Category Public Safety

Salem man dies in train collision Sunday afternoon in NE Salem
A train struck and killed a 35-year-old man around 11:30 a.m. on Sunday at the railroad tracks near the intersection of Northeast 22nd Avenue and Northeast Claxter Road.

Marion County to revive police crisis response team it disbanded in March
Marion County disbanded its police crisis response team earlier this year as public funding shifted toward civilian response to people in crisis. But with new federal money, the county is now reviving one team of a sheriff’s deputy and a mental health worker.

Oregon Legislature approves $218 million in additional wildfire funding in emergency session
The state spent more than $350 million responding to more than 2,000 wildfires in 2024, far exceeding projected costs and leaving some contractors unpaid.

Keizer woman re-charged with murdering son after last case dropped due to mental illness
Amy Robertson has spent seven years in Oregon’s psychiatric hospital since she was first charged with murdering her 12-year-old son, Caden Berry, in 2017. A judge dropped her charges in 2020 due to her mental illness, but prosecutors have once again charged her with murdering Berry.

Salem man sentenced to life in prison for murdering 6-month-old son
On Monday, Edward W. Casian, of Salem, was sentenced to life in prison for murdering his six-month-old son Ryker Casian in 2022. During a police investigation, Edward Casian admitted to hurting his son multiple times in the months leading up to the murder.

Family of victim in 2021 stabbing files wrongful death lawsuit against Marion County
The family of Travis Juetten is suing Marion County, alleging authorities failed to protect him from a dangerous man who stabbed him to death in 2021. The lawsuit for the first time reveals who authorities suspected was the killer.

River Road reopened after hours closed due to semi truck stuck under railroad bridge
A truck crashed early Monday morning under the railroad bridge on River Road just outside Independence, blocking traffic in both directions.

Cougar confirmed at Minto-Brown Island Park
After several unconfirmed sightings since October, city staff this week confirmed the presence of a cougar in Minto-Brown Island Park using trail cameras. Parks staff advise using caution and avoiding the area at dusk, dawn and at night.

Suspect in downtown apartment killing seen with victim hours before death, police affidavit says
David James D. Alexander, charged with robbing and murdering a downtown apartment resident, was found with the victim’s belongings, according to a police affidavit.

