🌱 Many Gallons Of Sewage Entered River In Salem + Bicyclist Killed

Hello there, Salem. I'm here in your inbox per usual to get you caught up on everything you need to know about what's going on around town.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: A shower, breezy, then rain. High: 49 Low: 39.
• Saturday: Chilly with occasional rain. High: 49 Low: 39.

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Here are the top three stories in Salem today:

1. On Mar. 30, officials announced that about 6,800 gallons of raw sewage was poured into the Willamette River in Salem over a four-day period. According to officials, a buildup of solids, caused by low flow in pipes, pushed the tide gate open, and a "steady stream" of sewage entered the river. The Public Works Department was able to stop the overflow at Union and Church streets. Call the Public Works Department Dispatch Center at 503-588-6333 if you see an overflowing manhole or a spill. (Koin)
2. On Mar. 28, 53-year-old Marganne Allen was killed in a collision at the intersection of Leslie Street and High Street SE in Salem. Allen was riding her bicycle southbound on High Street, and the driver of the truck, 37-year-old Samuel Landis, was traveling eastbound on Leslie Street. The truck "crossed the bicyclist’s path of travel," which resulted in a collision. The investigation is ongoing, and Landis remained on the scene and is cooperating with officials. (KXL.com)
3. An amendment to Senate Bill 488, sponsored by Sen. Deb Patterson, D-Salem, was considered by a legislative committee on Mar. 30. The original bill would have required Covanta Marion, the garbage burner in nearby Brooks, to reduce its emissions of hydrogen chloride, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, cadmium, lead, and mercury. The facility would also be regulated by the stricter rules of medical waste incinerators instead of municipal waste incinerators. But the amendment would keep the facility as a municipal waste incinerator and only require more frequent emissions monitoring. (Statesman Journal)

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Today and tomorrow in Salem:

Friday, March 31

• Waiting: An Original Musical At Infinity Room (7:30 PM)
  

Saturday, April 1

• Easter Egg Hunt At Calvary Baptist Church (10:00 AM)
• Orvil Ivie Solo At Trinity Vineyards (2:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Salem Police arrested 37-year-old Amber Dawn Alvarado and 29-year-old Taylor Paige Hunt after they allegedly stole about $5,000 of merchandise from the Ulta Beauty Store at 831 Lancaster Drive. Read more here. (Salem Police Department via Facebook)
• The Salem Family YMCA changed its rooftop track policies after hearing from YMCA members. Youth under 18 will now be allowed to use the rooftop track with a parent/guardian or during designated family or staffed teen/tween times. (Salem Family YMCA via Facebook)
• Salem electric workers hung blue ribbons on a tree in Riverfront Park in observance of Child Abuse Prevention Month. The ribbons will stay there through the month of April. (City of Salem via Twitter)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday off right! I'll be 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!