Troy Brynelson - Salem Reporter
Marion County to investigate its culture following sexual harassment and discrimination allegations
Marion County Courthouse (Salem Reporter file) Marion County plans to hire an independent auditor to investigate the county’s culture following allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination by a public works employee. County spokeswoman Jolene Kelley said Wednesday the county will…
Oregon delegates call on feds to investigate Napa Valley winery’s pinot noir
Oregon’s Congressional delegation officially called for an investigation Tuesday into a Napa Valley winery accused of appropriating the state’s reputation for pinot noir. U.S. Sens. Jeff Merkley, Ron Wyden joined Reps. Earl Blumenauer, Suzanne Bonamici, Peter DeFazio and Kurt Schrader,…
For 600 city workers, pay raise will have to wait a couple more weeks
A new contract between the city of Salem and 600 employees will have to wait another day due to a last-minute cancellation. The Salem City Council was scheduled to ratify on Monday night the new labor agreement with Local 2067…
Marion County worker alleges sexual discrimination in public works department
A Marion County employee says she was denied a promotion and degraded based on her gender. Jamie Namitz, a county worker for 16 years, took to the board of commissioners meeting Wednesday to report being sexually harassed during a job…
Rogue Valley vineyards find help in Willamette Valley after massive harvest cancellation
Willamette Valley Vineyards founder Jim Bernau, left, wife Jen Bernau and Jim Gullo of Oregon Wine Press pack a minivan before driving to southern Oregon. Vineyards in the Rogue Valley are scrambling to offload tons of grapes that were cancelled…
Residents challenge Salem’s early plans for city’s future
Salem’s comprehensive plan will soon get overhauled for the first time since its creation in the 1970s, but the work is already off to a rocky start. The comprehensive plan guides everything from where homes can be built to how…
Marion County joins lawsuit to stop project that could drain Detroit Lake
Marion County has joined a lawsuit to stop a project that could drain Detroit Lake for up to two years and potentially hurt farmers, the recreation industry and county tax revenue. A federal magistrate on Sept. 25 approved Marion County…
Winding road ahead for Costco, Kuebler shopping center
The south end of a field where a the Kuebler Gateway Shopping Center is proposed. Oregon white oak trees could pose problems for plans to build a sprawling shopping center on Kuebler Boulevard. (Troy Brynelson/Salem Reporter) John Miller says he’s…
New task force to look into Salem’s revenues
Salem City Hall pictured over the summer. Salem City Council on Monday appointed a 14-person task force to look at the ways the city currently makes money and how it might make more. (File/Salem Reporter) While the private sector enjoys…
Clarkson to become Marion County D.A. Oct. 1, Beglau to retire early
The Marion County Courthouse, pictured in July. Gov. Kate Brown on Tuesday announced that Paige Clarkson, who won the post in May, will take over three months sooner than expected. (Salem Reporter) Marion County District Attorney-elect Paige Clarkson is stepping…