Category WATCHDOG
Records show Salem RAM was in disrepair prior to abrupt closure
The Salem RAM, a brewpub that was a community gathering spot for decades, closed in June. Inspection records show a leak into the ceiling led to its collapse last spring and prompted a state safety citation.
Mayoral emails, collision reports, body-cam footage and firefighter thank-you’s: Public records tell a wide range of tales
InvestigateWest took a deep look at public records across Oregon, Washington and Idaho. Here are a few of the other stories they stumbled across.
Broken records: Citizens face growing obstacles to public records — and legislators are making them worse
Investigate West asked for government records from 15 Northwest cities, and Spokane was the slowest to provide them
Fired Salem police sergeant accused of misconduct gives up state certification
Jeffrey Keniston first challenged the loss of his police certification before voluntarily surrendering it last week. State officials last year found he used his authority to gain a sexual relationship with a domestic violence victim while employed by Salem.
Bobby’s Choices: 5 takeaways from Salem Reporter’s series
A three-part series by Salem Reporter provided an account of the life and death of Bobby Brown, who was killed at 16 in a shootout with police. Here are five key takeaways from Bobby’s story.
BOBBY’S CHOICES: Read Salem Reporter’s full series on the life of a struggling teen trapped in violence
In the spring of 2022, downtown Salem was shaken by two shootings. A Salem police effort to later arrest the suspect turned deadly as 16-year-old Bobby Brown fired rounds, believing rival gang members were shooting at him. Salem Reporter dug into the teen's life and death in a three-part series.
PART 3: Boy’s dream of leaving trouble behind dies in a gunfight with Salem police
PART 3: Salem police closed in on 16-year-old Bobby Brown, wanted for two shootings downtown. He leaned out of a car, fired at officers and was killed within seconds. The teen’s dream of escaping street life in Salem was over.
PART 2: Troubled teen ensnared in gang war that spills into downtown Salem
PART 2: In spring 2022, two downtown Salem shootings left a teenager bleeding from his head and a man in critical condition. Police suspected 16-year-old Bobby Brown was the shooter in both cases, setting off a search for him.
BOBBY’S CHOICES PART 1: A teen boy’s descent into the Salem gang underworld
Bobby Brown was ready to graduate high school early. Instead, the 16-year-old boy was wanted for two daytime shootings downtown. He was killed in a shootout with Salem police officers.