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Salem officials opened the renovated Riverfront Park playground on Oct.

30, featuring refreshed play areas, a dedicated play space for 2- to 5-year-olds, an accessibility ramp, and inclusive equipment (pictured). The project was funded in part by the $300 million infrastructure bond voters approved in 2022.

A roller-skating rink called The Expo will open on Jan.

2 in the former Macy’s at Salem Center mall (400 High St. NE), with Skateland 2 You moving operations there after its contract ends Dec. 31.

Social studies teachers in Salem-Keizer held a mock gubernatorial + U.S. Senate election on Oct.

23 to teach students how to analyze candidates; North Salem High students voted on Chromebooks and received “I voted” stickers.

The Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency is recruiting volunteers to staff warming shelters that open when temperatures fall below freezing to serve meals and offer shelter to people experiencing homelessness; shifts run at Salem First Presbyterian Church (770 Chemeketa St. N.E.) and in Dallas, and volunteers should contact the agency to apply.

McKay coaches launched WIS3 UP in 2025 to boost female athlete participation and leadership, and more than 50 girls attended a lunch-and-relay event on Oct.

21 at the school; coaches will hold monthly sessions to build confidence + recruit athletes.

After a concussion at Western Oregon, Mick Brinkman switched from pre-med to art and has become a sought-after muralist in Monmouth, painting commissions at The Sippery, Café lula, and Gentle Woods Park (the city paid her $7,000 for the park mural).

Pacific Power reached a stipulated settlement with the Oregon Public Utility Commission that will lower rates about 3% in January and apply a 4.2% power-cost adjustment before a final rate-case increase that results in an effective 0.3% hike on April 5, 2027, pending PUC approval.

A newly opened ice cream parlor's mural may have to be painted over after officials found it out of compliance with Salem's sign code; owner Caleb Hayward opened the second On Any Sundae at 3239 Market St. NE in September.