As sandhill cranes migrate north through Oregon, columnist and bird expert Harry Fuller reflects on their presence in Oregon.

The original structures on the Polk County Fairgrounds in Rickreall were built in 1952 and the county is seeking about $45 a year from a typical homeowner to bring the facility up to date. It’s one of three property tax measures West Salem voters will see on the May ballot.

PUBLIC NOTICE: This notice is published to meet the requirement of Oregon law for publication so the public is aware. This notice is delivered as a service for a fee by Salem Reporter. The notifying party is solely responsible for its content.

Mayor Julie Hoy gave her first State of the City address on Wednesday, March 5, at the Salem Convention Center downtown. During her speech, Hoy endorsed a property tax increase that will appear on Salem voters’ May ballots and acknowledged that the city’s fiscal woes are largely outside of its control. Hoy also touted Salem’s…

Adam M. Lansky, 41, of Salem, faces a federal charge of illegally possessing an unregistered firearm. Police say he was behind two recent incidents of vandalism at Salem’s Tesla dealership.

Mayor Julie Hoy struck an optimistic tone in her first State of the City address, despite Salem’s large budget shortfall and the abrupt departure of the city manager. She said Salem remains strong and called on residents to work to improve the community.

Two Salem high schools are participating in a new state program to help teenage workers get tax refunds owed to them. Organizers said many teens don’t realize they’re owed money or think their parents file on their behalf.

Columnist Pamela Ferrara explains what employment data and projections show about Salem’s workforce as the region sees a growing need for health care employees.

A proposal to impose a 4% tax on the sale of new car tires could send $20 million a year to the Oregon Department of Transportation.

This week, events in Salem include a pops concert, a free murder mystery party for teens and karaoke with a live band.

Turning numbers into meaning is not an easy chore when reporting about the government. Budgets for public agencies are confusing. They have category after category, and the purpose of each is not always apparent. Most governments draw from more than one pot of money, so they set up separate funds with their own budgets.  Don’t…

Gregg Peterson credits God and the Salem community for his sobriety and success in life. He’s worked since then to help others get second chances through his restaurant and community service.

Surviving victims and relatives of the seven farmworkers killed in a May 2023 collision on Interstate 5 tearfully detailed the tragedy they experienced in court Tuesday, just before semi-truck driver Lincoln Smith was sentenced to prison. 

Leonel Covarrubias Hernandez, 48 was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison Monday after pleading guilty to possessing and intending to distribute fentanyl in November. Police arrested Covarrubias in 2022 after seizing counterfeit pills that contained fentanyl.

Roughly 300 protesters gathered along Center Street in front of the State Capitol building to protest the Trump administration ahead of President Donald Trump’s address to Congress Tuesday night. Many voiced their concerns over what they perceive as America’s decline into fascism and authoritarianism.

In a document circulated last fall, Oregon power brokers argue wildfires endanger the entire state’s economic health.

PUBLIC NOTICE: This notice is published to meet the requirement of Oregon law for publication so the public is aware. This notice is delivered as a service for a fee by Salem Reporter. The notifying party is solely responsible for its content.

A second-floor collective of salon and beauty businesses will open April 1, with a new French bistro slated for June.

Mark Wardell, the leader of West Salem’s Community Emergency Response Team, explains the role emergency management agencies play in preparing for disasters, and how you can help their work.

Gov. Tina Kotek has set a goal of building 36,000 new homes a year – nearly double the average number of homes built in Oregon in recent years.

Supporters of a bill to provide services and victim outreach to address missing and murdered Indigenous women say it’s an important step that moves beyond studying the problem and allocates staff from within the Oregon Health Authority to address the issue.