🌱 Patch AM: Salem parent ordered to appear in juvenile court later this month

Hello Salem! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Salem parent ordered to appear in juvenile court later this month
• What Salem-based prosecutors allege about a major disaster-relief fraud case
• What's next for Salem's Historic Grand Theatre after abrupt shutdown?

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

Today's riddle: Why did the chicken go to the gym? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

• Friday: Cloudy with a shower, with a high of 68 and low of 50 degrees.
• Saturday: Mostly cloudy with a t-shower, temps: high: 71, low: 53.
• Sunday: Some sun with a shower or two, with a high of 76 and low of 54 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Public notice: Matter of Elijah D'Ante Verses Dimick-Stewart (salemreporter.com) — A Marion County Juvenile Court summons orders a parent to personally appear at the Salem courthouse on September 28 regarding a petition to terminate parental rights for a named child. The notice explains how to request a court-appointed attorney, stresses that an attorney cannot appear in your place, and warns the court may act in your absence if you fail to attend.
   

2. Cascade Relief Team founder indicted for misusing $326K grant (kezi.com) — State justice officials in Salem have announced theft charges against the founder of the Cascade Relief Team, alleging he diverted hundreds of thousands in disaster-relief funds for personal use. The indictment, tied to a $326,000 Red Cross grant, follows a civil suit claiming nearly $837,000 meant for Oregon and Kentucky disaster survivors was misused, while the defendant remains presumed innocent.
   

3. Former Salem Grand Theatre managers owe $100K in rent, owners say (statesmanjournal.com) — Salem's Historic Grand Theatre is closed for now after its former managers allegedly left more than $100,000 in unpaid rent and several performers say they were not paid. The building's owners are seeking new booking management so the downtown venue can reopen for events, while at least two performers have already filed claims over missing payments and deposits.
   

4. Willamette University announces tuition-free schooling for eligible Oregon students (kgw.com) — Willamette University in Salem is launching an Oregon Access Scholarship that can fully cover tuition for in-state students from families earning $80,000 or less starting in fall 2027. Funded through university aid plus state and federal grants, the program has no set cap on recipients and can be renewed for up to eight semesters, including for eligible students at its Portland art campus.
   

5. 'We're Getting Checks Back': Inside the Farmer-Owned AgTech Fund (agweb.com) — A new farmer-owned agtech investment fund is helping growers nationwide shape and co-own the technologies they test, and one of its key regional partners is SEDCOR in Salem. Local farmers connected through SEDCOR are hosting on-farm trials, providing real-world feedback, and sharing in equity, which could bring both innovation and rural job growth to the Mid-Willamette Valley.
   

📸 Around Salem

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Salem

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★ 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

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
Friday September 11
• 77th Annual Salem Art Fair & Festival →
  Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Salem Art Association - Bush Barn Art Center 600 Mission Street Southeast Salem, OR 97302

📣 Salem Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

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
• No School - Labor Day
  Pratum Elem Salem, OR 97305
• 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

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• MISSING.
  Giant black spider approximately 20" tall and 4' across. Big black hairy. Wasn't in my driveway this morning. Must have wandered off. If you see… (Nextdoor NW Salem)
• I've seen this cat out here outside my house on Davis just making sure it's somebody's especially with Winter coming.
  Super friendly!! Just perches outside peacefully. (Nextdoor Crossler)

• MyJobsCorner posted a job opening for Companion Care Jobs: Hiring Immediately! Full Time / Part Time - $20-$37/Hr in Salem. Apply here.
• Maurices posted a job opening for Retail Assistant Manager - Full-Time 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: He was working on his pecks (pecs). (Thank you W F C. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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