Saphara Harrell - Salem Reporter
Marion County: A year of “fire, ice and isolation”
Colm Willis, Marion County commissioner, sits in on a homeless alliance executive meeting video conference on May 5, 2020. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Marion County commissioner Colm Willis said if someone had told him the county would be challenged by Covid,…
Local governments in Salem area prepare for unexpected $115 million infusion of federal cash
The floodgates on the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act have been lifted and Marion and Polk counties are expecting money to begin pouring in. Local governments will soon find themselves flush with cash they were unsure would be approved…
Salem’s police chief talks about efforts to make inroads with the community
Police Chief Trevor Womack. (Courtesy/Salem Police Department) Salem’s new police chief said the department’s ability to analyze data will be a top goal of the department moving forward. But Trevor Womack cautioned that other changes recommended in a draft assessment…
New Marion County judge wants to give back to the community he’s spent his life in
James Edmonds was appointed to the Marion County Circuit Court in February. (Courtesy/ James Edmonds) James Edmonds wanted to become more involved in public service and serve the community he’s lived in his entire life. That’s what he hopes to…
Independent audit finds Salem police need to better use data, create a community policing plan
A Salem police car. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) The Salem Police Department needs more collaboration with community groups, and a formal community-oriented policing plan to spend more time developing relationships with the community. It also needs to conduct a staffing study…
Mayor points to city efforts to reduce homelessness in annual address
Salem Mayor Chuck Bennett films a video acceptance for a literacy award on Thursday, April 9. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Salem has emerged from a year of fire, ice, pandemic and protest with much to be proud of, Mayor Chuck Bennett…
Polk County Mental Health Court ends next month as the county looks to a new model
Polk County Courthouse (Courtesy of Jolene Guzman/Polk Itemizer-Observer) A specialty court in Polk County geared toward helping people with mental illness in the criminal justice system is ending next month. Now, the county is looking to shift resources toward a…
City survey finds residents support sustainable parks maintenance, efforts to address affordable housing gaps
Salem City Hall. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Salem residents think identifying gaps in affordable housing and opening a sobering center would be helpful to addressing key issues identified in a strategic plan update the Salem City Council will vote on Monday,…
No criminal charges in Selma Pierce’s death
Selma Pierce died after a car struck her on Dec. 1. Selma Pierce and her son Michael were out for an evening walk in early December less than a half mile from her west Salem home when she entered Doaks…
Shuttle driver for Church at the Park charged with drug possession following off-duty crash
Church at the Park is running a managed camp at the Oregon State Fairgrounds that started Feb. 1. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter) A Salem social service agency fired a shuttle driver following an off-duty crash last month that injured a pedestrian…