Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 5, 2021)
VOLUME 42, NO. 16 FEBRUARY 5, 2021 SECTION A $1.00 McNary grad numbers leap BY MATT RAWLINGS Of the Keizertimes After recording their best graduation numbers in more than a decade in 2019, the McNary High School class of 2020 again posted some of the best numbers in the Salem-Keizer School District. McNary's four-year senior cohort graduated 91.21% of students in 2020, just over 10% higher than the district average. It was the second year in a row that McNary graduated more than 90% of their senior class. “This isn’t a blip. We have been tracking these numbers for the last six years and we have seen consistent growth year in and year out,” McNary principal Erik Jespersen said. “It’s validating to know that we are going in the right direction as a collective school.” One of the biggest sources of pride for Jespersen was seeing the four-year graduation rate for Latino students. When Jespersen took over as the McNary principal during the 2014-15 school year, Latino students, which represent approximately one- third of the McNary student body, had a 73% graduation rate. During that same year, white students posted an 86% graduation rate. Please see GRAD, Page A5 The best Volcanoes alum ever Latino students lead the pack PAGE A8 100% 90% McNARY GRADUATION RATE 80% 70% Emerging artist 60% PAGE A2 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 SCHOOL YEARS LATINO WHITE UNDERSERVED SPECIAL EDUCATION ALL Andrew Jackson/KEIZERTIMES File Photo / KEIZERTIMES Eloisa Moreno shows off her diploma in the much-delayed 2020 McNary High School commencement ceremony. Chick-fi l-A gets council greenlight By ERIC A. HOWALD Of the Keizertimes Construction of a Chick-fi l-A near Keizer Station moved one step closer to re- ality at a meeting of the Keizer City Coun- cil Monday, Feb. 1. Councilors approved changes to a master plan that removes a proposed auto lube business to accommo- date additional parking for the fast food restaurant. “We’re super-excited to be part of the community and see this project get go- ing,” said Steve Schwartz, development manager for the Atlanta-based chain. Asked by Mayor Cathy Clark what prompted the restaurant to choose Keizer, Schwartz said it was partly based on the success of loca- tions in the Portland area. “Keizer had great commuting patterns and was very business friendly as well,” Schwartz said. He commended Shane Peace poles to be placed in four parks By ERIC A. HOWALD Of the Keizertimes The installation of Peace Poles in four Keizer parks got eager approvals from the Keiz- er Public Arts Commission and Keizer City Council in recent weeks. The arts commission gave its blessing at a meeting Jan. 19. The council gave the project a fi nal stamp of approval Feb. 1. “I am genuinely excit- ed about this, and I’m glad I get a chance to vote on this,” said Councilor Ross Day. The project was approved in a 6-0 vote. Councilor Elizabeth Smith was absent. Pat Fisher, longtime vol- unteer for the city, proposed Please see PEACE, Page A6 But what about traffi c? Chemawa Station. The major changes to existing plans for the area also known as the “jug handle” in- cluded: • Reducing the number of buildings on the jug handle from four to “We’re super-excited to be part three. • Increasing the number of the community and see of parking spaces. • Moving a water feature this project get going.” to accommodate a pedestri- an plaza near Chick-fi l-A. — Steve Schwartz, Development Manager 7-Eleven has already been approved for the jug handle, the business has also applied to own and operate a 12-pump fueling station on the site. The Confederated Tribes of the Grande Ronde and If things go according to plan, the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz are joint Chick-fi l-A will be located in a space owners of the property that extends to the between Chemawa Road Northeast and water tower near Keizer Little League Park. Further development is expected, even- Ulali Drive Northeast. The space is south of Keizer Station and will become the tually, south of Ulali Drive to the water fi rst development in an area identifi ed as tower. Witham, Keizer’s interim community de- velopment director, in particular. The 128-seat location could create as many as 80-100 jobs for the area, Schwartz said. As the city coun- cil approved plans for a Chick-fi l-A, the burn- ing question on the mind of Councilor Lau- ra Reid was traffi c. “What will be done about lines and manag- ing them?” Reid asked. After the addition of an In-N-Out in De- cember 2019, traffi c around that site swells to the main roads on a regular basis and illegal U-turns to get in line are becoming a regular occurrence. With the Pixar delivers with Soul PAGE A3 Please see TRAFFIC, Page A6 Fix in the works for striping Thanks, in part, to a dedicated Rotarian, Keizer's fi rst Peace Poles are going up soon. Submitted Fall in Love After two ineffective shots with refl ective beads, Keizer Public Works is working on a new solution for the hard-to- see lane striping on Keizer’s main drags. “We put out feelers to get an estimate on installing refl ectorized pavement markers (RPMs) for Wheatland Road North and River Road North. It came back at $7,000,” said Keizer Public Works Director Bill Lawyer. “I’m going to move forward with formal quotes, I was defi nitely surprised at the number.” Lawyer unveiled the plan at a Keizer City Council meeting Tuesday, Jan. 19. RPMs are the square, raised refl ectors found in other areas near and far. Lawyer plans to have the devices installed on all of River Road and Wheatland WITH OUR SPECIAL ADVERTISING RATES FOR THE ENTIRE MONTH OF February File Refl ecting pavement markers for hard-to-see lane stripes are planned on Keizer's main streets OCCU on River Road PAGE A3 Road, and Lockhaven Drive North from River Road to the railroad tracks. The city will need to issue a request for proposals and then fi gure out a time when weather is most likely to cooperate. Councilor Dan Kohler asked why Cherry Avenue was not included on the list. “I’m not including Cherry right now because it’s getting close to being resurfaced,” Lawyer said. See pa g for mo e 2 re details Our AWARD-WINNING creative services are ALWAYS FREE with the purchase of any ad
