Daily
Salem
Thursday, January 1st, 2026
Good morning, Salem. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 1st of January.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ A WalletHub analysis from October placed Salem as the 10th safest city with a score of 66.93 from 41 indicators among 182 cities (Salem ranked 13th for natural disaster risk). The study was reported on Jan. 1. Statesman Journal
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Subatomic Vintage Toys opened early December in a shuttered building south of downtown after months of anticipation. Owners CJ Nelson and Tom Engen showcased a collection (including a three-foot Yoda statue) that attracted early customers. Salem Reporter
- ➤ El Torito will open a full grocery store at 435 Liberty St. NE (former Rite Aid) in downtown Salem around September; the store will offer everyday essentials, a wide range of Mexican products, and a meat department (its biggest draw) with construction expected to take six to nine months. Salem Business Journal
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Salem welcomes a busy week with a New Year’s yoga class today at Resonance Yoga Collective, a free art walk on Friday downtown, an organ concert and a drag brunch on Sunday at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and The Vault Bar & Grill; new movies also play at local cinemas. Salem Reporter
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Conservation groups petitioned the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission to require pop-up buoys for crab pots to protect whales after four humpback entanglements and a stranded case north of Yachats. The agency must respond within 90 days under state law. Salem Reporter
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ On New Year's Eve, legal fireworks (sold June 23–July 6) had to be non-explosive and stationary; in Salem, using unauthorized items like roman candles or bottle rockets led to Class B misdemeanor charges and fines up to $2,500. Statesman Journal
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Energize & Elevate
10 AM – 2 PM — The Reed — Check website for costs — Discover balance and wellness strategies aimed at busy professionals and entrepreneurs.
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Cascade Creatives Grand Opening
12-3 p.m. — LAP Studio — Free entry — Celebrate the opening of a new design studio with giveaways, tacos, and community connection.
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First Taste Oregon
January 23-24 — Oregon State Fair & Exposition Center — Admission info available — Celebrate Oregon's finest offerings in art, brew, food, music, and more.
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Tales the Winds Remember
3-5 p.m. — Rose Auditorium — Free entry — Experience a musical journey through stories and legends with the Salem Symphonic Winds.
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January Paint & Sip at Flight Deck Restaurant & Lounge
6-8 p.m. — Flight Deck Restaurant & Lounge — Food and beverages available for purchase — Unwind with a creative night of painting an adorable Winter Scene.
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Genealogy Workshop: Ancestry & FamilySearch
4:30-5:45 p.m. — Salem Public Library — Free entry — Explore genealogy resources with hands-on assistance from experts.
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Hybrid Apprenticeship Workshop at WorkSource Salem
2-3:30 p.m. — WorkSource Oregon - Salem Center — Free entry — Discover hands-on training opportunities in various apprenticeship programs to kickstart your career.
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English as a Second Language Beginner Class
3 PM — Salem Public Library — Free entry — Enhance your English skills with a supportive, multilingual atmosphere.
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Indoor Winter Market at Wavra Farms
10 AM – 3 PM — Wavra Farms & Nursery — Free entry — Explore a diverse indoor market featuring local vendors from woodworking to gourmet foods.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
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Reveal the authorAbout Daily Salem
Welcome to the Daily Salem, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Salem, Oregon community. If you like the Daily Salem, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Salem.
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