Good morning, Salem.

Burgerville will open its doors in Salem on April 25 at 11 a.m. at 220 Lancaster Drive SE — the former Sonic location — with a ribbon-cutting ceremony by the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and special menu offerings made with local ingredients.

Micah Blacksmith pleaded guilty on March 14 to a fatal hit-and-run in West Salem that took the life of 63-year-old Steven Bishop in a December collision and was sentenced to three years of probation—her penalty also includes a five-year driver’s license suspension and 80 hours of community service.

Sprague High School seniors Colin Williams and Matthew Meyers won a national constitution competition in Washington, D.C. last week by delivering 18 prepared speeches on U.S. constitutional law — their two-person team outperformed rivals with larger groups and overcame setbacks like being locked in a security screening area.

On Tuesday, Oregon lawmakers passed a bill with a unanimous vote of 56 to 0 to add digitally created or altered images to the state's revenge porn law, making it a crime to share AI generated fake nude photos without consent (House Bill 2299).

The bill now heads to the Senate for further consideration.

Salem city council unanimously approved a $199,805 settlement for Elias Villegas after his home at 740 Wildwind Dr. S.E. was flooded with several inches of sewage on December 26th—city officials said they are making improvements to prevent further sewer back-ups.

The settlement follows a sewer back-up that caused significant damage last December.

A bipartisan bill in the Senate would bar private utilities from charging customers for wildfire costs if they delay lawsuits or act carelessly.

The Senate Judiciary Committee passed the bill on April 8 and it will cover powerline fires from January 1, 2020 onward — utility companies oppose the measure.

At a town hall on April 15, hundreds of Salem residents learned that a proposed property tax levy would add 98 cents per $1,000 of property value to fill a $14 million budget gap and keep library hours, park services, and public safety intact.

City Councilor Irvin Brown and business leaders explained that if voters approve the measure on May 20, the city will avoid deep service cuts + have more time to plan its budget.

Lawmakers in Salem are reviewing changes to Oregon’s civil commitment process to help people with severe mental illness get treatment—current laws set a high bar and leave few spots for long-term care.

Supporters such as state representatives, mental health advocates and local officials argued that lowering the threshold and adding capacity will better protect those at risk.

Oregon lawmakers are considering House Bill 3597 which would change the state’s electric vehicle rebate program to help low-income buyers by ending the all-buyers rebate and lowering rewards for used cars by $2,000—if passed, the new plan will spread funds throughout the year and may start in 2027. Some critics worry that these changes could hurt overall EV sales.

Resource Fair for Individuals with IDD

9 a.m. – 2 p.m. — Salem Convention Center — Free entry — Connect with valuable resources for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and enjoy family-friendly activities.

April Paint Night at Valiant The Sandwich

6-8 p.m. — Valiant The Sandwich — Cost varies — Unleash your creativity with a fun paint night while enjoying delicious sandwiches in a cozy atmosphere.

Stargazing Workshop

6:00-7:30 p.m. — Center 50+ — $10 — Explore key terms for night sky observation, followed by a live stargazing session with hands-on app use.

Make Parenting a Pleasure Workshop

4:30-6:30 p.m. — Willamette Family Medical Center: Fay Shannon — Registration required — Discover parenting insights and boost your confidence in family goals through engaging education.

2025 USA Gymnastics Region 2 Xcel Championships

8 a.m. — The Pavilion — Parking $10 — Top gymnasts compete for glory from States across the region.

Oregon Ag Festival

All day — Oregon State Fair & Exposition Center — Admission details not provided — Discover Oregon agriculture through hands-on exhibits and family-friendly activities.

Oregon Ag Fest

10 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Oregon State Fair & Exposition Center — Free for kids 15 and under — Experience hands-on activities and learn about the vital role of agriculture in Oregon.

Pine Needle Basket Making Class

9 AM – 12 PM — Center 50+ — $15 for five classes — Learn to weave beautiful baskets with experienced instructors in this engaging arts and crafts class.

Line Dancing Classes

11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. — Center 50+ — $20 punch card for five classes — Get moving with fun line dancing sessions suited for both beginners and intermediates.

Writers Group Gathering

1-3 p.m. — Center 50+ — $15 for five classes — Share your stories and connect with fellow writers in a supportive environment.