Hey there, Salem! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Sundial Tour of Homes and 7 more events.
Today's riddle: What did the Buffalo say when his son left? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
Today's Salem Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's Best Mobile Network in the US according to Ookla Speedtest®. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Salem Patch AM possible.
Find a T-Mobile store near Salem.
1. Detroit drawdown would endanger Salem's water supply, new filing claims (statesmanjournal.com subscription) — Salem city attorneys warn that a planned deep drawdown of Detroit Reservoir could overwhelm filtration systems and threaten drinking water for about 220,000 residents. The city and Marion County are both seeking federal injunctions, arguing the Army Corps' salmon-protection plan ignores turbidity, tourism and Clean Water Act requirements while proposing historically low lake levels starting November 1.
2. These Salem-Keizer area boys soccer players will shine this fall (statesmanjournal.com) — High school boys soccer players from Salem-Keizer schools are gearing up for the 2026 OSAA season, with several returning all-conference and all-state standouts expected to lead their teams. From South Salem and McKay to Stayton and North Marion, coaches will lean on veteran talent as leagues realign and local rivalries intensify across the Willamette Valley.
3. Unauthorized drone flights over wildfires can ground live-saving areal operations, OEM reminds (elkhornmediagroup.com) — State emergency officials in Salem are warning Oregonians that flying drones anywhere near active wildfires can immediately ground firefighting aircraft and jeopardize nearby communities. They stress that all wildfire zones are strict no-drone areas, with potential penalties including steep fines, prison time, and loss of pilot certificates, and urge residents to check flight restrictions and report illegal drone use.
4. Former Oregon congresswoman takes job advocating for data centers (statesmanjournal.com) — Salem residents are part of a growing backlash to new data centers, with recent city council meetings on a proposed facility drawing strong opposition. Now former Oregon congresswoman and Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer has taken a job advocating for data centers nationally, even as Oregon leaders, including Gov. Tina Kotek, have backed moratoriums and tighter scrutiny of the industry.
5. Man with 32 pounds of pot in luggage at O'Hare tells cops, 'Kid you not, I had no idea there was that much there' (cwbchicago.com) — A 25-year-old man from Salem is facing federal cannabis trafficking charges after agents at Chicago's O'Hare Airport allegedly found about 32 pounds of marijuana in his suitcase for a London-bound flight. Court filings describe his claim that he was an international "courier" hired through social media, along with investigators' account of messages that appear to show prior drug-related trips abroad.
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Salem PatchAM possible:
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
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: Bison! (Thank you Judy M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Salem Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.