Troy Brynelson - Salem Reporter
Salem cop arrested in Portland says on-duty incident triggered mental illness
Officer Seth Thayres joined Salem Police Department in 2014. He said after a dangerous encounter with an armed robber in March 2017 triggered bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. (Courtesy of Seth Thayres) A former Salem police officer has made…
Salem council praises city manager in review, advises better communication
The plaza of Salem City Hall pictured last summer. (Salem Reporter files) Salem City Manager Steve Powers continues to have full support of the Salem city councilors but he could work to communicate better, according to an annual performance review.…
Cherriots loses $1 million in state grants, southern transit center plans in flux
A Cherriots bus at the Downtown Transit Center. (Courtesy of Cherriots) Bus riders hoping for a new transit center in south Salem may be in for a wait — if one comes at all. Cherriots’ planned South Salem Transit Center,…
Salem votes down third bridge
Left to right: Councilors Cara Kaser, Tom Andersen, Brad Nanke and Jackie Leung. Andersen addressed Salem City Coucnil after the majority voted down a motion that would have kept the Salem River Crossing in play. (Troy Brynelson/Salem Reporter) Salem City…
Salem council to vote on third bridge Monday, offered two draft letters
The Marion and Center street bridges pictured last summer. Salem City Council are expected to decide the fate of a long-proposed third bridge on Monday night. (Salem Reporter files) Salem City Council will be asked Monday night to decide the…
Updated: Salem cop arrested in Portland for theft, meth possession
Officer Seth Thayres, who joined Salem Police Department in 2014, was arrested Wednesday in Portland and charged with theft and methamphetamine possession. (Courtesy of Multnomah County Sheriff) 3:50 p.m. Feb. 7: This article was updated with more information from the…
As cold snap lingers, warming shelters face volunteer shortage and potential closures
People sleeping on mats at a warming shelter at First Presbyterian Church on Tuesday night. Organizers said one shelter closed that night due to a lack of help, and 20 homeless were turned away. (Troy Brynelson/Salem Reporter) If Kathleen Thorpe…
Salem considering buying ARCHES building, bankrolling more services for homeless
The sign at The ARCHES Project, a building the city of Salem is said to be considering buying. Buying the property would give the facility hundreds of thousands more dollars to spend on services, like around-the-clock bathrooms (Anthony McGuire/Special to…
AGENDA: Marion County to consider paying Covanta to process waste
Courthouse Square, where Marion County Commissioners meet. (Caleb Wolfe/Salem Reporter files) Marion County’s current contract with Covanta Marion is set to expire in September. County commissioners on Wednesday will consider a new deal to send liquid waste to the incinerator…
Salem library used flawed data when preparing for controversial book review
A man at Salem Public Library in December. Officials with the Chemeketa Cooperative Regional Library System said Monday that the Salem library and many others it works with have been miscounting their print materials. (Caleb Wolf/Special to Salem Reporter) Data…