VOLUME 42, NO. 19
FEBRUARY 26, 2021
SECTION A
$1.00
Navigating
mental
health
during the
pandemic
SEE
MAGAZINE
INSERT
Utility lineworkers fi nd
respite at Hitchin’ Post
BY MATT RAWLINGS
Of the Keizertimes
Keith Wright, owner of
the Hitchin’ Post north of
Keizer, always admired and
appreciated the service of
lineworkers. For the last
three years, whenever he sees
a lineworker eating at his
restaurant in uniform after a
long day, Wright will provide
them with a free meal.
After an unprecedented
ice storm took out power in
many homes in the area earlier
this month, Portland General
Electric (PGE) workers have
been fl ooding Salem-Keizer
to restore electricity in the
community.
Although the COVID-19
pandemic has been rough
on local restaurants and
small businesses, Wright has
remained thankful that he has
been able to stay open over
the last year.
When Hitchin’ Post got
their power restored on
Tuesday, Feb. 16, Wright
wanted to do something for
the lineworkers to show his
gratitude.
“We have actually been
very blessed during the
pandemic, so we wanted to
give back,” Wright said.
Wright reached out to
PGE and told the company
that Hitchin’ Post would be
providing free breakfast and
dinner to any lineworker
starting on Wednesday, Feb.
17. Since then, the restaurant
KEIZERTIMES/Matt Rawlings
ABOVE: Utility workers from
as far away as Montana ware
being treated to meals at
Hitchin' Post.
has been hosting dozens of
lineworkers at a time on their
back patio for a free meal.
“This is something we
wanted to do to show our
thanks for what they have
done to help our community,”
Wright said. “Without these
guys, we probably wouldn't
Please see WARM, Page A10
Marion County moves to ‘high’ pandemic risk
vaccinations ramping up, now is not the
By ERIC A. HOWALD
time to let down our guard. Continue
Of the Keizertimes
Marion County will move from ex- to wear your masks, keep physical dis-
treme risk to high risk for spreading the tance, and avoid indoor gatherings."
COVID-19 pandemic Friday, Feb. 26.
The lowering of the risk level
“For the sec-
brings with it a
ond time in a Oregon’s COVID-19 Risk Levels slew of changes.
row, we are see-
• The maxi-
ing great prog-
mum suggested
EXTREME
ress in stop-
gathering size in-
HIGH
ping the spread
creases from six
of
COVID-19
to eight people.
MODERATE
across
Oregon
• Restaurants
and saving lives,"
will
be allowed to
LOWER
said Gov. Kate
use indoor dining
Brown. "Orego- On Tuesday, Feb. 23, Gov. Kate Brown facilities, but will
nians continue to
be limited to 25%
announced Marion County
would be lowered from
step up and make
capacity or 50
‘Extreme’ risk to ‘High’ risk, based
smart
choic-
people, whichev-
on data from Feb. 7–20.
es. While these
er is smaller. Take-
county
move-
out is still recom-
ments are welcome news, we must con- mended over in-person dining.
tinue to take seriously health and safety
• A closing time of 11 p.m. will re-
measures, especially as more businesses main in effect.
reopen and we start to get out more. As
• Long-term care facilities can al-
we see infection rates going down and low indoor visitation.
• Churches and funeral homes will
be able to open at 25% capacity or
150 people, whichever is lower.
• Indoor and recreation and fi tness
facilities will be able to operate at
25% capacity or 50 people, whichev-
er is smaller. Indoor contact sports are
still prohibited.
• Entertainment business, such
as theaters, concert venues, indoor
aquariums and museums will also be
able to open at 25% capacity or 50
people, whichever is lower.
• Offi ces may be opened to the
public, but remote work is still rec-
ommended.
• Outdoor full-contact sports will
be permitted for all ages provided
organizations abide by health guide-
lines.
• Outdoor entertainment, such as
the Oregon Zoo, Oregon Aquarium
and outdoor theaters will be able to
increase capacity from 50 people to
75 people.
Marion County remains among
Soccer
teams
prepare for
return
to pitch
PAGE A14
the top counties in the state for spread
of COVID-19.
As of Monday, Feb. 22, adults 70
and older are eligible for COVID-19
vaccination. However, a rush to sign
up overloaded the state’s website. To
make a vaccination appointment visit,
go to getvaccinated.oregon.gov or call
1-866-698-6155 between 6 a.m. and 7
p.m.
Oregon has now administered a
total of 821,311 fi rst and second dos-
es of COVID-19 vaccines. More than
920,000 doses of vaccine have been de-
livered to sites across Oregon.
More than 2,150 Oregonians have
died as a result of COVID-19.
Earlier this week, Brown ordered
fl ags to fl y at half-mast to honored the
passing of more than 500,000 Ameri-
cans due to the coronavirus. The Unit-
ed States has experienced more deaths
than any other country in the world
and half a million is more than the to-
tal fatalities of World War I, World War
II and the Vietnam War combined.
The countdown begins
KEIZERTIMES/Matt Rawlings
McNary quarterback Jack McCarty prepares to throw a sideline route to one of his receivers. Read about the McNary
football team's return to action on Page A14.
Councilors
debate rule
changes
Library
gets new
drop box
PAGE A2
Talks linger on
when to cut mics
By ERIC A. HOWALD
Of the Keizertimes
It was no small irony that
the Keizer city council mem-
bers spent most of a work ses-
sion discussing how long they
should be allowed to talk.
Members of the council met
Monday, Feb. 22, to discuss po-
tential revisions to the council’s
rules and policies, the fi rst such
update in more than a decade.
The council rules and pol-
icies set forth the standards of
council conduct and defi ne
the lines between different
types of council rules. Coun-
cil members discussed several
points of the proposed revision,
but lingered in a conversation
about how long each council-
or should be given to discuss
the other activities they are in-
volved in during regular coun-
cil meetings.
“This was a hot button for
me,” said Elizabeth Smith. “I
monitor the social media feed
while we are meeting and as
soon as council reports begin
the numbers drop.”
Please see RULES, Page A7
Area birds in
danger, you
can help
PAGE A5