Your Monday evening update on Salem news

Good evening, Salem.

Gene Derfler wasn’t flashy in his retirement.

But thousands of Salem children have hand-carved wooden trucks thanks in part to his woodworking skills.

Derfler, a veteran Oregon lawmaker, died early Monday morning at age 101. He worked to overhaul the state workers’ compensation system, inspired by roadblocks he ran into as a business owner in Salem in the 1950s.

He pursued woodworking, crafting lifelike fish and trucks for local preschoolers in Head Start programs. Our news obituary has more about his life and impact in Salem.

If you have a favorite Gene Derfler memory you’d like to share, send it to Managing Editor Rachel Alexander at [email protected]. If we get enough submissions, we may publish them later this week.

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

www.salemreporter.com

Gene Derfler, ‘generational leader’ in Oregon Legislature, dies at 101

As a lawmaker, Gene Derfler helped reform Oregon’s workers’ compensation system to reduce lawsuits and accidents. In retirement, he took up woodworking, crafting trucks for Salem preschoolers and lifelike fish.

www.salemreporter.com

New developers step in to revitalize stalled Cannery project

SilverSphere Capital, a New Jersey-based development firm, has stepped in to redevelop a defunct central Salem cannery along the city’s riverfront after the project was stalled. The first phase of…

www.salemreporter.com

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek’s order requiring union work on state projects is ruled illegal

A Marion County judge ruled Gov. Tina Kotek overstepped her authority when she issued a controversial order requiring union work on state projects.

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Gene Derfler, ‘generational leader’ in Oregon Legislature, dies at 101

New developers step in to revitalize stalled Cannery project

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek’s order requiring union work on state projects is ruled illegal

Donate now – fund deep reporting on schools

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