Education
Western Oregon University workers avert strike in statewide deal
Classified workers at Oregon's seven public universities, including Western Oregon University near Salem, reached a tentative four-year contract deal late Sunday, Sept. 27, averting a strike set to begin hours later on the first day of fall term.
Elections
Russ runs for Oregon 6th District on Constitution platform
Republican David Russ, former Dundee mayor and small-business owner, is running for Oregon's 6th Congressional District on a platform centered on constitutional governance, reduced federal spending and deregulation.
Salem, OR
61°F
Mostly Cloudy
Feels like 61° · 2% rain
ThuMostly Sunny77°F2%
FriMostly Sunny78°F0%
SatSunny80°F0%
SunSunny81°F0%
MonMostly Sunny77°F0%
TueMostly Sunny75°F0%
WedMostly Sunny76°F3%
Education
Western Oregon University workers avert strike in statewide deal
Classified workers at Oregon's seven public universities, including Western Oregon University near Salem, reached a tentative four-year contract deal late Sunday, Sept. 27, averting a strike set to begin hours later on the first day of fall term.
Salem, OR
61°F
Mostly Cloudy
Feels like 61° · 2% rain
ThuMostly Sunny77°F2%
FriMostly Sunny78°F0%
SatSunny80°F0%
SunSunny81°F0%
MonMostly Sunny77°F0%
TueMostly Sunny75°F0%
WedMostly Sunny76°F3%
Education
Western Oregon University workers avert strike in statewide deal
Classified workers at Oregon's seven public universities, including Western Oregon University near Salem, reached a tentative four-year contract deal late Sunday, Sept. 27, averting a strike set to begin hours later on the first day of fall term.
Salem, OR
61°F
Mostly Cloudy
Feels like 61° · 2% rain
ThuMostly Sunny77°F2%
FriMostly Sunny78°F0%
SatSunny80°F0%
SunSunny81°F0%
MonMostly Sunny77°F0%
TueMostly Sunny75°F0%
WedMostly Sunny76°F3%
Sign up for our daily newsletter.
Your newsletter subscriptions are subject to our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.
Sign up for our daily newsletter.
Your newsletter subscriptions are subject to our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.
Sign up for our daily newsletter.
Your newsletter subscriptions are subject to our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.
Local Government
See AllLocal Government
See AllLocal Government
See AllLocal Government
Gov. Kotek proclaims Dolly Parton Day at Salem ceremony
Gov. Tina Kotek proclaimed Friday, Sept. 25, as Dolly Parton Day in Oregon during a Salem ceremony attended by 672 people, honoring the late singer's legacy and the Imagination Library's milestone of more than 4 million books distributed to children across all 36 Oregon counties.
Local Government
Oregon won't use federal voter database despite SCOTUS ruling
Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read said Friday that the state will not participate in the federal SAVE voter-verification database after the U.S. Supreme Court cleared its use, citing the system's error rate and the risk of disenfranchising eligible voters.
Education
See AllEducation
See AllEducation
See AllEducation
Western Oregon University workers avert strike in statewide deal
Classified workers at Oregon's seven public universities, including Western Oregon University near Salem, reached a tentative four-year contract deal late Sunday, Sept. 27, averting a strike set to begin hours later on the first day of fall term.
Education
Salem's Timmy BeWell builds art career after spinal injury
Salem artist Timmy BeWell, paralyzed from the chest down after a late 2021 car crash, spent three years recovering in his garage studio before enrolling in Chemeketa Community College's Visual Communications program, where he grew from painter to multi-mode designer.
Education
$3.4M project tests organic seed yields at Aurora research center
A $3.4 million USDA-funded project called OSPREY is building the first freely available database of organic vegetable seed-yield data, with trials underway at OSU's North Willamette Research and Extension Center in Aurora.
Education
Salem-Keizer posts strongest literacy gains since pandemic
Salem-Keizer's third-grade reading proficiency jumped to 29.7% from 25.3% in 2026, quadrupling the prior year's growth and marking the district's strongest literacy gains since the pandemic, though most students across all grades remain below grade level.
Education
Willamette lands No. 1 Northwest value rank in national debut
Willamette University ranked No. 1 in the Northwest and No. 86 nationally for Best Value in its first appearance in U.S. News & World Report's National University category, buoyed by a new tuition-free program for Oregon families earning $80,000 or less.
Education
Salem-Keizer offers free college and career fair at McKay High
Salem-Keizer Public Schools will host a free College and Career Night on Tuesday, Sept. 29, at McKay High School, featuring colleges, trade schools, military branches and a performing arts fair, with a $500 scholarship drawing for seniors.
Education
Salem-Keizer opens Vision 2035 survey closing Oct. 2
Salem-Keizer Public Schools launched a "Vision for 2035" community survey closing Friday, Oct. 2, asking residents about the future of public education. The district emphasized the survey is separate from its ongoing school-closure process.
Public Safety
See AllPublic Safety
See AllPublic Safety
See All
Public Safety
Salem's Hallman Elementary closes after 2-alarm fire
A 2-alarm fire damaged the roof of Hallman Elementary School in northeast Salem late Thursday night, closing the K-5 school to its roughly 328 students on Friday while the district evaluates the building.
Community
See AllCommunity
See AllCommunity
See AllCommunity
Salem week brings llamas to Capitol, Venture Hall debut
Oregon's Bounty fills the State Capitol with farm animals and square dancing Saturday, a Hispanic Heritage food fair and Venture Hall's first open mic night follow Tuesday, and harvest festivals round out the week of Oct. 1–7 in Salem.
Community
Oregon Symphony brings Montgomery cello premiere to Salem
The Oregon Symphony gives Jessie Montgomery's new cello concerto "These Righteous Paths" its West Coast premiere at Rose Auditorium in Salem on Friday, Oct. 2, featuring South African cellist Abel Selaocoe.
Community
Salem-area harvest festivals open with corn mazes and pumpkins
Three farms near Salem are opening their annual harvest festivals, offering corn mazes, pumpkin patches, hayrides and live music through Halloween, with admission starting at $5.
Community
Salem's Pentacle Theatre opens 'Angel Street' thriller Oct. 2
Pentacle Theatre in Salem opens its fall production of Patrick Hamilton's psychological thriller "Angel Street (Gaslight)" on Friday, Oct. 2, with performances running through Oct. 24 and tickets starting at $20.
Community
Keizer's Roto-Rooter Park opens roller rink Oct. 2
Roto-Rooter Park in Keizer opens a seasonal roller-skating rink on Oct. 2, operated by Skateland 2 You, with $10 sessions five days a week through Dec. 31.
Community
Salem Pride in the Park draws hundreds to Riverfront Park
Hundreds gathered at Riverfront Park on Saturday, Sept. 19, for Salem Capital Pride's 49th annual Pride in the Park, featuring more than 200 vendor booths, drag performances, live music and the crowned Mr. and Miss Oregon Gay Pride.
Community
MusicOregon tour finds Oregon musicians feel isolated
Nonprofit MusicOregon included Salem among seven Oregon cities in a May 2026 listening tour that drew about 130 music professionals statewide, with isolation and disconnection emerging as the top concern.
Business
See AllBusiness
See AllBusiness
See AllBusiness
Salem's Slayden Constructors earns Oregon Top Workplaces honor
Salem's Slayden Constructors, a 182-employee heavy construction firm, was the only Salem-headquartered company named among 44 midsize employers on the 2026 Oregon and Southwest Washington Top Workplaces list.
Business
Amity farm pays $5.68 for diesel, pivots to hazelnuts
Record diesel prices are squeezing Willamette Valley farmers, pushing Amity's Ruddenklau Farm to break-even and accelerating a shift from grain crops to hazelnuts.
Sports
See AllSports
See AllSports
See All
Sports
South Salem cheer captains target repeat 6A state title
Five senior captains lead the defending OSAA 6A Game Day champion Saxons into the 2026-27 season, aiming for a second consecutive state title after a last-to-first turnaround.
Sports
Salem Cinema sells out bike-themed debut film
Portland filmmaker Mark Hoffman's Thoreau-inspired debut "A Simple Machine" sold out its Aug. 23 screening at Salem Cinema, where 60 cyclists from Salem's Social Cyclists rode through the city before the show.
Sports
Oregon Hoopla unveils all-time 'Hater List' as tournament returns to Court Street
Oregon Hoopla XXVII concluded Sunday on the Capitol grounds with a new all-time leaderboard crowning South Salem alumna Katie McWilliams and longtime player Ryan Skinner as the tournament's top competitors, marking the event's first return to Court Street since 2022.
Sports
Hoopla XXVII brings 3-on-3 basketball back to the Capitol grounds
Oregon Hoopla, Salem's largest sporting event, returns to Court Street at the State Capitol for the first time since 2022 after three years displaced by a $598 million seismic retrofit, with more than 40 divisions competing Saturday and Sunday, July 25-26.
Elections
See AllElections
See AllElections
See AllElections
Russ runs for Oregon 6th District on Constitution platform
Republican David Russ, former Dundee mayor and small-business owner, is running for Oregon's 6th Congressional District on a platform centered on constitutional governance, reduced federal spending and deregulation.
About the Editor
About the Editor
About the Editor
Roveena Chand Jassal
Editor, Cascadia Wire Network
Roveena Chand Jassal is the editor of the Cascadia Wire Network, producing community relevant news for residents living in the Portland and Seattle suburbs.
Roveena Chand Jassal
Editor, Cascadia Wire Network
Roveena Chand Jassal is the editor of the Cascadia Wire Network, producing community relevant news for residents living in the Portland and Seattle suburbs.
Roveena Chand Jassal
Editor, Cascadia Wire Network
Roveena Chand Jassal is the editor of the Cascadia Wire Network, producing community relevant news for residents living in the Portland and Seattle suburbs.
©2026 Cherry City Chronicle
Powered by Surround Sound Media
©2026 Cherry City Chronicle
Powered by Surround Sound Media
©2026 Cherry City Chronicle
Powered by Surround Sound Media