Saphara Harrell - Salem Reporter
Body found in Willamette River, sheriff’s office says
A boater on Thursday morning found a partially decomposed body in the Willamette River near the Buena Vista Ferry, south of Independence, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday. Deputies said they don’t know how long the man had been…
After a $3.2 million restoration, Salem’s Pringle Creek eases fish passage
Salem completed a large restoration project on Pringle Creek, which flows into the Willamette River. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter) For more than 30 years, Salem has periodically removed debris trapped in Pringle Creek to prevent floodwaters from backing up into properties…
Salem councilor tries to find middle ground in sit-lie but some service providers are dubious
An idea to bridge the divide between protecting an area that the city has spent millions investing in and humanely treating the homeless in Salem may have come in the throes of an illness. Councilor Cara Kaser got sick after…
Salem City Council moves forward with sit-lie – with some conditions
The Salem City Council is moving forward with a plan to ban sitting and lying on public sidewalks — with provisions. Councilor Cara Kaser made a motion to go ahead with the ban on Monday, Feb. 24, with a stipulation…
Marion County challenges garbage burner’s bad environmental rap
Brian May talks about Covanta Marion at the Salem City Club on Friday, Feb. 21. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter) The Covanta Marion garbage burner isn’t as bad a polluter as its been made out to be, Marion County officials contend. Brian…
Salem mayor pushes for ‘sit-lie’ in the face of increasing uproar over homeless problem downtown
Mayor Chuck Bennett responds to questions from the a crowd of neighbors at Pringle Community Hall. The city scrapped plans to turn the hall into an emergency homeless shelter last month. (Troy Brynelson/Salem Reporter) Each day Mayor Chuck Bennett opens…
Salem police look to virtual reality for use-of-force training
The Salem Police Foundation held a breakfast with the chief on Wednesday, Feb. 19. (Courtesy/Salem Police Department) After the Salem Police Foundation breakfast fundraiser, a group of people at the Salem Convention Center each waited to pick up a retrofitted…
Here’s how many fires, crimes were reported in Marion County in January
A Salem Fire Department truck. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter) Salem Reporter is continuing to publish monthly call data from public safety agencies in Marion County. This is a snapshot of January numbers compared to the same time last year. The data…
Salem library packed as new location opens
The Salem Public Library’s new location on Northeast Broadway St. was full two hours after it first opened on Tuesday, Feb. 18. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter) After a brief hiatus, the Salem Public Library re-opened its doors at its temporary location…
Salem says drinking water is safe after fuel spill Sunday
A portion of Highway 22 has to be excavated and rebuilt following a fuel truck spill Sunday. (Courtesy/Oregon Department of Transportation) Salem’s water is safe to drink following a fuel tanker spill Sunday morning on Highway 22, the city said…