Left-to-right: Mayor Chuck Bennett, business owner Jim Davis and Salem City Councilor Chris Hoy listen as school board member and Keizer Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Danielle Bethell talks during small groups at the Thursday meeting. (Troy Brynelson/Salem Reporter) Meetings aren’t the same as taking action, Ron Hays told a[Read More…]
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Meet the Salem-Keizer educators honored with 2019 Crystal Apple awards
2019 Crystal Apple Award winners pose at the Elsinore Theatre (Courtesy/Salem-Keizer School District) On Thursday night, 12 Salem-Keizer teachers, office workers, bus drivers and more went home with the coveted Crystal Apple Award from the Salem-Keizer Education Foundation. The award is given every year to local educators who go above[Read More…]
New courthouse rule aims to stop Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests
Marion County Courthouse (File/Salem Reporter) Citing a need to protect the integrity of the judicial system, Oregon’s top judge adopted a rule Thursday intended to restrict the ability of federal immigration agents from making arrests in the state’s courthouses. But Immigration and Customs Enforcement has already questioned the state’s authority[Read More…]
Salem’s economy takes a jolt as 1,000 jobs disappear with NORPAC collapse
A NORPAC-branded truck transports frozen vegetables in Oregon. (Courtesy/Oregon Department of Agriculture) The impending closure of a century-old food processing company will have wide impacts on Salem’s economy as nearly 1,000 workers seek new jobs over the holidays and Willamette Valley farmers scramble for a new buyer for next season’s[Read More…]
NORPAC closing Salem plant, laying off 900 workers
Corn being processed at a NORPAC plant (Courtesy/Oregon Department of Agriculture) More than 900 workers in Marion County will be left without a job come January, after farmer’s cooperative NORPAC sent a layoff notice to employees of the Salem plant on Wednesday. The layoffs will also impact workers at the[Read More…]
Chavez counselor brings deep compassion – and a gecko – to help struggling kids
Chavez Elementary counselor Crystal Armstrong leads a lesson in a first-grade class about the parts of the brain. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) Parents, students and colleagues nominated 53 local educators for Crystal Apple Awards this year. The award, given annually by the Salem-Keizer Education Foundation, recognizes staff who make a significant difference in[Read More…]
Salem Police Chief Moore retiring
Salem Police Chief Jerry Moore (Courtesy/City of Salem) Salem Police Department’s top officer will begin winding down his four-decade career. Chief Jerry Moore announced Thursday he plans to retire Nov. 30, according to a press release from the city of Salem. He will continue to serve as police chief on[Read More…]
After half a century, Salem soccer referee still can’t take his eyes off the game
John Plechl makes a call during a recent soccer match in Salem.(Ron Cooper/Special to Salem Reporter) John Plechl watched as the girls junior varsity soccer team from North Salem High School warmed up for their match. The 5-foot-tall referee with glasses and white hair, standing in a yellow shirt and[Read More…]
Schirle PE teachers use cowbells, ugly sweaters, disco alter-egos to inspire
Christi Kurtz, a Schirle Elementary PE teacher, cheers a student on with cowbells during a jogging lesson on Nov. 7, 2019 (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) Parents, students and colleagues nominated 53 local educators for Crystal Apple Awards this year. The award, given annually by the Salem-Keizer Education Foundation, recognizes staff who make a[Read More…]
Former state exec who questioned Oregon emergency spending gets $500,000 settlement
SALEM — The state has agreed to pay $510,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by a former deputy director at the Oregon Office of Emergency Management. Laurie Holien sued the state agency overseeing that office two years ago, alleging sex discrimination and that she was retaliated against for raising concerns[Read More…]