Category Government
Hoy, business leaders pull out of effort to make it easier to sweep homeless encampments
A statewide petition led by Salem Mayor Julie Hoy sought to repeal a state law that requires cities and counties to be “objectively reasonable as to time, place and manner,” when clearing a homeless encampment from a public place. After state officials required the petition’s backers to change the ballot's title and description, they dropped the effort.
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This nonaffiliated Oregonian is running for Congress. His campaign looks different than most
Jason Faler spends most of his weekends collecting signatures at the Salem Saturday Market. He's seeking to join the race for Oregon's 6th Congressional District as a nonaffiliated candidate. If he qualifies for the ballot, he'll be up against Republican David Russ and incumbent U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas, a Democrat from Tigard.
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County officials certify Vega Ward 6 winner, say November runoff likely for Ward 8
County officials declared Betsy Vega the winner of the Salem City Council race for Ward 6, representing northeast Salem. City officials will decide in the coming weeks whether she was a qualified candidate, following allegations that she didn’t properly file with the city recorder’s office. The election in West Salem between Micki Varney and Chris Cummings is likely to go to a runoff election in November if neither candidate gets more than half of votes after a hand count on June 25.
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Northeast residents angry as fiber-optic installation encroaches on private property
Residents in northeast Salem say contracted work crews installing fiber-optic cables for Ezee Fiber, a Texas-based internet service provider with offices in the Pacific Northwest, are invading private property and causing damage. Complaints were aired during a Northeast Neighbors Neighborhood Association meeting last week.
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CITY MEETING: Salem city council advances 2027 budget proposal to final vote
Salem city councilors considered public input on the 2027 budget proposal during their meeting Monday night, and voted unanimously to move it forward to a final vote on Monday, June 22. Councillors also unanimously approved their legislative priorities for the upcoming session, and annual increases in city fees and charges.
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CITY MEETING: Salem city council to hold public hearing Monday night on new budget
Salem city councilors will consider public input on the 2027 budget during their meeting Monday night, which starts at 6 p.m.. The budget is expected to be approved on Monday, June 22. Councillors will also discuss their legislative priorities and annual increases to city fees and charges.
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City officials are reviewing allegations that Betsy Vega is ineligible for council
The city of Salem said in a release Friday that Salem City Attorney Dan Atchison and City Recorder Amy Johnson are looking at information that alleges Betsy Vega, the likely winner in the Salem City Council Ward 6 race, is not a qualified candidate.
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New El Torito Supermarket to bring groceries to downtown Salem ‘food desert’
The new El Torito Supermarket coming downtown will fulfill residents’ long-time hope for a grocery store in the city’s core. Until it opens, an expert in food security said the area’s lack of nearby access to affordable groceries makes downtown a “food desert.”
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City punts on challenge to Betsy Vega’s election qualifications
A progressive political consultant alleged that Betsy Vega, the likely winner in a Salem City Council race, misled city and county officials into certifying her as a candidate. The path to resolve the matter remains unclear as city, county and state officials consider the allegations and determine next steps.
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