Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: When exactly Salem-Keizer schools let out for winter break

Spotted on the Salem calendar: CAREER CENTER– GMAIL, DRIVE, DOCS (SALEM)

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Thursday December 11th Patch AM
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Greetings Salem! We’re your go-to source for what’s happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • When exactly Salem-Keizer schools let out for winter break
  • Are Salem beauty school degrees really paying less than high school?
  • How this new Salem business group plans to influence city hall

Also on today's calendar: Santa Baby 2025 and 5 more events.

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

Today's riddle: What did one tuna say to the other after getting caught stealing files from work? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Cloudy with a shower or two, with a high of 62 and low of 48 degrees.
  • Friday: Low clouds, temps: high: 54, low: 43.
  • Saturday: Times of clouds and sun, with a high of 52 and low of 46 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. When is winter break for public schools and universities in Oregon? (statesmanjournal.com) — Families in the Salem-Keizer School District can plan on winter break running from Dec. 22 through Jan. 5, 2026, when classes resume. The article also lists winter break dates for nearby districts across Oregon, helping households coordinate time off and travel plans statewide.
   

2. Graduates of these 17 Oregon colleges earn less than adults who never went to college, feds warn (oregonlive.com) — If you’re considering beauty or hair school in Salem, note that Phagans School of Beauty and College of Hair Design Careers were flagged by federal officials for graduates earning less than typical high school–only workers. The warning, part of a nationwide list of 17 Oregon programs, won’t cut off aid but is meant to push students to weigh costs and likely payoffs carefully.
   

3. New group seeks to improve local business environment through work with government (salemreporter.com) — A new business leadership group called Businesses for Community is forming in Salem to influence how city and county policies affect local employers. Led by Salem attorney Mark Hoyt, the group aims to streamline regulations, work closely with city officials, and address rising pension costs that are straining Salem’s budget. Membership is limited to business owners willing to be publicly named and pay a substantial fee.
   

4. Proposed deeper drawdown of Detroit Lake draws ire from residents (kgw.com) — A new plan to draw Detroit Lake about 55 feet lower in winter starting in 2026 has Salem-area residents worried about recreation, water access and drinking water quality. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers outlined the endangered-salmon-driven changes at a public comment meeting in Salem and promised gradual drawdowns with ongoing water-quality monitoring.
   

📸 Around Salem

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Salem

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Thursday December 11
  • Salem Emerging Leaders - Lunch with Leaders - Nat Borchers
    Cellar 54 @ The Forge , 285 Liberty St NE , Salem
    11:30 am
  • Gift Basket Food Sorted and Boxed
    OCCU | Oregon Community Credit Union , 5402 River Rd N , Keizer
    6:00 pm
  • Annual Classic Christmas Open House
    Willamette Lutheran Homes , 7693 Wheatland RD N , Keizer
    6:00 pm
  • December Paint & Sip at Vortex Eatery & Taphouse
    Vortex Eatery + Taphouse , 4435 Liberty Rd S , Salem
    6:00 pm

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

  • I believe I hit a medium size white dog with my car at the intersection of Kenard St NW and Hope St NW.
    Please help me find the dog/dog owner - I stopped, searched and couldn't find it. My heart is broken. (Nextdoor Wallace Marine)
  • UPDATE: Code enforcement was where to go.
    To the Nextdoor "experts" I tried everyone of the places you suggested BEFORE I posted this as it says below. Thank you to the helpful people on… (Nextdoor West Salem - Kingwood Ave)
  • Sinceri Senior Living posted a job opening for Housekeeper in Salem. Apply here.
  • Oracle posted a job opening for Principal Program Manager - Demand Planning 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 could get canned for this!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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