Category Government
Environmentalists sue Oregon secretary of state over ballot decisions
Secretary of State’s office. (Caleb Wolf/Special to Salem Reporter) Proponents of two clean-energy initiatives on Wednesday sued Secretary of State Bev Clarno to reverse her decision stopping the groups from advancing initiatives for the November election. Renew Oregon, the coalition of clean energy advocacy groups…
AGENDA: Marion County to discuss church’s plan to turn land into housing
The Marion County’s Courthouse Square Building in downtown Salem. (Caleb Wolf/Special to Salem Reporter) Whether a piece of church-owned property in the Four Corners neighborhood can become housing will be the subject of a public hearing Wednesday. Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church wants to…
Findley moves up to replace Cliff Bentz in Oregon Senate
Oregon’s newest state senator, Lynn Findley, R-Vale. (Courtesy) State Rep. Lynn Findley, R-Vale, was chosen Monday by county commissioners representing a wide swath of eastern Oregon to succeed Cliff Bentz, who resigned his post Jan. 1. Bentz, a Republican attorney from Ontario, left the seat…
Oregon Department of Corrections announces new appointments to executive team
(From left) Gail Levario, Rem Nivens and Nathaline Frener have been selected to serve in executive positions at the Oregon Department of Corrections. (Courtesy/Oregon Department of Corrections). Oregon Department of Corrections Director Colette Peters has appointed three new people to manage key functions at the…
Oregon labor federation gets new leader as unions tackle more political issues
Graham Trainor recently became president of the Oregon AFL-CIO following years of union organizing and activisim (Oregon AFL-CIO photo) PORTLAND — Graham Trainor has taken the helm at one of the state’s largest labor groups at a time when workers in Oregon — already a…
Thanks to Oregon students, dogs used in research get chance at second life
Dogs like this one rescued from an Eastern Oregon residence have been used for lab testing in Oregon and then euthanized. A new law taking effect in January requires labs to offer animals for adoption. (PMG file photo) Here’s some good news at the tail…
Mike Swaim, outspoken former Salem mayor, dies at 76
Salem city hall (Salem Reporter) Mike Swaim, a former Salem mayor known for positioning himself against development in the city, died Dec. 17. He was 76. His wife, Kellie Swaim, said Swaim suffered a severe stroke while undergoing heart surgery at Salem Health. He was…
Guiding new agency directors puts state operations on better footing
Summer Warner (Courtesy photo) Summer Warner has one of those jobs crucial to state government, but rarely talked about. The Nebraska native is at the helm of one of the state’s most important projects: helping new directors get up to speed in the state agencies…
Clarno finds flaws in renewable energy measures, rejects petitions
Secretary of State’s office. (Caleb Wolf/Special to Salem Reporter) Secretary of State Bev Clarno has rejected two proposed ballot initiatives that aimed to move Oregon to carbon-free energy by 2045. Her move was the second time in recent weeks that she has rebuffed petitioners trying…