Saphara Harrell - Salem Reporter
CITY ELECTIONS: In downtown Salem ward, council candidates cite homelessness as defining issue
Virginia Stapleton (left) and Jan Kailuweit (right) are running to represent Ward 1, which encompasses downtown Salem and parts of west Salem. Salem Reporter wanted to know what issues were top of mind for this year’s crop of candidates for…
Polk County Jail has reduced its jail population by the largest percentage statewide
Marion County Jail (courtesy of Marion County Sheriff’s Office) The Polk County Jail has reduced its population by about three-quarters and the Marion County Jail has reduced its inmate count by about a quarter since the COVID-19 outbreak. Across Oregon,…
Running for city councilor has gotten costly for one ward as partisan divide shapes a local race
Salem city hall (Salem Reporter) In the race to represent Salem through unpaid, nonpartisan city council positions, one campaign this year stands out for the heavy campaign spending, unusual for such local races. Reid Sund, finance director for Salem Health,…
Recent spike in COVID-19 cases linked to northern Marion County
The Marion County Health and Human Services headquarters in Salem (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) NOTE: Salem Reporter is providing free access to its content related to the coronavirus as a community service. Subscriptions are vital to continue this so please sign up today.…
While small daycares close or adapt, essential workers are turning to places like the Kroc Center for childcare
Rock wall attendant Tim Carr and Annalise Mundal joke with another staff member as Mundal prepared to climb the rock wall at the Kroc Center on Wednesday, April 22. The two are part of the program providing child care for…
Former city employee claims in suit he was forced to quit over hearing loss
Salem city hall (Salem Reporter) A Marion County man is suing the city of Salem, claiming he was forced to resign for having a disability. Ronald McHenry, who worked as a communications specialist for the Salem Police Department, said he…
You can’t make your own reusable bag or pet an alpaca, but Marion County’s virtual Earth Day event will have to do
Annabella Ramey wears an Earth Day hat. (Courtesy/ Jessica Ramey) NOTE: Salem Reporter is providing free access to its content related to the coronavirus as a community service. Subscriptions are vital to continue this so please sign up today. In a…
For mourning Salem families, limits on funerals changing memorials
Miles Johnson co-owns the Johnson Funeral Home with wife Erin. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) NOTE: Salem Reporter is providing free access to its content related to the coronavirus as a community service. Subscriptions are vital to continue this so please sign up today.…
After closure of Salem’s senior center, more needing home delivery
Meals on Wheels volunteer Charles Schaer heads over to drop off two trays of food at a residence on Tuesday, April 14. After four years of volunteering as a driver, Schaer originally held off on volunteering at the start of…
Aiming to keep patients out of the ER, new mobile unit will make Salem house calls
Lara Knudsen, left, and Dani Dupuis stand in front of the Alluvium Mobile Health Team vehicle on Friday, April 10. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) NOTE: Salem Reporter is providing free access to its content related to the coronavirus as a community…