Your Tuesday evening update on Salem news

Good evening, Salem.

Marion County property owners who rebuilt homes lost during the 2020 wildfires can apply to “reset” their property taxes.

Western University of Health Sciences Lebanon Oregon

State law caps how much a home’s assessed value can grow each year, which means rises in property taxes are limited even if housing prices grow quickly.

But changes to a property, including rebuilding a home, are an exception. That means families rebuilding after wildfires often saw large tax hikes.

The county will now allow homeowners who rebuilt to have taxes assessed based on the home’s pre-fire value.

“Some people’s taxes doubled or tripled after rebuilding,” Marion County Commissioner Kevin Cameron said in a statement last week. “This will remedy that.”

The county acted after legislators passed a new law in 2024 allowing such “resets” for fire victims. Marion County officials advocated for the law.

Homeowners can apply using this form.

Here’s some of today’s news. Find all our coverage anytime on our website.

www.salemreporter.com

Half of city navigation center residents moved into permanent housing, report says

In its first year of operation, 54 residents at Salem’s navigation center were able to move into housing within months, according to a new annual report from operators. It’s a…

www.salemreporter.com

Regulators say Brooks garbage incinerator delinquent on fine for exceeding emissions limits

State regulators said the Brooks plant, which is contracted by Marion County to dispose of much of the county’s garbage, exceeded acceptable pollutant emission levels on multiple occasions. The company…

www.salemreporter.com

Court documents show Salem man charged with rape asked spa employees for “sex massage”

Felix Flores Jr., 39, remains in jail after being charged withraping and assaulting female employees at two Salem spas last week.

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Half of city navigation center residents moved into permanent housing, report says

Regulators say Brooks garbage incinerator delinquent on fine for exceeding emissions limits

Court documents show Salem man charged with rape asked spa employees for “sex massage”

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