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.
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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Oregon invites you to its Valentine’s Day birthday party at the state Capitol
Oregon was founded on Valentine’s Day in 1859 and turns 167 years old on Saturday, Feb. 14. To celebrate, the Oregon State Legislature invites everyone from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the Oregon’s Anniversary of Statehood event for music, dancing, and activities including a chance to view the state’s original founding document.
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CITY MEETING: Council moves forward with renter protections, repeals business parking tax
Salem city councilors unanimously voted to have city staff research implementing new protections for local renters, and to repeal a parking tax on downtown business during its meeting on Monday, Feb. 9.
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Council votes 7-2 to authorize $200,000 fund, partly to support families impacted by ICE
Mayor Julie Hoy joined Council President Linda Nishioka and Councilors Micki Varney, Vanessa Nordyke, Irvin Brown, Mai Vang and Paul Tigan in voting for a social services fund to help vulnerable community members.
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City, mayor say governor’s office never asked Salem leaders to sign immigration letter
In a Facebook post early Monday, Salem Mayor Julie Hoy said an invitation to sign a letter from the governor’s office asking for a temporary end to federal immigration enforcement was never sent to her or the city of Salem. The city confirmed Monday that the governor’s office never reached out about the letter.
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CITY MEETING: Council to consider renter protections, repeal of business parking tax Monday
Salem city councilors will consider implementing new protections for local renters, and the repeal of a parking tax on downtown business during its meeting on Monday. The council will also get an update on activities in line with the city’s recent emergency declaration related to immigration enforcement.
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Council to consider $200k social services fund, in part for families impacted by ICE
Funding for a one-time social services pilot program would come from salary savings on vacant positions at the airport and in the city manager’s office. It would be available for vulnerable community members including those impacted by federal immigration enforcement.
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City forum details rights when interacting with ICE
The city of Salem’s Human Rights Commission in collaboration with the Oregon Law Center posted a video that answered questions from the community on what to do in the event of an encounter with U.S. immigration agents. The video is the first in a series of conversations designed to educate the community on their rights when encountering immigration officials.
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Serving on city boards and commissions is critical for Salem to do its business
City leaders rely on the input of more than 100 volunteer board and commission members to make decisions. A recent controversy over one volunteer’s criminal background highlighted the challenges Salem faces getting people to sign up.