🌱 Court Street 2-Way Conversion Project + County Seeks Levy Proposal

Good morning, Salem. I'm here in your inbox this morning to get you up to speed on everything you need to know about what's going on in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Wednesday: Sunshine and warmer. High: 77 Low: 48.
• Thursday: Mostly sunny and very warm. High: 79 Low: 50.

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Here are the top 3 stories today in Salem:

1. The Court Street two-way conversion project will run from today until Friday, Apr. 28, depending on the weather. Drivers should pay attention to temporary lane markers and obey traffic signs as traffic control measures are updated. The project aims to increase access to local businesses by restriping Court Street for east and west two-way traffic and adding new medians, islands, traffic signals, and lighting. (City of Salem)
2. Polk County officials will soon ask nearby West Salem voters to approve a new public safety levy, which would raise property taxes by approximately $17 per year. The county would use the levy to retain already employed sheriff's deputies and prosecutors hired under a previous public safety levy that will expire in June 2024, rather than hiring new employees. The levy would provide funding for county operations, as well as 14 sheriff's patrol deputies, four correctional deputies, and three prosecutors, and is expected to generate $20.8 million between 2023 and 2027, according to Sheriff Mark Garton. (Subscription: Salem Reporter)
3. From May 19-23, nearby Mt. Angel will host the first annual spring festival, Maifest, featuring live performers, face painting, and beer vendors. The event will be held at the Community Festhalle and will showcase more than a dozen breweries, as well as food from volunteers from Catholic Community Services and Mt. Angel School District. Tickets can be purchased online, with early bird pricing available until the end of April, and children and minors will be admitted for free while regular weekend passes are $15 and senior passes are $10.(Subscription: Statesman Journal)

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Today and tomorrow in Salem:

Wednesday, April 26

• Yoga + Libations At Taproot Old Mill Cafe At Mission Mill (6:00 PM)

Thursday, April 27

• 2023 Trucking Day At The Capitol At Salem Convention Center (10:00 AM)
• Job Fair At Salem-Keizer Public Schools District Offices (4:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Salem-Keizer Public Schools showed their appreciation for Bus Driver Appreciation Day this week. See how they gave thanks at the link. (Salem-Keizer Public Schools via Facebook)
• The LGBTQIA+ Intersectional Rights Task Force invites all members of the community to join its public monthly meetings. Learn more about meeting topics here. (City of Salem via Facebook)
• View the City of Salem's Proposed Fiscal Year 2024-2028 Capital Improvement Plan online. A public hearing for the proposed plan will be held today, Apr. 26, at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. (City of Salem via Facebook)

Alrighty, you're all good for today. I'll be in your inbox soon with 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!