Category Watchdog
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.
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.
Greg Smith defends actions giving him now-revoked pay boost
Greg Smith recently released a new statement justifying his actions in seeking a major pay raise for his work at the Columbia Development Authority. He stayed silent, though, on claiming hours worked for the small agency while in Salem working as a legislator.
City councilors vote in favor of land use decision benefitting campaign donor
City Councilors Julie Hoy and Deanna Gwyn approved a land use appeal that directly benefited Mountain West Investment Corp. a major campaign donor. Salem’s charter advises councilors to recuse themselves from certain votes concerning large donors.
Eastern Oregon University ends Greg Smith contract, mum about the circumstances
For 16 years, Greg Smith's company held a contract to counsel business owners in northeast Oregon, sponsored by Eastern Oregon University. The university terminated the contract recently but officials won't explain their actions. Smith is a Republican state representative from Heppner.
Public official loses pay increase, faces salary repayment as board probes conduct
AROUND OREGON: A public board Friday ordered that pay raises for Greg Smith and his staff at the Columbia Development Authority be revoked. The move may cost Smith more than $30,000 in pay to return. The action followed an investigation by the Malheur Enterprise.
Public official exaggerates his duty to engineer major pay raise from struggling public agency
SPECIAL REPORT: The Columbia Development Authority, tasked with helping turn a former Army base in eastern Oregon into industrial land, was struggling with its finances earlier this year. That didn't stop Greg Smith, executive director and a state legislator, from seeking to double his salary and then getting a 55% increase.
Records show Salem RAM was in disrepair prior to abrupt closure
The Salem RAM, a brewpub that was a community gathering spot for decades, closed in June. Inspection records show a leak into the ceiling led to its collapse last spring and prompted a state safety citation.
Mayoral emails, collision reports, body-cam footage and firefighter thank-you’s: Public records tell a wide range of tales
InvestigateWest took a deep look at public records across Oregon, Washington and Idaho. Here are a few of the other stories they stumbled across.