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.
After pressure from public safety unions, Nordyke asks council to reconsider police board appointment
Councilor Vanessa Nordyke, who’s running for mayor, said she’s changed her mind about two board and commission appointments for Kyle Hedquist, who was convicted in the 1994 aggravated murder of a teenager and now advocates for criminal justice improvements.
UPDATE: City lifts evacuation notice as Salem creeks recede
As of Friday night, Salem's creeks have settled down and a level 1 evacuation notice has been lifted after high water closed streets and parks in Salem on Friday.
UPDATE: Mill Creek floodwater closes roads, dozens without power Friday afternoon
UPDATE: The level 1 flood evacuation, warning residents near Mill and Pringle creeks to be ready to evacuate, remained active as of Friday afternoon. Several southeast Salem roads are closed, and CASA of Marion County seeks volunteers to help manage a flooded basement.
Salem Human Rights Commission planning immigration rights session
The Salem Human Rights Commission is hosting a recorded ‘Know Your Rights’ session to answer questions from the community regarding how to exercise rights under the Constitution and state and federal law when encountering immigration officials.
WINTER STORM: No major road impacts following last night’s winter storm
City officials said road impacts and power outages in Salem following Tuesday night's winter storm have been largely mitigated with no reported injuries. More high winds are likely Thursday, alongside heavy rains through the end of the week.
Mayor Julie Hoy stands alone as all councilors concede ethics violation
Five Salem city councilors who, along with Salem Mayor Julie Hoy, were found to have participated in an illegal serial meeting in February, now have conceded they violated state ethics laws concerning public meetings. Hoy has insisted she did nothing wrong and hasn’t agreed to a sanction.
Council split on who to appoint to city boards and commissions
Salem city councilors and Salem Mayor Julie Hoy approved several appointments and reappointments to city boards and commissions tasked with shaping city policy last week. The council was split 5-4 on the appointments, with some sharing concerns over Salem attorney Michael Sewell and current police review board member Kyle Hedquist.
Center Street Bridge retrofit will mean eastbound lane closures, more traffic for six months
Retrofitting the Center Street Bridge to better withstand an earthquake is expected to begin by the middle of next year. State and city officials warn there will be months of traffic disruptions for those crossing the Willamette River into downtown Salem.
New group seeks to improve local business environment through work with government
A new business initiative led by Salem attorney Mark Hoyt was unveiled during a Salem Area Chamber of Commerce event on Monday. The group hopes to benefit the community by working with government on behalf of local businesses.
Nishioka, Nordyke settle ethics case, conceding meeting violations
Linda Nishioka, Salem city council president, and Councilor Vanessa Nordyke agreed to a sanction of a letter of education from the Oregon Government Ethics Commission. The commission will consider a final agreement when it meets Friday, Dec. 12.