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.
5 things to do in Salem this week: Choral music, seed swap, Saturday Market returns
Events in Salem this week include the reopening of the Salem Saturday Market, a play about chemist and physicist Marie Curie at the Keizer Homegrown Theater, and singing performances for Women’s History Month .
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Updates on Willamette baseball field renovations, food share move, Dollar General warehouse
Renovations are nearly complete on Willamette University's baseball field, which will also be used by local schools.
Salem Reporter is returning to that and other past stories this month to provide brief updates.
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Cherriots receives $3 million federal grant for long-delayed south Salem transit center
Cherriots General Manager Allan Pollock said the transit district is still negotiating to acquire land for the South Salem Transit Center and estimated completion to be at least two years out.
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Salem councilors support law change so they can talk outside of public view
Salem city councilors approved council legislative priorities Monday which include a bill that would change prohibitions within state public meetings law against serial communications.
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CITY MEETING: Salem city councilors approve funding for new opioid treatment program
Excerpt: Salem city councilors on Monday authorized the use of $250,000 in opioid settlement funding for an opioid treatment and recovery program at Redwood Crossings. Councilors also authorized legislative priorities for 2026 and got updated on the deep drawdown of the Detroit Reservoir.
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CITY MEETING: Salem city councilors to consider authorizing new opioid treatment program
Salem city councilors on Monday will consider authorizing the use of $250,000 in opioid settlement funding for an opioid treatment and recovery program at Redwood Crossings. Councilors will also get updated on the deep drawdown of the Detroit Reservoir.
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Salem residents are starting to feel safer, view the city as more livable, survey finds
A survey conducted this month showed overall improvements in residents’ perceptions of safety and livability. The results come after the city began a pilot program in January aimed at improving cleanliness and mitigating issues associated with unsheltered homelessness downtown and in northeast Salem.
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Restructured operations fee could nudge the city’s finances onto a more sustainable path
On Tuesday night, the Salem City Council discussed ways to restructure the city’s operations fee to be fairer, and its potential to generate more revenue. The operations fee is a monthly charge tacked on to utility bills that helps pay for general city services, primarily police and fire.
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Councilors to consider charging usage-based operations fee
Salem city councilors on Monday night will discuss changes to how it implements its monthly operations fee, which pays for city services including police and fire.
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Salem’s resident bald eagles are nearly nesting, just in time for Eagle Watch 2026
The two bald eagles that live in Minto-Brown Island Park are now making some final adjustments as they prepare for nesting season. As the great birds get ready to watch their eggs, Salem Park Ranger Mike Zieker is once again calling on volunteers for the city’s eagle watch program to educate and draw awareness to Salem’s resident eagles.
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