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.
Man charged with starting four fires in East Lancaster neighborhood over weekend
Leonardo Hernandez-Cruz, 28, now faces four arson charges in Marion County Circuit Court after he was initially charged in starting one dumpster fire at a Salem BottleDrop.
Man arrested in fires at Salem BottleDrop, Lucky Fortune police say
Salem police in the hours that followed received three other reports of fires in the area. The agency said it was still investigating those incidents and wouldn’t provide additional information.
Homeless Salemites can count on daily dinner thanks to Jerry Barza
Barza seven nights a week serves food made by volunteers in the parking lot of homeless service provider the ARCHES Project.
YOUR GOVERNMENT: Commissioners consider pandemic funds for Catholic Community Services renovation
The Marion County Board of Commissioners will also hear an update on travel and tourism to Salem.
Oregon drug policy director pleads guilty to assaulting boy in Salem school program
Reginald Richardson pleaded guilty in October to a misdemeanor charge after prosecutors say he shoved a boy against a wall. It’s unclear whether he’s still employed in his governor-appointed role.
Deadline for Salem police, fire toy drives approaches
Salemites have until Monday to donate to toy drives run by the city’s police department, with a fire department drive ongoing until Monday, Dec. 19. Gifts for teens are especially needed.
Human skull found on I-5 is an “artifact,” state police say
The Oregon State Police said Wednesday that a human skull found two weeks ago on the freeway was “very old” and not linked to a homicide.
Salem police report no arrests after two shot in Winco parking lot
Police say two men were hospitalized after a person fired shots from a vehicle and fled the scene Tuesday night.
No arrests, citations in fatal crash Tuesday afternoon, police say
Natalie Satalich, 67 of Salem, died at the scene of a crash another driver struck her car head-on at the intersection of State Street and Northeast Hawthorne Avenue Tuesday afternoon, according to Salem police.
State pauses investigation of Salem officer pending court ruling on qualified immunity
A jury in September found an officer used excessive force by shooting a protester with rubber bullets and ordered the city to pay her $1 million. But a judge could nullify that verdict if they determine the officer didn’t violate a clearly established law or constitutional right.