The view from Marion County Commissioner Colm Willis’ office in downtown Salem on May 5, 2020. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) State officials say Marion and Polk counties will have to record a steady decline in hospital admissions before they will allow a phased opening of businesses. The two counties were left[Read More…]
Latest News
Only 27% of Marion and Polk county voters have turned in ballots. There’s still time to get your vote counted.
A Marion County ballot dropbox at the health district is open 24 hours a day. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) Just one quarter of eligible voters in Marion and Polk counties have handed their ballots back in as of Monday, May 18. It’s not too late to join them. Though the COVID-19[Read More…]
Judge rules that Gov. Kate Brown’s coronavirus orders are invalid
Gov. Kate Brown listens in during a phone call with Vice President Mike Pence and other governors on Monday, April 20. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) A state judge in Baker County ruled Monday that Gov. Kate Brown’s restrictive orders related to the pandemic were void because they exceeded a state time[Read More…]
Flickers of life in downtown Salem emerge as state orders are relaxed
Kristina Wargnier, of Salem, waits outside of Cooke Stationery Company on May 12, 2020. Wargnier was dropping off face masks for employees to the store. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Colleen Henery has felt like her store has been on an island. The co-owner of Cooke Stationery Company, Henery said she stopped[Read More…]
PHOTOS: The flower gardens at Adelman are open – a free escape from the pandemic
The peonies are in bloom and available for sale or just to enjoy at Adelman Peony Gardens northeast of Salem. (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter) A bright swath of color spreads across 25 acres of open farmland north of Salem from mid May to mid June at Adleman Peony Gardens. A crisis[Read More…]
PHOTOS: Sunday service at the Capitol presses for right to gather, worship
More than 400 people attended the All-Church Worship Service at the Capitol on Sunday, May 17. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) An outdoor worship service on the steps of the Capitol on Sunday, May 17, drew about 400 people. The event was hosted by Salem House of Prayer, radio station KSLM, and[Read More…]
PHOTOS: The Oregon State Fairgrounds in photos – then and now
A fire destroyed two key buildings at the state fairgrounds in 1967. (Oregon State Fair Archives photo) A fire destroyed two key buildings at the state fairgrounds in 1967. (Oregon State Fair Archives photo) Gov. Tom McCall gets a briefing as a fire destroyed two key buildings at the state[Read More…]
With Oregon State Fair canceled, millions in income lost for Salem area
The Oregon State Fair draws several hundred thousand visitors each year and this drone view in 2019 shows the colorful mix of rides and booths. Salem’s economy will lose millions from the cancellation of the 2020 fair. (Oregon State Fair Council photo) There will be no home brew or wine[Read More…]
PHOTOS: Senior citizens have a bit of canceled Keizer festival brought to them
Brittney Shoemaker, an administrative assistant at the Avamere Court at Keizer assisted living facility, carries a bundle of irises to give to residents on May 15, 2020. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Senior citizens in Keizer got a taste of the city’s annual festival on Friday, as volunteers delivered irises to six[Read More…]
Salon owner who defied governor’s order now faces fine
Supporters cheer the opening on Tuesday, May 5, of Glamour Salon at 195 Liberty St. S.E. Owner Lindsey Graham said she opened in defiance of state restrictions to earn an income (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter) A Salem salon owner has been fined for defying a governor’s orders that closed many businesses[Read More…]