Hey Salem,

Hey Salem,

Monday night's city council meeting ran nearly four hours. A lot happened. Here's what you need to know.

The biggest story of the night wasn't a vote or a policy debate. It was a single statistic delivered quietly by Salem Fire Chief David Gerboth. One person in our city called 911 forty-six times in a single month. After one conversation with the city's new REACH program, a joint response team pairing Salem Fire paramedics with Marion County mental health staff, that same person called five times the following month. An 89% reduction.

"We engaged with that person proactively," Chief Gerboth told council. "The month after, calls went down to five. That's 41 trips to the hospital, 41 trips from a fire engine, 41 trips from an ambulance that we were able to reduce from one person, one contact."

REACH launched January 20th as a six-month pilot. In its first 18 days of service, the team encountered 49 patients, saved a fire engine from dispatching 27 times, and for the first time in Salem Fire's history, transported patients somewhere other than the emergency room. Chief Gerboth put that last point in perspective: "Never before in our history have we ever transported anyone anywhere except the emergency room." Nearly 25% of transports in the first month went to alternative care facilities instead. Councilor Vanessa Nordyke, who has pushed for this kind of program since 2019, didn't hide how she felt. "In one month — one month — you're changing lives. I knew it."

Council also approved moving forward with bringing short-term rentals like Airbnbs into the city's Tourism Promotion Area, a 2% fee that hotels have been paying for years. The vote was 6-3 after a lengthy public hearing that drew both Airbnb hosts and Travel Salem President & CEO Angie Villery. Villery made the case plainly: "The hotels are carrying that burden. Visitors do choose to stay in short-term rentals, and all of that activity we're driving with these funds is creating demand at the short-term rentals. They're directly benefiting from the marketing, yet they have not paid into that revenue stream." Not everyone agreed. One Airbnb host, Robert Gainor, pushed back from the podium. "I think it's a discriminatory tax," he said. "You can have a bakery, a daycare, a print shop in your house and you're not taxed. This is my house." 

And if you've been waiting for a grocery store to come back downtown, council confirmed a $300,000 urban renewal grant was issued for El Torito, a grocery store set to open in the heart of Salem. Councilor Nordyke called it exactly what it was: "This to me feels like a perfect use of URA funding. I don't think a lot of people appreciate we have pots of money that are exclusively available for our business community."

Salem Mayor Julie Hoy delivered her first State of the City address last week at the Salem Convention Center, covering the city's finances, public safety, and economic development over the past year.

Here are notes from a few of Mayor Hoy’s key talking points. 

Hoy opened by acknowledging the challenges the city faced when she took office. "Last year at this time, Salem was facing some very real challenges," she told the crowd. "Residents were frustrated. Businesses were uncertain. Many people felt unsafe in parts of our city."

On the budget, the city adjusted its forecasting methods, found internal efficiencies, and relied on last May's voter-approved operating levy to stabilize services like the library, parks, and Center 50 Plus. "I do not believe that revenue is always the answer," Hoy said. "We have to manage what we already have well."

Public safety updates included Salem Fire launching its own ambulance service with 51 new medics, and the launch of the REACH team, a partnership between Salem Fire and Marion County responding to behavioral health crises. Police expanded their presence in downtown and Northeast Salem following feedback from residents and businesses.

On the economic side, the city issued permits for roughly 855 housing units and saw over $78 million in new commercial and industrial building permits in 2025. Hoy acknowledged room for improvement, noting that permitting processes still need work.

She closed simply. "The future of Salem is something we will build together."

After a long winter, the Salem Saturday Market is back for its 28th season. The market now runs every Saturday from 9:00AM to 2:00PM through October at 865 Marion St NE, bringing its familiar mix of vendors, food, and community energy back to downtown.

Around 70 vendors kicked off the season this year, offering familiar favorites like kettle corn, baked sweet treats, crystals, and of course, 3D printed dragons. New this year in the food truck section: Thai food.

Don’t stay inside this weekend. Get outside, grab a snack, and wander the stalls. Market season has officially returned!

And if you spot a member of the WHS team while you are there, be sure to say hello.

Kick off St. Patrick’s weekend with music, dancing, and Irish spirit at the 2nd Friday Céilí. Live music from Preston Howard-Wilde, Bob Soper, and Elizabeth Nicholson pairs with dances called by Sam Keator, making it easy for everyone to join in.

New to céilí dancing? A short lesson starts at 7:15PM before dancing begins at 8:00PM. Celtic-inspired raffle items and a beautiful handmade quilt will also be up for grabs during the evening.

No experience or dance partner is needed. Just bring your dancing shoes and come join the fun.

The Salem Capitals tip off their 2026 season this Friday with a League Opener against the Seattle Superhawks at the Armory!

Nothing fires up a team like a loud hometown crowd, so rally your friends and come cheer on Salem’s pro team as they start the season. Let’s pack the stands and get rowdy.

We have a few tickets available for free! Get them while they last 🙂

Looking for a St. Patrick’s weekend party with some edge? JFK returns to The BAD Space for the St. Patrick’s Day Massacre, a loud night of rock and roll that promises to keep the energy high all night.

Tickets are $15 in advance and must be purchased by calling 503-580-3154. This show is expected to sell out, so grab yours before they are gone.

Put on your green and join the Céilí of the Valley Society for their annual St. Patrick’s Parade Walk-About. Participants gather at 11:30AM in front of the Riverfront Park Carousel before the parade sets off at noon, led by the Willamette Valley Pipes and Drums.

The group strolls through Riverfront Park and into downtown before looping back to the carousel, finishing with a group photo. Leprechauns, fairies, and anyone Irish at heart are welcome to join.

The third annual Reptopia Reptile Expo slithers into the Polk County Fairgrounds for a one-day event filled with fascinating creatures and family-friendly fun. Just a short drive west of Salem in Rickreall, the expo fills a 15,000-square-foot building with reptiles, insects, plants, and vendors.

Expect to spend a few hours wandering the aisles, meeting vendors, and getting an up-close look at incredible animals. Caesar the No Drama Llama will also make an appearance, and food vendors will be on site.

Quick tip before you go: bring hand sanitizer and some cash, as not all vendors accept cards.

Calling all collectors. The Pokémon and Sports Card Collector Show returns to the Salem Scottish Rite Center for its monthly gathering of cards, collectors, and trading excitement. Whether you are hunting for that missing Pokémon card, adding to your sports collection, or just enjoy browsing tables full of nostalgic finds, this show is a great place to connect with fellow collectors and see what treasures turn up.

Live music and Irish spirit all night. Syco Billy’s brings their energetic blend of Americana, folk, bluegrass, and “newgrass” sound to Magoo’s for a festive St. Patrick’s celebration. With no cover charge, it is an easy way to grab a drink and enjoy some great live music.

Warm up those vocal cords. The Pink Elephant hosts a St. Patrick’s Day Karaoke Competition where singers can compete for prizes and a grand prize winner takes the crown. Irish-inspired food and drinks keep the celebration going whether you are on the mic or cheering from the crowd.

Lively Irish music, spinning partners, and plenty of laughter on the dance floor. The Céilí of the Valley Society hosts a weekly Irish social dance class every Tuesday at the VFW Hall.

No partner is needed and beginners are always welcome, making it a fun way to learn the basics of céilí dancing and meet new people. Curious to try it? The first class is free for new dancers.

Corned beef, green beer, and strong pours all day. The Silver Inn is hosting a laid back St. Patrick’s Day celebration with classic food specials and festive drinks flowing behind the bar. Just remember: the green beer might give you the confidence to text your ex. Don’t.

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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