Joe Siess
Joe Siess is a reporter for Salem Reporter. Joe joined Salem Reporter in 2024 and covers city hall but also loves surprises. Joe previously reported for the Redmond Spokesman, the Bulletin in Bend, Klamath Falls Herald and News and the Malheur Enterprise. He was born in Independence, MO, where the Oregon Trail officially starts, and grew up in the Kansas City area.
Salem residents can comment on data center at July 27 Salem City Council meeting
Salem residents will have a chance to speak their mind and voice their concerns about a proposed data center project at Mill Creek Corporate Center at the Salem City Council meeting on Monday, July 27. Salem City Manager Krishna Namburi spoke with Salem Reporter at length about the events leading up to the project’s public disclosure on Monday.
To comment on this story, use the form at the end of the report.
Salem data center project likely to proceed
Granted the project meets city criteria, the plan will likely be approved and move forward.
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UPDATED: Salem discloses proposed Mill Creek data center project after city released from NDA
Salem City Manager Krishna Namburi publicly announced a possible data center project at Mill Creek on Monday that she said could generate about $9 million annually for the city’s general fund. The city was under a non-disclosure agreement with a company called Verrus until early last week.
Salem to consider supporting Marion County’s lawsuit over reservoir drawdown
Salem city councilors on Monday will consider a letter of support for Marion County’s lawsuit against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over the deep drawdown of Detroit Reservoir slated for later this year. Councilors will also get an update on the city’s preparations for the drawdown’s likely impacts on the city’s drinking water supply.
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Salem seeks input from northeast residents on service expansions
The city of Salem wants to hear from northeast residents to get a sense of what issues people face as it prepares to expand services into the area. A community survey designed to help the city pinpoint resources in northeast Salem is available through Aug. 2.
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Salem sues U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over planned Detroit Reservoir drawdown
The city of Salem filed a lawsuit in federal court Wednesday, July 8, against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over a deep drawdown of the Detroit reservoir scheduled for the fall. The drawdown is meant to facilitate young salmon migration, but city leaders say it will temporarily overwhelm the sand filters that clean the city’s drinking water.
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Betsy Vega qualified to serve on Salem City Council, per city officials
The city of Salem announced Tuesday afternoon that Betsy Vega is qualified under city charter to serve on the Salem City Council representing Ward 6 in northeast Salem, after a complaint claiming she was not eligible due to discrepancies with her address. City Recorder Amy Johnson made the final determination based on a review and recommendation from an outside attorney hired by the city.
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Salem seeks volunteers to collect data for heat mapping initiative to pinpoint hotspots
The city of Salem is seeking about 100 volunteers to fan out across the city to collect data to be used for heat mapping. The city is working with Portland-based CAPA Strategies LLC and expects the initiative to be done later this year. The data will help identify hot spots in the city in need of heat mitigation.
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Negotiations between Cherriots, business leaders paused after months of meetings
Talks between the Salem Area Mass Transit District and representatives from a coalition of six business and real estate groups, and citizens were halted last week, Cherriots said in a press release. The two groups formed a task force to find a compromise after a proposed payroll tax sparked frustration last year.
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City to offer grants for young people passionate about climate action
The city of Salem was one of 300 cities from around the world to join the Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Youth Climate Action Fund. The city, as part of the program, will get $50,000 to disburse as mini grants to youth-led climate initiatives that benefit the community. The program is currently seeking applicants ages 15-24.
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