Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How will the new Liberty Road speed limit affect your daily drive?

Also check out Saturday Open Garden @ Gaiety Hollow on the Salem Patch calendar

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Hey there, Salem! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How will the new Liberty Road speed limit affect your daily drive?
  • Why a prime Salem riverfront cannery project just fell apart again.
  • What we know about the arson fire that shut Hallman Elementary.

Also on today's calendar: Saturday Open Garden @ Gaiety Hollow and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What do you call cows dancing in the dark 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: Areas of low clouds, then sun, with a high of 77 and low of 49 degrees.
  • Sunday: Mostly sunny, temps: high: 80, low: 51.
  • Monday: Partly sunny and beautiful, with a high of 78 and low of 49 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Why speed limit will be lowered on part of Liberty Road in south Salem (statesmanjournal.com) — If you drive Liberty Road S near Crossler Middle School, expect a slower trip soon: the Oregon Speed Zone Review Panel approved lowering the limit from 45 to 35 mph between Holder Lane SE and beyond Radiance Avenue SE. The decision, requested by the City of Salem, reflects nearby development and student safety, with new signs coming once the city finalizes a timeline.
   

2. Former downtown Salem cannery back on market after deal falls through (statesmanjournal.com) — A major 13.66-acre riverfront cannery site just north of downtown Salem is headed back on the market after a $150 million redevelopment deal collapsed. The Truitt family and First Commercial Real Estate say the property already has approvals for hundreds of housing units and mixed-use space, and they'll soon relaunch marketing as city leaders continue pushing North Riverfront urban renewal.
   

3. Man arrested for arson after Salem elementary school fire (kgw.com) — Hallman Elementary School in northeast Salem is closed today after a Thursday night fire caused an estimated $500,000 in damage, and a 32-year-old Keizer man was arrested on arson and related charges. No one was hurt, but Salem-Keizer officials are still assessing the building and will update families about whether school can resume Monday, just days after students returned for the new year.
   

4. A new state prison? Oregon Department of Corrections makes its case to lawmakers (kgw.com) — State corrections leaders are pressing lawmakers to replace the aging Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem, calling it obsolete and ill‑suited for modern rehabilitation. They're eyeing DOC land on Salem's eastern edge for a new, more medical‑style facility, but funding decisions and a long construction timeline mean the existing prison will likely remain in use for years.
   

📸 Around Salem

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Update: Pet Reunited
    A dog who went missing in Salem, OR, has been safely reunited with their family after 1 hours, 13 minutes. Message from Finder: "This dog is super… (Nextdoor Southeast Park)
  • Missing dogs.
    Got out of the yard late last night and haven't returned home. The chocolate Lab is "OJ" he is wearing a red striped collar with his name and phone… (Nextdoor 62nd Ave SE)
  • Panera posted a job opening for Team Member Oregon only in Salem. Apply here.
  • Buckle posted a job opening for Freight Coordinator (Part-Time) 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: Night Moo-s (Thank you John S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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