Category City News
READ IT: Mayor Julie Hoy’s full 2026 State of the City address
Read the full text of Salem Mayor Julie Hoy’s 2026 State of the City address.
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Mayor Hoy committed to ‘staying the course’ on new public safety programs, fiscal responsibility
Salem Mayor Julie Hoy addressed an audience of hundreds at the Salem Convention Center Wednesday, March 11, for her second State of the City address since being sworn in as mayor in January 2025. She touted the city’s recent successes in helping address public safety and lauded city leadership.
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City councilors vote to advance new tourism fee on Salem Airbnbs, other short-term rentals
Short-term rentals in Salem might soon cost more after city councilors voted 6-3 Monday night to move forward on a new 2% city fee to fund tourism promotion.
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NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS: What’s happening across Salem in March
Salem's neighborhood associations have updates on a kids' clothing swap, a planned oak tree removal and more in March.
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Salem police chief to retire in May
Chief Trevor Womack led the Salem Police Department for five years, overseeing a recent drop in shootings and more use of data to guide policing decisions and inform the public.
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CITY MEETING: Fire report says new crisis response team frees up resources, reduces emergency room visits
Salem city councilors will get an update on the Salem Fire Department’s new REACH team, which pairs a mental health specialist with medical workers to address nonemergency mental health calls. Councilors will also receive an annual report from Travel Salem, and the latest police crime data.
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Salem Airbnbs could get more expensive as city eyes expanding tourism fee
Dozens of short-term rental operators came out against a city proposal to charge them a fee to fund Travel Salem’s tourism promotion work, submitting written testimony ahead of Monday’s council meeting.
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Salem Health merger talks trigger concerns over insurance coverage
Hospital leaders have recognized coverage for Regence BlueCross BlueShield as a top concern among residents as Salem Health and Santiam Hospital & Clinics seek state approval for a merger. Executives from both systems addressed questions about the insurance, consolidation and hospital services during a Salem town hall Tuesday.
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Organizations plan to ensure some city social services funds help families impacted by ICE
The city of Salem split up its new one-time $200,000 social services fund between four local nonprofits and organizations in an effort to maximize the impact on vulnerable community members.
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