Category City News
Salem could have new flag to represent the city following a council decision
To cull down the list of finalists for Salem’s future flag, Brian McKinley had to sort through heaps of emails from people scoring each of the potential options. He said there were 175 submissions and with the help of judges, they narrowed that number down…
West Salem Councilor Jim Lewis resigns to spend more time with friends, family
Councilor Jim Lewis during a volunteer event at Orchard Heights Park. (Helen Caswell/Special to Salem Reporter) There’s a line in a Jackson Browne song that goes, “If I could be anywhere right now, I would want to be here.” For now-resigned Salem city Councilor Jim…
Man who died after confrontation with Salem police was homeless, had lifelong mental illness, family says
Rachel Coble saw her brother two weeks before he died in a confrontation with Salem police officers. After living in his car at Northgate Park for a year – and decades of struggling with addiction – Richard Meyers looked well. Meyers told Coble he’d been…
In final address, Mayor Chuck Bennett urges residents to pass infrastructure bond, consider public safety needs
Salem Mayor Chuck Bennett films a video acceptance for a literacy award in April 2020. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Mayor Chuck Bennett beseeched Salem residents to vote for an upcoming infrastructure bond, highlighted the Salem Fire Department’s record call volume and said the city will do…
Salem Elks Lodge wants the city’s help paying for a fence following camping in Cascades
Motor homes and trailers parked at the Salem Elks Lodge #336 RV park on Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Blake Whitson has seen members at the Salem Elks Lodge #336 get threatened and screamed at since the city began allowing people experiencing homelessness…
A quiet force working behind the scenes, Steve Powers heads for retirement
City Manager Steve Powers. (Courtesy/ Tami Carpenter) Steve Powers sees himself as an orchestra conductor, guiding the flow of Salem’s work while keeping the spotlight on the music, not himself. It’s an apt metaphor for a city manager who’s often quiet at council meetings, preferring…
Local climate group says city is “slow walking” approval of Climate Action Plan
Solar panels on the Library roof will be generating energy in the renovated building. (Courtesy/City of Salem) An effort from city leaders to implement Salem’s Climate Action Plan in phases is causing consternation from climate activists on and off the Salem City Council. Dozens of…
Salem, Grand Ronde seek delay as feds weigh moving Siletz casino forward
A rendering of the proposed Siletz casino in Salem near I-5. Officials with the city of Salem and Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde want more time to review plans for a proposed tribal casino in north Salem as the Siletz tribe seeks federal approval for…
Forum concerns center around trash as city explains new micro shelter locations
Peace Plaza, between Salem City Hall and the Salem Public Library, is among the city sites under consideration for a new micro shelter camp. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) About a dozen people gathered for a forum at Broadway Commons Thursday night to learn more about a…