Category City News
WEIGH IN: How should Salem handle its budget deficit?
Salem Reporter wants your input on which cuts or other strategies city leaders should consider if voters don't approve a payroll tax in November.
‘A smorgasbord of awful:’ council begins discussions of budget cuts
Salem councilors discussed alternatives to deep cuts should voters reject a wage tax, hoping to preserve the west Salem library, city jobs and maintain parks.
Oregon State Hospital will keep vehicle keys secure, add barriers to prevent escapes
Changes to the state hospital's operations follow an order by federal officials to fix its transportation protocols so no more patients escape.
Taste, sip Oregon’s newest local food products at Saturday event in Salem
The Oregon Angel Food Marketplace comes to Chemeketa Community College this weekend, highlighting products from 50 food and drink entrepreneurs.
Microloan program for Latino entrepreneurs honored for economic development
Salem’s Strategic Economic Development Corporation held its annual awards ceremony on Sept. 8. Those recognized included a local microenterprise program, a Dallas creamery and a Salem flooring manufacturer.
Federal officials order Oregon State Hospital to make ‘immediate’ changes following escape
Two weeks after an “extremely dangerous” man facing felony charges escaped from the Oregon State Hospital in a state-owned van, federal health authorities ordered immediate changes to ensure the secure transport of patients, especially those involved in the criminal justice system.
Aumsville hired police sergeant after learning Salem fired him for misconduct
Aumsville police ran a background check on Jeffrey Keniston in February and learned he was under a state investigation after being fired from Salem police. The Aumsville agency hired Keniston three months later.
Cause of Vitae Springs Fire ruled ‘undetermined’ a year later
Residents in the area of the 2022 Vitae Springs Fire said at the time that evacuation alerts left them confused and uncertain about conditions. City officials say now they have improved their emergency messaging system since the southwest Salem fire to provide quicker and clearer public information.
West Salem library, homeless shelters could be cut if payroll tax fails
City leaders released a plan outlining the next several years of proposed cuts to keep the city budget balanced if the payroll tax fails in November. The cuts would reduce programs at the Salem Public Library, limit park maintenance and increase wait times for emergency response.