Category City News
Ballooning retirement costs a major contribution to Salem’s budget crisis
The city of Salem expects to spend about $11 million more next year on pension obligations after a state rate increase.
Future electricians get a new training home in north Salem
This fall, the Independent Electrical Contractors of Oregon opened a new training center to house their residential electrician apprenticeship programs, which includes twice as much lab space for hands-on practice.
New Oregon economic forecaster predicts higher revenue, higher kicker
Oregon’s new chief economist estimates the state will have about $37.8 billion available to spend in the next two-year budget cycle after reworking how the state calculates its economic forecast.
City search continues for violence coordinator but temporary job poses challenges
At a Salem City Council work session Monday night, Police Chief Trevor Womack said the city needs to hire a manager to coordinate violence reduction work, but the job’s temporary status has been a concern for candidates and Salem leaders organizing such efforts.
Salem climber, entrepreneur is bringing back American-made outdoor clothing
Bill Amos founded NW Alpine in 2010 to make high-quality clothes for mountaineers that upheld his environmental and labor values. Now, he wants to grow a new Salem retail store into a community hub.
Swept away: What cities really take when they sweep homeless encampments
ProPublica received records of personal property collected during homeless encampment removals in 14 cities. Among the items taken were passports, seizure medication, baby photos and survival gear.
Z.E.U.S.: Turner eighth grader picks winning name for Salem’s electric street sweeper
The people have spoken and Z.E.U.S — short for Zero Emission Utility Sweeper — will be the official name of the city’s new electric street sweeper. An eighth grader named Zaidee Salazar from Cascade Junior High school in Turner made the suggestion, which won a public poll last week.
Dedicated group of volunteers keep history alive at Salem Pioneer Cemetery
Burials at the historic Salem Pioneer Cemetery include veterans of the War of 1812, pioneers and founding statesmen. Many of the graves look much younger thanks to the longtime efforts of local volunteers.
UPDATE: Police boosted summer patrols, reached out to teens in Salem’s hotspots for violence
The Salem Police Department and Marion County Sheriff’s Office this past summer assigned officers to overtime patrols in northeast Salem and downtown, and checked in more with minors on parole and probation.