(Photo by Caleb Wolf/Special to Salem Reporter) SALEM — Oregon’s public employees typically pay less for health insurance than their peers in neighboring states, a new study finds. The study by the actuarial firm Milliman was commissioned by The Oregon Business Council, an association of business leaders, as part of[Read More…]
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Uncategorized Mayor appeals for third bridge in annual address, reveals plans for resiliency task force
Lobby of Salem City Hall. (Salem Reporter files) Updated 3:30 p.m. with more information about a proposed hub of electric vehicle chargers and the consideration of more bond measures. Delivering the annual State of the City Address on Wednesday, Mayor Chuck Bennett visited a handful of major issues in Salem[Read More…]
St. Edward asks court to dismiss school district’s eminent domain case, citing religious freedom
The vacant field owned by St. Edward Catholic Church. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) The Keizer church facing a forced land sale to accommodate a growing McNary High School contends that school officials are violating the parish’s religious freedom. In a Jan. 18 court filing, St. Edward Catholic Church asked the court[Read More…]
Winters sheds leadership role to focus on justice reform in Senate
State Sen. Jackie Winters, R-Salem, in her Capitol office on Jan. 3. (Portland Tribune/Jaime Valdez) When state Sen. Jackie Winters hears the word “felon,” she often thinks of her late husband, Marc “Ted” Winters. Her husband, who died in 2008, had a prestigious career in the gubernatorial administrations of Tom[Read More…]
Opening day at Oregon Legislature is about ceremony, getting acquainted
State Rep. Cheri Helt is introduced by House page Ismael Diaz by Brian McKinley, the House sergeant-at-arms during the opening hours on Tuesday, Jan. 22, of the Oregon Legislature. (Portland Tribune/Paris Achen) As state Rep. Cheri Helt, a freshman Republican legislator from Bend, left the floor of the Oregon House[Read More…]
Uncategorized Salem looking to boost internet downtown
People walk in front of shops in downtown Salem in December. (Caleb Wolf/Special to Salem Reporter) The city of Salem is considering laying internet infrastructure in downtown to either lease out or manage like a utility. Since December, the city has been looking to hire a consultant to help officials[Read More…]
AGENDA: Cherriots open comment on revised fees, schedule
A Cherriots bus at the Downtown Transit Center. (Courtesy of Cherriots) Salem Area Mass Transit District Board of Directors will give the first reading of its proposed ordinance, which includes a new fee schedule. • The first reading will precede the open comment period. The board will then take public[Read More…]
Uncategorized AGENDA: Marion County to consider new land uses, justice department-funded position
Wednesday appears to be the busiest meeting so far in 2019 for the Marion County Commission. • Commissioners will consider entering into an agreement with the Oregon District Attorneys Association and the Oregon Department of Justice to help staff the Oregon Child Support Program. The staffer would report to Marion[Read More…]
Uncategorized UPDATED: Police remove burglar from Summer Street home after six-hour standoff
(Caleb Wolf/Special to Salem Reporter) After a six-hour standoff, Salem police Tuesday removed a burglar who holed up inside a stranger’s home on Northeast Summer Street earlier in the morning. The man is being treated for injuries, police said. No one else was hurt. The man broke into several homes[Read More…]
School board wants to hear from you about proposed Salem-Keizer boundary changes
The Salem-Keizer School Board is seeking comments about a plan to change school boundaries that would affect thousands of students and families. The new boundaries, together with ongoing school construction, are designed to address overcrowding based on population projections and would take effect next school year. Families can seek an[Read More…]