“I have a big nose, so I think I was put on this earth to filter the air and find smells for folks,” says Bill Fear. The longtime city employee was recently recognized for helping a homeowner with a litany of repairs during a heat wave this summer.
City News
Marion County to create mobile crisis teams separate from police
The county will use state money to staff four teams of mental health workers to respond to lower-risk crisis calls around the county, including in Salem city limits. County officials say that could take up to six months or more.
Gwyn up but vote close in Salem City Council runoff
Deanna Gwyn was leading Dynee Medlock by fewer than 200 votes in the ward 4 council race following initial ballot counts Tuesday night.
Salem voters overwhelmingly favor infrastructure package
Preliminary results also show local voters supporting bans on psilocybin facilities in unincorporated areas of Marion and Polk counties.
Legislative lawyer says Salem mayor serving in state House might violate Oregon’s Constitution
Democratic Rep. Chris Hoy was sworn in as mayor of Salem last week
Explosion rocks southeast Salem homes Monday morning
Salem police said Monday they did not know the cause of the explosion, and their investigation is still underway.
Hoy supports statewide mayors’ ask for state money to combat homelessness
With a mayoral transition upcoming, Salem wasn’t asked to participate in a statewide group of mayors advocating for guaranteed state funding for homelessness. But Mayor Chris Hoy says the proposal is a good one.
City charges thousands for records proving public statement about investigating police official
The city of Salem said it would take the equivalent of a full-time person working a full week to compile records that show a public city statement was true. Salem officials said last month that the city couldn’t find a third-party investigator to look into misconduct allegations against Deputy Police Chief Steve Bellshaw, who retired under a special agreement earlier this year.
Chris Hoy appointed mayor as Bennett steps down
City councilors on Wednesday also appointed councilor-elect Julie Hoy (no relation) to Hoy’s council seat.
Bill Riegel Park to reopen this month with improvements
The park, located in the Southeast Mill Creek neighborhood, has been closed and under construction since July. The latest changes complete the second and final phase of a $740,000 improvement project that began over a decade ago.