Category City News
Costco-centered shopping center moves ahead with council approval
The site of the proposed Kuebler Gateway Shopping Center in South Salem.(Troy Brynelson/Salem Reporter) A new Costco and accompanying shopping center are on their way to Keubler Boulevard, after Salem Council voted overwhelmingly to approve a site plan for the project that’s rankled the neighborhood…
Salem nonprofits, hit by pandemic, adjust services and budgets to get by
Michelle Cordova, executive director of the Willamette Heritage Center, stands outside the center’s buildings. She said that normally it would be packed but has been empty because of the pandemic. (Jake Thomas/Salem Reporter) Michelle Cordova stood in the middle of the red-brick historic buildings at…
BUSINESS ROUNDUP: A second look at workers’ comp, Electric Alley and agricultural grants
Electric Alley in downtown Salem on Thursday, September 3. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) There’s a lot going on business. To help keep you up to speed, the Salem Reporter is launching a semi-regular roundup of business-related items including new business openings, locations, grant opportunities and others.…
Salem chooses police officers, people of color to help guide police audit
The entrance to Salem police headquarters. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) The members of a committee that will provide an examination of Salem police performance range from sworn officers to racial equity consultants. Salem City Councilor Vanessa Nordyke called for an audit in June following racial justice…
COLUMN: Numbers reveal how low-wage workers hit hardest by the pandemic
A graph of the average annual all-industry wages of several areas in Oregon. (Courtesy/Pam Ferrara) The Salem area unemployment rate came down by a bit more than a percentage point from June to July, a smaller drop than the three points from May to June.…
Salem area unemployment rate drops, yet remains high
In July 35 of Oregon’s 36 counties saw drops in their unemployment rates, including Polk and Marion counties. (Courtesy/Oregon Employment Department) In another signal that the economy is rebounding, the unemployment rate for the Salem area has dropped for the third month in a row.…
PHOTOS: Hard times on display as long lines form for $500 relief checks
It took about 48-hours for the state to run out of funds for a program meant to help Oregonians struggling because of the pandemic. Wednesday morning legislative leaders announced that banks and credit unions across the state would begin distributing one-time $500 payments from federal…
Vice chair of West Salem Neighborhood Association resigns after derogatory Facebook comment investigated
Salem City Council Chambers. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) The vice chair of the West Salem Neighborhood Association resigned Monday after an ethics investigation said remarks he made about people protesting police brutality warranted a public apology. Mark Coutis, president of construction company International Construction Blasting and…
For Konditorei, pandemic layers on challenges as business opens and closes
Gerry Frank’s Konditorei plans to open again on Monday, Aug. 17 – the pandemic willing. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) [ NOTE: Salem Reporter is providing this information free as a community service. You can support dissemination by subscribing. ] “I’m getting a little irritated by this whole…