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 man dies in train collision Sunday afternoon in NE Salem
A train struck and killed a 35-year-old man around 11:30 a.m. on Sunday at the railroad tracks near the intersection of Northeast 22nd Avenue and Northeast Claxter Road.
Marion County to revive police crisis response team it disbanded in March
Marion County disbanded its police crisis response team earlier this year as public funding shifted toward civilian response to people in crisis. But with new federal money, the county is now reviving one team of a sheriff’s deputy and a mental health worker.
Keizer woman re-charged with murdering son after last case dropped due to mental illness
Amy Robertson has spent seven years in Oregon’s psychiatric hospital since she was first charged with murdering her 12-year-old son, Caden Berry, in 2017. A judge dropped her charges in 2020 due to her mental illness, but prosecutors have once again charged her with murdering Berry.
Affordable development in NE Salem gets $24 million state-backed loan
Developers broke ground Dec. 5 on the Gussie Belle Commons, an affordable housing development in Salem’s Northeast neighborhood. They plan to open 120 apartments planned in 2026.
Family of victim in 2021 stabbing files wrongful death lawsuit against Marion County
The family of Travis Juetten is suing Marion County, alleging authorities failed to protect him from a dangerous man who stabbed him to death in 2021. The lawsuit for the first time reveals who authorities suspected was the killer.
What’s next for Salem-Keizer intersection following demolition of welcome sign
City crews last week tore down a brick structure at the Salem-Keizer border where the cities’ “working together” sign has been destroyed by car crashes repeatedly. Salem’s Public Arts Commission will consider replacement ideas early next year.
“Russian Roulette”: Husband of cyclist killed in collision with DEA agent speaks out
A federal judge last week signaled he would drop a criminal charge against a DEA agent who ran a stop sign and killed a cyclist. The victim’s family is now speaking out for the first time through a written statement, describing the agent’s driving conduct as “unjustifiable.”
Wells Fargo to lay off 221 workers in Salem office
Wells Fargo notified state officials on Tuesday that it will close its office in southeast Salem and lay off 221 workers by late 2025. The move comes as the bank has increasingly focused its commercial real estate businesses on larger cities.
Santiam Canyon wood product gives Salem developers an efficient alternative to concrete, steel
Freres Lumber Co, based out of Lyons, is helping boost the rising mass timber market with its own wood product known as mass ply. It’s been used on several recent developments in Salem, including at the Union Gospel Mission and YMCA.
Former Salem police sergeant acquitted of DUI
Former Salem police Sgt. Dustin Wann is not guilty of driving home drunk from a West Salem party in May 2023, a state judge found after a day-long trial on Monday. The verdict came after an earlier trial in August ended in a hung jury.