Category Marion & Polk County
UPDATE: Marion County commissioners approve buying armored SWAT vehicle
Commissioners on Wednesday unanimously approved awarding a $160,000 grant for the Strategic Economic Development Corporation, also known as SEDCOR, to promote the growth of Salem-area businesses and the local economy.
UPDATE: Marion County commissioners approve state money for disease prevention
Commissioners on Wednesday unanimously approved adding about $1.97 million of state money to an agreement with the Oregon Health Authority for public health services. The new contract totals $6.96 million and lasts through June 2025.
West Salem jeweler charged with scamming customers faces 18 new accusations
Police say 27 people have come forward after doing business with Douglas Gamble and his store, Timeless Jeweler, reporting losses totaling at least $700,000. He is charged with theft and aggravated theft.
UPDATE: Marion County commissioners approve hiring temporary therapists to fill vacancies
Commissioners on Wednesday unanimously approved adding $2.25 million to a contract with a Tennessee nursing agency to provide temporary telehealth services for the county’s behavioral health programs.
Homeowners see modest tax increases as Salem property values rise quickly
The tax break for Amazon’s Salem distribution center is up this year, meaning the company owes $1.6 million in property taxes to fund local government and schools.
Salem man charged with attempted aggravated murder following shootout with police
Jose Corral-Zavala, 21, started a gunfight with police after they stopped his vehicle with spikes, state police said. He then fled in a minivan that stopped nearby before a Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputy fatally shot the driver, Isaac Oceguedo, 18.
UPDATE: Marion County commissioners call for repeal of Oregon’s drug decriminalization law
Approved by Oregon voters in 2020, Ballot Measure 110 was intended to take drug users out of jails and get them into treatment. Police, prosecutors and service providers in Marion County say the measure has instead disincentivized people from seeking treatment and worsened violent crime.
UPDATE: Marion County commissioners extend mental health screenings at Salem Hospital
Commissioners on Wednesday unanimously approved adding $100,000 to a contract with Salem Health for Marion County’s Psychiatric Crisis Center to continue providing 24/7 mental health screening services at the hospital’s emergency department.
Police identify citizen killed, deputy injured in Polk County shootout Saturday
Late Monday afternoon, the Oregon State Police identified a citizen killed in a gunfight with police two days ago as Isaac I. Ocegueda, 18 of Carlton. The agency said Polk County sheriff’s deputy Mike Smith was also injured in the shootout but otherwise provided little information.