A photo essay published in the Capital Journal on Oct. 12, 1970 detailed Jose Marcos Campos’ railway work, shortly before his retirement. For over a year now I have had ‘exploring Salem’s Hispanic Heritage’ on my list of things I want to do. September 15th was the start of National[Read More…]
Tag: COLUMN
SALEM HISTORY: Hops baron, Chinatown mayor’s names grace downtown alleys
George Lai Sun and Dr. Kum, pictured in 1886 (Oregon State Library archives) In 2019, the Salem Main Street Association asked residents to suggest names for downtown alleys and vote for their favorites. About 600 people weighed in. As part of Salem Reporter’s local history series, Jacqueline Heavey, chair of[Read More…]
SALEM HISTORY: How Salem went from a nine person Pride march to an annual celebration
A June 21, 1972 letter to the editor in the Capital Journal about Salem Area Gay Activists. Salem’s Capital Pride in the Park festival was held Aug. 21 at Riverfront Park. This year, activities celebrated and affirmed our LGBTQ community and included a run/walk and live entertainment. Zachery Cardoso is[Read More…]
COLUMN: Bird migration season is underway
Tree swallows (Courtesy/Albert Ryckman) It is the time of year for the semi-annual bird migration in the Northern Hemisphere. Billions of birds from hundreds of species leave their breeding habitat to winter elsewhere. Most head to warmer climates. That often means swimming or flying south toward the tropics. But it[Read More…]
LOCAL HISTORY: A Salem Senator runs for vice president
Political poster for the Willkie-McNary ticket, 1940. Willamette Heritage Center Collections 2004.026.0030. Once a month, Willamette Heritage Center curator Kylie Pine shares a historical photo from the center’s collections with a brief description of Salem history. Salem native and U.S. Senator Charles Linza McNary (1874-1944) ran unsuccessfully as a Republican vice presidential candidate with[Read More…]
Uncategorized Salem, our reporters need your help to write the first draft of history
During a rare in-person bit of journalism during a pandemic, reporter Rachel Alexander chats data with Lillian Govus, communications director for Salem-Keizer School District, at a July 10 meeting on school reopening. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) At Salem Reporter, we try to dig deeper, explaining the history of hot-button issues and[Read More…]
Uncategorized A German soccer referee and a Goodwill shooting: reporter Saphara Harrell’s top stories of 2019
Reporter Saphara Harrell. Each year in anticipation of the new year I get giddy at the prospect of new beginnings. I set my sights on future intentions, goals and plans. And while I’m inclined to leave 2019 in the rearview mirror, there were some bright moments in my reporting at[Read More…]
Uncategorized A cop arrested and a landlord doesn’t pay: reporter Troy Brynelson’s top stories of 2019
Reporter Troy Brynelson (Fred Joe/Special to Salem Reporter) I want to say thank you to anyone reading our lists of our five favorite stories. One of the harder things about journalism is the ephemeral nature of the work. News hits faster and faster every year. Something that happened at 8[Read More…]
Uncategorized Font club, cavities and lots of data: reporter Rachel Alexander’s top stories of 2019
Reporter Rachel Alexander (Fred Joe/Special to Salem Reporter) Truth be told, I’ve had trouble sitting down to reflect on 2019 because I have so many stories I’m excited to report in the works that it’s hard to pull myself away from a enticing spreadsheet or some scribbled notes. But I’m[Read More…]
Uncategorized COLUMN: Pursuing the truth, for better or worse
This week Salem Reporter published a story about Alexandria Tereshka and the years leading up to her death last November, after she cycled through systems of law enforcement and treatment in Polk County. In the days since I have received a lot feedback from readers, acquaintances and the family who[Read More…]
