Kathleen Swarm, amphitheater manager for the city of Salem, outside the Gerry Frank | Salem Rotary Amphitheater on Wednesday, May 4, 2022 (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) Shortly after Kathleen Swarm moved back to Salem in early 2021, she was driving over the bridge across the Willamette River when she noticed construction[Read More…]
Tag: SALEM PEOPLE
South Salem couple says “yes, in my backyard” with microshelter
Cindel Mikesell, left, with her cat Natty, are living in a microshelter at the home of Lisa Arana and Brenda Chandler, right, in south Salem (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) Brenda Chandler and Lisa Arana are used to opening their home to strangers. The south Salem couple has made a habit of[Read More…]
Salem former Olympian to be recognized for promoting literacy
Dave Johnson will by honored April 29 at the Mid-Valley Literacy Center’s annual gala (Submitted photo) For two-time decathlon Olympian and Salem resident Dave Johnson, it’s no exaggeration to say that education changed the entire trajectory of his life. Johnson had moved from Montana to the Willamette Valley when he[Read More…]
Fines to disappear for Salem library users under new director
As a kid, Kim Carroll spent afternoons at the library in Oregon City with her friends. Carroll wasn’t an avid reader – that would come later. She enjoyed the library as a place to spend time until her parents got off work, but said she rarely checked out items. “I[Read More…]
Uncategorized Seeing the need, church joins Salem’s warming network with plans for expansion
Wade Harris inside the building used for warming at Seed of Faith. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter) Wade Harris has helped people get into transitional housing for years and has been a foster parent for dozens of kids. Seeing people struggle with to connect with services made him think about how he could[Read More…]
Willamette law professor appointed to lead federal environmental justice efforts
Robin Morris Collin was appointed a senior advisor to the U.S. Environmental Protection Administration in February 2022 after almost 20 years teaching law at Willamette University (Courtesy/Willamette University) Robin Morris Collin knows the impacts of climate change aren’t spread evenly around. Like most other environmental problems, they hit people already[Read More…]
Gerry Frank, considered ‘Mr. Oregon,’ dies at age 98
Terry Lundgren, retired CEO of Macy’s, greets Gerry Frank at the dedication on Friday, July 23, of the new The Gerry Frank | Salem Rotary Amphitheater in Riverfront Park. (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter) UPDATE Sunday 5:30 p.m.: A statement from the family has been added. Gerry Frank, a lifelong Oregonian who[Read More…]
Pre-party checkup turns into surprise New Year’s Day delivery for local couple
Annie and Matt Dimick with baby James Wayne, born shortly after midnight on Jan. 1, 2022 (Courtesy/Salem Health) Annie Dimick had cocktail meatballs ready to go for a family friend’s New Year’s Eve party when she and her husband Matt decided to make a quick stop at Salem Hospital. It[Read More…]
Salem cellist returns to “Nutcracker” shows after 2020 hiatus
Andrea Chandler in the Pacific Northwest Ballet orchestra pit during a 2015 Nutcracker performance. (Courtesy/Andrea Chandler) Andrea Chandler has played the Nutcracker hundreds of times, but this year, the Salem cellist said the score feels fresh again. The annual Christmas tradition, which Chandler, 61, performs as a member of the[Read More…]
Salem law firm, notary recognized for efforts to hire veterans
Attorney and U.S. Army veteran Mark Ronning in his Salem office (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter) When Mark Ronning left the U.S. Army after 24 years, the transition back to civilian life proved harder than expected. He’d spent most of his time in active service as a Judge Advocate General’s Corps (or[Read More…]
