Category Government
Oregon may make new move to limit money going to candidates
SALEM — Many political observers around Oregon were surprised late last October when the most prominent third-party candidate for governor dropped out of the race and endorsed Gov. Kate Brown for re-election. Patrick Starnes, nominee of the Independent Party of Oregon, said he decided to…
Witnesses say children need to be readied for life after big Oregon quake
SALEM — Oregon is earthquake country, and students across the state practice duck-and-cover drills just the same as they practice fire evacuations, learning to protect themselves in the event of a damaging quake. Now, some legislators and emergency management officials are zeroing in on a…
Legislators try to catch up with Oregon’s burgeoning marijuana market
State lawmakers are considering more than two dozen bills that could affect Oregonians who consume recreational and medical marijuana. Oregon voters approved legalizing recreational use of cannabis for adults 21 and older in 2014. Since then, legislators have been shoring up the state’s system to…
Raw sewage spilled into Claggett Creek
The lobby of Salem City Hall. (Salem Reporter files) Raw sewage spilled into Claggett Creek in Northeast Salem, the city of Salem announced Friday afternoon. The city said in its press release that it does not know how much sewage spilled into the creek, near…
Local governments say they need more time to learn to obey year-old records law
State Rep. Karin Power is leading the push for additional reforms to Oregon’s public records law. (File/Pamplin Media Group) SALEM — Oregon’s local governments have misgivings about a proposal that could lead to fines for cities, counties, special districts, school districts and state agencies that…
Controversial vaccine bill passed out of committee, devastating those opposed
Two women embrace following the passage of a bill that would end nonmedical exemptions for required vaccines. Those in attendance were overwhelmingly opposed to the proposal. (Aubrey Wieber/Salem Reporter) A legislative proposal that would ban nonmedical exemptions for required vaccinations passed out of committee on…
Salem buys time to find funding for sobering center as construction starts
The sign at The ARCHES Project, the organization that will house the upcoming sobering center and an expanded day center. Construction started this week. (Anthony McGuire/Special to Salem Reporter) The city of Salem is spending more money than initially planned to build a sobering center…
Courtney breaks medical leave, apologizes to those harassed at Capitol
Senate President Peter Courtney presides over a floor session on Thursday, March 14. (EO Media/Claire Withycombe) SALEM — More than a year after sexual harassment at the Capitol came into public view, Senate President Peter Courtney publicly apologized to victims in an emotional floor session…
Salem records over troubled cop to remain confidential, district attorney rules
A row of Salem Police Department vehicles parked at Salem City Hall pictured in the winter. (Caleb Wolf/Special to Salem Reporter) For four months, a Salem Police Department officer was assigned to stay home with pay because his superiors weren’t sure he was fit for…