Salem completed a large restoration project on Pringle Creek, which flows into the Willamette River. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter) For more than 30 years, Salem has periodically removed debris trapped in Pringle Creek to prevent floodwaters from backing up into properties along the stream’s path. Columns from an old paper mill[Read More…]
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Over objections from teachers, Salem-Keizer board approves $35 million spending plan
Heather Rutkowski, a 7th grade language arts teacher at Crossler Middle School, advocates for hiring more school counselors at a Feb. 25, 2020 school board meeting (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) Local school board members decided Tuesday what they would do with a $35 million check from the state but teachers aren’t[Read More…]
Salem councilor tries to find middle ground in sit-lie but some service providers are dubious
An idea to bridge the divide between protecting an area that the city has spent millions investing in and humanely treating the homeless in Salem may have come in the throes of an illness. Councilor Cara Kaser got sick after the Salem City Council’s Feb. 10 meeting and was restlessly[Read More…]
Oregon waits as game of political poker plays out at the Capitol
State Rep. Cheri Helt, a Republican from Bend, was the lone member of her party to show up for a floor session in the Oregon House on Tuesday, Feb. 25. The walkout by her colleagues echoed one the day before by Senate Republicans. (Sam Stites/Oregon Capital Bureau) SALEM — The[Read More…]
Chemeketa board considers $11 per credit tuition increase to balance budget next year
Chemeketa Community College (File/Salem Reporter) The Chemeketa Community College Board of Education is considering a tuition increase that would raise the cost of a year of school for a full-time student by about $500. Board members will vote Wednesday evening on an increase of $11 per credit – a $4[Read More…]
Art Association’s event raises money for field trips, school programs
Alicia Bay, Sandra Burnett and Nathan Bay attend the Clay Ball on Saturday, Feb. 22, in Salem to support the Salem Art Association. (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter) A 21st birthday is always a party – and the Salem Art Association knows how to do it right. A menagerie[Read More…]
Political climate change hits Capitol as House Republicans abandon daily session
SALEM — A day after their counterparts in the Senate vacated the Capitol, Republican representatives brought the House to a halt Tuesday, skipping a daily session in protest of a controversial climate bill. Their absence blocked the House from taking votes. If all Democrats are present, the House still needs[Read More…]
Liberty, Division streets close March 2 for Salem Police Station construction
Downtown streets will be closed starting March 2, 2020 for street and traffic changes around the new Salem Police headquarters (Courtesy/City of Salem) Expect more traffic in downtown Salem starting Monday as the City of Salem finishes construction on the new downtown police station. Liberty Street Northeast will be closed[Read More…]
Salem City Council moves forward with sit-lie – with some conditions
The Salem City Council is moving forward with a plan to ban sitting and lying on public sidewalks — with provisions. Councilor Cara Kaser made a motion to go ahead with the ban on Monday, Feb. 24, with a stipulation that it wouldn’t go into effect until an indoor or[Read More…]
Finger pointing was prime product at Legislature Monday as Senate Republicans bolt
State Sen. Tim Knopp, R-Bend, was the only one of 11 Republican senators to show up for Monday’s floor session of the Oregon Senate. The other 10 senators boycotted the session over fierce opposition to pending climate change legislation. (Claire Withycombe/Oregon Capital Bureau) SALEM — The Oregon Senate came to[Read More…]