🌱 Salem Public Hearing On Payroll Tax + Funnel Cloud Spotted In Salem

Hello, friends! I'm back in your inbox this morning with your new copy of the Salem Patch newsletter. Let's get this day started off right, with a quick dive into everything you need to know about what's going on these days in town.

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Now, your local weather:

• Wednesday: Partly sunny and warmer. High: 80 Low: 54.
• Thursday: Sun mixing with clouds. High: 88 Low: 54.

From our sponsor:

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Here are the top three stories in Salem today:

1. The City of Salem has announced a public hearing on the proposed payroll tax plan on Jul. 10. According to the mayor, the payroll tax would fund emergency and homeless services, including Navigation Center for homeless people, three existing micro-shelter community villages, police staffing, new community policing, fire and emergency response staff, and more. Everyone who works within Salem, except those who earn minimum wage or below, would have to pay the proposed tax. (KOIN)
2. On Monday, Jun. 19, a funnel cloud was spotted in Salem at around 3:00 p.m. The National Weather Service said a funnel cloud could be a precursor to a tornado and reminds the community to take shelter if a funnel cloud touches the ground or a "debris cloud or dust whirl is visible beneath it." View the link to see a photo of the funnel cloud. (KGW)
3. The Guinness World Records recognized the Salem High School Class of 1944 for having the "longest-running class reunion." On Saturday, Jun. 17, nine members of the class celebrated their 79th reunion on the Willamette Queen and received their Guinness World Record certificates. The Salem High School changed its name to North Salem High School in 1954 after South Salem High opened. (Statesman Journal)

Today and tomorrow in Salem:

Wednesday, June 21

• Salem Make Music Day! At Venti's Downtown (11:00 AM)
• Live Music Happy Hour With Dylan Santiago At Taproot Lounge & Café (4:00 PM)

Thursday, June 22

• Karaoke Thursdays At Venti's Downtown (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Food and Drug Administration announced additional suppliers involved in the voluntary recall of strawberries last week, including the Willamette Valley Fruit Co. of Salem. The recalled strawberries that were linked to hepatitis A infections were sold to stores including Costco, Walmart, and HEB. (Contagion Live)
• This week is National Pollinator Week! Now until Jun. 25, the City of Salem is giving away native milkweed seed packets to Salem residents to help increase monarch butterfly populations. Send your full name and mailing address to stormwateroutreach@cityofsalem.net by Jul. 1 to receive a seed packet. Learn more about the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge here. (City of Salem via Facebook)
• Salem Family YMCA's Summer Play and Learn hours have been extended, as of Jun. 19!
  The new hours are 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturdays. (Salem Family YMCA via Facebook)

You're all caught up for today. I'll see you soon!

— 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!