🌱 Construction Delays On I-5 + Wildfire Smoke Study Shows Increase

Hello again, Salem! It's me, Rose Mendez, your host of the Salem Patch newsletter. Come along to find out everything you need to know about what's going on these days in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Partly sunny and nice. High: 75 Low: 51.
• Saturday: Partly sunny. High: 82 Low: 53.

From our sponsor:

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Here are the top three stories today in Salem:

1. Interstate Five will have delays in June as night construction starts near Woodburn and Donald. Lanes will be reduced Northbound near milepost 271 and Southbound near milepost 276. The Oregon Department of Transportation will be replacing two weigh-in-motion scales for semi-trucks. The work will be done from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays in June. (Statesman Journal)
2. A report by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality shows that air quality from wildfire smoke continues to be a problem. The study showed that Salem had three unhealthy air quality days in 2022, up from zero in 2021. The state's wildfire season typically runs from mid-July through early October. (Statesman Journal)
3. Allergy sufferers in the area are feeling the effects of an extremely high pollen count. The Willamette Valley is known for being a high pollen region and it is currently the height of grass pollen time and the extremely dry weather is making it worse. (KOIN)

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Today and tomorrow in Salem:

Friday, June 9

• Roundhouse Band At Venti's Downtown (6:00 PM)

Saturday, June 10

• Smith Fine Arts Series Presents: Martha Redbone Roots Project At Rice Auditorium (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Seniors from the Salem-Keizer Public Schools went back to visit their elementary schools for the traditional parade of honor. Elementary school students from Englewood, Hoover, Sumpter, Weddle, and Wright cheered on the graduates as they walked by in their cap and gown. There were many high-fives given during the parade. (Salem-Keizer Public Schools via Facebook)
• Willamette Academy student Kaylan Ma ‘23 and her partner won first place in the Hospitality and Tourism Marketing Research Event at the DECA International Career Development Conference. (Willamette University via Facebook)
• Artist Steph Littlebird's show Iconoclast is on display now at the Bush Barn Art Center. The show runs through Jul. 2. (Salem Art Association via Facebook)

Alrighty, you're all good for today! I'll see you back in your inbox soon with a new update.

— Rose Mendez

About me: Rose Mendez is a freelance writer. She is studying English Literature at Hunter College. She loves reading, walking around the city, and coffee!