Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What led Salem SWAT to raid two homes in one afternoon?

Also check out No Greeters on the Salem Patch calendar

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Sunday December 21st Patch AM
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Good day Salem! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • What led Salem SWAT to raid two homes in one afternoon?
  • How will marijuana’s new federal status affect Salem’s cannabis banking?
  • Will Salem lawmakers find a new way to fund Oregon’s roads?

And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Patti K.!

Find out what's happening in Salemfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did the balloon say to the doctor? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Salemfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Sunday: Cloudy with a few showers, with a high of 49 and low of 43 degrees.
  • Monday: A bit of afternoon rain, temps: high: 53, low: 43.
  • Tuesday: Cloudy with a touch of rain, with a high of 46 and low of 41 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Salem Police Arrest Two After November Shooting (kykn.com) — Salem police have arrested two local residents and seized four firearms after a November 11 shooting that injured a Salem man near Broadway and Locust NE. SWAT teams served warrants at homes on Beechwood Court S and Liberty Street NE, part of an ongoing effort to reduce gun violence and remove illegal weapons from Salem streets.
   

2. Marijuana reclassification could make business easier in Oregon (registerguard.com) — A major federal move to reclassify marijuana could ease banking and financing hurdles for Oregon cannabis businesses, including many served by Salem-based Maps Credit Union. Local credit union leaders describe how they’ve already removed billions in cannabis cash from Oregon streets, while Sen. Ron Wyden argues the change doesn’t go far enough toward full legalization or criminal justice reform.
   

3. ODOT funding crisis over 200,000 signatures against gas tax (kezi.com) — From Salem officials are grappling with a gas tax proposal that’s drawn more than 200,000 opposing signatures, forcing lawmakers back to the Capitol in February. The debate pits concerns over higher household costs against ODOT’s warning that road and bridge maintenance could suffer without new revenue, leaving Salem-area drivers watching closely for what funding fix comes next.
   

4. Sprague boys basketball falls to Wilsonville at Capitol City Classic (statesmanjournal.com) — A Sprague High boys basketball matchup against Wilsonville at Willamette University brought plenty of drama to Salem, with a game-winning shot deciding the Capitol City Classic opener. Local fans saw Sprague players battle through lead changes in a tightly contested first-round clash on Thursday night.
   

5. Detroit Lake State Park hosts free hike on New Year's Day (canyonweekly.com) — A New Year’s Day hike at Detroit Lake State Recreation Area will kick off 2026, but unlike past years, parking won’t be free as Oregon State Parks faces a major budget shortfall. State officials, based in Salem, are proposing higher parking permits, new dump-station fees, and other rule changes, and they’re asking for public comments through Jan. 15 before final approval.
   

📸 Around Salem

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📸 Meet 20 pounds of Rusty. South Salem —Patti K. Like

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Salem

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

    Friday December 26
  • No Greeters
    Salem Area Chamber of Commerce , 1110 Commercial St NE , Salem

🗓 Events Nearby

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • good morning.
    i would like to share a situation yesterday at the new Costco and a number of shoppers like myself i had fallen and as soon as i hit the ground with… (Nextdoor Bunker Hill)
  • Missing Ferret
    Name: Mr. Nibbles Colors: Tan and light brown Went missing around 5pm on Dec. 18 in the neighborhood of Lower Glen Creek in West Salem between… (Nextdoor Lower Glen Creek)
  • Costco Wholesale Corporation posted a job opening for Meat Wrapper / Sanitation in Salem. Apply here.
  • Aspen Dental posted a job opening for Assistant Dental Office Manager 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 feel lightheaded!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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