Troy Brynelson - Salem Reporter
Salem considers banning daytime sleeping on sidewalks
Shoppers walk along State Street in downtown Salem. (Caleb Wolf/Special to Salem Reporter) Update 6:40 p.m.: The original article has been updated to include more information. The city of Salem is making another run at keeping sidewalks clear from behaviors…
Second child welfare worker accused of having sex in front of child no longer employed
The second Dallas-based child welfare worker accused of having sex in front of a minor is no longer employed by the state, Salem Reporter has learned. Kate Guy is gone from the state Department of Human Services, an agency spokesman…
New state funds propelling proposed amphitheater at Riverfront Park, organizer says
A rendering of the Gerry Frank Salem Rotary Amphitheater, slated to be built at Riverfront Park. (Courtesy of the Rotary Club of Salem) A proposed amphitheater at Riverfront Park is “over the hump,” one organizer said, after landing state money.…
Salem City Council moves forward with utility fee, payroll tax for general fund
A new fee on utility bills and a tax on Salem-based workers to help Salem’s strained general fund is moving forward. The Salem City Council Monday voted to proceed with the two mechanisms, which could generate about $16 million per…
Plan to move Salem library to church-owned property stirs discrimination concerns
The former home of the Capital Press, at 1400 Broadway St. S.E. The building is now owned by Salem Alliance Church and could soon be the temporary home of Salem Public Library. (Troy Brynelson/Salem Reproter) After months of searching, the…
Rising costs of Salem Police headquarters, new city funding headline council meeting
Heavy machinery rests at the construction site for the upcoming, 104,000-square-foot headquarters of the Salem Police Department. (Troy Brynelson/Salem Reporter) Salem’s future funding for police, firefighters, the library and other public services will headline Salem City Council on Monday. Salem…
Leaked investigation leads to two actions against Marion County
Marion County continues to deal with the fallout from a public sexual discrimination dispute last October, with its top officials now accused of violating civil rights and worker protections. A fired supervisor contends he shouldn’t have been fired, while another…
Dallas child welfare worker accused of having sex in front of child quits
A Dallas-based worker in the state Department of Human Services accused of having sex in front of a minor has quit, Salem Reporter has learned. Mark Walsh resigned June 28, according to an agency spokesman, seven months after he was…
Complaint over public funding for transgender training stalls after Marion County leaders skip meeting
A complaint stemming from two Marion County commissioners’ move to defund training for therapists who work with transgender people is no closer to a resolution one month later. Commissioner Colm Willis, the target of the complaint, wrote in emails this…
Legislative debacle could stall $20 million for Salem’s water fixes
The intake area of Geren Island, where water from the North Santiam River flows to become drinking water. Water here is on its way to be treated with powdered-activated carbon, if such treatment is underway. (Troy Brynelson/Salem Reporter) When Senate…