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.
Large crowd expected in Salem for Saturday’s No Kings protest
Organizers expect a large but peaceful demonstration Saturday at the Capitol. The protest is triggered by impacts of the federal government shutdown, surging immigration arrests and the possible deployment of National Guardsmen to Portland streets.
Salem city council approves $300,000 for subsidies to attract commercial airline
In a 6-3 vote Monday, councilors decided to put more money toward bringing an airline to Salem. The money will be dispensed over the course of three years and will bolster $1.2 million in funds shored up from Marion County, local hotels, and private donations.
Former Mayor Chris Hoy calls for Mayor Julie Hoy’s ‘immediate’ resignation at city council meeting
Salem's former mayor, who has long had a contentious relationship with Mayor Julie Hoy, said a recent state ethics investigation shows the mayor can't be trusted. His comments earned a mix of applause and boos from the audience.
UPDATED: Council unanimously approves downtown police, crisis response, new city manager
Salem city councilors on Monday voted unanimously to proceed with a plan to devote more resources to addressing safety and cleanliness issues downtown. The plan includes expanding the city’s homelessness outreach and street cleaning programs, and standing up a new fire department program pairing emergency workers with mental health specialists.
Ethics commission finds Salem Mayor Julie Hoy, 5 councilors broke public meetings law
The Oregon Government Ethics Commission ruled Friday that Salem Mayor Julie Hoy and five Salem city councilors committed an ethics violation and broke state law by discussing former Salem City Manager Keith Stahley’s employment in a series of phone calls ahead of his abrupt resignation.
Salem city councilors will vote Monday on appointing Krishna Namburi city manager
Krishna Namburi has worked for the city of Salem for 25 years and served as interim city manager since March. She earned positive reviews from other city leaders, councilors and employee unions in recent evaluations, which praised her financial management.
Mayor Julie Hoy lied to set in motion former city manager’s resignation, investigation shows
A state investigation showed that Salem Mayor Julie Hoy lied to Council President Linda Nishioka when she told her that a majority of the Salem City Council supported firing former Salem City Manager Keith Stahley in February. No councilors told Hoy they wanted Stahley to go, the report said.
Ethics investigator finds Mayor Julie Hoy, 5 councilors engaged in illegal serial meeting
An investigator with the Oregon Government Ethics Commission concluded Monday that Salem Mayor Julie Hoy and Councilors Paul Tigan, Linda Nishioka, Deanna Gwyn, Vanessa Nordyke and Micki Varney broke state open meetings law leading up to the February departure of the former city manager.
Salem police chief wants more help from county, state to address unsheltered homelessness
Several top law enforcement officials stressed during a Wednesday panel discussion that they can’t simply arrest homeless people to get them off the streets.
Contract paratransit drivers demand higher wage, better benefits
Local paratransit workers who drive for the Cherriots LIFT service are demanding the contracted company they work with, MTM Transit, Inc., pay them higher wages and provide better benefits to help address what they described as chronic staffing shortages.