🌱 Salem Mayor Gives State of the City Address + Local Rep. & HB 2002

Hey, neighbors. It's Friday in Salem and I'm back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Chilly with periods of rain. High: 48 Low: 33.
• Saturday: Cloudy, a shower; chilly. High: 46 Low: 32.

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Here are the top three stories today in Salem:

1. Mayor Chris Hoy gave his first State of the City address on Mar. 22 at the Salem
   Convention Center. Hoy said streets, sidewalks, parks, fire safety, affordable housing, libraries, and cybersecurity projects will benefit from the $300 million community investment that voters passed last fall. He also listed City Council priorities, including shelter crisis, affordable housing, as well as stopping violent crimes and narcotics trafficking. (City of Salem)
2. House Bill 2002, sponsored by 34 Democratic lawmakers in Oregon, aims to protect medical providers who offer abortion services, expand insurance coverage for medically necessary gender-affirming care, and provide reproductive services to rural areas without current access to it. But Representative Ed Diehl, a Republican representing parts of Salem, thinks this bill is moving too quickly and Oregon should not increase access to healthcare services until more research is conducted. “We need to be careful—this is about our kids," said Diehl. "We’re going to look back 10 years from now and say ‘My god, what did we do?’” (Portland Mercury)
3. What should be Oregon's official movie? Some believe “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” should be designated as the state’s official film. According to House Resolution 14, the 1975 movie was "shot almost entirely on location at the Oregon State Hospital in Salem" and showcased the natural beauty of Oregon's coast. The resolution also said, "the film, like Oregon, embraces the downtrodden, the misjudged, and all who have failed to thrive within the bounds of conventional society." Some other suggestions from residents include “The Goonies” (1985), “Animal House” (1978), “Wild” (2014), and “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio” (2022). View the link to see all the alternatives. (Oregon Live)

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Today and tomorrow in Salem:

Friday, March 24

• Bazooka Sharkz: Album Release Show At Blast Off Vintage (7:00 PM)

Saturday, March 25

• Artist Ron Conrad At Salem on the Edge Art Gallery (2:00 PM)
• Truth or Dare Live At Infinity Room (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• The fourth phase of restoration in the Willamette Slough has begun! Contractors will plant more than 12,000 new willow trees and a variety of bushes on the banks of the Willamette Slough this week. The new plants will help combat invasive species like Ludwigia and Reed Canarygrass in the Willamette River Watershed. Learn more about the project here. (City of Salem via Facebook)
• On Apr. 8, Oni Marchbanks will receive a Distinguished Service Award at the First Citizen Banquet! Oni is a non-profit leader as well as education, community, and BIPOC advocate.
  Join the Sale Oregon Chamber in celebrating Oni, the other honorees, and the community. For details and to buy tickets, click here. (Salem Oregon Chamber via Twitter)
• The Salem Police Department (SPD) took the 30x30 Pledge for Women's History Month 2023. The pledge includes recruiting more women into policing and to have 30 percent of the workforce be female officers by 2030. Learn more about the 30x30 initiative here and learn more about a policing career with SPD here. (Salem Police Department via Facebook)

That's it for today. See you all soon for 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!