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.
Salem gets its first psilocybin service center
A new psilocybin service center, the first for Salem, is now operating at 2585 State Street, and its new owners are working on opening a second location on Southeast Commercial Street.
Two teens accused of SE Salem cat killing
Salem police have not identified the suspect who shot a cat dead in front of a Southeast Salem home last month. The agency on Wednesday said it referred two teens involved in the cat killing to the Marion County Juvenile Department on accusations of first-degree aggravated animal abuse.
Police arrest suspect in string of armed Salem, Albany bank robberies
Jason Lee Welty, 50, of Salem, is accused of robbing three banks in Salem and one in Albany between May 21 and 31.
Salem writer recounts 1,500-mile bike trip across Oregon in new book
Dan Shryock, a Salem travel writer, recounts boiling asphalt and bucolic splendor in “Cycling Across Oregon: Stories, Surprises & Revelations Along the State’s Scenic Bikeways.”
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Walk held in Salem
On Saturday, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde held a walk at Salem’s Riverfront Park to raise awareness for the high rate of Indigenous people who go missing or are murdered in the U.S.
Thieves steal historic school bell from Assistance League of Salem-Keizer
The Assistance League of Salem-Keizer seeks information on a historic brass school bell that hung outside of the Assistance League gift shop, which was stolen over the Memorial Day weekend.
Salem city council passes alternative Gaza ceasefire resolution following hours of public testimony
The Salem City Council approved, 5-4, a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza that removed all references to genocide following hours of emotional public testimony from a diverse group of community members.
New owners of Salem’s Stettler Supply Co. come from Midwestern farming backgrounds
Nolan Grimm and Taylor Meyer took over irrigation supplier Stettler Supply Co. about a year ago. They plan to bring the company back to its agricultural roots but with fresh perspectives.
UPDATE: Man arrested, accused of setting NE Salem business ablaze
Police have arrested José Á. García, 40, on an accusation of first-degree arson after fire crews spent hours putting out a fire at the intersection of Northeast Silverton Road and Hawthorne Avenue.
Salem City Council to consider Gaza ceasefire resolution Tuesday
After scathing testimony from members of the public during recent meetings, the Salem City Council will consider adopting a resolution calling for a permanent ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas during its upcoming meeting Tuesday, May 28.