Troy Brynelson - Salem Reporter
Emergency room doctor, real estate broker enter Salem City Council races
Trevor Phillips, left, and Jose Gonzales both filed for Salem City Council this month. The two will seek to represent Ward 3 and Ward 5, respectively. (Courtesy/Trevor Phillips, Jose Gonzales) Two more people have announced they will seek seats on…
New city law drafted to clear downtown streets of homeless
Robert Stone, a native of Cheyenne, Wyo., sits outside near a coffee shop in downtown Salem. The homeless Salem resident said he would “probably” be impacted by a proposed ban on sitting or lying down on public rights of way.…
Citizens question legality of Salem council’s appointment
Salem city hall (Salem Reporter) Update 4:55 p.m.: Salem City Council will reopen the vote between Reid Sund and Vanessa Nordyke at its upcoming meeting, Oct. 28. City Manager Steve Powers released the following statement to Salem Reporter: “In reviewing…
Despite funding gap, Salem mission will break ground on new shelter
A rendering of Union Gospel Mission of Salem’s new men’s mission. The organization will break ground Nov. 1. (Courtesy/Union Gospel Mission of Salem) Now’s the time to build, according to Dan Clem, executive director of Union Gospel Mission of Salem.…
Nordyke appointed to Salem City Council
Vanessa Nordyke, left, was appointed to Salem City Council on Monday night over Reid Sund, right. (Courtesy/Vanessa Nordyke, Reid Sund) Vanessa Nordyke will be the next representative of Salem’s southwest neighborhoods on Salem City Council. And she announced her plans…
Salem City Council finalists share thoughts on homelessness, third bridge, city budget
Vanessa Nordyke, left, and Reid Sund will interview with Salem City Council on Monday night to take the open seat. They responded to a short survey from Salem Reporter. Who will represent southwest neighborhoods on Salem City Council? It could…
Heitsch withdraws candidacy for Salem City Council
Bonnie Heitsch, 62, withdrew her candidacy Sunday for the open seat on Salem City Council. (Courtesy/Bonnie Heitsch) The pool of candidates for the open seat on Salem City Council is now down to two. Oregon Department of Justice lawyer Bonnie…
Before it stalled, several counties couldn’t enforce vape ban at tobacco retailers
Flavored vape products are banned in Oregon for six months as of Oct. 15. (Courtesy/Wikimedia Commons) If Oregon’s ban on flavored tobacco vaping cartridges resumes, it will largely be up to county governments to ensure they are taken off shelves.…
With homelessness an issue, Salem residents “less optimistic” about city’s future
A homeless woman walks behind a city of Salem public works vehicle during an eviction of a camp under the Marion Street Bridge in January. (Troy Brynelson/Salem Reporter) Salem residents’ confidence in Salem city government is sinking because of issues…
Salem nonprofits looking at Eugene’s model for mobile crisis response
Ken Houghton, left, and a volunteer walk toward a homeless encampment under the Marion Street Bridge in January to do outreach before police clear it out. (Troy Brynelson/Salem Reporter) Salem groups are considering launching a new service that brings mental…