Tag CORONAVIRUS: LIFE IN SALEM

And now a break from the pandemic in Salem
Salem musicians Dan Wetzel and Kristen Grainger, unable to perform at indoor venues due to COVID-19 restrictions, invited friends and neighbors to a free outdoor Mother’s Day concert on May 10. The performance was in Fairmount Park on South Rural Avenue, where there was plenty…

SALEM IN NEED: Family Building Blocks stepping up for vulnerable families
Family Building Blocks of Salem is continuing to provide help to area families during the pandemic. The nonprofit urges those who want to find out what help is available to call 971-301-1003. (Submitted photo) Family Building Blocks live by the mission to “Keep Children Safe…

PHOTOS: A high-altitude salute to Salem’s health care workers, first responders
Two F-15 Eagles from the 142nd Fighter Wing of the Oregon Air National Guard soar above the Capitol on Friday, May 8, to honor Salem health care workers and first responders. (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter) The perfect blue sky made for a dramatic backing for two…

With food pantry shut down, Chemeketa gives out $10,000 in grocery store gift cards
Chemeketa Community College on Thursday, April 16. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Within the first hour of accepting submissions, the Grocery Grant received 201 applications – enough to eat up the grant’s entire $10,000 budget. After that hour, Grecia Garcia Perez, Chemeketa Community College’s student services coordinator,…

Another event shutters because of coronavirus: Oregon State Fair
The 2020 edition of the Oregon State Fair has been canceled. (Oregon State Fair photo) SALEM – There will be no Oregon State Fair this year, another victim of the coronavirus. The fair, a major end-of-summer event in Salem for exhibitors and visitors from across…

State issues detailed guidelines for sectors as parts of Oregon prepare to open
The playground is closed at Wallace Marine Park in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter) State officials on Thursday released new guidance for steps needs to ensure the coronavirus outbreak doesn’t get out of control while reducing restrictions. Gov. Kate…

Challenged by big questions, Salem faith leaders work together to find answers, dealing with isolation
The loneliness of being homeless in Salem is accentuated by Gov. Kate Brown’s “stay home” order, which has emptied the city of many people. Salem faith leaders are discussing how to address local inequality. (Diane Beals/Salem Reporter) A small group of Salem faith leaders is…

PHOTOS: Merlie Reeves of Salem had quite a party as she hit 90
Erin Rhoten joined in a birthday party parade Friday to celebrate Merlie Reeves’ 90th birthday on Friday, May 1. (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter) Merlie Reeves’ calls out to friends and relatives driving by her Salem home on Friday, May 1, to celebrate her 90th birthday. (Ron…

PHOTOS: Frustration over Oregon’s restrictions evident in signs, shouts
Demonstrators gathered at the Capitol during a rally in support of reopening Oregon and relaxing social distancing measures on Saturday, May 2. (Amanda Standing in front of nurses supporting Oregon’s restrictions, a man pushes for the safe reopening of Oregon during a rally on Saturday,…