Category Public Safety
Man pleads guilty, receives 25-year sentence for killing Salem woman in 2022
Jose Moreno-Hernandez was sentenced to spend 25 years in state prison for killing Marcie Harris, of Salem, over three years ago. He recently pleaded guilty to manslaughter for her death, but details about what led up to the killing remain few.
Oregon leaders prepare court, legislative action after Trump floats National Guard in Portland
Oregon's attorney general pointed to a case of California National Guard deployment being blocked by a federal judge.
Washington man charged in robbery of $200 from downtown Salem bank
Richard K. Gorton, a 75-year-old man from Washington, is accused of robbing a downtown Salem bank last week before lying down on the ground to be arrested. He has a history of homelessness and told police he wanted to remain in jail and would commit another robbery if released.
Electrical overload likely responsible for August fire that damaged south Salem mobile homes
The Salem Fire Department could not officially determine what caused a fire that damaged three homes on Southeast Cumberland Court on Aug. 10.
Former Oregon youth prison employee had sex with youth, gave him guns, indictment alleges
Cherie MacDougall of Salem resigned from a job at MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility in 2023 while under criminal investigation.
Man accused of shooting at officers in south Salem SWAT standoff
Salem police arrested a 33-year-old man Saturday afternoon after responding to a burglary call and encountering gunfire.
Teenager admits to Bush Park murder
An agreement reached Friday will allow Nathaniel S. McCrae, 17, to serve time in a juvenile facility after he admitted to shooting and killing classmate José Vázquez Valenzuela and wounding two other boys.
2-alarm fire destroys West Salem home, displacing adults, children and pets
A two-alarm fire Thursday displaced a family and their dog and cat from their West Salem home. The Red Cross is helping the family connect with resources, according to the Salem Fire Department.
Man sentenced to almost 6 years in prison for killing father in 2023 West Salem crash
David J. Nelson, 25, pleaded guilty to a homicide charge and driving intoxicated in a West Salem crash that killed his father in 2023. A Polk County judge sentenced him to nearly six years in state prison.