Category City News

City poised to withdraw effort from sobering center
Salem’s legislative committee plans to recommend that the city stop its years-long effort to fund a sobering center. The facility was intended to divert drunk or intoxicated people from hospitals or jail.

Salem Reporter to conduct Town Hall as city voters face measure on new wage tax
A Town Hall open and free to the public will explore issues around Salem's new wage tax. Salem Reporter is hosting the event Oct. 11 at the Elsinore Theatre. Voters will get a chance to decide whether the tax stays.

“A fighting chance”: Salem on track to have 1,000 shelter beds this year
Salem has tripled the number of emergency shelter beds in the past five years amid growing concerns from citizens and city leaders about homelessness. But high housing costs, drug abuse and temporary funding remain challenges to tackling the problem.

A guide to Salem’s expanding homeless shelters
Since 2018, Salem nonprofits and the city have worked to more than triple the number of shelter beds available for homeless residents. Here’s a look at what’s available.

DEA agent faces state felony charge in death of Salem cyclist
Witnesses, including three agents of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and four Salem police officers, testified before the grand jury that charged a DEA agent Wednesday in the March death of cyclist Marganne Allen.

BREAKING NEWS: DEA agent charged in cyclist’s death
A Marion County grand jury on Wednesday indicted a federal agent for criminally negligent homicide in the March death of cyclist Marganne Allen. Samuel T. Landis, 38, works for the federal Drug Enforcement Administration.

UPDATE: City council approves expansions at airport
During their Monday, Aug. 28, meeting, the Salem City Council approved a property purchase to add 230 parking spaces at the Salem Municipal Airport, and rejected a repeal of the payroll tax.

Salem City Council rejects motion to repeal payroll tax
During Monday’s city council meeting, councilors voted 6-3 to reject a motion to repeal the tax, meaning it is still set to go to the November ballot. Both sides of the motion said they were voting in the best interest of rebuilding public trust.

UPDATE: Cherriots approves contracts for tech, community surveys
During its Aug. 24 meeting, Cherriots’ board of directors approved a $2.9 million project for systemwide communication and bus tracking, and a contract for community surveys.