Category Government
Salem chooses police officers, people of color to help guide police audit
The entrance to Salem police headquarters. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) The members of a committee that will provide an examination of Salem police performance range from sworn officers to racial equity consultants. Salem City Councilor Vanessa Nordyke called for an audit in June following racial justice…
With school moving online, Polk County expands faster internet access to rural areas
Polk County Courthouse (Courtesy of Jolene Guzman/Polk Itemizer-Observer) Remote corners of Polk County will get improved internet access under a $1 million project that will allow more rural children to better connect to schools. The county is using a share of its federal pandemic funding…
At a time of greater scrutiny for law enforcement, new leader tapped for Oregon’s largest police force
Terri Davie takes over as superintendent of the Oregon State Police on Nov. 1. (Courtesy/Governor’s Office) Terri Davie has been named by Gov. Kate Brown to head the state’s largest police force. On Monday, Brown announced the appointment of Davie as new superintendent of the…
Why one local delegate to the Republican National Convention doesn’t expect conventions to stay virtual
Oregon Republican Party Chair Bill Currier casts the state’s votes for President Donald Trump as the party’s presidential nominee at the 2020 Republican National Convention. (Screen grab/Facebook) Kevin Mannix, a Salem lawyer long involved in GOP politics, has been to every Republican National Convention since…
Employment Department applies for program that’ll send extra cash to unemployed
Oregon Employment Department. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) An additional $300 a week could be coming to unemployed residents of Salem and the rest of the state. The Oregon Employment Department announced on Monday it’s applying for the federal Lost Wages Assistance program. Created by the Trump…
What one local delegate to the Democratic National Convention thought of the unusual political convention
In a remote roll call vote at the Democratic National Convention, Oregon casts its votes for president. (Screen grab) On Wednesday, Aug. 19, Democrats from across the country officially made Joe Biden the party’s standard-bearer in the 2020 presidential election. Held over video because of…
Cities and counties complain about how federal Covid cash is carved up
The Oregon State Capitol canceled a Cherry Blossom Festival scheduled in March due to COVID-19. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter) [ NOTE: Salem Reporter is providing this information free as a community service. You can support dissemination by subscribing. ] Local government officials say they could do more…
Vice chair of West Salem Neighborhood Association resigns after derogatory Facebook comment investigated
Salem City Council Chambers. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) The vice chair of the West Salem Neighborhood Association resigned Monday after an ethics investigation said remarks he made about people protesting police brutality warranted a public apology. Mark Coutis, president of construction company International Construction Blasting and…
PHOTOS: In a Capitol closed to the public, legislators whittle away at state budget
Rep. Bill Post, R-Keizer, left, and Rep. Brian Clem, D-Salem, wait to see the outcome of a vote on House Bill 4303 during a one-day special session at the Oregon State Capitol on Monday, August 10. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) For the second time in 2020,…