Reporter Saphara Harrell of Salem Reporter gathers information about the impact of the Beachie Creek Fire in Gates. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
I heard someone describe this year’s barrage of news like holding your mouth open to a fire hose. I find that an apt description, and while 2020 has been A YEAR I reported some stories that I’m especially proud of. Despite what we can all agree was a crappy year, I hope you found some bright spots.
I’ve arranged these stories chronologically so we can walk through the year.
This small radio station in Woodburn was expanded its reach with a new radio license and moved into the CCTV building in Salem. The station provides a needed source of news to the area’s Latino population and airs in multiple languages.
Salem is more shaded than ever, thanks to city tree projects but gains are uneven
We all know how much Salem loves its trees. And if you don’t, some Salem residents have a particular affinity for the trees around town. When I saw a city report about tree canopy coverage, I noticed that gains in shade provided by trees were mostly in the more affluent parts of town. These disparities can have real impacts on the health of residents because more shade reduces heat, which can lead to less heat-related illnesses.
With shutdown of public transit, riders left wondering how to get to work
After several drivers tested positive for Covid, Cherriots shut down service completely for the first time in its 41-year- history. I wanted to know what that meant for the thousands of people who ride the bus each day.
Aiming to keep patients out of the ER, new mobile unit will make Salem house calls
I think this is a very exciting addition to Salem, one which has made quite an impact in the short time it’s been around. Alluvium held Covid testing events around the county through the help of medical volunteers throughout the summer, focusing on high risk communities like those experiencing homelessness. The operation closed in December.
WATCHDOG: In Marion County, high concentrations of coronavirus blamed on inequality of care
Salem Reporter worked as a team to produce this report. We wanted to know why Marion County reported such high numbers of the virus compared to the rest of the state. We found that existing health inequities were further exacerbated by Covid.
Outbreak at west Salem nursing home hit fast, prompting state action to stop coronavirus spread
When the pandemic hit, the people I thought about most were those in nursing homes that were restricted from visitors and largely stuck inside their rooms. When I talked to Annie for this story, she described being fearful to leave her room because she didn’t want to catch the virus. I hope this story illustrates the difficulties older people face in assisted living facilities during the era of Covid.
Some charged with crimes linked to Salem protests said they were just trying to leave
After the June protests against police brutality following the death of George Floyd, several people were arrested for rioting. We contacted all of the people who were arrested and several said they were trying to leave when they were taken into custody. Marion County District Attorney Paige Clarkson later chose not to pursue charges against the individuals in this story.
Charred homes awaited some who returned to assess the damage from Santiam Canyon wildfire
This was hard. I drove to the Santiam Canyon a couple days after the fire had ravaged the communities there, burning down homes and favored establishments. I talked to people who had returned that day to see what was left. I met several who looked over the burned remains of their homes, memories reduced to ash.
SPECIAL REPORT: A night in hell – Santiam Canyon’s ordeal
This was my favorite story we did all year. We took the time to interview dozens of people who had escaped the fire that night to craft a story about what it was like to flee from a wildfire. I think this story delivered as we received many, many emails thanking us for writing this.
Community members “incredulous” at Proud Boys roaming Bush’s Pasture Park with weapons
Matters have been escalating in Salem in recent months as demonstrations become more frequent. This was a situation that left many local citizens uneasy as Proud Boys drank in the parking lot and roamed around the park with weapons.
This year has been filled with protests and demonstrations, many of which have resulted in violence at the Capitol. During this particular event, people were punched, shoved and kicked by members of a patriot group. No one has been arrested for those crimes, despite footage of the perpetrators, including one person who implicated in a tri-state white supremacist murdering spree.
Have a tip? Contact reporter Saphara Harrell at 503-549-6250, [email protected].
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