Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: What did Salem’s ethics watchdog decide about your city council?
Make time for McKinley Winter Concert on the Salem Patch calendar
Hey hey Salem! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- What did Salem’s ethics watchdog decide about your city council?
- How Salem’s latest tax fight could hit road repairs statewide
- Which Salem-area teams could be bumped into tougher athletic leagues?
Today's riddle: Jimmy, did you crash on your bike again? You’ve lost a tooth! 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Salemfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Sunday: Cloudy, with a high of 52 and low of 47 degrees.
- Monday: Rain becoming intermittent, temps: high: 61, low: 51.
- Tuesday: Breezy with rain at times, with a high of 58 and low of 44 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Ethics commission OKs settlement of cases for 2 Salem city councilors (statesmanjournal.com) — State ethics officials have approved settlements for Salem city councilors Vanessa Nordyke and Linda Nishioka, who will receive letters of education for violating Oregon public meetings law during discussions about former City Manager Keith Stahley’s resignation. Cases against Mayor Julie Hoy and three other councilors remain open into January, leaving key questions about how Salem’s leadership handled those behind-the-scenes conversations. 
Find out what's happening in Salemfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
2. Oregon Republicans turn in signatures for anti-tax ballot measure, stalling new funds for ODOT (kgw.com) — Statehouse maneuvering in Salem has put Oregon’s new transportation taxes on hold, immediately reopening a major funding gap for ODOT and local road agencies. Republican petitioners say they’ve submitted far more than enough signatures to force a 2026 statewide vote, freezing gas tax and fee hikes while officials scramble to avoid service cuts and staffing losses.
3. Potential OSAA reclassification to impact numerous Salem-area schools (statesmanjournal.com) — High school sports in the Salem-Keizer area could see major shifts next year as OSAA considers reclassifying schools, including moving McKay to 6A and reshuffling several Salem-area leagues. Cascade and other schools are appealing last-minute enrollment benchmark changes they say would force smaller programs to compete against much larger schools, potentially weakening community-supported athletics.
4. Man arrested after shooting near Wilsonville apartments (koin.com) — A Wilsonville shooting Monday night left a woman injured and vehicles damaged, and the suspect was later located and arrested by Salem police. Investigators say the man and victim knew each other, and he’s now held without bail on attempted murder and related charges. Clackamas County detectives are still piecing together what led up to the gunfire and are asking anyone with information to come forward.
5. Northwest Human Services balances optimism, realism while preparing for influx of Medicaid patients (salemreporter.com) — Thousands of Salem Medicaid patients losing primary care at Salem Clinic will soon turn to Northwest Human Services, which is preparing to absorb at least 2,500 new patients without turning anyone away. Leaders describe adding staff, redesigning intake, and expanding capacity at their West Salem and downtown clinics while warning that state and federal Medicaid changes could further strain access for low-income Salem residents.
📸 Around Salem
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Salem
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- McKinley Winter Concert
McKinley Elementary School , 466 McGilchrist St SE , Salem
7:00 pm - Chamber Business Women 12.16.2025
Roth's Fresh Markets , 1130 Wallace Road NW , Salem
11:45 am - LMS Winter Band Concert
Leslie Middle School , 3850 Pringle Rd SE , Salem
7:00 pm - Greeters Hosted by Laser Therapy of Oregon
Northern Lights Theatre and Pub , 3893 Commercial St SE , Salem
8:30 am - Community Fundraiser for Toys for Tots- Sponsored by Salem Jumper Rentals
St. Paul's Episcopal Church , Salem Oregon
10:00 am - Santa Comes to Freeman Motor Company
Freeman Motor Company , 3784 Portland Rd NE , Salem
11:00 am - Basketball: B/JV2
McNary High School
6:00 pm
Monday December 15
Tuesday December 16
Friday December 19
Saturday December 20
📣 Salem Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- HUGE Salem Holiday Market (Day 3)
Salem Holiday Mkt , 2330 17th St NE , Salem
10:00 am - Holiday Open House Party at Oregon State Grange
Oregon State Grange , 643 Union St NE , Salem
2:00 pm - December Paint Night at Tiki Lounge Salem
Tiki Lounge Lancaster , 165 Lancaster Dr SE , Salem
6:30 pm - Lancaster Family Health Center at Lancaster – Flu Clinic
Lancaster Family Health Center at Lancaster , 255 Lancaster Dr NE , Salem
2:00 pm - Greeters Hosted by Laser Therapy of Oregon
Northern Lights Theatre and Pub , 3893 Commercial St SE , Salem
8:30 am
Sunday December 14
Monday December 15
Tuesday December 16
Friday December 19
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Update!
He has been found. Thank you so much! 🩵 My Cat is missing. His name is Charlie, but we call him Char Char. I live in South Salem over by Fairway. If… (Nextdoor Cinnamon Hill) - I am a mother of two beautiful neurodivergent boys.
It is strange to me how the world treats all neurodivergent people: ADHD, autism, ODD, the list goes on. Why is there such a stigma with these… (Nextdoor 14th Place Skyline)
- CBRE Group, Inc. posted a job opening for Lease Admin Supervisor (Eastern Region) in Salem. Apply here.
- Kroger posted a job opening for Grocery Clerk in Salem. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Salem here.
Ok Salem! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I didn’t lose a tooth, Mom. It’s right here in my pocket.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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