Robert Stone, of Cheyenne, Wyo., sits outside near a coffee shop in downtown Salem. The homeless Salem resident said he would “probably” be impacted by a proposed ban on sitting or lying down on public rights of way. (Troy Brynelson/Salem Reporter) Those who provide safety nets for Salem’s homeless residents are[Read More…]
City News
Former Salem Housing Authority staffer slams “very toxic” environment in resignation
A former grant writer at Salem Housing Authority called out the agency in her resignation letter, calling it “very toxic,” at a time when the agency’s flagship homeless assistance program is in flux. Pamala Garrick wrote that the agency hired “unqualified” managers and that her supervisors lied to her in[Read More…]
Salem council approves controversial lease with church, citing lack of options
Update July 25: This article has been updated with more information from Councilor Jackie Leung and an addendum has been added to the bottom. The city of Salem has decided to house the public library in a church-owned building, despite some concerns the LGBTQ community will not feel welcome. Salem[Read More…]
Salem considers banning daytime sleeping on sidewalks
Shoppers walk along State Street in downtown Salem. (Caleb Wolf/Special to Salem Reporter) Update 6:40 p.m.: The original article has been updated to include more information. The city of Salem is making another run at keeping sidewalks clear from behaviors that have repeatedly disrupted downtown businesses, reviving a legal approach[Read More…]
City swats down rumors, says water safe to drink
Salem city officials on Friday afternoon declared as “false” social media reports circulating through the community that water supplies were tainted and unsafe, but the assurances weren’t persuasive to some. The city confirmed testing showed small amounts of cyanotoxins – – commonly known as blue-green algae – were detected in[Read More…]
After summer of algal blooms, Salem enters spring with a plan, investments
Treatment ponds at Geren Island which ultimately becomes drinking water for Salem residents. Water reaching this point will have already been treated with powdered-activated carbon. (Troy Brynelson/Salem Reporter) Following Salem’s brush with cyanotoxins, Devin Doring said everyone at the city of Salem faced the question: How can they stop this[Read More…]
Salem library review paused following outcry from residents
Shelves at Salem Public Library in late November. The library’s new, more rigorous review policy is on pause until a public meeting Jan. 9. (Troy Brynelson/Salem Reporter files) A rigorous review of items in the Salem Public Library’s collections is on hold after residents worried that books would be needlessly[Read More…]
City of Salem moves toward tax and fee increases to address budget woes
Salem City Hall (Salem Reporter files) Updated: This story was updated at 4 p.m. with additional details about the fees and charges. City of Salem officials will consider new taxes and fees as a solution to a potential $6 million budget shortfall. The new revenue streams are being proposed by[Read More…]
City commission derailed over potential conflicts of interest
Potential conflicts of interest have destabilized a city commission tasked with earmarking millions of federal dollars for local projects. The Community Services and Housing Commission has for years been a keeper of grant dollars from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, also known as HUD, and where affordable[Read More…]
Salem secures financing for new ozone-based water treatment, plans underway
The city of Salem pictured in the summer. Salem City Council recently voted to increase utility rates, which will help finance a new $56 million overhaul of its water treatment facilities. (Salem Reporter files) When toxins seeped into taps of Salem homes over the summer, bottled water served as a[Read More…]