coming on Monday.
Joe Siess also did the hard work of learning about PERS and potential retirement costs for the city. As if councilors need another money challenge.
Managing Editor Rachel Alexander applied the same diligence to the Salem-Keizer School District. The issue of publicly-paid retirement checks can make a person yawn – until you see the dollar signs attached.
Sticking with schools for a moment, Rachel also delivered an initial look at the state’s latest numbers on local school performance. Attendance is up, for instance. Our team is planning much more on this topic and your questions or observations are welcome (email: [email protected]).
We also caught Gov. Tina Kotek on a kid’s bike at Bush Elementary School and looked into a new Salem center to train much-needed electricians.
Salem officials are still having a hard time finding the right person for a key job. Reporter Ardeshir Tabrizian reports that progress on the city’s crime initiative depends on it.
By the way, a story we highlighted last week about Salem becoming safer turns out not to be such good news. Salem police officials discovered human error and got us better numbers. Ardeshir updated our report to account for those figures – one way we work to be sure you always get accurate information.
Reporter Madeleine Moore caught a presentation at the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce related to overdoses in Salem. The prime cause: fentanyl.
Abbey McDonald broke the news about new funding to help Salem people avoid becoming homeless. The idea is to connect people to services before it’s too late.
We have a couple of inspiring local business stories. At Salem Reporter, we like to tell these accounts because small business is so key to a strong community. One looks at a wellness center celebrating 20 years serving Salem and another tells of a local store that opened to serve climbers – and others.
And relatives submitted a wonderful obituary tribute to Merle Reeves. These personal accounts always make you wish you had known the person. (Our obituary service is easy to use and we widely share these tributes.)
Finally, watch for word on a new feature we’re adding to Salem Reporter. Constantly, we ask ourselves: How can we do more, do better? We never tire of trying to devise the very best local news source for you and the community.
PHOTO OF THE WEEK:
Regina Molinero Espitia, a kindergarten student at Bush Elementary School, sets off riding a balance bike with some encouragement from Gov. Tina Kotek. The school received a grant for 24 bikes to teach kindergarten students how to ride. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter)
I’m always delighted to hear from readers. Send me your ideas, your questions, even your concerns or complaints. My direct email: [email protected].
Let’s go have a great week and do something helpful for the community.
– Les Zaitz, co-founder and editor, Salem Reporter
PS: Attention, Salem retailers…
We’re looking to once again provide a unique Gift Guide. As we did last year, we’ll focus exclusively on what’s available from Salem retailers. Here’s how you can get your business involved.
Salem Reporter is inviting locally-owned shops with interesting gifts for the holiday to help us spread the “shop local” spirit in Salem.
Here’s how our 2023 effort turned out: Shopping in Salem – where to go for unique local gifts this season
We will publish a guide to local retailers on Friday, Nov. 29. There is no cost for participation, but here’s what we need from your business:
1. Name, address, hours, phone, website
2. One gift item described + price – 3 sentences or so.
3. If possible, a photo of the gift.
4. Item should be in stock at your store
5. Gift certificates – do you offer them?
To have your item included, send an email to [email protected] by noon Monday, Nov. 25.
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