Good morning and thanks for spending a little time with me.
Salem, you love your pets.
That was evident after reporter Madeleine Moore covered the opening of a new clinic last week by Friends of Felines.
“The new wellness clinic provides vaccines, physical exams, microchips and spaying or neutering at half the price of an average veterinary clinic,” she reported.
Our story has been shared hundreds of times on social media and drew plenty of comments:
“My family adopted our first family pets! Two adorable kittens that have added another layer of love and amusement to our family.”
“This is fantastic! There are many health benefits to having a pet. This will hopefully allow more people to have them, and care for them better.”
“Fantastic! I hope this is a huge success.”
Another story that got a lot of attention was reporter Abbey McDonald’s update on Cottages United. The project of United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley provides affordable, small homes for seniors near Swegle Elementary School.
“It has really been a dream over there. They’ve all planted flowers out in front of their doors, and they now have a monthly newsletter that they share amongst them with all the highlights,” according to Melinda Freshour.
United Way plans to add more units and is raising money.
The need? The waiting list has 188 seniors.
Meantime, Salem veterans are getting help from VETcare, which focuses on unhoused men with service records. Our story explores how VETcare operates.
Action in courthouses got a lot of our team’s attention in recent days.
A talker was the fight between a company of cardiologists and Salem Health over heart patient care in Salem. The dispute spilled into public view with a lawsuit by the company. We’re waiting for Salem Health’s legal response and will report on it when it gets filed.
Reporter Ardeshir Tabrizian shares why local prosecutors think a DEA agent should be tried for criminal conduct in the death of a cyclist. A federal court hearing in November could settle whether the agent goes free – or faces prosecution.
And federal judges ruled last week that a protester injured by Salem police is entitled to $1 million while a man who attacked staff in a brazen attack at Highland Elementary School is headed for prison.
The issue of homelessness gets the spotlight on Tuesday evening in a town hall. Abbey McDonald reports that “the town hall aims to address the community’s competing understandings of homelessness by bringing together neighbors, elected leaders, people experiencing homelessness and providers.” Abbey explains how you can submit written questions for the panelists.
Other stories you might have missed in recent days that are worth your attention:
*Riverfront Park in downtown Salem is getting a playground makeover.
*Salem librarians report a disturbing trend with certain parts of their collection.
*A sustainable awards luncheon figures how to limit its own trash.
*Business recruitment work that led to 229 jobs is honored.
*Two local students get a seat with the Salem-Keizer School Board.
As I look back over the week’s work, I couldn’t be more proud of our Salem Reporter team. We’re delivering to you and other readers a variety of news that just wouldn’t get reported if we weren’t around. This is information that helps you understand your community better.
That’s why we’re here – to deliver local news that matters.
I thank you for reading, subscribing and sharing our work. Please reach out to me anytime at [email protected] if you have story ideas, questions or suggestions for our team.
– Les Zaitz, co-founder and editor, Salem Reporter
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