John, a youth mentor at MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility, helps 18-year-old Zack understand the various personalities of staff at the facility. John regularly works in the STEPS program, an alternative to isolation, which Zack uses several times each week. (Courtesy of Oregon Youth Authority) WOODBURN — Early on the Friday[Read More…]
Latest News
Walden breaks with Republicans, votes to reopen government
Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, Thursday joined six other GOP lawmakers to vote for a spending package designed to reopen most government agencies. (The Enterprise/File). WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S Rep Greg Walden, R-Hood River, broke from his party Thursday on a vote to reopen the federal government. Walden joined six other[Read More…]
Speaker Kotek vows to act following report detailing poor response to sexual abuse, but says report was rushed
In compiling a damning report airing the Oregon Capitol’s dirty laundry, investigators failed to do their due-diligence and interview key witnesses, House Speaker Tina Kotek said Friday. The report detailed years of sexual harassment and claimed leadership failed repeatedly in addressing it. Bureau of Labor and Industries Commissioner Brad Avakian[Read More…]
Uncategorized State to investigate claims of sexual discrimination at Marion County
The doors outside the Senator Hearing Room, where public works employee Jamie Namitz in October publicly announced she was sexually discriminated against at work. Namitz recently complained to the state Bureau of Labor and Industries to investigate the county public works department. (Troy Brynelson/Salem Reporter) A Marion County worker is[Read More…]
Oregon joins 16 states in appeal to protect Affordable Care Act
Oregon joined California and 15 other states Thursday in an effort to protect the Affordable Care Act. California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, leader of the 17-state coalition, filed a notice of appeal Thursday to a Northern District Court of Texas decision that found the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional. Becerra argued[Read More…]
State investigation determines legislative leadership ignored sexual harassment claims
SALEM — A five-month state investigation found that Democratic leaders in the Oregon Legislature knew legislative employees in the Capitol worked in a “hostile” environment amid pervasive sexual harassment but did little about it. A 52-page report released Thursday by the state Bureau of Labor and Industries’ Civil Rights Division[Read More…]
Uncategorized In Salem, police team up with social workers to offer help instead of jail
Josh Lair stands by Marion Square Park, where many of his clients spend their time. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) Josh Lair has learned one secret to earning trust when police call him out to meet a prospective client. Don’t look like a cop. Few people would mistake the 6-foot-2 social worker[Read More…]
Salem-Keizer seeks eminent domain over St. Edward land to begin McNary construction
The Salem-Keizer School District is going to court to force a Keizer church to sell its land. At issue are about six acres of bare land owned by St. Edward Catholic Church that district leaders say they need to expand the campus of the adjacent McNary High School. Church leaders[Read More…]
Uncategorized New year in Oregon: Leaders reflect on 2018, talk aspirations for 2019
Senate President Peter Courtney (Salem Reporter files) In 2018, Oregonians were blanketed by dense smoke from wildfires burning hundreds of thousands of acres. They contributed to the most expensive political race in the state’s history, ultimately won by Gov. Kate Brown. Oregon experienced a strong economy and rising wages, while[Read More…]
Uncategorized Retired Salem couple fixes up homes for resettled refugees
Janet Neuberg, left, stands with friends Jim and Joan Stembridge outside the Stembridge home in south Salem. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) Jim and Joan Stembridge didn’t set out to spend their retirement years as landlords. But after purchasing and remodeling their third rental home this year, they concede the label fits.[Read More…]
