Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Which Salem schools might jump leagues in OSAA’s new sports plan?
Be sure to catch McKinley Winter Concert on the Salem Patch calendar
Hello again Salem! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Which Salem schools might jump leagues in OSAA’s new sports plan?
- How Salem’s secretive nurse honor guard comforts grieving local families
- How a Salem Red Cross volunteer is helping Washington flood survivors
Today's riddle: What did the stop sign say to the yield sign? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Salemfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Monday: Rain becoming intermittent, with a high of 60 and low of 53 degrees.
- Tuesday: Breezy with rain at times, temps: high: 58, low: 44.
- Wednesday: A couple of showers, with a high of 51 and low of 43 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Potential OSAA reclassification to impact numerous Salem-area schools (statesmanjournal.com) — Salem-Keizer families could see big shifts in high school sports as OSAA considers reclassifying McKay, Central and several Salem-area 3A schools, with a key vote set for Dec. 15. Cascade’s state-champion program is fighting a move up to 5A, arguing new enrollment benchmarks unfairly pit smaller schools against much larger opponents and could weaken community-supported athletics. 
Find out what's happening in Salemfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
2. Salem honor guard pays final tribute to life and career of a nurse (statesmanjournal.com) — Salem’s own Nurse Honor Guard, the only one in Oregon, is quietly offering military-style tributes to local nurses at funerals and memorials. Founded by longtime Salem ER nurse Dana Hart after a colleague’s death, the all-volunteer group works with Salem Health and area families to honor nurses’ careers with Nightingale lamps, readings, and final calls to duty.
3. Oregon Red Cross volunteer sent up to Washington to help flood victims (kgw.com) — A Salem-based Red Cross volunteer is on the front lines helping flood victims in northwest Washington, where shelters have filled up after homes were inundated by up to 8 feet of water. Rebecca Davenport has been supervising shelters from Everett to Burlington, coordinating nurses, mental health support, and overflow space as another atmospheric river threatens already saturated communities.
4. Marion County Sheriff's Department Names Deputy and Correctional Officers of the Year (southernillinoisnow.com) — Marion County’s sheriff recently honored standout staff at a Christmas party held at the Salem Elks lodge, spotlighting work that directly supports local public safety. Two part-time correctional officers, Ed Rankin and Steven Burroughs, were named Correctional Officers of the Year, while Deputy Isaac Hayes was praised for consistently going above and beyond in serving the community.
5. Ethics commission finds sufficient evidence Smith in violation of statutes, move to next steps (elkhornmediagroup.com) — Meeting in Salem, the Oregon Ethics Commission found enough evidence to move forward with formal proceedings over alleged ethics violations by CDA Executive Director Greg Smith. The case centers on undisclosed conflicts of interest and salary language in a federal grant application, and now heads toward either a contested hearing or a negotiated settlement that could shape future oversight of public officials.
📸 Around Salem
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🗓 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
- December Paint Night at Tiki Lounge Salem
Tiki Lounge Lancaster , 165 Lancaster Dr SE , Salem
6:30 pm - Greeters hosted by Salem Capitals Basketball
The REC , 3500 River Rd N , Keizer
8:30 am - Lancaster Family Health Center at Lancaster – Flu Clinic
Lancaster Family Health Center at Lancaster , 255 Lancaster Dr NE , Salem
2:00 pm - Tuesday String Band: Gilgamesh Brewing: The River
Gilgamesh Brewing: The River , 370 S Main St , Independence
5:00 pm - Senior Social Circle, Aumsville | Riverview Bank
Riverview Bank , 112 Main St , Aumsville
10:00 am
Monday December 15
Tuesday December 16
Wednesday December 17
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
- Oregon Humane Society Salem Campus just received a grant to fix 500 community cats.
This means you have the opportunity to fix feral/stray cats at no cost to you! This grant is available to anyone! You will be responsible for… (Nextdoor Faye Wright/Judson) - My cat is missing.
His name is Shane. He is a young male. He’s been fixed. He’s missing from 5351 Lardon Rd NE. I appreciate people keeping an eye out for him. Please… (Nextdoor Salem East)
- Advantage Solutions posted a job opening for Traveling Retail Merchandiser - Overnight in Salem. Apply here.
- Kroger Family of Companies 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 don’t know either. They were speaking in sign language.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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