What’s Happening Salem is presented by
What’s Up Salem Squad!
What's inside:
8 Mother’s Day Events, there’s something for every mom!
Our Community Connectors Awards is SO SOON
Minor League baseball is BACK this weekend!
And much more. Let's explore what's happening, Salem. 🤜🤛
But first…There is not better way to get the weekend kicked off than with a couple BUDGET MEETING UPDATES! LETS GOOO!!!
Reserve now: Last year’s $70 M cuts left a $99 M (14 %) ending balance, giving one-time breathing room.
Big stressor: Payroll will eat 96 % of next year’s general fund, leaving a $46 M gap unless more vacancies stay unfilled.
Superintendent’s caution: Andrea Castañeda says reserves must grow now to avoid a steeper 2027 cliff.
Staffing puzzle: Enrollment may drop ≈700 students, yet the budget adds 66 positions (behavior specialists, special-ed interns, dual-language teachers).
Student supports rising: Mental- & behavioral-health spending + $13 M; class-size relief still unfunded (15 % of K-5 classes > 30 kids).
Deficit reality: Interim City Manager Krishna Namburi reminded the committee the General Fund faces a $13.8 million gap in FY 26, with larger shortfalls beyond if nothing changes.
May 20 “Livability Levy”: A five-year local-option levy on the ballot would generate ≈ $14 million in its first year and move Library, Parks and Center 50 Plus into a dedicated fund; failure means deep cuts.
Community services on the line: Public speakers urged members to spare library programs—such as the first-grade Bookmobile—and warned that cutting hours to 20 per week would hit kids and seniors hardest.
Public safety protected: Leadership said trimming police or fire “wouldn’t save money without dropping service levels,” so no sworn positions were cut.
Last Week’s Poll
Last week’s poll about Danielle Bethell running for governor was pretty close.
31% of the votes said they would not vote for her
30% of the votes said they would vote for her or were optimistic
25% said they did not know who she was.
What is your favorite section of our newsletter?
Was this email forwarded to you?
Today’s Email is Presented by:
Spring is gorgeous in Salem, but it’s brutal on sensitive noses. If you’re tired of waking up congested, let our friends at Advantage Heating help you breathe easier. They’ve created a quick, two-minute poll that pinpoints whether your HVAC system is trapping allergens or tossing them back into the air.
Why click?
• Zero cost, instant results
• Customized tips for cleaner indoor air
Your answers stay private; you’ll only receive tailored advice. No spam. Ready to see if simple fixes like new filters, duct cleaning, or an upgraded purifier could make allergy season a breeze?
May 2025 Election Preview: What Salem-Area Voters Should Know
In the upcoming May 20 special district election, Salem-area voters will weigh in on key local decisions including four open seats on the Salem-Keizer School Board, a new Salem city councilor, and a proposed property tax increase to maintain funding for city services such as parks, the library, and Center 50+. Voters will also decide on renewing a Chemeketa Community College bond to support career education facilities across its campuses. In Polk County, a separate tax proposal would fund repairs and upgrades to the county fairgrounds in Rickreall.
Turnout in local elections tends to be low—23% in Marion County and 29% in Polk County during the May 2023 election—but the outcomes can have significant impact on public services. The deadline to register to vote is Tuesday, April 29. Ballots will be mailed starting April 30.
Read the full article on the Salem Reporter for the complete 2025 ballot guide.
Blossom Gardens Opens to Welcome Refugee and Low-Income Families in Salem
Refugee families from Syria, Eritrea, and Afghanistan will be among the first residents of Blossom Gardens, a new 90-unit affordable housing complex that just opened in northeast Salem. Managed by Salem for Refugees, the complex is the nonprofit’s first foray into property management, offering one-, two-, and three-bedroom units with modern amenities and culturally responsive support services. Residents must meet income requirements, with some units reserved for extremely low-income households. The $29.4 million project, funded by a state grant, aims to help address Salem’s affordable housing shortage and support refugees already living in the community. (Salem Reporter)
What is it?
• Rapid, late-night-style interviews with Salem’s top community builders
• Zero boring speeches — all energy, all heart
📍 Where: The Grand Theater, Salem
⏰ When:
• 6 PM – Pre-party (drinks, apps, live DJ)
• 7 PM – Showtime
Onstage fun:
• 🎤 Comedian Eleanore Ryan
• 🎶 Manny Martinez Jazz Quartet
• 🎙️ Emcee Bank Sinatra
• 🤫 Surprise moments sprinkled in
Hosts: Jacob Espinoza + Jazmin Hayworth
Presented by: Advantage Heating & AC with support from It’s Bin Clean
Get your ticket: Network, laugh, and celebrate the people shaping Salem. See you there!
8 Mother’s Day Activities - Sunday, May 11
Momchella • The Side Hustle Bar • 10:00PM - 2:00AM • FRIDAY, MAY 9
Y2K Mothers Day Reggaeton Brunch • The Side Hustle Bar • 11:00AM - 3:00PM
Mother's Day Brunch • Coria Estates • 11:30AM - 2:00PM
Island Getaway for Mom • Trinity Vineyards • 12:00PM - 6:00PM
Oregon Ballet Theatre's OBT2 • The Elsinore Theatre • 4:00PM
Minor League Baseball: Mother’s Day Double Header • Volcanoes Stadium • 5:05PM
Mom Jokes: An All-Moms Comedy Show for Mother's Day • Infinity Room • 7:00PM
Moms Unhinged Standup Comedy Show • The Elsinore Theatre • 7:00PM • TUESDAY, MAY 13
Friday, May 9
2nd Friday Céilí • VFW Hall. 630 Hood St NE • 7:00PM
Open Roller Skate: 80's/90's Night • Cherry City MadHouse • 7:30PM - 10:00PM
Saturday, May 10
Moms & Mimosas • GA At Home, 5711 Gaffin Rd SE • 10:00AM - 3:00PM
Children's Mental Health Acceptance Day Celebration • Riverfront Park Carousel • 10:00AM - 5:00PM
Spring Into Summer Kids Clothing Swap • Center 50+ • 11:00AM - 1:00PM
Read to a Pet for Young Readers • Salem Public Library • 1:00PM - 2:30PM
Adult Game Day • Salem Public Library • 2:00PM - 4:00PM
Roller Derby Double Header: Blossoms v Rose City • Cherry City MadHouse • 2:00PM - 6:30PM
Mrs. Oregon America & Miss Oregon for America Strong 2025 • The Elsinore Theatre • 4:00PM
Minor League Baseball: Mavericks vs. Campesinos (Kids Day) • Volcanoes Stadium • 6:00PM
Nashville Unplugged Presents: William Michael Morgan Featuring Joey James • Historic Grand Theatre • 8:00PM
Wednesday, May 14
OSD Welding Projects Sale • Oregon School for the Deaf Welding Lab • 9:00AM - 3:00PM
Discover More Events: Check out EVERYTHING happening this week on our BRAND NEW event calendar right here.
🐶PET OF THE WEEK: Stan
Meet Stanley (aka Stan)! He’s a very busy man—chewing on things he definitely shouldn’t and expertly manipulating his parents into giving him whatever he wants. It’s called charm, look it up 😜🦴🐾
Our Job Board is now FREE for Salem employers to use. 🙂
Do you have positions you need to fill in your business? We can help.
Interested in connecting with our audience and supporting the growth of this publication? Email our relationship expert, [email protected]
Thanks for keeping up with Salem this week!
Spotted something interesting in town? Drop us a note at [email protected] We love hearing from you.
See you next Thursday,
Ernie