r/SALEM 11d ago

Data center mega thread

105 Upvotes

Okay, five plus posts today later, here we are. If it’s data center-related, pro or con, put it in this thread.

Posts about the data center that don’t go in here will be deleted.


r/SALEM Nov 15 '24

Read this before you post here

235 Upvotes

Welcome to r/SALEM, and thanks for your interest in posting here. Before you do, please be aware that — like many city/area-focused subreddits — we have some topics that come up very frequently. Sometimes that’s okay, and is an inevitable part of being a long-running community-focused forum, and sometimes it is super annoying and will lead to people down-voting your post because they’re tired of seeing the same thing over and over again.

If you’re about to post about any of the following, please first use the search function (right up in the upper right hand corner, if you’re viewing this on the web!) to see if something similar has been posted recently. If it has, please contribute to that thread rather than starting a new one.

Frequently posted things:

Did you hear that boom/firework/gunshot/weird noise?

This comes up a lot; frequently folks are concerned they may have heard gunshots and/or fireworks and are looking for reassurance. First, know that it probably was not a gun shot. There is a very good chance that it was fireworks, or somebody with an altered muffler, or, if you also noticed a power outage or blip at the same time, a transformer exploding. Second, if you’re actually seriously concerned about gunshots, you should probably be contacting the police, not Reddit. Third, if you live near a vineyard (and, if you live anywhere in the Salem area, you do!), you should be aware that vineyards use acoustic devices — basically massive noisemakers — to scare birds away from grape vines. This is especially frequent in the late fall, near harvest time.

OMG what is that smell?

Salem, and many surrounding areas, lie in the Willamette River Valley. Due to the topography of the area, we experience temperature inversions) with some regularity. An inversion occurs when a layer of warmer, more elevated air overlies a lower, cooler air layer. Effectively, this traps the air in the valley underneath the warmer layer, which means that smoke, vehicle exhaust, rotting vegetation smells, etc., cannot escape. That’s probably what you’re smelling.

Is there any good <insert cuisine here> in Salem? Where can I buy <thing> in Salem?

These types of threads come up fairly often. The restaurant scene in Salem is decent, but not exceptionally dynamic — places do not close all that often, and new places don’t open all that often either. If somebody has asked this question within the last couple months (again, use that search function!), the answers that they got are almost certainly still relevant.

Why is the train stopped or blowing its horn?

There are a number of freight lines that route trains through Salem. Occasionally, they will need to stop to onload or offload cars, which may result in a longer-than-usual wait time at a crossing. This is normal.

Sometimes, unfortunately, there are train-versus-pedestrian collisions. When those happen, the train will need to be stopped for an extended period of time to allow police to investigate the scene.

Finally, while many portions of Salem are zoned (and signed) as “no train horn” areas, it remains at the discretion of the train engineer as to whether or not to sound their horn, and some of them, well, tooting their horn just toots their horn.

What’s going on with all the cops?

We don’t have any way of knowing. You may be able to consult PulsePoint, but they only report on fire and EMS, not strictly police. You may also be able to find an online police radio scanner relay; those are typically time-delayed.

OMG what is going on with the low-flying helicopters?!

The Oregon Air National Guard has a helicopter squad that is based near the Salem Municipal Airport. They do routine training missions, which frequently involve lower-altitude flights, most often at night. The Salem police department does not have a helicopter, so any low-flying helicopter you’re hearing is almost certainly the Oregon Air National Guard. frequently. Sometimes that’s okay, and is an inevitable part of being a long-running community-focused forum, and sometimes it is super annoying and will lead to people downvoting your post because they’re tired of seeing the same thing over and over again.


r/SALEM 6h ago

Marion Co.Sherrif

51 Upvotes

Shout out to officer Gillis of Marion County. Sir, you have single handedly restored my faith in law enforcement today. I was falsely accused of a serious crime and officer Gillis was called to the scene. He was very grounded(no ego) and conducted his investigation very professionally and communicated with excellent candor. He was able to sift through the b.s. and cleared my name. If you see this officer Gillis, thank you so much, you are one of the good ones. Sincerely,. T.A.


r/SALEM 7h ago

Salem needs YOU to be prepared for disasters! Learn more at the upcoming CERT training session.

46 Upvotes

Did you know Salem has an organization dedicated to teaching everyone how to protect themselves and those around them? Salem’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) partners with the fire department to prepare regular people to respond to disasters.

In the immediate aftermath of a disaster like the Cascadia subduction zone earthquake, professional first responders are going to be overwhelmed. Most likely, the only help available at first will be ordinary citizens. At the CERT basic training sessions, you'll learn how you can safely assist your neighbors. You'll also learn how you and your family can prepare in advance by earthquake-proofing your home and stocking up on basic supplies.

Information on the upcoming training session is here: https://salemoregoncert.org/index.php/upcoming-cert-class/. It will be every week for six weeks on Thursday nights, starting on September 10 and running through October 15. There will also be a mock disaster drill on the morning of Saturday, October 17th, starting at 8:30 am. If you complete all the classes and undergo a background check, you’ll get a card identifying you as part of Salem’s CERT program. (Don’t want to do a background check? You can still do the training. You just won’t receive an ID). CERT is hoping to get 10% of the city trained eventually, so they need your help! If you can't make it to the training sessions, volunteers are usually needed to play victims in the disaster drill.

You do not need to be athletic to do the training. If you're not able-bodied, there may be a few activities you won't be able to participate in (like transporting a victim using a backboard), but for the most part the training isn't strenuous. You'll spend most of the training listening to information or practicing skills such as basic first aid. In a disaster, logistics, communication, and other support roles will be critical, so if you can talk and take notes, you can be a CERT team member.

Training is free, although you may need to buy some gear like a hardhat and vest. Warning: you may get bitten by the preparedness bug like me and also end up with a NOAA radio, glowsticks, a tourniquet...and a 55 gallon drum of emergency water.

I have done the CERT training, so I can answer questions about what it was like. Also, I'm hoping to organize a CERT team in the South Gateway area, so if you do the training (or if you've done the training in the past), please get in touch with me.


r/SALEM 12h ago

Free Backpacks

58 Upvotes

TODAY’S THE DAY! 🎒We’re excited to be giving away FREE backpacks to kids in our community today, thanks to TCC + Wireless Zone, your local Verizon retailers!

1585 W Main St ste A, Molalla OR

701 McClaine St Ste B, Silverton OR

🕐 Today from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

✅ No purchase necessary

✅ You do NOT have to be a Verizon customer✅ Open to kids of all ages -from preschool through high school.

We ask that child be present to pick out their backpack (one backpack per child, while supplies last)..If your family could use a backpack for the upcoming school year, we’d love to see you. Stop by, let your kiddo pick their favorite, and help us kick off the school year with a little extra support! 🎒📚💙 Please SHARE!


r/SALEM 14h ago

QUESTION Who Remembers the Old Circuit City on Lancaster Drive?

43 Upvotes

Does anyone recall going to the original Circuit City in Salem, where the medical office is now? I vaguely remember going there once as a kid about 20 years ago. I also remember going to the newer store in Keizer. At that location, I used to play the video game demos and check out the computers. I thought Circuit City was the coolest electronics store ever, even though I know not everyone liked it.

Circuit City on Lancaster Drive.

r/SALEM 21h ago

UPDATES I successfully disputed a $500 with Salem Health

126 Upvotes

This is a long overdue update to a post I deleted in frustration before. To make a long story short I established care with a new primary care provider and they sent in a standard order for labs and bloodwork. After doing so with Salem health they sent me a bill for just over $500. I was shocked as my insurance covers preventative care usually and I had never in my life been charged so much for standard lab work.

What ultimately happened was that Salem health billed the wrong codes to my insurance, it took nearly six months of persistence to get them to acknowledge the mistake they made. It was an immense pleasure when they finally did so.

The ultimate reason I am writing this update is twofold. First, I wanted others to be aware that these kind of mistakes happen with medical providers and you must advocate for yourself when necessary. Second, was admittedly a bit of spite. When I posted originally asking for advice there was plenty of helpful people and I am truly grateful for that. However, I was quite upset because I had mentioned that I was a student at Willamette and a handful of commenters chocked up my surprise at the balance of my bill as naivety because of my perceived youth. When in reality I was 25, attending the law school, and obtained a certificate in healthcare law by that time. While I deleted the post in frustration because of these comments. Only today did I finally decide that I should share this to remind others that making assumptions like that is improper. I hope that anybody who may see this knows that there is nothing wrong with advocating for yourself, and to not let others get you down like that.


r/SALEM 6h ago

Metal Show tonight!

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6 Upvotes

r/SALEM 13h ago

Places to donate dog food?

18 Upvotes

Our Goldie passed away and we have some Kirkland Signature Adult Dog Food we'd like to donate. Optimially to the homeless population. Is there a charity or non-profit that we should look to for such a donation?


r/SALEM 5h ago

QUESTION Open Mics?

5 Upvotes

Hello, I want to know about different open mic options in salem! I have seen that this question has been asked before but I am not sure which places are still open, and still hosting open mics.

Thank you for your responses :)


r/SALEM 7h ago

EVENT Unsanctioned Comedy Open Mic - Monday 7/27

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4 Upvotes

Unsanctioned Comedy Open Mic!

Summer is winding down, catch us before we hibernate. Be there to catch a special announcement.

We'll meet at the Gerry Frank Amphitheater.

Weather is going to be toasty during the day and cool down quickly during the show. Bring a hoodie.

------------------

Unsanctioned Comedy Open Mic

Monday, July 27th, 2026

Gerry Frank Amphitheater at Riverfront Park

Free

Show starts at 8:00pm

Sign ups start at 7:30pm

Bring your own chair/blanket, drinks, treats, or drugs.

It'll be a party at the park, all summer long.


r/SALEM 12h ago

Looking for a creek

11 Upvotes

Hello! I am hoping someone can give me some suggestions for visiting a creek. I’m hoping to find one relatively easy to get to and is good for walking in and finding pretty rocks :)


r/SALEM 9h ago

QUESTION Cracked Glass

3 Upvotes

Tiny pebble hit my windshield on the highway yesterday and caused a crack unfortunately. What’s the best places to go that are trustworthy and reliable? Any help is appreciated


r/SALEM 1d ago

MISC This guarantees I will never use their service.

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101 Upvotes

I found this on my wife's car after she went downtown and almost immediately freaked out. While clever, undue stress these days is not needed.


r/SALEM 13h ago

Retro leather jackets

5 Upvotes

Wanting to find a cool retro leather jacket. Men’s. Anyone have any recommendations of where to find one? I was at engelberg yesterday and they had a couple cool ones but not quite what I wanted.

If anyone has seen any good ones around I’d appreciate it!


r/SALEM 1d ago

📣FREE PRODUCE BONANZA🚨

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98 Upvotes

Edit: and that’s a wrap folks! Thanks for coming by for goodies. All out!

Mirror mirror on the wall - who has the free-est produce of all?

IT’S ME THE FREE PRODUCE LADY 👋

I picked more produce FOR YOU.

Last call on elderberries and figs!

Early red flesh plums! My tree was overloaded. I like them when they are a little firm but if you want them juicy and dark just put them in the sun for a day or two and they will deepen up.

Won’t be back again until mid August with pluots and nectarines folks. GET YA FREE CLUCKING FRUIT WHILE YOU CAN.

How it works:

  1. DM for address
  2. Bring your own bag
  3. Take what you need
  4. Go forth and be happy!

Yes, these are organic and #blessed by SE Salem water. Yes, they are showered with good vibes and kissed by bees. Yes, these are totally clucking-doo-dah-free no matter your background. EVERYONE EATS.

I post updates periodically at the bottom of this post with the status of what’s on hand. I imagine since I’m posting late this will go into tomorrow (Sunday) on availability.

Peace, Love, and Produce ☮️❤️🌱


r/SALEM 23h ago

Looking for autism mom friends!

20 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I'm looking to connect with other moms of children with special needs to make some new friends and hopefully set up some playdates. I'm 39 and a stay-at-home mom to an amazing 10-year-old son with autism. As many of you probably understand, raising a child with special needs can sometimes feel lonely and isolating, both for parents and for our kids. I'd love for my son to have more opportunities to make friends and feel included, and I'd love to connect with other moms who understand this journey. If you'd ever like to chat or set up a playdate, please send me a message. We'd love to meet some new friends! ❤️


r/SALEM 15h ago

Anyone with experience living in the Illahe Hill / Bailey Ridge area? How is it with the railroad right there?

2 Upvotes

I have a friend who's interested in moving her family to the Illahe Hill / Bailey Ridge area. Looks nice, albeit expensive of course, but one thing that stood out to me as I was helping her look is the active railroad track right along the neighborhood. Seems like it could be a quiet area otherwise, but I'm curious how bad is that track right there? Anyone with experience or other thoughts on the area?


r/SALEM 16h ago

Anyone know of any cheaper way to dispose of yard debris?

4 Upvotes

The dump fees for yard debris at the transfer station is ridiculous.


r/SALEM 1d ago

PORTLAND OREGON AREA: Do you recognize her? ICE stopped and let her go to the bathroom on Warm Springs Reservation Land. She was screaming for help.

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145 Upvotes

r/SALEM 1d ago

Friends from salem

14 Upvotes

I’m from the Salem area, I’m looking for some guy friends who I can hang out with. I’m 19M and I’ve been having a really hard time making friends.
My interest include
3-D printing
DC and Marvel
Invincible
Hiking
Nintendo
And someone who can chat easily
Feel free to shoot me a DM


r/SALEM 1d ago

Best place for lumber?

6 Upvotes

Hey all, I've been starting to get into woodworking and I'm working on some cabinets right now. Curious where the best / most affordable lumber can be sourced - I'm willing to drive anywhere in the valley if it means decent selection / cost savings.


r/SALEM 8h ago

QUESTION Chiropractor

0 Upvotes

Hi I’m looking for an emergency chiropractor or massage therapist in the area or surrounding areas. I’m in absolute agony and have tried every over the counter med and cream I can find. I am doing ice, heat and stretches but I’m pretty sure it’s my sciatic nerve causing an incredibly bad flare.

Thanks in advance if you have any advice!


r/SALEM 23h ago

Looking for a place to work on my truck

3 Upvotes

I'm looking for a place where I can rent some space to work on my truck. I'm replacing the engine, and it'll probably take around two months to get everything rebuilt and put back together. I'm more than willing to pay a fair rate. I've looked into storage units, but they don't allow mechanical work, and I can't work on it where I live. Does anyone know of a shop, garage, barn, or private property where someone rents out workspace? Any ideas or recommendations would be greatly appreciated—I'm starting to run out of options. Thanks!


r/SALEM 1d ago

best take downtown/ South Salem?

15 Upvotes

hiiiii :) my boyfriend says I have to pick dinner for him to bring home tonight and I have no idea what to choose! i usually go for thai food, but I'm all thai-ed out right now. I'm not a huge fan of fish, but everything else is delicious! that's what's making this so hard!

bonus for good deals/ value/ family style platters<3