he Keizertimes welcomed Carlos Cruz to its staff as a Spanish-language translator in September. Cruz graduated from McNary with the class of 2020 and is currently attending Corban University for Political Science. “Originally I was going for bio-med but I switched over to political science,” Cruz said. Though he was[Read More…]
Author: Lauren Murphy
Without COVID lifeline, new restaurants relying on local support, collaboration
Opening a restaurant is always a risky endeavor, but opening during a pandemic with the ever looming threat of a lockdown is a real roll of the dice. Nevertheless three new restaurants have chosen to make Keizer their new home– and now they’re in need of community support. Though there[Read More…]
Residents take softer tone after changes
City Meetings Tensions were running high going into the City Council work session on Monday, Nov. 9. More than one Keizer resident in attendance started off their testimony by saying they came in with a different prepared statement, which was revised by the progress made in the work session. Most[Read More…]
The gift that keeps giving: Keizer Chamber still slated for giving basket program
Lisa Walker (left) and Tinnie Chow help out at last year’s Keizer Chamber of Commerce gift basket event. Though many Keizer holiday traditions are changing form or being canceled all together due to COVID-19, there is one seasonal staple Keizerites can count on this year. The Keizer Chamber of Commerce[Read More…]
Keizer MD, dentist on shifting to telehealth
The team at SmileCare of Oregon on River Road North received adulation from OSHA inspectors as one of only two dentist offices in the state that had met all pandemic guidelines the first time out. Despite specializing in wellbeing, the healthcare industry was not immune from the effects of COVID-19.[Read More…]
Major bummer: Band leadership takes on new look during pandemic
Grace Melting and Jaeden Bell should be experiencing the capstone of their senior years as the drum majors for McNary Marching Band. Instead, they are left wondering if they’ll be able to play at all this year. Usually marching band is graded as a course during first semester, but halfway[Read More…]
Cherriots driver on the pandemic: ‘Anxiety that leads to preparedness then action and response’
Despite a major disruption to services early on and a host of new riding requirements, Cherriots buses have kept on rolling. After six years of driving for Cherriots, Vicki Morris recognized the gnawing feeling of anxiety that came with the news that COVID-19 had reached Salem-Keizer. Coming into contact with[Read More…]
Starting from scraps: Quilters rally to spread joy amid tragedy
Diane Bowden, owner of The Cotton Patch, helped organize care packages for quilters who lost their handiwork in the Santiam Canyon fires. Over the last month different communities have been stepping up to help those in a time of crisis; from RV stores to livestock owners strangers have been coming[Read More…]
Marching On: Band Day set Oct. 17
Many beginning of the school year traditions have changed form to adapt to COVID-19 regulations. One of these is McNary’s annual Band Day. Band Day, in its normal form, happens on the first Saturday of every school year. Band students go door-to-door all around town and ask for bottles and[Read More…]
Simonka Place dedicates playground to Rotary
Pictured (from left) are: Rotary Club president Jeff Davis, Club member Mark Caillier and Kathy Smith. Director of Women’s Ministries for the Union Gospel Mission Kathy Smith presents a plaque to members of the Rotary Club of Keizer thanking them for financial and other support that resulted in a playground[Read More…]