The audience waits for the curtain to go up on one of the Pentacle Theatre’s last productions. The entertainment venue remains closed by the pandemic. Anna Peterson, former Salem mayor, once said, “If you want drama, buy a ticket to the Pentacle (Theatre). I don’t like drama at council meetings.” [Read More…]
Latest News
PHOTOS: Salem’s End White Silence rally draws hundreds
Protesters kneel during eight minutes of silence at the Mirror Pond outside of the Salem Police Station on Saturday, June 13, for the End White Silence rally. George Floyd of Minneapolis died after a police officer kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Organizers of the[Read More…]
Largely white audience in Salem gets the message: Act on racism
Demonstrators march through downtown Salem on Saturday, June 13, as part of the End White Silence rally. Several hundred people listened to speeches, marched to Salem City Hall, and kneeled in silence for George Floyd. (Kate McMahon/Salem Reporter) Several hundred people – most of them white – stood for more[Read More…]
Price of remodeling South Salem High School jumps; artifacts from old Leslie saved
Workers install seismic upgrades to the boys’ locker room at South Salem High School as part of a major expansion and remodeling of the school. (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter) The cost to demolish the former Leslie Junior High School and expand South Salem High School has jumped by about $18 million[Read More…]
COMMENTARY: How Salem Reporter is staying on top of three major news threads at the same time
For the second Friday in a row, a small group protesting racism gathered near the intersection of Southeast High and Bush Streets on Friday, June 12. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) At Salem Reporter, we’re dealing with a Triple Crown of news – the global pandemic, the social upheaval triggered by George[Read More…]
Protesters gathered Saturday as speakers pressed for reforms in Salem and elsewhere
Shelaswau Crier of Salem speaks during the End White Silence event at the Capitol on Saturday, June 13. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Several hundred protesters turned out Saturday at the Capitol for another rally aimed at pressing for social and political change in Oregon and the country. “End White Silence” featured[Read More…]
Uncategorized As restrictions ease in Salem, small events such as weddings and funerals resume
Determined not to let their planned wedding day be disrupted by the pandemic, Alex Younger and Sara Foreman found a venue in a West Salem home, keeping to the June date they set long ago. (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter) Weddings, funerals, baptisms, and confirmations, events that traditionally bring families together, have[Read More…]
Demonstrators take up post at Salem rush hour to support Black Lives Matter
Edith Buckingham, 7, stands with her brother Harrison, 11, and cousin Sawyer Nelson, 12, during a small protest against racism near the intersection of Southeast High and Bush Streets on Friday, June 12. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Karen Arabas holds up a sign during a small protest against racism near the[Read More…]
Downtown streets to close for “End White Silence” march Saturday afternoon
Protesters by the thousands gathered at the Capitol for the March for Floyd on Saturday, June 6. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Downtown streets will be closed for several hours Saturday afternoon as people gather for a rally titled “End White Silence.” It’s the latest in a series of demonstrations that have[Read More…]
Governor takes step for possible early release of inmates in response to the pandemic
Oregon State Penitentiary (Courtesy/Wikimedia Commons) Oregon Gov. Kate Brown has asked the state Department of Corrections to identify incarcerated people at risk of having a severe reaction to COVID-19 for early release. Prison systems in Oregon and elsewhere have come under scrutiny during the pandemic because their tight spaces make[Read More…]
