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Today’s edition · Wed., Nov. 11

Salem delays its AI data center vote until Thursday

Plus, six elementary schools face a Dec. 8 closure vote and Veterans Day flyovers are planned today.

The Daily Salem team2 stories18 sources5 min read

City HallTop story

Salem City Council delays its vote on a rule that could block the Mill Creek data center

The council's data center decision is now set for Thursday

  1. Sept. 21Council adopts a separate 120-day moratorium on certain data center construction.
  2. Nov. 9Council postpones deliberations on after public testimony.
  3. Nov. 12Council will resume deliberations at a virtual special meeting at 6 p.m.

Sources: Salem Business Journal, Statesman Journal, Salem Reporter

Salem City Council hit pause Monday night on a vote that could block ' Oakline at Mill Creek AI data center. After more than two hours of testimony on Nov. 9, councilors voted 7-0 to close the public hearing and keep the written record open. City Attorney Dan Atchison proposed the delay to give councilors time with a large amount of written testimony.

At issue is , which would read "data center facilities" in city code as excluding AI and data centers. Atchison said none were in Salem or western Oregon when the term was added in 2013-2014. The resolution wouldn't decide Verrus' application for 4720 Mill Creek Drive SE, but later city decisions would have to follow it.

  • Next meeting: Thu., Nov. 12, 6 p.m., virtual special meeting
  • Oral hearing: closed. Written record: still open
  • City staff: expected to address testimony before a decision

Business and labor representatives raised concerns about jobs and permitting certainty, while residents questioned electricity demand and water use. Verrus CEO Nelson Abramson said in written testimony the company is offering to enter a Community Benefits Agreement that he said would set enforceable caps on water, noise and power.

The dollars and days behind the data center fight

$5 billion
in potential investment previously described for the project, or more
$10 million
in investment Verrus offers in a Community Benefits Agreement
120 days
length of the data center moratorium adopted Sept. 21

Sources: Salem Business Journal, Statesman Journal

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Schools

Salem-Keizer families push back as the district weighs closing six elementary schools

If your kid goes to Brush College, Candalaria, Cummings, Englewood, Liberty or Richmond, the clock is ticking. Salem-Keizer Public Schools has recommended closing all six at the end of the 2026-27 school year, and the school board's final vote is slated for Dec. 8.

At least 6,000students Salem-Keizer has lost since its 2018 peak

District spokesperson Aaron Harada described 2018 as the peak, with about 42,000 students.

Source: The Tennessean

Families aren't staying quiet. A Candalaria fifth grader urged the board to reconsider at its Oct. 13 meeting, and some Cummings parents say the district used inaccurate data and have formally asked that the school come off the list. Parent Nick Sayen told the board the path could lead to "a failed bond."

  • Deferred maintenance cited: $15 million
  • Next bond: November 2027 ballot
  • Facility needs behind that bond: $1.5 billion

Voters narrowly approved the $620 million bond in 2018, and several of the six schools got bond-funded improvements. Some families now question whether they'll back another.

Voters narrowly approved the 2018 school bond

Source: The Tennessean

View as table
AmountShare
Yes53%53%
No47%47%

News Notes

Homelessness

The Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency released a 129-page report Monday, Nov. 9, on why people in Salem are becoming homeless and what keeps them out of shelters and housing. Woodson Insights Research prepared it. Salem Reporter

Key dates stretch from today to mid-December

  1. Nov. 9The Community Action Agency released a 129-page report on homelessness in Salem.
  2. Nov. 11The Statewide Veterans Day Ceremony is at 11 a.m. at the Oregon State Capitol.
  3. Nov. 13Dallas plays Silverton in a 5A football quarterfinal at Silverton High School.
  4. Dec. 14The City Council has a public hearing scheduled on a proposed utility rate increase.

Sources: Salem Reporter, Polk County Itemizer-Observer, Statesman Journal, the event's listing

Utility rates

Salem city councilors voted unanimously Monday to schedule a public hearing on a proposed rate increase for water, wastewater and stormwater services. It's set for Mon., Dec. 14. Salem Reporter

Football

Dallas' Aidan Galusha ran for 317 yards and five touchdowns in the Dragons' 52-26 playoff win over Milwaukie. Dallas now faces Silverton in a 5A quarterfinal Fri., Nov. 13, at Silverton High School. Polk County Itemizer-ObserverSilverton High School box office

Veterans Day

The 142nd Wing plans F-15 flyovers for Nov. 11 ceremonies in Salem and Albany, though no times were given. The Statewide Veterans Day Ceremony is at 11 a.m. in front of the Oregon State Capitol. Statesman Journal

Shop

Etsy’s Top 100 Holiday Gifts are here with festive finds for everyone on your list. Think: custom playing cards, one-of-a-kind advent calendars, and hand-painted ceramics. One of our favorite finds is this customizable vinyl mixtape, complete with your choice of 10-12 of songs, a photo for the cover, and a personalized message. (Sponsored by Etsy)

Wardrobe

Cute enough for a coffee run, comfy enough for a full day on the couch, these soft-brushed barrel-leg sweatpants and this best-selling mock neck sweater make a pretty convincing case for staying cozy. Shop the pair, plus find more great cozy wardrobe options.

Play

New crosswords, Sudoku and themed word searches land at 6 a.m. with the newsletter. Play today’s before the coffee is gone.

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Around Oregon

Ballots

Tuesday was the last day Oregon county clerks accepted ballots postmarked by Election Day, and they're now reaching out to fix unverified ballots before the Dec. 11 certification. Secretary of State Tobias Read says voters whose signatures can't be verified will get a letter with instructions to fix it, so watch your mail. FM News 101 KXL

Rural health

Oregon has been awarded about $197.3 million in additional federal funding for rural health care, the Oregon Health Authority announced Monday. It's the state's second consecutive annual award through the Rural Health Transformation Program. 1430 KYKN

$197.3 millionin new federal rural health funding awarded to Oregon

The first round supported more than 300 organizations across the state.

Source: 1430 KYKN

Monmouth

Monmouth has received a federal Opportunity Zone designation, which the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced Nov. 5. City officials hope it will encourage new investment and economic development. 1430 KYKN

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Asked

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Today’s puzzles

A new puzzle in each one every morning, played right here.

All 13 games

Quoted

Character is much easier kept than recovered.

— Thomas Paine

Things to Do

Things to Do

Salem, OR

Wednesday, Nov. 11

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The Buy

Around the Block

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Neighbors

Helping Hands store

“I went to Helping Hands this morning (Monday) to drop off items. They had a sign out stating that they are not accepting donations on Mondays. Just an FYI.”

— A neighbor, 36th Ave

48 likes · 32 comments

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The Wrap

Oregon's vinyl scene just got a Salem address. Object Permanence Records is the newest vinyl pressing plant in Oregon, and now the state's only manufacturer, since Cascade Record Pressing in Milwaukie closed. Co-owners Carrie Morrissey and Adam Philips moved from Brooklyn, NY, to start it. Spin that.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Salem-Keizer leaders say more school closures are coming

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Every source in this edition18 links · 12 outlets
  1. The Weather Channelweather.com
  2. Salem Business Journalsalembusinessjournal.org
  3. The Indianapolis Starindystar.com
  4. Statesman Journalstatesmanjournal.com
  5. Salem Reportersalemreporter.com
  6. Salem Reportersalemreporter.com
  7. Salem Reportersalemreporter.com
  8. Wolverines Wirewolverineswire.usatoday.com
  9. The Tennesseantennessean.com
  10. Salem Reportersalemreporter.com
  11. Salem Reportersalemreporter.com
  12. Polk County Itemizer-Observerpolkio.com
  13. Statesman Journalstatesmanjournal.com
  14. the event's listingevents.hometownticketing.com
  15. FM News 101 KXLkxl.com
  16. 1430 KYKNkykn.com
  17. 1430 KYKNkykn.com
  18. Salem events calendardailysalem.com

Past issues

  1. Tues., Nov. 10Salem-Keizer leaders say more school closures are coming
  2. Mon., Nov. 9Salem hosts the statewide Veterans Day ceremony Wednesday
  3. Sun., Nov. 8Salem and Marion County to appeal Detroit Lake drawdown ruling
  4. Sat., Nov. 7Salem council weighs data center code Monday; Agility goes public
  5. Fri., Nov. 6Oregon's 2026 fire season is over after a record 2.5 million acres burned
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Daily Salemto me · Wed., Nov. 116:00 a.m.

Salem delays its AI data center vote until Thursday

Plus, six elementary schools face a Dec. 8 closure vote and Veterans Day flyovers are planned today.

The TLDR

  1. Salem council delays its data center vote to Thursday
  2. Six elementary schools face a Dec. 8 closure vote
  3. Utility rate hearing is set for Mon., Dec. 14
Read this edition

More stories this week

From Daily Salem’s other editions

All the news
SchoolsSalem-Keizer leaders say the district will look to close middle schools in the next few yearsIf you've got kids in Salem-Keizer schools, here's the heads-up: the district is looking at more closures down the road. Chief Operations Officer Paul Odenthal told the Salem Chamber of Commerce on Monday, Nov. 9, that the district will look to close middle schools in the next few years as its current smaller elementary classes move into secondary school.Tuesday’s editionRead HealthOregon wins another $197.3 million to expand rural healthcare accessOregon has been awarded about $197.3 million for the second year in a row for rural healthcare, the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced. The money comes through the Rural Health Transformation Program. The Oregon Health Authority says the first round supported more than 300 organizations, including rural hospitals, health clinics and community mental health programs.Tuesday’s editionRead City HallSalem and Marion County will appeal after a judge declines to stop the Detroit Lake drawdownA federal judge on Wed., Nov. 4 denied Salem's and Marion County's request to halt the Army Corps' deep drawdown of Detroit Lake. Judge Mustafa Kasubhai wrote that "possibility" is not "likelihood," and that the law requires showing harm is likely. Marion County will appeal right away to the Ninth Circuit, and the county and city have announced their plans.Sunday’s editionRead

Around Salem

From Polk County Itemizer-Observer, Salem Reporter and Statesman Journal, gathered by 6AM News, 6AM City’s local news service.

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  2. Salem Reporter11 hours ago

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    The races for two positions on the Keizer City Council remained close on Tuesday, Nov. 10.

  3. Salem Reporter11 hours ago

    Varney, Vega secure seats on Salem City Council after tense campaigns

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  4. Statesman Journal11 hours ago

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    The 142nd Wing will conduct F-15 flyovers across eight Oregon cities on Veterans Day Nov. 11 to honor service members.

  5. Salem Reporter12 hours ago

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    Since the Oct. 9 announcement, 1,392 students at Brush College, Candalaria, Cummings, Englewood, Liberty and Richmond have been in limbo, waiting to see what decisions are made by the district and Salem-Keizer School Board.

  6. Salem Reporter12 hours ago

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    A new report from the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency shared the leading causes of homelessness in Marion and Polk counties, and suggested actions to take to address it. See a summary of key takeaways from the report in the article, below.