By Salem Reporter
PUBLIC MONEY, PRIVATE EMPIRE: Greg Smith serves many public masters – for a price
Greg Smith appears before the Oregon Transportation Commission in February, representing two different clients of his economic development business. (Mark Ylen/Mid-Valley Media) Greg Smith is a juggler. In La Grande, he holds a full-time job directing Eastern Oregon University’s Small…
News coverage of Salem expanding with additions to Salem Reporter
Saphara Harrell and her Aussie, Crosby. Harrell will be covering community events as a reporter for Salem Reporter. Salem is about to get a lot more news about the community as Salem Reporter expands its news team. In a time…
DOME DIGEST: Holocaust education, ranch tourism, olive oil production among bills passed this week
(Caleb Wolf/Special to Salem Reporter) SALEM — These bills might not make headlines, but make a difference to Oregonians all the same. Each of these bills passed their last hurdle this week and now head next to Gov. Kate Brown…
Gov. Brown proposes new plan to withhold kicker money
SALEM — Oregon Gov. Kate Brown wants to limit the money that Oregonians could get back through a popular tax rebate next year. Oregon is currently expected to hand about $1.4 billion back to taxpayers in 2020 through what’s known…
Marion County sheriff’s deputy arrested for alleged witness tampering
A long-time Marion County jailer was indicted Thursday on misconduct and witness tampering charges. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office was alerted to potential misconduct by deputy Janet Eagleston in November, according to a Marion County District Attorney’s Office news release.…
PERS reform passes after Speaker whips last-minute votes
In a dramatic afternoon, the Oregon House of Representatives voted 31-29 on a bill to cut retirement benefits for the state’s public employees. It was reform most seemed to find distasteful, regardless of party. Democrats considering supporting the bill risk…
New state librarian finding her way through stacks, Oregon government
Oregon’s new state librarian, Jennifer Patterson, among the stacks at the Salem institution. (Jaime Valdez/Portland Tribune) SALEM — Jennifer Patterson loves libraries. She always has, she says. Now, she’s Oregon’s state librarian — the person in charge of supporting every…
Sen. Jackie Winters dies amid lung cancer battle
Shortly after her death was announced, a single candle was placed on Sen. Jackie Winters’ desk in the Oregon Senate, flickering in the otherwise dim room. (Claire Withycombe/East Oregonian Media Group) State Sen. Jackie Winters, a Salem Republican who spent…
AGENDA: Polk County Commission to approve contracts
The Polk County Courthouse. (Courtesy of Jolene Guzman/Polk County Itemizer-Observer) The Polk County Commission will vote on the approval of several contracts at its weekly meeting Wednesday. The commission will take up a contract with the city of Independence regarding…
Adi’s Act goes into the books, focusing on preventing youth deaths
SALEM — Legislation intended to prevent youth suicides is set to become law. Adi’s Act — Senate Bill 52 — requires school districts to plan how to address and prevent suicides among students. The legislation is backed by the family…