Category City News

YOUR GOVERNMENT: Cherriots board to consider budget
The Salem Area Mass Transit District’s board meets Thursday, June 22, to consider adopting its budget for the next year, and an annual donation of bus passes to local nonprofits.

Salem will see millions to open new preschool, fund community services
End-of-session bills doling out state money for projects around Oregon include major building projects and operating money for several Salem institutions.

Eugene man sentenced in 2021 Salem murder-for-hire with teen shooter
The teen charged with shooting two people, one fatally, in a fake drug deal outside a northeast Salem elementary school is scheduled to change his not guilty plea on July 6.

Audit: Oregon Health Authority mishandled hundreds of thousands in federal mental health money
Federal auditors flagged problems in the health authority's use of federal money to expand a facility, which is not allowed.

Medical, dental, mental health care under one roof as Northwest Human Services expands flagship clinic
A newly-expanded 57,000 square foot clinic in West Salem serves as primary medical care for nearly 13,000 Salem-area patients per year, one in five of whom are homeless.

Salem to pay $25,000 settlement in lawsuit over excessive force at 2021 protest
City officials reached a settlement with Clifford Eiffler-Rodriguez three months after he sued the city, alleging police officers shot him at close range with pepper balls and “less than lethal” launchers.

UPDATE: Salem City Council advances 2023-24 budget, approves operations fee increase
The Salem City Council met Monday, June 12, to advance its 2023-24 budget and hear public testimony on the subject. Councilors also approved an increase to the city operations fee, effective July 1.

City council considering payroll tax without voter approval
Salem city councilors on June 12 will review a draft ordinance that would tax Salem workers an average of $42 a month to sustain and expand police, emergency response and homeless services. Councilors would vote at a later date after a public hearing.

Oregon state workers warn of possible strike in fight for raises
More than 1,000 state government employees joined a union rally at the state Capitol Thursday, urging state officials to pay better wages.

