Category City News
UPDATE: Salem to seek federal money for airport improvements
During its meeting on Monday, Feb. 26, the Salem City Council took steps toward improvements to Northeast Front Street and Northwest Marine Drive.
COLUMN: Salem ahead of Oregon in pandemic economic recovery
Salem leads western Oregon in job recovery since the pandemic, thanks to a diversified economy and the stability of state government, columnist Pamela Ferrara writes.
Bridget Esqueda named Salem’s city librarian
Bridget Esqueda, who has served as city librarian in the interim for the past eight months, will continue leading the library as it works to expand accessibility while scaling back spending amid looming budget cuts.
Authorities staying silent on Salem police sergeant’s DUI charge
Salem police Sgt. Dustin Wann has been charged with driving under the influence last May. Prosecutors refuse to explain his involvement in a golf cart crash that injured a woman earlier that day in west Salem.
City selects developers for Block 50 downtown
Northwest-based developers Edlen & Co. and deChase Miksis have been chosen to turn a key undeveloped property downtown into a mix of apartments, retail and public space.
Legislature advances bill that aims to stem violence against hospital workers
House Bill 4088 would step up the penalty for attacking a hospital worker and create funding for hospitals to prevent violence.
ATV likely sparked Liberty Fire last August, investigation finds
Smoke started rising from a south Salem field soon after ATVs drove through dry grass, according to witness interviews in a report from the Salem Fire Department. The blaze triggered the evacuation of over 600 homes.
Oregon Democratic lawmakers reach tentative deal to address drug addiction crisis
Democrats in the Legislature plan to create a new class of misdemeanor and add opportunities to avoid jail and enter treatment
Salem needs a cohesive strategy, better data to address homelessness, study finds
Salem spent over $23 million responding to homelessness last year, an outside report found. The city is considering its next steps in managing its homeless response, at the crossroads of high need and limited funding.