Abbey McDonald

Young coach a role model for Salem players

Anthony Valdez, 20, has been coaching kids at the YMCA since he was a kid himself. His calm, supportive style makes him a favorite among players and parents, and he hopes to channel his passion into a program for keeping Salem youth out of the prison system.

Cherriots board approves bus stop repairs

With the Salem Area Mass Transit District’s latest approved project, eleven bus stops in Salem will become more accessible with lighting, sidewalk and shelter improvements. The Cherriots board approved the project during its Oct. 26 meeting, along with a budget calendar. They also heard the agency’s annual performance report, which[Read More…]

Cuts discussions continue at Salem City Hall

During a work session Wednesday, the Salem City Council didn’t seem to favor “extreme” cuts scenarios and considered reductions hitting multiple departments. The discussion came less than two weeks before voters will decide whether to implement a payroll tax to fund city services.

Arena football coming to Salem in 2024

The Arena Football League, a fast-paced game played on a smaller field, is coming to the Oregon State Fair and Exposition Center arena this spring. The Oregon Blackbears, backed by a University of Oregon alumnus, hopes to fill its roster with local talent.

Salem City Council to discuss alternative cuts

The Salem City Council meets Wednesday to discuss ways to address its budget crisis if the payroll tax fails in November. Among the hypothetical scenarios is closing the library to retain police and fire, or to keep shelters open. They’ll also hear the feasibility of cutting vacancies and adding furlough days.

Business groups spend big to defeat Salem payroll tax

Opponents of Salem’s payroll tax have raised nearly $170,000 to kill the tax according to campaign finance records. Donors include Americans for Prosperity, an advocacy group funded by two of the nation’s most influential people in politics, brothers Charles and David Koch.