By Salem Reporter
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: Bill making telehealth permanent passes House
The pandemic has changed much of daily life. The Oregon House voted to make one of those changes permanent. THE ISSUE: Residents of rural areas and marginalized communities face challenges in accessing healthcare. THE BILL: House Bill 2508 WHAT IT…
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: Oregon Senate passes bill extending eviction moratorium
The Oregon Senate on Wednesday passed a bill aimed at one of the lingering issues created by the pandemic: tenants behind on rent. THE ISSUE: Thousands of Oregonians are behind on rent because of the economic disruption caused by the…
Oregon will get a massive infusion of federal cash. Here’s how local lawmakers want it spent
Oregon State Capitol, rotunda (Salem Reporter/file) Salem-area legislators are hoping a one-time influx of federal cash could pay for local water upgrades, veteran housing and a new domestic violence shelter. Last month, legislative leaders found themselves in an unusual position:…
Campers can reserve sites at Detroit Lake starting next week
An empty Kane’s Marina in Detroit on Saturday, Sept. 27. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Campers will be able to begin reserving camping spots at Detroit Lake State Recreation Area on April 19 at 6 a.m. Reservations can be made online at oregonstateparks.reserveamerica.com,…
Pet-loving artists wanted for Willamette Humane t-shirt contest
Vickie Clark-Ellis of Salem cuddles Neptune and Saturn, two of the 11-day old kittens she is fostering for the Willamette Valley Humane Society. (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter) The Willamette Humane Society wants your best pet-themed artwork. The shelter is holding a…
PHOTOS: Volunteers assemble pallet shelter for managed homeless camp
Volunteers work on placing the walls for a pallet shelter on Tuesday, April 13, 2021. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) On Tuesday, volunteers assembled small, white structures that will soon become a safe place to rest for up to 40 people experiencing…
Polk County issues burn ban
Smoke from wildfires in September 2020 creates an orange atmosphere in Salem. (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter) Polk County has issued burn ban from Wednesday to Sunday, April 18 because of higher temperatures, low humidity and moderate wind in the forecast. The…
PHOTOS: Houck, McKay welcome students back in-person
Houck Middle School teacher Madison Jones leads a tour of the building on the first day of in-person sixth grade on Tuesday, April 13, 2021. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) More than 3,600 sixth and ninth-graders had another first day of school…
Oregon added more than 20,000 jobs in March
Signs in the window of Brown’s Towne Restaurant and Lounge. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Oregon’s unemployment rate decreased slightly from 6.1% in February to 6% in March. According to the Oregon Employment Department, which released the numbers Tuesday, the state’s unemployment…
Salem to distribute free PPE to businesses, nonprofits next week
PPE during a free drive-through testing clinic at Woodburn Ambulance Service on Tuesday, August 25. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) The city of Salem is distributing another round of protective gear to Salem businesses and nonprofits with up to 500 employees. The…