🌱 Homeless Navigation Center Set To Open + Graffiti On The Rise

Morning, friends! It's me, Rose Mendez, your host of the Salem Patch newsletter — here to impart all the most important things happening in town.

But first, your local weather:

Monday: Rain; breezy in the morning. High: 46 Low: 36.

Tuesday: A mixture of rain and snow. High: 48 Low: 38.

📢 I'm looking for business owners and marketers in Salem who want to build awareness, connect with customers and increase sales.

I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. If that's you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

Here are the top 3 stories in Salem today:

1. Salem's first homeless navigation center, aimed at providing stabilization for individuals experiencing homelessness, is set to open in May after years of searching for funding and renovations of a former office building. The center will add 75 critically-needed beds to the stock of low-barrier shelter spaces, offering sleep, meals, mental health services, help with documents, and housing assistance. The center, which allows all genders and pets, and does not require sobriety for entry, aims to reduce pressure on existing shelters and has been designed with a focus on behavioral health services, providing therapy and medical help for individuals in need. The center will host a grand opening on Apr. 24 at 8:00 a.m. (Statesman Journal)
2. At least 17 homes and businesses in south Salem have been vandalized with graffiti in the past week, with the letters W, S, and B commonly spray-painted on various surfaces such as fences, building walls, utility boxes, and vehicles, according to the Salem Police Department. Some incidents were reported by victims, while others were discovered by the Graffiti Abatement Team while removing other graffiti. The police do not currently have a suspect in these cases and are urging anyone with information to contact the Salem Police Tips Line or report graffiti instances for free removal by the city's graffiti team. (Salem Reporter)
3. The 4th of July celebration in Salem, Oregon is back and better than ever at the Oregon State Fair and Exposition Center, with free admission for all! The event will feature a dazzling Fireworks Spectacular, a concert from the legendary Alabama with special guest Jessie Leigh, and plenty of carnival rides, food, and drinks available for purchase. The City of Salem has taken extra precautions to ensure the safety of everyone, including moving the celebration away from the eagle population along the Willamette River in downtown Salem, showing respect for the local wildlife. (That Oregon Life)

From our sponsor:

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Today and Tomorrow in Salem:

Monday, April 17:

• Industry Special At Shades Of Brew (11:00 AM)
• Infant CPR And Choking Workshop At Community Health Education Center (1:00 PM)

Tuesday, April 18:

• Preschool Storytime At Salem Public Library (3:15 PM)

From my notebook:

• Spring is here! Join Salem's Riverfront Carousel on Saturday, Apr. 22 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a fun spring craft activity pass. Upgrade your visit with this pass and receive 4 carousel rides, a decorate-your-own flower pot, and a small bag of popcorn. Passes are sold on the day of the event and only while supplies last. (Salem's Riverfront Carousel via Facebook)
• Have you heard the news? Salem Community Markets will partner with Double Up Food Bucks starting May 2023! "Double Up Food Bucks" (Double Up) is a program that “matches” SNAP benefits spent at participating farmers' markets. For every $2 of SNAP benefits you choose to spend at the market, you'll get a dollar-for-dollar match of up to $20 in Double Up that you can spend on fruits and vegetables. (Salem Saturday Market via Facebook)
• The City of Salem has completed an updated inventory of greenhouse gas emissions in Salem. This inventory provides an estimate of the emissions produced in the community through everyday activities such as driving and the use of electricity and natural gas in our homes and businesses. Simple choices such as consolidating vehicle trips, carpooling or riding the bus, or hopping on a bike can make a real impact in the community. (City of Salem)

You're officially in the loop for today! I'll catch up with you later with another 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!