AvaLynn Hosmer, left, and Caesar, meet at an October 2019 event for Hosmer’s homecoming. (Courtesy/Kimberly Hosmer) Salem’s celebrity llama wants your blood. Caesar, the four-year-old therapy llama who regularly makes public appearances at events around western Oregon, is expanding his community service efforts into local blood drives in honor of[Read More…]
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Court finds that police coerced murder confession
Public safety – standing graphic UPDATE: This story has been updated with comment from the public defender involved in the case. SALEM – A Woodburn man’s murder conviction has been overturned after the Oregon Court of Appeals determined that police coerced his confession, telling him members of his family, including[Read More…]
Lawsuit alleges Hillsboro union won’t let teachers opt out
SALEM — Four Hillsboro school employees sued their union and school district Thursday in federal court, arguing that the union slow-walks requests from employees who want to quit their unions in violation of their rights under the U.S. Constitution. The Freedom Foundation, a Northwest organization that urges public employees[Read More…]
Uncategorized Salem official eyes organized camping for people who live in vehicles
Volunteers with The ARCHES Project, Pamela Watson, left, and Lorrie Walker, talk with homeless resident Doug Pendleton at Cascades Gateway Park in September. Pendleton lived in his car at the park until it was swept. (Troy Brynelson/Salem Reporter) As city of Salem staff hunt for a place where homeless residents[Read More…]
Did you have a good year? Help those who didn’t…
The Christmas tree at the Oregon State Capitol (Caleb Wolf/Special to Salem Reporter) It’s cold, days are short and holiday lights are going up around Salem. If you’re looking to make the darkest part of the year a little brighter for local families in need, we’ve rounded up a list[Read More…]
Uncategorized October crime, fire service data for Salem now available
(Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) Salem Reporter is continuing to publish monthly call data from public safety agencies in Marion County. This is a snapshot of October numbers compared to the same time last year. The data came from the Salem Police Department, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Salem Fire Department and[Read More…]
Uncategorized Police identify pedestrian killed near Riverfront Park
Police have identified Salem resident Rodric Kenyon Drolshagen, 72, as the man hit and killed in a crosswalk on Northeast Front Street Wednesday morning. Drolshagen was crossing the street with his dog when a black Ford Explorer hit him leaving the Riverfront Park carousel parking lot. The dog was not[Read More…]
Appeals court throws out protective order against cop-watcher
(Courtesy/Wikimedia Commons) SALEM – A cop-watcher can again film Portland Police Chief Danielle Outlaw after the Oregon Court of Appeals struck down a stalking protective order. The case concerned Eli F. Richey. A self-described citizen journalist and police watchdog, Richey is known for filming officers on duty and posting the[Read More…]
Uncategorized Tents around The ARCHES Project may stand until camping ban starts
Tents line the boulevard next to The ARCHES Project in downtown, where homeless residents have congregated in recent weeks. (Troy Brynelson/Salem Reporter) A homeless camp in downtown Salem that appeared close to being broken up could remain standing until the city’s new camping ban goes into effect. Campers encircling The[Read More…]
Five years ago, this Salem mom lost her son to the state. Now, they’re buying a home.
Ellisha Pepper and her children celebrate the wall raising on their Habitat for Humanity home, under construction in south Salem in 2019. (Courtesy/Salem Habitat for Humanity) When Ellisha Pepper got her son back from the state, she made a promise. “I told him, ‘In five years, we’re going to have[Read More…]
