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.
City councilors to discuss authorizing funding for 60 new emergency medical employees
Councilors will vote on authorizing an internal city loan to support medical staffings in preparation for the city’s takeover of ambulance service from private provider Falck in July 2025.
First responders, veterans honored at Capital Manor retirement community
Three Capital Manor residents who are over 100 years old and served in World War II were guests of honor at a ceremony Wednesday dedicating a new plaque in the retirement community honoring veterans.
City Councilor Virginia Stapleton seeks to unseat Rep. Kevin Mannix in District 21
Mannix and Stapleton offer different visions for how the state should help Salem pay for much-needed services. Their race to represent north Salem and Keizer is among the most expensive and hotly-contested for the Legislature this year.
Contractor tapped for $40 million Salem Civic Center retrofit project
Howard S. Wright, the company behind Salem’s new public works building and the recent seismic retrofit of Salem Public Library, is taking on another big project for the city.
Here’s how Salem-area governments spent their Covid relief money
Reports submitted by Marion and Polk counties and the city of Salem showed most money went toward infrastructure projects, general government services and homeless shelters.
“Sweepy McSweepface?” Salem taps community to name new electric street sweeper
If you have the "gift of puns," the city of Salem needs your help to name its new electric sweeper. Suggestions can be submitted until Oct. 11.
Viva Salem is back at Riverfront Park on Saturday
A grand celebration of Latin American culture will fill Riverfront Park during Hispanic Heritage Month in Salem.
Teen gets probation for shooting death of Salem cat
A teenager accused of fatally shooting a cat with a pellet gun in a southeast Salem neighborhood in May admitted to first-degree aggravated animal abuse in Marion County Juvenile Court. The boy, 17, could be on probation for up to five years.
What Salem’s leaders want to see from legislators in the year ahead
An annual state payment to help cover Salem's public safety costs and ongoing funding for homeless shelters remain top priorities for city leaders heading into the 2025 legislative session.
City pauses hiring for critical community violence reduction coordinator
As local organizations and the faith community work to employ tactics like community peace walks to help curb violence in Salem, the city is struggling to hire for what is considered a key role in advancing its months-long community violence reduction efforts. The city has paused its recruitment until after a special report on the community efforts is presented to city council in November.