SALEM — Outside consultants are pushing dramatic, immediate changes to fix Oregon’s foster care system. The Department of Human Services has been unable to resolve problems in the long-troubled system charged with lifting thousands of Oregon kids out of abuse and neglect. Nearly two months ago, Gov. Kate Brown brought[Read More…]
Latest News
A proposed tobacco tax springs to life, though this time it’s in a referral to voters
A proposed tobacco tax hike that was dormant for months was suddenly revived Thursday. Lawmakers were able to amend it to a more palatable version, with the main change being that it will go to the voters. House Bill 2270 passed out of the House Committee on Revenue Thursday morning[Read More…]
Uncategorized TO DO: Cuddle a kitten, break out your boogie shoes, go on a bike ride
Santiam Brewing is hosting an event Thursday night which allows customers to cuddle kittens and drink beer in the name of charity. Wednesday The play “Burst” follows the story of a woman running a tech company that is ushering the planet into the post-plastic era. In the play, she must[Read More…]
Uncategorized Marion County commissioners moved to block money for transgender training for professionals, triggering complaint
Marion County Commissioner Colm Willis, worried therapists may be advocating for gender reassignment surgery in children, recently moved to defund training for clinicians who work with transgender people, according to a recently filed complaint. Willis’ concern was backed by Marion County Commissioner Sam Brentano. “We shouldn’t be recruiting, which it[Read More…]
Chemeketa breaks ground on $12 million agriculture complex, with hopes to grow programs
Duane van Dyke hand plows the future site of the Chemeketa Community College Agriculture Complex with work horses Clare and Sophie at a groundbreaking event June 11, 2019 (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) A bare grass field on the east end of Chemeketa Community College’s Salem campus will become a complex for[Read More…]
Air horns of protest can’t stall legislative action on climate bill
Log truck drivers rallied at the Capitol on Wednesday to protest House Bill 2020, which will implement a cap and trade program. Despite their presence, the bill passed out of its final committee 13-8. It will get a vote in the House on Monday. (Claire Withycombe/Oregon Capital Bureau) Democrats appear[Read More…]
Oregon Capitol hosting memorial for longtime Sen. Jackie Winters
Cards and flowers piled up in Winters’ office shortly after her death was announced. (Claire Withycombe/East Oregonian Media Group) SALEM — A memorial service for longtime state Sen. Jackie Winters will be held Thursday at the Capitol. Services are scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. in Senate chambers to honor[Read More…]
Uncategorized Salem driver may have had ‘medical issue’ before hitting, killing pedestrian
A Salem man ran a red light on Center Street Northwest Tuesday afternoon before hitting and killing a pedestrian crossing the street, police said. Salem Police spokesman Lt. Treven Upkes said the driver, Salem resident Willie Dempsey, 35, may have been “experiencing a medical issue” when he struck 27-year-old Wilsonville[Read More…]
Uncategorized Salem nurses win top award at March of Dimes ceremony
Two Salem Health nurses won awards for “nurse of the year” during a March of Dimes ceremony last week (Caleb Wolf/Special to Salem Reporter) Two Salem nurses were acknowledged for excellence during the annual March of Dimes Nurse of the Year awards recently in Portland. Salem Health’s Kelly Honyak and[Read More…]
Uncategorized Another hot day in Salem before weather cools
Children play in the splash pad at Riverfront Park in Salem on June 9, 2019 (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) High heat continues in Salem today as temperatures are expected to once again creep into the mid-90s. The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory Tuesday morning because of above-normal temperatures, with[Read More…]
