Les Zaitz
Les Zaitz is editor and CEO of Salem Reporter. He co-founded the news organization in 2018. He has been a journalist in Oregon for nearly 50 years in both daily and community newspapers and digital news services. He is nationally recognized for his commitment to local journalism. He also is editor and publisher of the Malheur Enterprise in Vale, Oregon.
Scenes from Los Angeles: Salem fire crew chases down hot spots
FIRE RESPONSE: A photographer on assignment for Salem Reporter caught up with a team of Salem firefighters working in Los Angeles on the Palisades Fire. The crew is tasked with hunting hot spots that could flare up.
Republican legislator says reputation ‘destroyed’ over his controversial pay raise
AROUND OREGON: State Rep. Greg Smith, a Republican from Heppner, is threatening to sue two public agencies for destroying his reputation. His claims focus on efforts to boost his pay by 55%.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Salem Reporter added reporters, features to serve the community
EDITOR'S NOTE: Salem Reporter about to add an intern as it continues to grow and to refine how it serves Salem. Editor Les Zaitz invites readers to help keep the momentum buildiing for the community.
City restores full sewer service to West Salem after two days of restrictions
City crews opened sewer service for West Salem on Saturday night after crews completed repairs on two failed pipelines. Officials caution people to avoid contact with contaminated water in areas east of Northwest Wallace Road.
All-night work repairs one sewer pipe as city sets to restore West Salem service
West Salem's homes and businesses are expected to get sewer service restored Saturday morning as Salem city crews complete repairs on a broken pipeline. The city asks people to continue conserving water until it announces service is back.
Public official exaggerates his duty to engineer major pay raise from struggling public agency
SPECIAL REPORT: The Columbia Development Authority, tasked with helping turn a former Army base in eastern Oregon into industrial land, was struggling with its finances earlier this year. That didn't stop Greg Smith, executive director and a state legislator, from seeking to double his salary and then getting a 55% increase.
Deputies hit Salem theft operation, recovering $500,000 in shoplifted goods
A Salem man paid pennies on the dollars for goods he bought from shoplifters and sold them quickly online, according to investigators. The Marion County Sheriff's Office said the organized theft ring is one of the largest the agency has investigated.
Police arrest suspect six hours after Salem bank robbed
Police arrested a Salem man at his northeast Salem home, accusing him of robbing a bank about a half mile away on Friday, Aug. 9.
Teenagers arrested with two guns after spray painting episode at Salem city park
Police arrested four teenaged boys early Saturday, Aug. 10, after a neighbor spotted graffiti being spayed on a city park fence. Police said they found two guns while taking the juveniles into custody.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Salem Reporter adds legal notices to boost access, save public money
EDITOR'S NOTE: Salem Reporter launches a new public notice service with benefits for citizens, government and sustaining local news. Here's how this works.