Ardeshir Tabrizian
Ardeshir Tabrizian has covered the justice system and public safety for Salem Reporter since September 2021. As an Oregon native, his award-winning watchdog journalism has traversed the state. He has done reporting for The Oregonian, Eugene Weekly and Malheur Enterprise.
Salem police, fire spending skyrocketed over 2 decades while staff stayed flat, budget data shows
Salem Reporter took a historic look at the budget for two of the city’s most expensive departments, police and fire. The agencies’ staffing hasn’t kept up with rising costs, and their spending has grown far faster than inflation.
Salem-area homeless deaths declined in 2024, preliminary state data shows
Oregon Health Authority data shows the number of homeless people who died in Marion and Polk counties decreased last year from 50 to 45. Homeless advocates say that’s thanks to an increase in available shelter beds in recent years.
Man charged with driving impaired, killing father in 2023 crash in West Salem
David J. Nelson, 24, is charged with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and driving under the influence for his role in an October 2023 crash that killed his father, David L. Nelson, 55. Police said at the time that the driver veered off state Highway 22 into an embankment.
Police arrest Portland man with rifle near Salem Hospital after foot chase
Luis Escobedo Castaneda is accused of carrying a rifle outside the Salem Hospital campus Tuesday night. Salem police said he motioned repeatedly toward his waist, where the gun was visible, prompting officers to use “less lethal rounds” and a police dog to arrest him.
Gunshots fired into windows of Salem Tesla dealership, police say
A Wednesday morning shooting is the second criminal incident reported at the Salem Tesla dealership on Southeast Mission Street in the last month. The FBI is helping Salem police investigate the shooting and a suspected arson on Jan. 20.
Man accused of displaying gun in West Salem neighborhood before standoff with police
Salem police said Mark Coutis got into a standoff with officers for almost two hours on Friday, Feb. 14, before surrendered and was arrested on accusations of stalking, menacing and unlawful use of a weapon.
Husband of cyclist killed in crash sues DEA agent, Salem police
Mark Meleason alleged in a lawsuit filed in federal court Wednesday that DEA agent Samuel Landis “acted with deliberate indifference” to people in the Gaiety Hill neighborhood when he sped, ran a stop sign and caused a crash that killed Meleason’s wife, cyclist Marganne Allen.
ICE STORM UPDATES: Your guide to Salem conditions on Thursday
The National Weather Service is forecasting rain, snow and freezing rain throughout Thursday. An ice storm warning remains in effect through 4 a.m. Friday.
Ice storm warning for Salem: stay indoors or risk your life
The National Weather Service “strongly discouraged” people from driving in the Salem area between Wednesday night and early Friday morning due an impending ice storm. “If you leave the safety of being indoors, you are putting your life at risk,” the agency warned.
Salem man charged with hurling racist remarks at Hispanic family while holding shotgun
Police say Jonathan Haun is accused of approaching Hispanic family, including a young child, with a shotgun in hand and shouting “racially charged remarks” on Sunday in northeast Salem.