Choose how often you hear from us. Upgrade |
Hi Salem, hope you’re having a great weekend! In today's in-case-you-missed-it edition: University merger, $5 billion data center, and Great Oregon Steam Up + the top stories from this week & a sneak peek at next week.
Some family trips fade. This one didn't. Twenty years later, I still remember standing under that giant tipping water bucket, waiting to get soaked. That was Great Wolf Lodge, and my family spent the whole weekend like that, drenched and laughing, climbing back up for one more slide. The water park is entirely indoors, kept at 84 degrees year-round, and included with every stay, so the forecast doesn't matter. You can book a discounted family getaway right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing Most popular stories this weekThe three top stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
A new academic era: Willamette University and Pacific University boards approved a merger, creating Oregon’s largest private university. The university would serve over 6,000 students in Salem, Forest Grove, Hillsboro and Portland, pending approvals -- read the full story.
Big campus, bigger questions: Verrus revealed details on Oakline at Mill Creek, a Salem data center that could bring over $5 billion. First phase would draw dozens of megawatts, and residents seek answers -- read the full story.
System-wide prison overhaul: An audit found Salem’s Oregon State Penitentiary dangerously outdated, citing $861 million in deferred maintenance across prisons, and officials agreed as the 1866 facility is projected to become functionally obsolete -- read the full audit.
Watch your credit card balance drop. Here's a rare one: this card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, and you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. On top of that, every purchase earns at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories as high as 5%. Spend a little early on and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting too -- take a look.*
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest -- this one's 50% off right now.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.* All the crowd favorites: |
02 — From our sponsor Some family trips fade. This one never did.Twenty years later, I can still put myself in that water park: standing under the giant tipping bucket with a crowd of other kids, waiting to get soaked, then climbing the stairs with my family for one more run down the slide. We spent the entire weekend like that, drenched and happy. Most childhood vacations blur together. That one stuck. What I understand now, as the adult who'd be planning it, is why it worked so well. Great Wolf Lodge is an indoor water park resort, kept at 84 degrees every day of the year, and the water park comes with every overnight stay. No separate tickets, no watching the forecast all week, no rained-out weekend. The big slides keep the older kids busy, the shallow splash areas keep the little ones happy, and nobody has to sit out. Everything else is under the same roof too: an arcade, interactive adventures, daily kid programming, and places to eat. You park the car on Friday and don't think about it again until Sunday. The suites are built for families, with themed rooms and enough space that everyone actually sleeps. Clean, safe, and simple, which on a trip with kids counts for as much as the slides. Your kids will remember the bucket. You'll remember how easy it was. *Plan a getaway they'll never forget → |
03 — On our radar
This week's top findsLocal spotlights your fellow readers loved last week.
Brunch worth waking up for: Craving from-scratch comfort that actually tastes like someone loves you? Word Of Mouth Neighborhood Bistro turns a cozy heritage house into a carb-happy refuge, with crème brûlée French toast, cinnamon roll pancakes, and biscuits with gravy that mean business. Go hungry, leave smitten, tell your neighbors you found it.
Downtown dinner glow-up: Encore Restaurant nails that special-occasion feel without the fuss, blending Italian heart and Latin flair into dishes that steal the spotlight. Grab a friend, lean into the speakeasy vibes, and make an evening of it right here in downtown Salem.
Serious slice energy: Craving real-deal, foldable New York-style? Penny's Pizza is turning out 18-inch pies with legit toppings like Parmigiano Reggiano and housemade ranch on the side, plus a build-your-own that lets you go feral in the best way. Perfect for a couch night or a park picnic this week.
|
04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade →
Shop for new floors without ever needing to leave the house: No showroom, no second-guessing. All from the comfort of your own home. Empire Today® has flooring experts that will bring you samples and provide you with a free in-home estimate. Trusted and backed by over 3 million satisfied customers and over 65 years of quality service. *Check out their current offers today →
The fitness trend that doesn't require leaving your living room: Chair yoga is having a moment, and for good reason. It's low-impact, easy on the knees and back, and you do the whole thing seated. No floor, no equipment, no studio. A quick quiz turns it into a personalized plan built around your body and goals, then adjusts as you build the habit. *See your plan →
A blown engine can cost more than your car is worth: And it almost never warns you. One day it runs fine, the next you're staring at a $7,000 repair on a car you still rely on every morning. That's the kind of bill an extended warranty exists to absorb, the engine, transmission, and electrical failures that wreck a budget overnight. You bring it to any certified mechanic, pay a deductible, and the rest is handled. Enjoy a free year of Elite Benefits and a 30-day money-back guarantee on top. *See everything it covers →
A window quote that takes an hour and costs you nothing: No showroom, no sales runaround, no obligation to buy anything. A design consultant comes to you, measures your windows, walks you through the options, and leaves you with an exact price and timeline, that's the whole visit. Keep the quote as long as you like and decide whenever you're ready, or don't. Booking takes about a minute. *Book your free visit → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
|
05 — The event calendar Sneak peek at next weekPlan ahead for the next seven days. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🔬 Englewood Summer Parks Program - Science Week @ Englewood City Park | Monday (7/27) at 12:00 PM – Give the kids a real-life science fix at Englewood’s Science Week, a four-hours-a-day, screen-free camp with games, crafts, and curiosity actually encouraged. It’s $47 per week, with 50% fee waivers for qualified Salem residents, so learning doesn’t dent the grocery budget.
🥕 Thursday Mini Farmers Market @ Edgewater Street | Thursday (7/30) at 10:30 AM – Nothing beats a Thursday mini market on the grass along Edgewater, between Annette's and Momiji. Grab farm-fresh produce, a bakery fix, hot food, and crafty finds, then call it errands. It’s the civilized lunch break, and your fridge, and mood, will thank you.
🏥 Health Fair: Salem @ Lancaster Family Health Center at Lancaster | Thursday (7/30) at 2:00 PM – Salem’s Lancaster Family Health is hosting a free, family friendly health fair with screenings, preventive services, nutrition tips, and community resources. Think blood pressure without the lecture, sensible nutrition pointers, and finally decoding those lab numbers, all while catching up with neighbors, no co-pay required.
🎶 Concert in the Park @ Gerry Frank Salem Rotary Amphitheater | Friday (7/31) at 6:30 AM – Free concert at Riverfront Park’s Gerry Frank Salem Rotary Amphitheater, courtesy of Parks and Rec. Family, friends, and that low-back chair or blanket you only remember in July, while the music, food, and river breeze do the heavy lifting. Peak Salem vibes, zero hassle.
🚂 Great Oregon Steam Up @ Powerland Heritage Park | Friday (7/31) – Clear some trunk space and wander the Great Oregon Steam Up’s flea market and collectibles-only swap meet, no corporate booths, just the good stuff. It’s pure treasure hunting and friendly bargaining, two summer weekends of nostalgia, stories, and oddly satisfying finds.
🐦 City of Salem Urban Birding @ River Road Community Park | Saturday (8/1) at 8:00 AM – Whether you can ID a chickadee by ear or just want a little cardio with feathers, our City Park Ranger leads free urban bird walks monthly. New park every time, co-sponsored by Just Walk Salem and Salem Audubon Society, free to join, registration required.
🍑 Lammas Peach Pick/Water Bath Canning Make and Take @ Meyer Peach Orchard | Saturday (8/1) at 10:00 AM – Celebrate Lammas by picking peaches at Meyer's Peach Orchard, then learn water-bath canning with the Salem CUUPs crew. We’ll regroup at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Salem to jar the haul, trade tips, and stock your pantry like grandma intended, minus the judgment.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — Salem report Weather forecastToday — High: 82°F — Low: 55°F — Precip: 1%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Southwest wind 1 to 9 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. West southwest wind 1 to 9 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 84°F — Low: 56°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 84. Southwest wind 1 to 8 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 56. Most popular house this weekThis Better-than-new Timbercraft custom brings a polished Modern Northwest look to a premium Laurel Crossing lot, with views front and center. The main level pairs a luxe primary suite with a private guest suite, while the vaulted great room, exposed beams, and open kitchen set the stage. A glass wine cellar, built-in bar, and waterfall backyard seal the deal.
Take a peek inside → |
| |
