Category Government
Budget committee recommends body-worn cameras for Salem police
A Salem police car. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) The Salem Police Department is one step closer to having body-worn cameras for its officers. On Wednesday night, the Salem Budget Committee unanimously voted to include a body-worn and dash camera program in the city budget with the…
Salem Budget Committee recommends funding for mobile unit to respond to crisis calls
Brenton Gicker, left, prepares to pull CAHOOTS van toward a 911 call at Eugene Public Library. (Troy Brynelson/Salem Reporter) The Salem Budget Committee Wednesday evening unanimously voted to set aside $135,000 for a mobile response unit that would send a crisis worker and EMT to…
Oregon legislative aides move forward with first-of-its kind union
Oregon State Capitol, rotunda (Salem Reporter/file) Anne Marie Bäckström said she takes pride in her work as a legislative aide, helping Oregonians on issues ranging from housing, unemployment claims, Covid worries and others. “Participating in policy and the democratic process is really impactful, and really…
Oregon delegation sees greater access, clout with addition of sixth representative
U.S. Capitol (File photo- National Park Service) Oregon will get more power to push state needs in Congress and before federal agencies with the addition of a sixth U.S. representative, according to those in the state’s Congressional delegation. The change also means Oregonians will get…
State Rep. Mike Nearman faces charges from December attack on Oregon Capitol
Capitol surveillance footage shows state Rep. Mike Nearman, R-Independence, allowing demonstrators into the building. (Screen grab.) State Rep. Mike Nearman, R-Independence, has been charged with official misconduct and criminal trespass for allowing violent demonstrators into the Oregon State Capitol during a December protest. Marion County…
Marion County surveys residents on priorities for housing, development
Marion County building in downtown Salem (Caleb Wolf/Special to Salem Reporter) Marion County wants public input on how to spend millions in federal money as it develops a five-year plan for housing, community development, and infrastructure. The county has two surveys open until July 14…
Salem City Council approves tax exemption for Broadway apartment complex
Construction is underway at 990 Broadway N.E., which will produce 23 residential units. Developers worked with historic preservationists to make sure artifacts from Salem’s pioneer era were preserved. (Jake Thomas/Salem Reporter) The Salem City Council on Monday approved for an apartment complex a ten-year property…
Union Street would become pedestrian walkway under Salem city councilor’s proposal
Cyclists cross the Union Street Railroad Bridge on Thursday, July 30. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Salem City Councilor Virginia Stapleton wants Salem to imagine having a dedicated bicycle and pedestrian lane on Union Street that people could use to travel from west Salem or downtown to…
AROUND OREGON: Identity thieves using Oregon state employee names for fraudulent unemployment claims
Identity thieves have submitted dozens of fraudulent claims for unemployment benefits using the names of Oregon state employees, another front in thieves’ ongoing effort to capitalize on the surge of jobless claims that accompanied the pandemic. It’s not clear how the fraudsters obtained the state…