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LISTEN IN: A top Salem police official leaves without a word – or explanation

TODAY’S BROADCAST: Reporter Ardeshir Tabrizian explains efforts to learn why a deputy police chief from the Salem Police Department retired while under investigation. City officials have provided little information and delayed disclosure of a key city agreement. His original story is HERE. He also explains a novel approach to cold[Read More…]

Salem Police Department (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)

Keizer mother, daughter indicted on federal drug trafficking charges

A federal grand jury indicted a Keizer mother and daughter on charges alleging they conspired to traffic hundreds of thousands of counterfeit prescription pills from India into the U.S. Jennifer McConnon, 48, and Sydney Sleight, 22, were indicted on charges of conspiring to distribute controlled substances and possessing with intent[Read More…]

Marion County deputy prosecutor oversees retired Portland officer’s criminal case

A retired Portland police officer pleaded guilty third-degree assault and first-degree official misconduct Monday in a case prosecuted by a deputy district attorney from Marion County. Scott Groshong, 52, hit a man with his car while working undercover for the Portland Police Bureau during a June 2020 protest in northwest[Read More…]

A Salem deputy police chief quietly retired under an agreement. City leaders aren’t saying why

A longtime Salem Police Department official left his job in February with no public fanfare and under a separation agreement that has since triggered a state investigation. Secrecy surrounds the circumstances of the retirement of Deputy Chief Steven Bellshaw after 32 years. City officials have so far not publicly released[Read More…]

Federal authorities move to seize Silverton, Independence homes to break up sprawling illegal marijuana operation

Federal authorities say they found this large indoor marijuana operation in September 2021 in a home outside of Independence on Rickreall Road. (U.S. Attorney’s Office Portland) Federal authorities say a Texas man organized a sophisticated illegal trafficking operation that turned homes in Oregon into indoor marijuana plantations in places from[Read More…]