Category City News
Second sewer overflow of week spills almost 900 gallons into Glenn Creek
A sewer blockage Wednesday night led to almost 900 gallons of raw sewage spilling into Glenn Creek in West Salem. This is Salem's third sewage spill in less than three weeks.
City offices will move to Broadway, SAIF building during seismic retrofit
Salem’s City Hall is undergoing a $40 million seismic retrofit starting this summer. By June, city services will relocate to temporary offices for the 18-month project.
Salem police, fire spending skyrocketed over 2 decades while staff stayed flat, budget data shows
Salem Reporter took a historic look at the budget for two of the city’s most expensive departments, police and fire. The agencies’ staffing hasn’t kept up with rising costs, and their spending has grown far faster than inflation.
Salem City Council votes unanimously to put property tax increase before voters in May
If Salem voters approve a tax levy in May, the average homeowner would pay about $229 per year to avoid deep cuts to city services like the library, parks maintenance and Center 50+.
High wind brings multiple power outages to Salem area
This story was updated at 8:10 a.m. Tuesday after power had been restored. As of 8 a.m. Tuesday, power has been restored to more than 3,400 Salem homes and businesses after they lost power Monday night as high winds and rain swept through the area. …
Sewer blockage causes over 2,000 gallons of raw sewage to spill into Waln Creek
Over 2,000 gallons of raw sewage spilled into Waln Creek Sunday afternoon after a sewer blockage led to an overflow. This is Salem’s third sewer spill in two months.
Potential flooding, heavy rainfall expected in Salem through Tuesday
The Willamette River in Salem rose about five feet in the past 24 hours, but creeks and rivers in Salem are expected to remain below flood stage.
Salem city councilors to vote Monday on putting $14 million tax levy on May ballot
Salem city councilors will formally vote Monday on putting a five-year property tax levy on the May 2025 ballot after months of discussions. It would cost the average Salem homeowner about $230 per year and avoid steep cuts to the city’s library, senior center, parks maintenance and public safety.
Salem city councilors support closing second runway at city airport
Councilors and city employees said it’s not feasible for the city to spend millions fixing up a secondary runway at Salem’s airport, and closing it down would allow the city to make more money through leases.