Good morning………
We had a busy week in Salem with developments at City Hall, impacts of the new Trump administration emerging and fatal events that cost two lives.
Authorities still are investigating the death of a pedestrian in downtown Salem on Wednesday. A 68-year-old man was struck by a Cherriots bus making a turn.
That came just hours after Salem police officers were involved in a shooting just over the border in Keizer. Reporter Ardeshir Tabrizian reports that the Oregon State Police are investigating the death of a 42-year-old wanted man.
Money continues to be a big focus at City Hall. The Salem City Council is edging closer to asking you for more money. Reporter Joe Siess explains what an increase in property taxes would buy. He also reports that councilors are considering boosting fees at the airport to help cover operating costs there.
And once again, Salem legislators are hoping to convince colleagues to help out the capital city. Managing Editor Rachel Alexander reports on the effort to have the state chip in to cover police, fire and other essential city services.
Salem Health continues to make headlines. The city is considering tripling charges for garbage service at Salem Hospital, as explained in a story by reporter Abbey McDonald.
Cheryl Wolfe, Salem Health CEO, participated in a public plea to legislators to boost money flowing to hospitals.
“Providers have, for years, found ways to make up for reimbursement shortfalls. But this patchwork approach is not sustainable,” Wolfe said.
Our team provided updates for three important stories we’ve been following for you.
Joe Siess tracked down just how much raw sewage spilled in West Salem when major sewer lines failed. He also got the repair costs following around-the-clock repair work by city and private crews.
Madeleine Moore, who examined traffic fatalities in Salem, has an update on what the city is doing to bring down the numbers and make streets safer.
And with housing remaining a major community issue, Rachel Alexander found a surprising cause for construction delays – a shortage of inspectors. She reported on efforts to change that.
Alan Cohen, our reporting intern from Willamette University, gets into action with a report on the new provost coming to Willamette and a local group working to ease political polarization in Salem.
Local Republicans were in the crowd in the nation’s capital gathered for Donald Trump’s inauguration. They shared their experiences with us.
Closer to home, those who serve refugees are uncertain about the impact of the new administration’s immigration policies. As Rachel Alexander reported, “Last year, Salem for Refugees resettled 400 refugees in Salem and Corvallis.”
And while our crew at Salem Reporter focuses on Salem stories, we also want to bring you important stories from around Oregon. This helps you stay connected with developments you might not otherwise hear about. Recent stories from our partners:
•State Rep. Greg Smith, the most senior member of the Oregon House, finds himself in ethics hot water over his private business dealings.
•How a southern Oregon man built a personal fortune by providing state-funded services to severely disabled people.
•Oregon joins the legal fight to block one of the Trump administration’s first moves on immigration.
And if you’re looking for something entertaining to do, check our up-to-date listing of events around Salem. I bet you’ll find something that would serve as a distraction.
I’m always delighted to hear from readers. Send me your ideas, your questions, even your concerns or complaints. My direct email: [email protected].
– Les Zaitz, co-founder and editor, Salem Reporter
SUBSCRIBING TO SALEM REPORTER
We’re delivering on the promise to bring Salem news that has been missing.
We do so with a passion for the community. We do so with a determination to be fair, accurate – and nonpartisan.
But we can’t do it without you. We rely almost entirely on the support of subscribers. Think of it as a membership, if you will.
A subscription to Salem Reporter is easy to set up in a secure setting. It’s affordable. The cost is $12 a month. Why not join in? Click HERE and in moments you’ll be a Salem Reporter subscriber. (You can take us for a test spin for just $12 – get three months for the price of one.)
Your subscription keeps key local news flowing in Salem.
Copyright © 2025 Salem Reporter. All rights reserved. |
Our mailing address is: 494 State St., #410 • Salem, Oregon 97301 |
You are receiving this email because you signed up through our website or participated in a promotion. |