🌱 Patch AM: Why Salem’s Grand Theatre tenants were evicted and bands left unpaid

Good morning Salem! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Why Salem's Grand Theatre tenants were evicted and bands left unpaid
• What the POWER Act means for Salem's power bills and data centers
• How Salem families can qualify for Willamette's new full-tuition scholarship

Also on today's calendar: Florence Mineral and Gem Show and 6 more events.

Today's riddle: What has 2 arms and a neck but no head? 🤔 (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.

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Cool with rain and drizzle, with a high of 62 and low of 52 degrees.
• Friday: Cloudy with a shower, temps: high: 68, low: 51.
• Saturday: Mostly cloudy with a t-shower, with a high of 71 and low of 53 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Bands say they're owed thousands after promoters fail to pay for shows at Salem's Grand Theatre (kgw.com) — Performers say they're still owed thousands of dollars after shows at Salem's Grand Theatre, where promoters To The Ceiling Entertainment were recently evicted over more than $100,000 in unpaid rent. Local bands and Portland Wrestling describe bounced checks, stalled payment plans, and small-claims filings, while the building's owner now must find a new tenant to keep the downtown venue active for Salem audiences.
   

2. Oregon's POWER Act Delivers Lower Rates for Oregon Families and Businesses, Higher Costs for Data Centers (oregon.gov) — State leaders based in Salem say Oregon's POWER Act is already lowering electricity rates for many households and businesses while significantly raising costs for large data centers. The governor also canceled a proposed data center land sale in southeast Salem and supports moratoriums while new safeguards and clean energy requirements are developed.
   

3. Willamette University offering free tuition for Oregon families making $80K or less (centraloregondaily.com) — Willamette University in Salem is launching a new Oregon Access Scholarship that will cover full tuition for eligible Oregon students from families earning $80,000 or less, starting in fall 2027. The program applies to Willamette's undergraduate college in Salem and PNCA's BFA program in Portland, after federal and state grants, and is renewable for up to eight semesters.
   

4. Mid-Valley hospital network finalizes $61M acquisition (statesmanjournal.com) — Salem-area patients will see Santiam Hospital stay open after Salem Health finalized a $61 million merger that folds the Stayton facility into its regional network. The combined nonprofit system will run 710 beds, assume Santiam's debt, invest $35 million in upgrades, and keep both current CEOs in place while adding Santiam leaders to Salem Health's governance.
   

5. Police Fleet Innovation, EV Strategy and AI (government-fleet.com) — Salem's city fleet just earned the top spot in a national Leading Fleets ranking, highlighted in a roundup on police vehicle readiness, EV-as-a-service, and AI tools for drivers. The piece briefly showcases how Salem's culture change around fleet management helped it stand out alongside Tallahassee and Glendale in improving public-safety vehicles and technology planning.
   

📸 Around Salem

Subscribe

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Salem

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Saturday September 5
• Florence Mineral and Gem Show →
  Florence Events Center, 715 Quince St, Florence
  10:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Friday September 4
• Greeters Hosted by Prudential Financial, Zachary Keller
  Salem Area Chamber of Commerce 1110 Commercial St NE, Salem, OR 97301
  8:30 am
Monday September 7
• Weird Al Yankovic at LB Day Amphitheatre
  Salem Area Chamber of Commerce LB Day Amphitheatre, 2330 17th Street NE, Salem, Oregon 97301
  7:00 pm
Tuesday September 8
• Member Kickstarter Luncheon, 9-8-2026
  Salem Area Chamber of Commerce 1110 Commercial St NE Salem, OR 97301
  11:30 am
• OPTIONAL Cross Country Camp
  Leslie Middle Salem, OR 97302
  4:00 pm
Wednesday September 9
• Green Chair Chronicles Social 9/9/2026 Title Sponsor 10DTech
  Salem Area Chamber of Commerce 1110 Commercial St NE Salem, OR 97301
  9:00 am
• OPTIONAL Cross Country Camp
  Leslie Middle Salem, OR 97302
  4:00 pm
Thursday September 10
• Western Oregon University: Art & Wine Event
  Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Illahe Hills Country Club (3376 Country Club Rd S, Salem, OR
  5:30 pm
• Opening Night Party for the 77th Annual Salem Art Fair & Festival
  Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Bush's Pasture Park Corner of Miller and High Street
  6:00 pm

📣 Salem Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday September 3
• Leadership Salem - Orientation (09-03-2026)
  Salem Area Chamber of Commerce 1110 Commercial St NE, Salem, OR 97301
  4:30 pm
• GROW 2026 Estate Planning for Women
  Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Broadway Commons 1300 Broadway St NE Salem, OR 97301
  6:00 pm
• All Time Low →
  Oregon State Fair & Exposition Center, 2330 17th St NE, Salem
  7:30 pm
Friday September 4
• No School - Holiday
  Pratum Elem Salem, OR 97305

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:

• Sundial 55+ Active Lifestyle Community — (503) 363-6234

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Week 31 — A Year in Flowers
  This week's bouquet made me stop and think about where I'd place it. Most arrangements have a clear front. This one has two completely different… (Nextdoor Brooks)
• School will soon be starting.
  Please start thinking about all the excited children walking and riding their bikes who have no idea of the dangers out there. Please check your… (Nextdoor Hayesville)

• Maurices posted a job opening for Retail Assistant Manager - Full-Time in Salem. Apply here.
• MyJobsCorner posted a job opening for Food Beverage Manager Jobs: Hiring Immediately! Full Time / Part Time - $12-$22/Hr in Salem. 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: A shirt (Thank you Dianna H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

• Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
• Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
• List items for sale or services offered

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook