Good morning, Salem.

Nellie Watson, a longtime Salem resident at The Springs at Lancaster Village for 23 years, celebrated her 104th birthday on April 11 with neighbors, family, and carrot cake—she recalled a life full of music and shared community moments.

City officials defended a preliminary budget proposal that cuts key services—such as the Salem library and parks maintenance—saying no alternative exists without raising taxes.

Community members testified that the deep cuts would hit low-income residents hardest and lead to job losses if voters do not approve a tax levy on May 20.

A bipartisan bill in the Oregon Senate would stop private utilities from charging customers for wildfire lawsuit costs if the companies delay legal action — it passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on April 8.

The measure applies to powerline-ignited wildfires from Jan. 1, 2020 and could limit rate hikes for repairs.

Gov. Tina Kotek fired Jessica Kampfe, head of the Oregon Public Defense Commission, on Thursday morning—she led the agency during a time when over 4,000 defendants did not have lawyers.

Gov. Kotek named Ken Sanchagrin as interim director to start reforms on attorney assignment, financial transparency, and a timeline to end the crisis.

Clutch Industries is planning a major development on 17 acres along River Road in Keizer that will include housing, retail, and business space—developers will complete fine-tuning of their plan and face public hearings before beginning construction next summer.

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.