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.
Four neighborhood parks to get upgraded playgrounds, pickleball courts this summer
Hoover, Highland, Livingston, and Morningside parks will be upgraded this summer with new playground equipment, water fountains, pickleball fields and basketball hoops among other amenities. The improvements will be paid for using the infrastructure bond approved by voters in 2022.
Salem’s Pride celebration returns Saturday, bringing queer joy downtown
Salem’s annual Pride Parade and Block Party is back June 7 with a seven-block downtown parade, street parties, food, entertainment and tons of free events for the entire community.
City services moving this summer as civic center seismic retrofit gets underway
Many services currently housed at the Salem Civic Center including the municipal court and customer service department will be temporarily moved this summer as the civic center seismic retrofit project gets underway. The retrofit is meant to make the 50-year-old brutalist building more resistant to earthquakes.
Committee unanimously passes new budget restoring city jobs, services
Salem’s budget committee unanimously approved an updated budget proposal on Wednesday for next fiscal year restoring library, parks and Center 50+ jobs that were expected to be cut if voters had rejected a property tax increase last week. Library hours will increase after new employees are hired.
City investigates toxic “forever chemicals” found in soil samples taken at Salem airport
The city of Salem has begun an investigation into PFAS, a group of so-called forever chemicals, at the Salem-Willamette Valley Airport. The toxic substances have been found in the soil at the airport including in areas used for firefighting foam testing and training, and the initial steps of the investigation are expected to cost $50,000.
Salem City Council passes utility bill fee increase to take effect July 1
Salem city councilors accepted a routine increase to city fees and charges including a 2.5% to residential operations fees. Counselors also advanced an ordinance that would allow for up to 12 hours of street parking downtown once new parking pay stations are installed and the new parking system goes online in July 2025.
Vang on top in Ward 6 race as preliminary election results come in
Preliminary results for the May 20, 2025 election from the Marion County Clerk’s Office Tuesday show progressive Mai Vang ahead in the race for a seat on the Salem City Council representing Ward 6.
Ride of Silence event will honor cyclists injured or killed on bikes in Salem
Salem cyclists are encouraged to meet at the parking lot at 1128 Marion Street N.E. on Wednesday at 6 p.m. prior to going on an 8-mile bike ride at 7 p.m. to honor cyclists who have been injured or killed riding their bikes. The annual event occurs all over the world and is hosted in Salem by the Salem Bicycle Club and Salem Bike Vision.
Newly-formed PAC jumps into Salem council race as election winds down
A newly formed political action committee sent out mailers to Ward 6 voters urging support for independent candidate Logan Lor as election day approaches. Lor said he never asked for the group’s support and views the mailers as a political trick designed to siphon votes from Mai Vang, his opponent in the Salem City Council race.
Salem budget committee recommends city spending, cuts for 2026
The Salem budget committee recommended a budget for 2026 which will drastically reduce services at the library, parks and recreation, and Center 50+ if voters reject a property tax increase on May 20. If the levy passes, the budget committee will meet to discuss an updated budget scenario factoring in new revenue.