Category City News
Residents raise questions about long-term plans to fix city budget gap at town hall
A town hall hosted by Salem Reporter on Tuesday drew hundreds for a discussion about Salem’s proposed property levy, which aims to prevent cuts to services like the library and parks by taxing property owners.
City council approves $200,000 settlement for man after sewage floods home
Salem City Councilors unanimously approved a settlement with Elias Villegas after several inches of sewer water flooded his home after a sewer back-up in December.
SENTENCED TO THE SIDEWALK: Legislators sharpening focus on reforms to help troubled people
After years of inaction, lawmakers are turning their attention to key flaws in Oregon's civil commitment process. But needed space to treat people with severe mental illnesses still lags behind.
NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS: What’s happening across Salem in April
Several neighborhood associations have upcoming candidate forums for city council and school board races - plus upcoming community events.
City terminates Rudy’s Steakhouse lease over unpaid rent
Notices posted on Rudy's Steakhouse Tuesday afternoon indicated the city of Salem was repossessing the space, leaving the future of the 27-year-old restaurant up in the air.
SENTENCED TO THE SIDEWALK: In ‘revolving door’ of Salem’s psychiatric unit, getting better is a matter of luck
Oregon has no functional system to compel psychiatric treatment for unsheltered people dying slowly from neglect. That leaves Salem Hospital as the only outlet for many of Salem’s most vulnerable.
Salem chamber comes out in support of city property tax increase
The Salem Chamber of Commerce announced its support over the weekend for a 5-year property tax levy to help pay for city services including parks and recreation, the public library and Center 50+. Chamber leaders said they supported the measure to preserve public safety services.
SENTENCED TO THE SIDEWALK: One woman’s misery reveals flaws in Oregon commitments
Government officials considered whether Melinda Lou Kayser needed someone to care for her. They said no. She then died, nearly naked, on a Salem street.
Peek inside Salem’s shuttered Macy’s as local owners prepare for next chapter
With Macy's stripped of its wares, pieces of the original 1955 Meier & Frank store are more visible, including wallpaper in a former beauty salon and handwritten maintenance logs for the store's boiler.