🌱 Marion County Budget Approved + Oregon Gas Pump Bill Passes Senate

Hello again, everybody. Rose Mendez here with your fresh copy of the Salem Patch newsletter, filled with all the community news you need to know right now.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Mostly sunny and pleasant. High: 83 Low: 50.
• Saturday: Partly sunny and pleasant. High: 82 Low: 54.

From our sponsor:

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Here are the top three stories in Salem today:

1. On Wednesday, Jun. 21, Marion County commissioners approved the county's 2023-2024 budget. The county's budget for the upcoming year is $688.9 million and the commissioners also added $15.2 million to the county’s existing budget. The new budget, which was unanimously approved, reduces funding for wildfire relief due to decreased federal resources. (Salem Reporter)
2. A bill that would allow Oregon residents to pump their own gas throughout the state passed the Senate with a 16 to nine bipartisan vote on Wednesday, Jun. 21. Under the bill, gas stations could designate self-service pumps as long as at least half of the pumps still offer attendant service for drivers that need or want it. Gov. Tina Kotek is expected to sign the bill. (Salem Reporter)
3. Looking for something fun to do with family and friends this weekend in Salem? The World Beat Festival begins today (Jun. 23) at 5:00 p.m. at Riverfront Park, and"Coppelia" at Elsinore Theatre and "The Cuckoo Song" at M. Lee Pelton Theatre will both take place on Saturday and Sunday. Click the link to view all the upcoming scheduled events. (Statesman Journal)

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Today and tomorrow in Salem:

Friday, June 23

• The 2023 Sip & Stroll At Downtown Salem (4:00 PM)
• World Beat Festival 2023 At Riverfront Park (5:00 PM)

Saturday, June 24

• World Beat Festival Dragon Boat Races At Salem Riverfront Park (8:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Yesterday, Jun. 22, the first Chick-fil-A in Salem opened! The restaurant will hire approximately 150 full- and part-time employees. Check out the new location at 2560 Kuebler Boulevard. (KOIN)
• Debating whether to add a furry friend to the family? This weekend, the Oregon Humane Society is waiving adoption fees on all of its adult cats! Click here to see the adoptable cats in OHS's Salem location. (KATU)
• Salem Police Department shared some pictures from the Sikh Day parade in Salem! The Gurdwara Dasmesh Darbar Salem Oregon hosted the event for the 18th year. View the link to check out the pictures. (Salem Police Department via Facebook)

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

— 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!