The federal government has taken a different approach to minimum wage than the state of Oregon. (Graph courtesy of Pamela Ferrara) The Salem economy is improving. The unemployment rate has come down from nearly 14% in April to 7.3% in August. However, 14,000 people in the Salem area are still[Read More…]
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Uncategorized As Marion County passes 100 Covid deaths, a Salem doctor reflects on what he’s seen caring for patients
Dr. Omer Khan, a hospitalist at Salem Health (Courtesy/Omer Khan) For Dr. Omer Khan, treating patients with serious cases of Covid hasn’t gotten any more predictable since the hospital saw its first in March. But the Salem Health hospitalist, who cares for people admitted to the hospital but not sick[Read More…]
Uncategorized Keizer police identify driver in fatal hit and run
Keizer Police have identified the driver who hit and killed a cyclist on Windsor Island Road Friday afternoon. Salem resident Robert Lindsey, 93, hit and killed 70-year-old Andrew Otho Polston and left the scene Friday afternoon, according to police. Police said Polston was lawfully riding his bicycle on the Keizer[Read More…]
AGENDA: City’s Urban Renewal Agency to consider $10 million in spending for downtown
People shop in downtown Salem in the winter. (Caleb Wolfe/Special to Salem Reporter) Salem’s Urban Renewal Agency will meet Monday evening to consider borrowing $10 million to pay for construction projects, bike infrastructure, improvements to streets and alley lighting, as well as a homeless shelter in the downtown area. If[Read More…]
BEHIND THE SCENES: Veterans helping Salem Reporter serve the community
Journalists Cathy Ingalls and Ron Cooper stepped up to help Salem Reporter provide deeper coverage of the community. They each have significant track records in Oregon journalism. (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter) Restoring trust in the media is a major objective for those of us at Salem Reporter. Since our launch two[Read More…]
Uncategorized Poll: Most Oregonians wearing masks to slow Covid spread, but socializing remains common
CERT team volunteer Laura Hildebrandt holds out one of the donated masks during a mask collection event at Woodmansee Park on Thursday, April 16. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Eight in 10 Oregonians are wearing masks regularly indoors, and most are taking other protective measures to slow the spread of Covid, but[Read More…]
BUSINESS ROUNDUP: Canned memories, trade’s impact on Oregon, specialty grants and CAT tax
Chris Sarles, president and CEO of the Oregon Fruit Products LLC, shows labels for products sold by the company decades ago. Sarles says that the company has a long story that he hopes to carry on. (Jake Thomas/Salem Reporter) There’s a lot going on business. To help keep you up[Read More…]
Uncategorized Pedestrian killed in apparent hit-and-run in Keizer
Police found a 70-year-old pedestrian dead after he was apparently struck by a vehicle outside Keizer Friday afternoon. Keizer police were called to the 6100 block of Windsor Island Road North around 12:30 p.m. Friday after receiving a report of a vehicle collision involving a pedestrian, the department said in[Read More…]
Uncategorized Wildfire victims face challenges finding housing in tight market
Smoke curls from fire still burning within view of the North Santiam River. The north side of the river was badly damaged by wildfires but large areas of the south side largely escaped. (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter) Federal and local agencies are facing bureaucratic and logistical challenges as well as a[Read More…]
Uncategorized State reports show about 28,000 Oregon kids attending school in-person, with 32 student and staff Covid cases
James Gough, an incoming kindergartner at Kalapuya Elementary School, works on an assessment test to gauge his alphabet comprehension on Thursday, September 17. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) With tens of thousands of Oregon kids attending class in-person, the state has so far seen 32 cases of the virus tied to K-12[Read More…]
