Joe Siess
Joe Siess is a reporter for Salem Reporter. Joe joined Salem Reporter in 2024 and primarily covers city and county government but 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.
County officials certify Vega Ward 6 winner, say November runoff likely for Ward 8
County officials declared Betsy Vega the winner of the Salem City Council race for Ward 6, representing northeast Salem. City officials will decide in the coming weeks whether she was a qualified candidate, following allegations that she didn’t properly file with the city recorder’s office. The election in West Salem between Micki Varney and Chris Cummings is likely to go to a runoff election in November if neither candidate gets more than half of votes after a hand count on June 25.
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Northeast residents angry as fiber-optic installation encroaches on private property
Residents in northeast Salem say contracted work crews installing fiber-optic cables for Ezee Fiber, a Texas-based internet service provider with offices in the Pacific Northwest, are invading private property and causing damage. Complaints were aired during a Northeast Neighbors Neighborhood Association meeting last week.
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Updates on commercial air service, robot security guards, Salem’s oldest tree
Here’s Salem Reporter’s monthly feature with the latest developments in recent news.
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CITY MEETING: Salem city council advances 2027 budget proposal to final vote
Salem city councilors considered public input on the 2027 budget proposal during their meeting Monday night, and voted unanimously to move it forward to a final vote on Monday, June 22. Councillors also unanimously approved their legislative priorities for the upcoming session, and annual increases in city fees and charges.
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CITY MEETING: Salem city council to hold public hearing Monday night on new budget
Salem city councilors will consider public input on the 2027 budget during their meeting Monday night, which starts at 6 p.m.. The budget is expected to be approved on Monday, June 22. Councillors will also discuss their legislative priorities and annual increases to city fees and charges.
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City officials are reviewing allegations that Betsy Vega is ineligible for council
The city of Salem said in a release Friday that Salem City Attorney Dan Atchison and City Recorder Amy Johnson are looking at information that alleges Betsy Vega, the likely winner in the Salem City Council Ward 6 race, is not a qualified candidate.
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CLASS OF 2026: Graduating senior at West Salem High School won’t let his past dictate his future
Elvis Muthee, 18, a senior at West Salem High School, decided at a young age that he had to do something great with his life. While it wasn’t easy to get to where he is today, graduating high school is just the first step into the life he envisions for himself.
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New El Torito Supermarket to bring groceries to downtown Salem ‘food desert’
The new El Torito Supermarket coming downtown will fulfill residents’ long-time hope for a grocery store in the city’s core. Until it opens, an expert in food security said the area’s lack of nearby access to affordable groceries makes downtown a “food desert.”
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City punts on challenge to Betsy Vega’s election qualifications
A progressive political consultant alleged that Betsy Vega, the likely winner in a Salem City Council race, misled city and county officials into certifying her as a candidate. The path to resolve the matter remains unclear as city, county and state officials consider the allegations and determine next steps.
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Urban Renewal Area for North Waterfront would eventually bring in more property, income taxes
The city’s Urban Renewal Agency has continued talks about the possibility of setting up a new Urban Renewal Area for the North Waterfront district north of downtown. The idea was first pitched in 2024 and conversations resumed during a work session on Monday, May 18.
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