Willamette Valley Vineyards has filed an $8.1 million lawsuit against Pacific Power, saying that the utility company’s decision to leave power on during high winds sparked additional fires and damaged vineyards during the 2020 Labor Day fires.
ECONOMY
COLUMN: The pandemic’s lingering effects on the Salem economy
Transportation and warehouse jobs are down from a pandemic high, while other sectors have seen jobs largely recovery, writes columnist Pamela Ferrara.
State names 111 Salem taxpayers who owe over $50,000
The Oregon Revenue Department on July 14 began publishing a catalog of delinquent taxpayers. Marijuana retailers, a pizza shop and a developer topped the list as of Wednesday.
Salem’s largest affordable housing complex will stay available to low-income renters
Previous owners of Orchard Park Apartments began charging market rate rents in 2022 after an initial affordability agreement expired. The Salem Housing Authority recently partnered with a private investment company to buy the property and stop steep rent increases.
Oregonians can start to apply for paid work leave next month
State officials are prepping for the rollout of Paid Leave Oregon program, which will give workers paid family and medical leave.
Wanted: a vision for Salem’s vacant north downtown block
Salem’s urban renewal agency wants developers to weigh in with a plan for the vacant lots that once housed the Union Gospel Mission and Saffron Supply Co.
Avelo will begin flying from Salem to Las Vegas, Los Angeles in October
A budget airline carrier will begin twice weekly flights out of Salem in October following a years-long effort to bring commercial air service back to the city.
COLUMN: Why health care providers in Salem still struggle to hire
High stress levels, low pay and higher rates of illness from Covid have contributed to hiring challenges in crucial health care fields, columnist Pamela Ferrara writes.
Salem business leaders oppose city plan to tax workers without a vote
The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce has asked that the Salem City Council take a proposed payroll tax to the voters in November, while the statewide chamber opposes the tax entirely.
Returning from chemo, state worker has gone months without accurate pay
Weeks after state officials say they’ve resolved systemic errors that kept workers from being paid accurately, state employees are still waiting for money they’re owed.