Category Government
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.
More than 100,000 Salem voters now have chance for say on proposed pay tax
County clerks in Marion and Polk counties have mailed out ballots that include a measure to decide the fate of Salem's city payroll tax. Election Day is Nov. 7.
Chavez-DeRemer again leads all Oregon congressional candidates in fundraising
Lori Chavez-DeReamer, a Republican representing Oregon's competitive 5th district, has raised more than her three opponents combined.
Oregon lawmakers prep to tackle drug addiction in 2024 session
A new committee will meet next week for the first time as lawmakers start to look for solutions to Oregon’s drug addiction crisis.
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: Councilors move forward changes to make single-room housing easier to build
During their Monday, Oct. 9 meeting, the Salem City Council moved plans to allow single-room housing in more areas and changes to west Salem streets forward to a public hearing.
Independent review: Secretary of State auditors failed to safeguard against Fagan’s moonlighting
A report commissioned by the Department of Justice finds that the former secretary of state didn’t influence an audit’s outcome, but said auditors failed to properly weigh the public perception of her outside work.
Former campaign staff blast McLeod-Skinner’s management style as she gears up for a rerun
Former staff say they were scared and anxious working for Jamie McLeod-Skinner, while her defenders said she had high expectations but treated staff well.
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.