Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Do you recognize the man in Salem’s disturbing dog abuse video?
Coming up: 2026 Open Studios on the Salem Patch calendar
Hi Salem! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Do you recognize the man in Salem's disturbing dog abuse video?
- What recent Salem sewage spills reveal about our river's vulnerability
- How could Keizer's hotel tax decision reshape tourism with Salem?
Also on today's calendar: 2026 Open Studios and 7 more events.
Today's riddle: What do evil hens lay? 🤔 (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. 
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 85 and low of 56 degrees.
- Thursday: Partly sunny and very warm, temps: high: 89, low: 59. 🌶 Hot!
- Friday: Sun and some clouds, with a high of 85 and low of 56 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Petition: Police Have the Video. They Still Don't Have His Name. (onegreenplanet.org) — Salem police are still trying to identify a man filmed hitting a small dog near Wooddale Avenue NE and 32nd Avenue NE on July 25, and the case remains open. Residents are being urged to sign a petition and call Salem's non-emergency line with tips, while advocates stress reporting suspected animal abuse immediately rather than waiting. 
2. Meet a wastewater operator keeping the Willamette River clean from sewage (lookouteugene-springfield.com) — Sewage spills into the Willamette River in Salem as recently as December 2025 underscore why careful wastewater work upstream matters for local water quality. A Eugene operator, who previously worked for the city of Salem and Marion County, walks through how his team treats millions of gallons of sewage daily to keep pollution out of the river that serves communities downstream.
3. City of Keizer weighs tourist fee, hotel tax ideas to fund sports field improvements (keizertimes.com) — Keizer officials are debating whether to raise hotel taxes or join Salem's existing tourism promotion area to fund upgrades at Keizer Little League Park, including turf and lights. Local hoteliers and Travel Salem worry a higher tax could limit their ability to participate in the Salem Tourism Promotion Area, where hotel-run committees direct marketing funds across Marion and Polk counties.
4. Oregon housing starts rise 11.3% in first half of 2026, outpacing national trend (ktvz.com) — State officials in Salem report Oregon housing starts rose 11.3% in early 2026, even as national construction dipped. Governor Tina Kotek credits regulatory changes, new lending programs, and grants for thousands of future homes, moves that could eventually influence Salem's housing supply and affordability as projects advance across multiple cities.
5. OR AG Lays Out Where Money Is Saved By Federal Lawsuits (kxl.com) — From his office in Salem Attorney General Dan Rayfield says federal lawsuits handled by the state Department of Justice have safeguarded nearly $7 billion headed to Oregon. He explains that these cases, many targeting Trump administration policies, protect funding for food assistance, disaster recovery, public health grants and other vital programs that residents across the state rely on.
📸 Around Salem
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!
- Hawaiian Luau
Salem Area Chamber of Commerce 4138 Market St NE Salem, OR 97301
12:00 pm - Greeters Hosted by The REC
Salem Area Chamber of Commerce 3500 River Rd N Keizer, OR 97303
8:30 am - Free Pour Latte Art Competition and Fundraiser
Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Broadway Coffeehouse 1300 Broadway St. NE Suite #100 Salem, OR 97301
6:00 pm - 2026 Open Studios →
Willamette Heritage Center, 1313 Mill St SE, Salem
5:00 pm - GH4GU: Night at the Museum (Y2K Edition)
Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Gilbert House Children's Museum 116 Marion St NE Salem, OR 97301
7:00 pm - Wonder Walk Impressions →
Salem Area Chamber of Commerce The Oregon Garden
11:00 am - Salem Emerging Leaders - Coffee Social - 08.27.2026 →
Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Location & Address to be announced.
8:30 am - Catalyst Member Dinner - Exclusive Invite →
Salem Area Chamber of Commerce RH Estate Wines 2995 Michigan City Lane NW Salem, OR 97304
6:00 pm - Greeters Hosted by Center 50+
Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Center 50+ 2615 Portland Rd NE, Salem, OR 97301
8:30 am - Sundial Tour of Homes →
2310 Lancaster Dr SE, Salem
12:00 pm
Thursday August 20
Friday August 21
Saturday August 22
Sunday August 23
Thursday August 27
Friday August 28
Saturday August 29
📣 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
- Salem Emerging Leaders - After Hours - Summer Family BBQ →
Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Acres of Hope - 6665 Rickreall Road, Independence, OR 97351
4:30 pm - National Association of Women in Construction - Salem Chapter #198 - General Meeting
Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Broadway Commons - Mexico Room, 3rd Floor 1300 Broadway St. NE, Salem OR
5:30 pm - 8/19 Campesinos vs Mavericks →
Volcanoes Stadium, 6700 Field Of Dreams Way Northeast Suite 101, Keizer
6:00 pm - Hawaiian Luau
Salem Area Chamber of Commerce 4138 Market St NE Salem, OR 97301
12:00 pm
Wednesday August 19
Thursday August 20
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! 💚
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- **EDIT: OWNER HAS BEEN FOUND**
I found a small elderly female dog in my backyard about an hour ago, tan and wirey haired. If this matches your missing dog call me 971-239-6318. (Nextdoor Houck) - Anyone missing a perfect cat?
So friendly and comfortable around people so I'm thinking she has an owner. All black, very vocal, and absolutely adorable. Near Ewald and liberty. (Nextdoor Laurel Springs)
- Lucky Strike Entertainment posted a job opening for Janitor in Salem. Apply here.
- O'Reilly Auto Parts posted a job opening for Merchandiser/Stocker - Hub 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: Deviled eggs (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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