Category Public Safety
Report details of truck crash that caused 30-acre Turner fire
A Salem Fire Marshal investigative report gives more details on a large grass fire south of Salem last month that did $1 million in damage. The report shows a truck crash into communication lines caused a failure further down Southeast Gath Road, starting the fire.
Man arrested after knife attack near Wallace Marine Park
A Salem man was walking near the entrance to Wallace Marine Park in West Salem last Sunday, Aug. 3, when he said a man struck him in the face with a knife, causing broken bones and lacerations, before stealing his belongings.
Salem man sentenced to over 17 years in federal prison for collecting child porn
A Salem man with previous convictions for sexual abuse was sentenced to more than 17 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to receiving child pornography. John C. Christensen was a registered sex offender when federal authorities identified him trading child pornography online.
Homeless advocates say mayor’s rhetoric during council meeting was “inflammatory”
Salem Mayor Julie Hoy said during an Aug. 11 meeting that placing more public restrooms downtown is not a viable solution to perceived unsanitary conditions because people have ‘firebombed’ them in the past. Salem police said they had one record of a fire reported in a portable toilet in Marion Square Park last year, which was out when officers arrived.
Rising crime, overdoses reflect pre-pandemic trends – not drug decriminalization – PSU study finds
Oregon crime rates and rising overdose deaths were driven mostly by the Covid pandemic and fentanyl, according to a new study.
UPDATE: Car stolen, driver at large after Madrona & Pringle collision
A driver who ran a red light at Southeast Madrona Avenue and Pringle Road remains at large after stealing a vehicle at the scene.
Residents displaced by 2-alarm house fire in south Salem, one firefighter injured
A two-alarm fire badly damaged two mobile homes and displaced residents in south Salem Sunday night. The was under control in little over two hours. One firefighter who responded to the scene was injured and received medical care.
2-alarm fire at 2 houses shuts down blocks near Kuebler Blvd
A large fire at two houses in south Salem shut down two blocks between Kuebler Boulevard and Southeast Boone Road Sunday night. The two-alarm fire started at one house and spread to another next door. No injuries have been reported.
Woodburn area farmworkers targeted by ICE, advocates say
Federal officers took three men and one woman into custody on the way to their farm jobs Thursday.