The ex-governor’s not the only one in Salem who’s receiving national press attention. MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow, pictured in a screen shot from her Feb. 5 show, mentioned the angry attack owl who’s been swooping down to snatch hats, claw heads and generally scare the stuffing out of unsuspecting runners in Bush’s Pasture Park (www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show). Nesting season, which runs through March, seems to bring out the dive-bombing worst in the avian.

Maddow was so amused by the irritable barred owl, that as a gag, she created a “Beware of Angry Owl” sign (pictured inset) to warn parkgoers, and offered to let Salem use the design, free of charge. To her delight, the city went for it, and the owl warning signs went up in the park last week. “You know what?” she chuckled in a Feb. 12 segment. “Write my obituary right now. If we have accomplished nothing else on television, let this be the legacy of the Rachel Maddow Show.”

By the way, the Statesman Journal in Salem had a “Name the Owl” contest. Are you ready for the winner? It’s Owlcapone.

— Elleda Wilson