Community Corner

šŸŒ± Patch AM: Salem City Council Moves To Ban Data Centers, Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers

Make time for Ana Popovic with Danielle Miraglia on the Salem Patch calendar

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Saturday September 26th Patch AM
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Good day Salem! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Salem moves to block big data centers and gas leaf blowers
  • Harrison Avenue disturbance leads to gun seizure and assault charges
  • Nor'easter cancels Salem Halloween kickoffs and shuts down coastal activities

Also on today's calendar: Ana Popovic with Danielle Miraglia and 17 more events.

Today's riddle: Riddle: David's parents have three sons: Snap, Crackle, and what's the name of the third son? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: Winds becoming strong; rain, with a high of 61 and low of 54 degrees.
  • Sunday: Windy with rain, temps: high: 62, low: 54.
  • Monday: Rain, with a high of 60 and low of 55 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Salem City Council Moves To Ban Data Centers, Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers (patch.com) — Salem residents are seeing big policy shifts as the City Council advances a zoning change to ban large data centers, following controversy over a proposed facility at the Shetland property. Councilors also approved a 2030 ban on most gas-powered leaf blowers, though city-owned equipment is exempt for now, sparking debate over costs, practicality, and fairness for local taxpayers and businesses.
   

2. Salem Man Faces Assault, Gun Charges After Harrison Avenue Disturbance: Police (patch.com) — Police say a disturbance call on Harrison Avenue in Salem led to the arrest of a 33-year-old unhoused Salem man and the seizure of a Glock .40-caliber handgun with large-capacity magazines holding 66 rounds. The man now faces assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, unlicensed firearm possession, and large-capacity feeding device charges, underscoring an ongoing local focus on gun-related crime.
   

3. North Shore Braces For Damaging Nor'easter With Coastal Warnings, Cancellatons This Weekend (patch.com) — A powerful nor'easter is set to disrupt the start of Salem's Halloween season, prompting the city to cancel all outdoor, city-sponsored events through Monday and suspend Salem Ferry service. Residents across Salem and neighboring coastal communities are being urged to secure property, avoid the ocean and exposed shorelines, and prepare for flooding, beach erosion, and likely power outages as winds may reach 60 mph.
   

4. Salem State Unveils New Meier Hall Mural Reframing Salem History (patch.com) — Salem State University has unveiled a new four-story mural in Meier Hall that centers Indigenous people, immigrants, abolitionists, and current students to better reflect Salem's diverse history. The artwork, chosen with broad campus input and community collaboration, replaces a 1960s Puritan-focused mural and aligns with the university's recent commitments to land acknowledgment, servingness, and inclusive public art.
   

5. Salem Plans Witch Hat Drone Photo for 400th Anniversary Fundraiser (wror.com) — Salem is inviting residents and visitors to don witch hats on Oct. 17 for a massive drone photo at Salem Maritime National Historical Park, part of the city's 400th anniversary celebration and a fundraiser for local nonprofit HAWC. Organizers hope the event will channel October's huge tourist crowds into exploring historic neighborhoods and supporting Salem's witch-themed small businesses.
   

📸 Around Salem

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • St. Andrew's Rummage Sale Postponed due to storm —peg howard Read on Patch
  • This boy is wandering around my neighborhood, on Summit in Salem, near the University.
    He is right in the middle of the street! He wouldn't let me near him though. (Nextdoor South Salem)
  • Hey all you Salem Black catters!
    Have fun this year with Halloween! I finally got out of Salem! (Nextdoor Downtown Salem)
  • Acosta posted a job opening for Product Demonstrator PT in Swampscott. Apply here.
  • Ametek posted a job opening for Production Planner in Peabody. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Salem here.

Ok Salem! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: David (Thank you Thomas F. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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