By LYNDON A. ZAITZ Of the Keizertimes It was devastating when Trish Leavitt found out her pet poodle, Riley, had been killed by a coyote. Riley, a little poodle, was her friend and her companion. Her mother, Judy Leavitt, had to tell her daughter the terrible news. Trish had moved into River Road Assisted Living [...]

It was good to hear Jim Taylor address the tragic shootings in Newtown, Conn. at the end of Monday’s city council meeting. A victim of a horrific shooting at a Salem tavern in the early 1980s, Taylor speaks with authority on the issue of gun violence. He said that the violence has got to stop. [...]

Stations are Eagle Scout project

Christmas comes to Keizer in a big way this weekend with the Festival of Lights Holiday Parade on Saturday. For the second year the parade will proceed down River Road. And for the second year we can expect huge crowds lining the route. Keizer validated the parade organizers’ decision to move the parade to our [...]

Art in Keizer has had an uneven past and a much more uncertain future. The Keizer Art Association (KAA) was founded in 1977 be three dedicated volunteers: Don Walton, Marge Bowder, and Enid Joy Mount (the association’s art gallery at the Keizer Heritage Center is named in her honor).  During the first few decades the [...]

In early November the Keizer Rapids Park boat ramp was officially open for public use. The ramp is the latest of many features constructed at the park, joining the dog park and the Keizer Rotary Amphitheatre. The park is also home to a disc golf course. The visionaries and officials who pushed and worked to [...]

Few, if any, of Keizer’s small locally-owned retailers were open in the wee hours of Black Friday.  Blockbuster discounts are the provenance of the national big box stores. People camp out for days to be first in line to buy the latest gizmo. Keizer’s retailers play just as big a part in holiday shopping, though [...]

Lore Christopher has won a seventh term as Keizer’s mayor. Facing a spirited challenge from City Councilor David McKane, the mayor prevailed in Tuesday’s election. McKane may have lost the election but his influence will be felt well into the new year. McKane ran on a platform of respectful leadership for Keizer.  By that he [...]

Come January the Keizer City Council will look different. With incumbents opting out of running for re-election, the council will have three new members including a mayor. Long-time city volunteer Marlene Quinn was elected.  Neighborhood activist Ken LeDuc won his race against Brandon Smith’s write-in campaign.  Former Mayor (1993-99)Dennis Koho was unopposed in his run [...]

By LYNDON A. ZAITZ Of the Keizertimes Under threating skies Mayor Lore Christopher was joined by dignitaries from     Keizer, Marion County and several state agenices to inaugurate the new boat ramp at Keizer Rapids Park on Monday, Oct. 29. Slated to open to the public on Monday, Nov. 5, the single-lane boat ramp [...]