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.
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.
Dangerous heat forecast to continue as governor declares emergency
A “dangerously persistent heat wave” will continue to put Salem residents at risk in the coming days as temperatures are forecast to climb above 100 through Tuesday. And there won’t be much relief at night with temperatures dropping to the…
LISTEN IN: Salem acts to get its public camping law in line with court mandates
ON THE RADIO: Listen to our journalists discuss the news of the day with Wendy Brokaw of Capital Community Media. TODAY: Why the city is stepping back from its "sit-lie" laws, airline service for Salem still pending, and Marion County sheriff will hang up his badge.
Earthquake gives Salem a wakeup call in action felt throughout the Willamette Valley
An earthquake struck the Willamette Valley just before 6 a.m. Friday. The magnitude reported typically results in minor damage.