Starting your first vegetable garden can feel daunting. There are seeds (or starts) to choose, soil to prepare, and questions about what will actually grow well. But when you start to get the hang of things, gardening becomes one of the most rewarding ways to connect with nature, your home, your fam…

For decades, the crystal-clear waters of the North Santiam River have been the source of drinking water in Salem. However, a looming environmental requirement (designed to protect Oregon’s iconic salmon) has posed a significant threat to the city’s ability to keep the taps running. This week, the Ci…