What’s Up Salem!

Grab a beverage. Here's what went down at Monday's 5+ hour council meeting.

Krishna Namburi got a unanimous vote after 25+ years with the city. "My hope for Salem is a future built on shared purpose," she said through tears. As Salem Reporter's Rachel Alexander noted: "She's really well-liked on council, among staff, and department leaders—which is hard to do."

Why it matters: Stability after the Keith Staley ethics mess, plus she already led us through the library levy and brutal budget season.

Three pilots launching in November:

🚔 Two new homeless outreach officers - 7 days/week coverage 🧹 SOS cleanup team goes daily - focusing downtown & NE Salem
🆕 Mental health CARE team - Paramedic + EMT + therapist (July 2026, needs county approval)

The catch: 6-month trial. Council evaluates in spring before committing long-term.

City redirecting $100K/year to help recruit commercial airline. Private partners raised $1.2M, city adding $300K total.

Key detail: Money only gets spent if an airline actually starts flying. TSA equipment at risk if no airline by mid-November.

Why people are mad: "We need safety programs, not airport subsidies."
Why people support it: "We already spent $7M federalizing it—finish what we started."

✅ Good: Homelessness concerns down (43% vs 57% in '21), satisfaction up (68% vs 57% in '22)
⚠️ Bad: Only 23% think we're headed in right direction
⚠️ The divide: 75% feel safe at night in West Salem vs 26% in NE Salem

New leadership ✓
New programs launching ✓
Airport drama ✓
Mayor drama ✓✓

Now we wait to see if these pilots actually work.

Okay, now let’s get into the fun stuff…

Let’s see what’s going on this week in Salem.

Salem City Council voted 6–3 to allocate $300,000 over three years to help attract a new commercial airline to Salem Municipal Airport, following Avelo Airlines’ departure earlier this year. The subsidy package adds to $1.2 million raised by Travel Salem, Marion County, and private partners; a total of $1.5 million that can be offered to an airline as financial backing if ticket sales fall short.

Public Works Director Brian Martin said Salem has about 90 days to secure a letter of intent from a new carrier before losing its TSA equipment and federalized airport status. Supporters, including Mayor Julie Hoy and Councilor Paul Tigan, said the move is critical to growing air service and ensuring Salem doesn’t rely on a single airline in the future. Critics, including Councilor Micki Varney, said city funds would be better spent on safety and livability priorities. (Salem Reporter)

🍺 Pints for Pups @Santiam Brewing Co. • 5:00PM–7:30PM
🎭 Light Treason Presents: Ghost Light @Salem's Historic Grand Theatre • 7:00PM

🖼️Westminster Festival of Fine Arts @Westminster Presbyterian Church • 12:00PM–8:00PM • FREE
🛍️ The Great Junk Hunt @Oregon State Fairgrounds • 4:00PM–9:00PM
🏐 College Women's Volleyball: Willamette Bearcats vs Whitworth @Willamette University, Sparks Center • 7:00PM
🎵 Afrobeats Salem presents: Sneak Through the Cloud 2.0 @The BAD Space, Santiam Brewing • 7:00PM–11:00PM
👻 Ghosts of The Grand: Oregon's Most Immersive Haunt @Salem's Historic Grand Theatre • 7:00PM–9:30PM
🎪 Scare at the Fair @Oregon State Fairgrounds • 7:00PM–11:00PM
🎃 Nightmare Factory @999 Locust St NE • 7:00PM–11:00PM
🎭 The Teacher Show: Comedy From The Classroom! @Grand Theatre Ballroom • 8:00PM
🌃 Reggaeton & Rap DJ Night @Mykie’s Bar & Lounge • 10:00PM–Close

🖼️Westminster Festival of Fine Arts @Westminster Presbyterian Church • 9:00AM–3:00PM • FREE
🛍️ The Great Junk Hunt @Oregon State Fairgrounds • 9:00AM–4:00PM
🃏 1st Edition Card Show @Oregon State Fairgrounds • 10:00AM–5:00PM
⚽ College Women's Soccer: Willamette Bearcats vs Whitman @Willamette University, Sparks Field • 12:00PM
⚽ College Men's Soccer: Willamette Bearcats vs Whitman @Willamette University, Sparks Field • 2:45PM
🎬 Corpse Bride screening @Salem Cinema • 3:00PM
🛼 Cherry City Roller Derby Doubleheader @1335 Madison St NE • 3:30PM–9:00PM
🏐 College Women's Volleyball: Willamette Bearcats vs Whitman @Willamette University, Sparks Center • 6:00PM
🎪 Scare at the Fair @Oregon State Fairgrounds • 7:00PM–11:00PM
🎃 Nightmare Factory @999 Locust St NE • 7:00PM–11:00PM
🎬 Eraserhead screening @Salem Cinema • 8:00PM
🎭 Foolish Mortals: A Haunted Mansion Burlesque Cabaret @Salem's Historic Grand Theatre • 8:00PM
🎉 Rest in Pieces - Ghosts of the Grand Launch Party @Salem's Historic Grand Theatre • 9:00PM

🖼️Westminster Festival of Fine Arts @Westminster Presbyterian Church • 9:00AM–4:00PM • FREE
🛍️ Fall Craft Fair, Bazaar & Treasure Hunt @Salem Scottish Rite Center, 4090 Commercial St SE • 10:00AM–4:00PM
⚽ College Women's Soccer: Willamette Bearcats vs Whitworth @Willamette University, Sparks Field • 12:00PM
⚽ College Men's Soccer: Willamette Bearcats vs Whitworth @Willamette University, Sparks Field • 2:45PM
🎬 Evil Dead 2 screening @Salem Cinema • 7:00PM

🎬 Eraserhead screening @Salem Cinema • 7:00PM
🎤 YMCA: Your Story Matters @Elsinore Theatre • 5:15PM

💼 Chamber Business Women: The Secret Ingredient to Outstanding Service @Roth’s Fresh Markets, 1130 Wallace Rd NW • 11:45AM–1:00PM

💡 Family Building Blocks Dream Builders Luncheon @Salem Convention Center • 12:00PM–1:00PM

☕ Salem Emerging Leaders Coffee Social @WOU Salem Campus, 525 Trade St SE • 8:30AM–10:00AM • FREE
🎤 Michael Jr., a Comedy Fundraiser @Salem Alliance Church Auditorium, 555 Gaines St NE • 7:00PM

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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