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🌱 Patch AM: How a late-night blaze caused $500,000 damage at Hallman Elementary

Also, don't miss Monday Runday on the Salem Patch calendar

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Good day Salem! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a late-night blaze caused $500,000 damage at Hallman Elementary
  • What we know about the Saturday night shooting in Northeast Salem
  • Wondering about those cannon-like booms echoing around Salem's hills?

Also on today's calendar: Caught Dead Handed (Grateful Dead tribute) @ Elysium Botanicals and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What do an island and the letter "t" have in common? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Sunday: Mostly sunny and nice, with a high of 79 and low of 51 degrees.
  • Monday: Partly sunny and nice, temps: high: 75, low: 52.
  • Tuesday: Partly sunny and comfortable, with a high of 73 and low of 48 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Salem man charged with arson after Hallman Elementary School fire (koin.com) — Hallman Elementary School in Salem suffered an estimated $500,000 in fire damage Thursday night, and a 32-year-old Salem man has been arrested on first-degree arson and related charges. One employee was inside but was not hurt, and Salem-Keizer school security helped identify the suspect as investigators continue their work.
   

2. Minor suffers injury after shots fired in Salem (kgw.com) — A juvenile was injured Saturday night after someone in another vehicle allegedly fired into their car near Sunnyview Road NE and Brown Road in northeast Salem. Police say the child was hurt but not actually shot, and have released no suspect details yet as the investigation continues.
   

3. What are those loud booms coming from Willamette Valley vineyards? (statesmanjournal.com) — If you've been hearing what sounds like cannons in the hills around Salem during harvest season, those booms are propane cannons used by nearby vineyards to scare off birds. The article explains how common these devices are in the Willamette Valley, why growers rely on them, and what alternatives they're exploring to balance farm needs with neighborhood peace.
   

4. Northwest rail fans eager for Sept. 30 debut of Amtrak's Airo fleet (bendbulletin.com) — New Amtrak Cascades Airo trains will start rolling Sept. 30, eventually serving Salem on the Seattle–Eugene route with more seats, upgraded Wi‑Fi, and modern interiors. While speeds and schedules won't change yet, Salem riders should see more comfortable trips and better capacity as the older cars are phased out through early 2027.
   

📸 Around Salem

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Salem

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★ Featured events ★

    Monday September 21
  • Monday Runday →
    Gallagher Fitness Resources, 135 Commerical St NE, Salem
    6:00 pm

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Had a black stray cat that my grandma feeds abandoned her babies so the other stray cat is fostering them but just wondering where my grandma can take the actual mom to get fixed we don't want her to keep abandoning babies and it isn't her first
    litter she abandoned sadly! Please help anything that's not expensive my grandma is on a budget (Nextdoor East Lancaster)
  • Empty nesters in the neighborhood: I'd love to connect with others who enjoy traveling, especially ocean or river cruises.
    I've taken several ocean cruises and shorter river cruises in different countries and across the U.S. I'm planning a European river cruise in about… (Nextdoor Eola Heights Plus)
  • Babki posted a job opening for Part-Time Game Tester in Salem. Apply here.
  • Costco Wholesale Corporation posted a job opening for Cake Decorator in Salem. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Salem here.

Ok Salem! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: They are both in the middle of water. (Thank you Curt K. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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