An oak tree casts a long, early morning shadow across a field of camas root in bloom at Bush’s Pasture Park in Salem. (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter) Salem wants the community’s help to plan for the future of one of its premier parks. A city survey is seeking feedback on a[Read More…]

Elias Garcia, Bianca Mendoza and Elias Markham raise money for Red Kettle Campaign. (Courtesy/Quinton Markham) Cheryll Grear spends the final weeks of the year singing acapella versions of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and other holiday jingles as she rings a bell outside storefronts. The 70-year-old is one of[Read More…]

Robert Lindsey Tower (Courtesy/Salem Housing Authority) The seniors displaced by a Sunday fire at a low-income housing building are staying with family or in a motel while the Salem Housing Authority works to determine what repairs are needed. Fourteen people were displaced by a fire in Robert Lindsey Tower Sunday[Read More…]

A room at the Salem police station is filled with toys for the annual toy drive. (Courtesy/ Salem Police Department) A room inside the Salem police station is filled with shelves full of Legos, baby Yodas and stuffed animals as well as board games, like Operation. Those gifts will soon[Read More…]

Holly Colliers, a hospice volunteer, stands on the porch of her Salem home on Thursday, Dec. 10. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) With the pandemic taking hold in Oregon, Holly Collier began donning bulky personal protective gear before caring for patients through Willamette Valley Hospice. Colliers said it was initially strange wearing[Read More…]

Selma Pierce, candidate for House District 20. (Courtesy of Selma Pierce). The memorial service for Selma Pierce, a well-known Salem community activist and retired dentist who died last week, will be held 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12, at Salem First Christian Church. Pierce’s husband, Dr. Bud Pierce, took to[Read More…]

Selma Pierce died after she was struck by a car Tuesday evening. (Courtesy of Selma Pierce) The Salem community was stunned Tuesday evening upon learning of the death of Selma Pierce, a retired dentist and politician known for her community service and leadership.  Pierce, 66, was out walking with a[Read More…]

John Hawkins, right, waves a car forward as Mitch Baysinger, left, and Rachel Peterson unload a pallet of food boxes at Chemeketa Community College for a food giveaway on Nov. 24 (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) When Rachel Peterson arrived at the Chemeketa Community College parking lot, she found a line of[Read More…]

Jasmine White and her pug, Bella, on a cross-country road trip to Salem (Courtesy/Jasmine White) We asked readers what’s helped them get through this year, and what they’re grateful for now. Here’s a selection of the responses we received. Do you want to join in? Send a note and photo[Read More…]

Center 50+, a city-run senior center, closed on Monday, March 16 and starting offering drive-up meals for seniors. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter) In the spring, Heidi Miller had an idea percolating in her mind as seniors living in care facilities were cut off from visitors. Miller is the program coordinator for[Read More…]