🌱 New Lawsuit By Public School Employees + Affordable Housing Project

Hello again, everybody! It's me, Rose Mendez, your host of the Salem Patch newsletter. Let's get this Wednesday started off right with a quick guide to everything you need to know about what's going on in town these days.

But first, your local weather:

• Wednesday: Milder with clouds and sun. High: 59 Low: 38.
• Thursday: Cooler; an afternoon shower. High: 52 Low: 40.

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Here are the top three stories in Salem today:

1. A new lawsuit brought up by five former and current Salem-Keizer Public Schools employees alleges that more than half of the district's 1,2000 employees have reported a student attempting to harm them or another employee within the last year. The lawsuit alleges that the district is not sufficiently protecting staff from violence or taking enough measures to prevent these incidences. In a statement, the district said of the lawsuit, "The district is concurrently balancing employees’ safety with state and federal legal requirements for the education of students with disabilities." (Fox 12 Oregon)
2. A $115 million affordable housing project in Salem's South Gateway neighborhood may be welcoming up to 900 families and seniors by the summer of 2024. Mahonia Crossing will offer 313 two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments that will be available to people earning 30 percent to 80 percent of Salem's median income; the Salem Housing Authority will also issue 56 vouchers for subsidized rent at the complex. (Salem Reporter)
3. The housing market continues to add new listings in the area. Check out this week's roundup of newly-listed properties in and around the Salem area. Available listings include a three-bedroom, two-bathroom house for $529,000 on Riverdale Rd. (Salem Patch)

From our sponsor:

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Today and tomorrow in Salem:

Wednesday, March 29

• Crochet & Slay For Teens At Salem Public Library (5:00 PM)
• Yozakura At State Capitol State Park (6:00 PM)

Thursday, March 30

• Garden Crafts For Kids At Salem Public Library (2:00 PM)
• Live Music Happy Hour With Dylan Santiago At Taproot Lounge & Cafe (4:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Don't miss out on tea time with Mary at Salem's Riverfront Carousel! Step back in time on Sunday, May 7 at either 11 a.m. or 2 p.m. Tickets are $35 per person and are selling out quickly. (Salem's Riverfront Carousel via Facebook)
• Help monarch butterflies by participating in the Mayor's Monarch Pledge. These butterflies are a threatened species, and populations have declined by 99 percent since the 1980s. Learn more about planting native plants in your yard and how you can help monarch butterflies by clicking here. (City of Salem via Facebook)
• Artists, don't miss out on submitting an application for the 2023 Salem Art Fair & Festival! Applications close Thursday, Mar. 30. (Salem Art Association via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Wednesday. I'll be back in your inbox soon 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!