Good morning………
At Salem Reporter, we love pondering how we can do more for you.
And last week, we rolled out a new feature – an events guide that is easy to use and constantly updated.
The wizards behind the scenes of our web system cooked up the idea, and we’re glad they did.
Managing Editor Rachel Alexander explained in her Editor’s Note how this works. That includes how anyone can directly submit an event for consideration and display.
Take a look and ponder yourself. We’ll be asking readers like you for reaction, revises and more. If you can’t wait to speak up, send me an email ([email protected]).
If you’ve lived in Salem long, you’re well aware of how often big trucks get themselves stuck on South River Road. You would think after all these years there wouldn’t be a truck driver around who doesn’t know you can’t squeeze a big rig under a small overpass. One more driver learned that lesson last week.
Prepare to hear a lot about city government in the coming weeks. A new mayor and new councilors settle into their roles next month. And they face a number of pressing issues.
Business leaders are stepping in with their voice about the city’s budget. As reporter Joe Siess shares, they want a new budget efficiencies committee. As we’ve been reporting for weeks now, city officials say expenses are far outrunning revenue.
The Salem Fire Department is pressing ahead with plans to take over ambulance services next summer. Deputy Fire Chief Kyle Amsberry reported strong recruiting for all the medics the city needs to hire.
Salem city councilors decided to keep in place the local lodging tax, which pays for a lot of tourism promotion. Matt Smith, the general manager of the Holman Riverfront Park Hotel, told councilors he supports the tax. “Since opening in March of 2023, we have not had any guests who have had any negative reaction to this fee,” he told them.
One good way to find out what’s going on around town is our regular roundup of news from neighborhood associations. Learn about wildlife murals, for instance, from the Northgate Neighborhood Association.
On the business front, the one commercial airline serving Salem announced it is trimming flights while developers won hefty state backing for a new housing project.
Our team had some interesting people stories this week.
Reporter Abbey McDonald provides a fascinating look at a local woman’s years in the Dutch resistance during World War II. Rachel Alexander spent time with a mother-daughter duo whose relations have improved, thanks for a special local program.
A Salem family persisted to learn the truth about the murder of a relative. Reporter Ardeshir Tabrizian has the story about what they discovered and why they are suing Marion County officials over the 2021 murder.
Work over seven years led to a new war memorial in Salem. Reporter Madeleine Moore tells about the long effort to establish the Vietnam War Memorial.
Our team loves to capture snapshots of life around Salem. Photographer Laura Tesler spent time at this year’s SnoBall and then at Salem’s riverfront tree lighting ceremony.
On a professional note, Oregon lost yet another newspaper recently. The Brownsville Times has been serving the Willamette Valley town between Albany and Eugene since 1889. The newspaper printed its last edition last week. Another community without a local news source.
PHOTO OF THE WEEK:
Katie Rosario and her mother Robin Barquest joke with one another in their North Lancaster home on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. (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
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