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.
Airport advisory groups say critical information on runway withheld from council
Members of two public advisory groups focused on the Salem-Willamette Valley Airport said critical information regarding the removal, rebuilding, or renovation of the airport's secondary runway was withheld from council. Pilots told city councilors Monday that removing the runway would make aviation for smaller aircraft in Salem less safe and suggested the city consider alternatives.
Salem airport users speak out against company tapped to charge pilots aircraft fees
Pilots who use Salem’s airport voiced concern about the proposed company floated for new aircraft landing and parking fee collection leading up to and during Monday’s Salem City Council Meeting. Salem city councilors voted unanimously to approve the aircraft fees which the airport needs to generate much needed revenues to reduce reliance on the city’s general fund, but city officials said it has yet to sign a contract with the company.
UPDATED: Salem City Council appoints Krishna Namburi as interim city manager
Krishna Namburi has served as acting city manager since Feb. 10 after former Salem City Manager Keith Stahley abruptly resigned. Namburi, a long-time city employee, is expected to bring steady leadership to the city as it works to convince Salem voters to accept a property tax increase to help balance a nearly $14 million budgetary shortfall.
Four candidates vie for vacant Salem City Council seat as filing deadline nears
Four candidates have filed to run for vacant Ward 6 Salem City Council seat formerly occupied by Salem Mayor Julie Hoy in the upcoming election on May 20. They are community planner Jeffery Evans, North Lancaster Neighborhood Association Chair Deanna Garcia, correctional officer Logan Lor, and Salem family law attorney Mai Vang.
Polk County taps voters for property tax increase to maintain aging fairgrounds
The original structures on the Polk County Fairgrounds in Rickreall were built in 1952 and the county is seeking about $45 a year from a typical homeowner to bring the facility up to date. It’s one of three property tax measures West Salem voters will see on the May ballot.
READ IT: Mayor Julie Hoy’s full State of the City speech
Mayor Julie Hoy gave her first State of the City address on Wednesday, March 5, at the Salem Convention Center downtown. During her speech, Hoy endorsed a property tax increase that will appear on Salem voters’ May ballots and acknowledged…
Mayor Julie Hoy voices support for property tax increase during State of the City address
Mayor Julie Hoy struck an optimistic tone in her first State of the City address, despite Salem’s large budget shortfall and the abrupt departure of the city manager. She said Salem remains strong and called on residents to work to improve the community.
Anti-Trump protestors near Oregon Capitol voice concern for the fate of democracy
Roughly 300 protesters gathered along Center Street in front of the State Capitol building to protest the Trump administration ahead of President Donald Trump’s address to Congress Tuesday night. Many voiced their concerns over what they perceive as America’s decline into fascism and authoritarianism.
City of Salem accidentally sent payroll information of 450 workers to former employee
A clerical error in late January resulted in pay statements for nearly 450 current and former city employees across multiple departments being accidentally sent to a former employee on Jan. 21. The former employee said the data has since been deleted.
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.