Category City Hall

CITY MEETING: City to evaluate drug use resources, consider Airbnb fees
The Salem City Council will meet Monday, March 23, at 6 p.m. to hear updates on staff efforts to evaluate existing resources for preventing, addressing and enforcing drug use, and will consider applying to federal grants to repave an airport taxiway.
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City testing new AI dispatch system to handle non-emergency calls
A new automated system is taking some non-emergency calls at the Willamette Valley Communications Center as a way to relieve overworked dispatch center staff, and provide faster service for callers. Humans will still be answering emergency calls.
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Council candidates and 1 running for Salem mayor scheduled at Town Hall
Salem Reporter Town Hall will spotlight those running for city council and one councilor seeking to become Salem's next mayor. The free public event is Tuesday, March 31.

City, school district pay thousands more per week for fuel as gas prices climb nationwide
While prices at the pump creep higher for Oregon residents, Cherriots, the city of Salem, the Salem-Keizer School District and Polk County are paying more to keep public vehicles on the road.
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Hoy not offered chance to sign immigration letter, Kotek records confirm
Records obtained by Salem Reporter show a staffer for Gov. Tina Kotek reached out to Mayor Julie Hoy three days after releasing an open letter calling for a pause on federal immigration enforcement. Mayors from several cities had signed, raising questions in the community why Salem was absent.
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In campaign, Hoy doing “God’s work” while Nordyke vows to fight for Salem’s poor
Salem Mayor Julie Hoy and Salem City Councilor Vanessa Nordyke participated in their second debate leading up to the mayoral election on May 19. During the debate on Tuesday, March 10, Hoy cast herself as a mayor bringing the city back to its core fundamentals while Nordyke said she would use her knowledge and experience to serve all corners of Salem, especially the most vulnerable.
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READ IT: Mayor Julie Hoy’s full 2026 State of the City address
Read the full text of Salem Mayor Julie Hoy’s 2026 State of the City address.
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Mayor Hoy committed to ‘staying the course’ on new public safety programs, fiscal responsibility
Salem Mayor Julie Hoy addressed an audience of hundreds at the Salem Convention Center Wednesday, March 11, for her second State of the City address since being sworn in as mayor in January 2025. She touted the city’s recent successes in helping address public safety and lauded city leadership.
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City councilors vote to advance new tourism fee on Salem Airbnbs, other short-term rentals
Short-term rentals in Salem might soon cost more after city councilors voted 6-3 Monday night to move forward on a new 2% city fee to fund tourism promotion.
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