The Latest Stories For You From Salem Reporter
Good morning, Salem.
An indictment charging Gage J. Adkins with the murder of a 15-year-old Salem boy last year has been amended after Salem Reporter raised questions.
Questions remain, but Marion County District Attorney Paige Clarkson is maintaining her silence on the matter. Here’s how we reported on this.
On Jan. 4, the Salem Police Department announced Adkins had been arrested the day before for second-degree murder. The agency, though, wouldn’t identify the suspect even though he was in custody and a grand jury had indicted him.
When Salem Reporter questioned the secrecy, Clarkson issued a press release, identifying Adkins.
“The suspect was not previously identified due to investigatory considerations,” her statement said.
But the indictment itself raised questions. It said the murder happened “on or about Nov. 14, 2023.”
Salem police, though, had reported the teen’s body was found in an abandoned car on Nov. 6 – more than a week before the day Adkins was accused of killing him.
Our news team contacted the lead prosecutor on the case and the deputy district attorney handling media inquiries. When they didn’t respond, Salem Reporter asked Clarkson whether there was a mistake in the indictment or there was some other explanation.
She didn’t respond, but prosecutors on Thursday, Jan. 11, filed an “amended indictment” that changed the date of the crime to Nov. 6.
Likely, the original indictment was simply someone’s mistake. We get that. Mistakes happen. Our team pays close attention to details, though, and the silence from Clarkson and her team remains puzzling.
–Les Zaitz, editor
Salem police publish a log of a selection of calls officers responded to. Many of you said you’d like to see the information in our newsletter, so we’re again publishing the most recent update. The department received just over 1,300 calls from Jan. 8-11.
These reports come directly from Salem police. They can be found online on the agency’s Facebook and Nextdoor pages.
Unlawful possession of a firearm / 4300 block of 25th AV NE
Officers stopped two juvenile occupants of a vehicle involved in an elude. One of the teens had a handgun tucked in his front pants pocket. The gun was seized, and the 16-year-old boy referred to the Juvenile Department on the charge of unlawful possession.
Robbery / 2900 block Silverton RD NE
A man walked into a bar on Tuesday night and struck an employee in the face, stole the deposit bag, and fled on foot. A K9 track was unsuccessful in locating the suspect. Video and other evidence was collected, and the case remained opened until Wednesday. See the next entry.
Stolen vehicle, robbery / 3900 block Manor DR NE
Officers responded to a crash into a parked vehicle. They located a man in the suspect vehicle sleeping at the wheel. The man, however, was not the car owner. The car was stolen out of the city of Keizer. One of the officers recognized the man as the suspect from the bar robbery. He was jailed charges related to both incidents.
On a side note, officers made several other arrests in stolen vehicle cases this week.
Armed person / Leslie Middle School
A caller reported seeing a teen tucking a gun into his waistband. Multiple officers responded and located the boy, age 14, at a park nearby. He was cooperative and showed officers the airsoft gun he carried. The boy was released to parental custody. District employees were notified of the call, and the school was placed into lockdown for approximately ten minutes while the incident was handled by officers.
Burglary in progress / 300 block Hoyt ST S
A homeowner was alerted that his truck doors were open and an unknown man in his garage. Before officers arrived, the owner and a friend confronted and detained the suspect. Officers learned the suspect used a false key to attempt to start the truck. The suspect was arrested on burglary and other charges, plus two outstanding warrants.
Robbery / 1300 Hawthorne AV NE
Police responded to the call of a robbery at a fuel station. An employee confronted the suspect for stealing, and the suspect brandished a knife and chased the employee making stabbing motions toward them. Officers located the suspect who was a few blocks away. He was arrested on charges of robbery, unlawful use of a weapon, and menace.
Driving while suspended and theft / 1300 block Wallace RD NW
On Monday, an officer investigated a beer theft at a convenience store involving a man who appeared to be intoxicated. The suspect drove away. On Tuesday, the suspect did the same thing, same store. Officers learned he was stealing then driving home. On case follow up, the officers located him and arrested him; however, due to his inebriated state, he was taken to the hospital for medical clearance before lodging.
Here’s some of today’s news. You can always find our latest reports on our website.
salemreporter.com
The National Weather Service is forecasting sub-freezing temperatures to persist through Tuesday, with another winter storm possible that day. The Salem-Keizer School District has canceled classes Monday and Tuesday.
14 Jan 2024
salemreporter.com
The National Weather Service is forecasting sub-freezing temperatures to persist through Tuesday, with another winter storm possible that day. The Salem-Keizer School District has canceled classes Monday and Tuesday.
14 Jan 2024
salemreporter.com
More than 1,300 Oregon families are stuck on an indefinite waitlist and the Employment Related Day Care program could face a shortfall as high as $221 million
12 Jan 2024
salemreporter.com
More than 1,300 Oregon families are stuck on an indefinite waitlist and the Employment Related Day Care program could face a shortfall as high as $221 million
12 Jan 2024
salemreporter.com
Several community events next week will pay tribute to Martin Luther King Jr., and other performances are scheduled this weekend despite an incoming winter storm.
12 Jan 2024
salemreporter.com
Several community events next week will pay tribute to Martin Luther King Jr., and other performances are scheduled this weekend despite an incoming winter storm.
12 Jan 2024
salemreporter.com
Three months after the first commercial flight in over a decade took off from the Salem Municipal Airport, Avelo Airlines said most flights have been over 80% full. The airline…
12 Jan 2024
salemreporter.com
Three months after the first commercial flight in over a decade took off from the Salem Municipal Airport, Avelo Airlines said most flights have been over 80% full. The airline…
12 Jan 2024
salemreporter.com
Salem bird expert Harry Fuller explains how the barred owl, often sighted in Salem, may be targeted for federal removal in parts of its range to save native spotted owl…
12 Jan 2024
salemreporter.com
Salem bird expert Harry Fuller explains how the barred owl, often sighted in Salem, may be targeted for federal removal in parts of its range to save native spotted owl…
12 Jan 2024
You’re invited – Salem Reporter Town Hall
Salem Reporter Town Hall on Gun Violence
The news team at Salem Reporter has assembled a panel of experts for a Town Hall on Gun Violence. They will share the facts about surging gun violence in the community. This powerful program will pull back the curtains on this safety threat – and share how you can make a difference.
TIME: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17
LOCATION: Elsinore Theatre, 170 High St. S.E.
FREE TICKETS: Available online
LEARN MORE: Editor’s note
Salem Reporter’s principles
Professionalism: We can get better, and we will. We will always – always – work to sharpen our journalistic skills. We will become better interviewers, data analysts and writers. Our professionals are intent on getting as good as they can, not for awards but to better serve your needs.
Read all of our principles.
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