By Salem Reporter
COLUMN: There are ways to cut premium costs for Medicare plans, but assess tradeoffs
He was a relatively low-income Medicare beneficiary with a fairly expensive Medicare Advantage insurance plan. He was paying a $75 a month for his insurance, and he wanted to know if he could find a plan that would cost him…
Protesters demanding end to Covid restrictions push into Capitol as Oregon special session gets underway
Protesters urging the “reopening of Oregon” gather outside the Capitol Dec. 21 as lawmakers met in a one-day special session to consider Covid relief measures (Jake Thomas/Salem Reporter) This article was updated at 11:36 a.m. Protesters, some armed, forced their…
HUMAN TOLL: Five Oregonians share the impact of being ‘long-haul’ Covid sufferers for much of 2020
Covid long-haulers Andrew Sieveking, Jessica Davis, Lori Wika Hinrichs, Lee Vandegrift and Scott McClellan Nearly a year into the pandemic, there is a lot that scientists, doctors and public health officials around the globe are still learning about the new…
BUSINESS ROUNDUP: Legislature gets ready for business, employment rate unfrozen, SEDCOR award, no tax penalties
Chris McLaughlin, manager at The Gallon House in Silverton, mixes a drink for a patron on Thursday, Sept. 10. Operating on limited hours with the only two employees still in town, The Gallon House intended to remain open until an…
Marion County small businesses can apply for a second round of grants
Marion County building. (Caleb Wolf/Special to Salem Reporter) Marion County is acting quickly to push out a second round of grants intended to help small businesses struggling with the pandemic after receiving fewer applications for the funding than it…
Bars and restaurants open for outdoor service, but wonder if it will be enough
Christopher Holland, owner of Taproot Lounge and Cafe, puts out patio furniture on Thursday, Dec. 10. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) On a cool, sunny day in December, Divine Distillers had its first customers in weeks. Pam Vorachek, a distiller and special…
AROUND OREGON: Tales of a contact tracer
(Kezia Setyawan/Malheur Enterprise) If you live in Baker County and have tested positive for COVID-19, or spent much time close to someone who contracted the virus, there’s a good chance you’ve talked to LeAnne Bourne. Bourne didn’t expect to spend…
AGENDA: Urban Renewal Agency board to get update on cleanup, wetland mitigation and other projects
The Saffron Supply Co. building, which the city of Salem officially acquired March 2019. The retailer has operated out of the building since 1935. (Troy Brynelson/Salem Reporter) The board for Salem’s Urban Renewal Agency on Monday will review $372,725 worth…
Now’s a good time to dig into your family history with expert Salem help
Though the Salem Public Library’s main branch is closed for upgrades, the genealogy researchers from a local society are still helping local people go back in time. (Salem Reporter/file) Volunteers are ready to help area residents trace their ancestry even…
As Oregon State Hospital halts admissions due to coronavirus outbreak, staff shortage poses mounting challenges
Oregon State Hospital (Salem Reporter/file) Coronavirus cases at the Oregon State Hospital are rising quickly, as the number of infected patients doubled in the past week amid an outbreak in an admissions unit. The spike in cases has prompted the…