Salem's Haunted Happenings Carnival Kicks Off Today

Today is Friday, Oct. 18, and here are the five things you need to know: 

1. It should be another nice day in Salem. The National Weather Service is predicting that local residents can expect it to be cloudy, with a high near 69. Tonight should be clear, with a low around 45. (sunrise, 7:00 a.m.; high tide, 11:12 a.m.; low tide, 5:22 p.m.; sunset, 5:56 p.m.) 

2. It's here! The Haunted Happenings Carnival will open to the public this afternoon on New Derby Street. The carnival is scheduled to run from 2 to 9 p.m. Click Here to take a look at some of the rides that were being set up Thursday morning.

3. The National Parks Service Regional Visitors Center and The Friendship of Salem officially reopened to the public Thursday morning. Both had been closed for more than two weeks during the federal shutdown. 

4. In case you missed it Thursday, the Northeast Animal Shelter is asking for your help locating a sick kitten stolen from the Highland Avenue animal shelter sometime Tuesday. Click Here for our full story.

5. Today in History: On Oct. 18, 1867, the United States purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million. 

For more things going on in Salem today, check out our events calendar.