COLUMN: Black History Month in Salem and beyond
Kimberli Fitzgerald, Salem’s historic preservation officer, lays out the history of Black History Month and one of Oregon’s first Black pioneers, who was brought to the Salem area as a slave.
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City efficiencies committee says cutting costs alone won’t help plug deficit
A group of business executives tasked with reviewing the city’s budget in search of possible ways to save said Friday the city is already doing far more with less resources compared to others in Oregon.
Washington AG sues over Trump order seeking to restrict care for trans youth
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield joined a suit against an executive order seeking to end gender-affirming care for minors, calling it “federal overreach.”
Marion County seeks federal help for Santiam Canyon rebuilding, bridges
County officials recently discussed their federal lobbying priorities, which include money for infrastructure projects and changes allowing governments to bill federal health insurance programs for jail and institutional care.
2 Salem men accused of organizing speed racing at protest against immigration enforcement
Police said two men performed “dangerous burnouts” during what started as a peaceful protest against national immigration enforcement in east Salem on Feb. 1.
Grassroots effort helps unsheltered dogs stay warm
Salem business owner Krystal Kraig Labate has helped animals her whole life. For the past decade, she’s organized dog-coat donations to help unsheltered people in Salem care for their dogs in cold weather.
New addiction treatment medication in Marion County jail will be “big game changer”
A state grant will allow the Marion County Jail to offer longer-lasting injectable medications to people with opioid addictions, increasing their chances of staying sober after release.
State courts wipe over 8,000 past evictions in Marion, Polk counties
A state law passed in 2023 required courts to seal past evictions annually in some circumstances, removing a key barrier to finding new housing that heightens renters’ risk of homelessness.
Oregon House Republicans slam status quo, share few specific fixes
“We are letting Oregonians know that we hear them and we see them, and we stand with them, and we will not be voting for bills that raise the cost of living,” House Republican Leader Christine Drazan said.
What to know as Salem City Council decides on tax levy to pay for library, parks
Salem City Councilors will decide Monday on how much they will likely ask voters to pay in increased property taxes to fund services like parks and the library. Two possible options ask homeowners to pay about $230 or $250 per year.