An anti-fascist counterprotester at a Patriot Prayer rally. (Courtesy/Wikimedia Commons) Legislation targeting mask-wearing rioters has drawn criticism from a coalition of civil rights and community organizations that say it’ll have a chilling effect on protests while setting the state back on its efforts to halt mass incarceration. Speaking before the[Read More…]
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Salem mayor pushes for ‘sit-lie’ in the face of increasing uproar over homeless problem downtown
Mayor Chuck Bennett responds to questions from the a crowd of neighbors at Pringle Community Hall. The city scrapped plans to turn the hall into an emergency homeless shelter last month. (Troy Brynelson/Salem Reporter) Each day Mayor Chuck Bennett opens his electronic inbox to a half dozen emails from downtown[Read More…]
Uncategorized Improvements to helping Oregon’s mentally ill defendants advancing
Oregon State Hospital in Salem, Oregon. Oregon’s judges would have more options to help criminal defendants found unfit to stand trial should legislation approved 26-4 by the Senate earlier this week be passed in the House. Senate Bill 1575 makes fixes to legislation passed last year which aimed to relieve[Read More…]
Want to see Oregon by bike? An event at the Capitol will show you how
A map of Oregon Scenic Bikeways (Oregon State Parks map) The Oregon Scenic Bikeways Program will hold a free event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday, Feb. 24 in the Galleria in the Oregon State Capitol for those wanting to learn more about the state’s cycling routes. Since starting[Read More…]
Uncategorized As U.S. celebrates 100 years of women voting, Willamette professor chronicles how Oregon suffragists won the ballot
Cindy Richards, professor of civic communication and media at Willamette University, holds a copy of the 1909 Washington Women’s Cook Book, a publication from the state’s suffrage association (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) In 1872, at least four Oregon women attempted to vote in the U.S. presidential election as part of a[Read More…]
Uncategorized Brown asks legislature to fund $7.5 million in earthquake early warning system build out
Prof. Doug Toomey is one of the foremost seismologists on the west coast and oversees the University of Oregon’s ShakeAlert program (Courtesy/University of Oregon) Oregon would prepare 250,000 households to become self-sufficient following a catastrophic earthquake under legislation advancing in Salem. The legislation, Senate Bill 1537, also would double the[Read More…]
A New York transplant directs Salem production, pushing actors in comedy musical
Director Melody Erfani works on a scene about social media with the cast of “First Date” in rehearsals at the Grand Theater on Feb. 17. (Casey Chaffin/Special to Salem Reporter) “Just a little more ‘I’m totally going to kick ass on this date,’” the director, Melody Erfani, says, encouraging Molly[Read More…]
Salem attorney wins citation for focusing on helping those with convictions move into mainstream
Kimberley Mansfield, the director of the De Muniz Legal Clinic. (Jake Thomas/Salem Reporter) A remark by a kid in a juvenile detention facility planted a seed for Kimberley Mansfield. While visiting a maximum-security juvenile detention facility with a church group years ago in Boston, she remembers an incarcerated teenager turning[Read More…]
Uncategorized Salem police look to virtual reality for use-of-force training
The Salem Police Foundation held a breakfast with the chief on Wednesday, Feb. 19. (Courtesy/Salem Police Department) After the Salem Police Foundation breakfast fundraiser, a group of people at the Salem Convention Center each waited to pick up a retrofitted handgun and confront criminals — in the virtual world. The[Read More…]
YMCA annual luncheon raises funds for capital campaign
Single grandmothers Jeanine and Julie give a testimony about the Y, with board member Vanessa Nordyke. (Courtesy/Ashley Russell) The Salem YMCA has been changing lives in Salem since 1892. The Y (YMCA) is more than a fitness center. For over 125 years they have been providing education, care, and activities for[Read More…]
