Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How much say will Salem residents get on the new data center?
Coming up: Sundial Tour of Homes on the Salem Patch calendar
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:
- How much say will Salem residents get on the new data center?
- Want a 2027 wildland firefighting job near Salem? Here's how.
- How Salem's governor says Oregon will pay for this record fire season
Also on today's calendar: Sundial Tour of Homes and 7 more events.
Today's riddle: What did the tree say when Spring arrived? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
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Find a T-Mobile store near Salem. 
- Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 78 and low of 51 degrees.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny and nice, temps: high: 74, low: 49.
- Sunday: Nice with partial sunshine, with a high of 77 and low of 51 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Salem 9-Member Data Center Task Force Forming (kxl.com) — Salem officials are forming a nine-member task force to study a proposed data center at Mill Creek while a temporary moratorium is in place. The group will hold at least three town halls before issuing recommendations to the City Council by year's end. Residents are already pushing for more time and stronger public engagement, citing environmental concerns seen in other Oregon counties. 
2. How to apply for wildland firefighting jobs near Salem and Eugene (statesmanjournal.com subscription) — Wildland firefighting jobs are open now for the 2027 fire season in national forests near Salem, Corvallis and Eugene, with applications accepted through Sept. 22. Positions range from senior firefighters to supervisory engine operators, with competitive federal pay and benefits. Any U.S. citizen 18 or older can apply online through Forest Service sites or USAJobs.
3. Kotek says federal assistance is still flowing amid record-breaking 2026 wildfire season (kgw.com) — From Salem, Gov. Tina Kotek says federal wildfire aid is again flowing as Oregon endures its most destructive fire season on record, with more than 2.5 million acres burned. She describes strained firefighting crews, challenges getting out-of-state help, and urges residents to avoid recreational fires and stay alert heading into Labor Day.
4. Oregon Data Center Moratorium Rally + Lobby Day (columbiariverkeeper.org) — Organizers are inviting residents to the Oregon State Capitol in Salem on September 8 for a rally and lobby day urging legislators to pass a three-year moratorium on new data centers. The all-day event includes meetings with lawmakers, a noon rally on the Capitol steps, and hearings focused on energy and environmental impacts of large data facilities.
📸 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
- 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 - Leadership Salem - Orientation (09-03-2026)
Salem Area Chamber of Commerce 1110 Commercial St NE, Salem, OR 97301
4:30 pm - Back to School Night
Leslie Middle Salem, OR 97302
5:30 pm - GROW 2026 Estate Planning for Women
Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Broadway Commons 1300 Broadway St NE Salem, OR 97301
6:00 pm - Greeters Hosted by Prudential Financial, Zachary Keller
Salem Area Chamber of Commerce 1110 Commercial St NE, Salem, OR 97301
8:30 am - Florence Mineral and Gem Show →
Florence Events Center, 715 Quince St, Florence
10:00 am - Chelsea Wolfe →
Elsinore Theatre, 170 High St SE, Salem
7:00 pm
Sunday August 30
Wednesday September 2
Thursday September 3
Friday September 4
Saturday September 5
Saturday September 19
📣 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
- 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 - CHAMPIONSHIP GAME 2 →
Volcanoes Stadium, 6700 Field Of Dreams Way Northeast Suite 101, Keizer
6:00 pm - SFSD First Day of School
Pratum Elem Salem, OR 97305
Friday August 28
Saturday August 29
Monday August 31
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
- My baby Lilly is missing!
Shes almost a year old. Long hair chihuahua. Shes the sweetest loving puppy ever! I woke up and she wasn't in her bed and I dont know how she got out… (Nextdoor Crossler) - Does anyone know where this sweet baby lives?
I came home from work and she was in our backyard. Thank you! (Nextdoor 62nd Ave SE)
- Jamba, Inc. posted a job opening for Team Member in Salem. Apply here.
- Mathnasium posted a job opening for Math Instructor / Tutor 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: What a re-leaf! (Thank you Flo G. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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