Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How could Detroit Lake changes threaten Salem’s drinking water this fall?
Also check out Sundial Tour of Homes on the Salem Patch calendar
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:
- How could Detroit Lake changes threaten Salem's drinking water this fall?
- Which Salem-Keizer soccer stars could dominate local fields this fall?
- Why Salem-based officials say one drone can halt wildfire air attacks
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
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Find a T-Mobile store near Salem. 
- Sunday: Partly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 79 and low of 55 degrees.
- Monday: Partly sunny, temps: high: 91, low: 58. 🌶 Hot!
- Tuesday: Sunny and very warm, with a high of 87 and low of 53 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
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.
📸 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!
★ Featured events ★
- Sundial Tour of Homes →
2310 Lancaster Dr SE, Salem
12:00 pm
Saturday August 29
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- MWVCAA Meet the Employer Event
Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Goodwill Job Connection 3535 Lancaster Dr. NE Salem, OR 97305
10:00 am - Salem Emerging Leaders - Coffee Social - 08.27.2026 →
Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Location & Address to be announced.
8:30 am - MWVCAA Meet the Employer Event
Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Goodwill Job Connection 3535 Lancaster DR. NE Salem, OR 97305
1:00 pm - 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 - House Concert benefiting Salem Parks Foundation, hosted by Mark Wigg →
Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Sunday, August 30, 7-8:30 p.m. 1950 Saginaw St. S, Salem, Oregon
7:00 pm - Grace Goudy Distinguished Artists Series presents: The Elsewhere Ensemble3
Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Hudson Hall, Willamette University 900 State Street Salem, OR 97301
7:30 pm - Business Advocacy Monthly Meeting
Salem Area Chamber of Commerce 1110 Commercial St NE, Salem, OR 97301
7:00 am - Florence Mineral and Gem Show →
Florence Events Center, 715 Quince St, Florence
10:00 am
Tuesday August 25
Thursday August 27
Friday August 28
Sunday August 30
Wednesday September 2
Thursday September 3
Saturday September 5
📣 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
- Wonder Walk Impressions →
Salem Area Chamber of Commerce The Oregon Garden
11:00 am - MWVCAA Meet the Employer Event
Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Goodwill Job Connection 3535 Lancaster Dr. NE Salem, OR 97305
10:00 am - Greeters Hosted by Center 50+
Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Center 50+ 2615 Portland Rd NE, Salem, OR 97301
8:30 am - CHAMPIONSHIP GAME 1 →
Volcanoes Stadium, 6700 Field Of Dreams Way Northeast Suite 101, Keizer
6:00 pm
Sunday August 23
Tuesday August 25
Friday August 28
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
- This was crafted by a dear friend of mine:
THE COOL CRONES CLUB MANIFESTO We, the silver-haired, the soft-bellied, the sharp-eyed, the utterly unimpressed, do hereby declare the following… (Nextdoor Woodmansee Park) - I write about grief because of losing my husband and then my son, two years later.
It doesn't follow a straight line. And it's not a "process." A process usually has a beginning and an end. Grief takes up space in their empty chair… (Nextdoor Campbell Drive)
- Lucky Strike Entertainment Corporation posted a job opening for Janitor in Salem. Apply here.
- Salem Health Hospitals & Clinics posted a job opening for Medical Office Assistant - Surgery Clinic - Limited Duration 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: Bison! (Thank you Judy M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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