While political polarization has increased among voters, Marion and Polk County’s League of Women Voters is a steadfast source of information on voter rights, ballot measures and local candidates for the community. This election cycle, the league is engaging with groups often left out of political conversations, like unhoused and senior voters.
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Events calendar: what to do in Salem for October 2024
Haunted houses, the Westminster Festival of Fine Art and lots of horror-themed markets, movies and more are coming to venues around Salem in October.
UPDATE: Report of armed student outside West Salem HS prompts lockdown
Police said Friday afternoon that five West Salem schools went into lockdown due to reports of a student with a gun near West Salem High School. They didn’t confirm whether the student was actually armed or if they were arrested.
What to know about voting in Marion, Polk counties this November
A guide to Salem’s voter registration options, ballot boxes and clerk’s offices.
New Oregon program pays parents to care for kids with intensive medical, behavioral needs — but few can access it
Over a thousand Oregon parents are on the waitlist for a new state program that pays them part-time to care for their children with complex disabilities.
OBITUARY: Shirley Louise Rawlinson
OBITUARY: A lover of singing and dancing, Shirley Louise Rawlinson worked for Salem businesses, law firms and state government in accounting roles. She died Aug. 27, 2024.
COLUMN: Get ready for an earthquake with the Great Oregon ShakeOut
Mark Wardell, the leader of West Salem’s Community Emergency Response Team, walks through upcoming preparedness events and food planning for emergencies.
‘Oregon Rebate’ measure 118 could cost state at least $1 billion annually, legislators hear
Legislative fiscal analysts have spent months trying to parse the proposed tax hike and rebate.
South senior raises thousands to support arts education
Kaylee Schulte ran a booth at the Salem Art Fair selling donated paintings to raise over $2,500 for arts programs for kids. Salem’s public elementary schools don’t offer art classes.
The problems and promise of downtown Salem
Many downtown businesses report fewer people coming into their stores as a Covid push to support small businesses fades and inflation hits people hard. But downtown remains flush with new developments and businesses eager to invest and expand.
