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.
Fate of Salem IRS office uncertain after DOGE claims to cancel lease
A federal cost-cutting program led by Elon Musk listed the lease for the local Salem branch of the Internal Revenue Service at 1660 Oak Street S.E. on its website of terminated leases. The real estate firm representing the Oak Street building’s owner said Friday it was ready to put the office space on the market when it got word the lease termination was a mistake.
City offices will move to Broadway, SAIF building during seismic retrofit
Salem’s City Hall is undergoing a $40 million seismic retrofit starting this summer. By June, city services will relocate to temporary offices for the 18-month project.
Salem City Council votes unanimously to put property tax increase before voters in May
If Salem voters approve a tax levy in May, the average homeowner would pay about $229 per year to avoid deep cuts to city services like the library, parks maintenance and Center 50+.
Meet Ben Xavier, the breakdancing arcade technician at Salem’s Chuck E. Cheese
For nearly 35 years Ben Xavier has kept the video games and arcade machines functioning and updated at the Chuck E. Cheese.
Salem city councilors to vote Monday on putting $14 million tax levy on May ballot
Salem city councilors will formally vote Monday on putting a five-year property tax levy on the May 2025 ballot after months of discussions. It would cost the average Salem homeowner about $230 per year and avoid steep cuts to the city’s library, senior center, parks maintenance and public safety.
Salem city councilors support closing second runway at city airport
Councilors and city employees said it’s not feasible for the city to spend millions fixing up a secondary runway at Salem’s airport, and closing it down would allow the city to make more money through leases.
City reverses course, saying councilor never asked city manager to resign
City Attorney Dan Atchison and Council President Linda Nishioka both issued statements over the weekend disputing former Salem City Manager Keith Stahley’s characterization of the events leading up to his abrupt resignation last week. The statements said Nishioka never asked Stahley to resign and never suggested she represented the council.
Councilor Micki Varney breaks the silence about city manager’s resignation
In a statement, City Councilor Micki Varney said the public has a right to know what events led up to Stahley’s resignation and urged the community to be patient as more information comes to light.
Mayor Julie Hoy set in motion events that led to Keith Stahley’s abrupt resignation
The city of Salem released a timeline and explanation of events leading up to City Manager Keith Stahley’s abrupt departure. According to the statement, City Council President Linda Nishioka asked Stahley to resign on behalf of the mayor and majority of councilors.
Salem council president sought city manager’s resignation
Former City Manager Keith Stahley’s resignation letter submitted over the weekend indicated Council President Linda Nishioka requested he resign on Friday on behalf of the mayor and majority of the city council. Salem Mayor Julie Hoy said leading up to the vote that his departure was partially due to a poor performance audit released last month.