The city of Salem’s initial response to cyanotoxins breaching the water supply this summer caused a frenzy, an independent report found. The 34-page report, conducted by Ohio-based Novak Consulting Group, found that the city focused too much on sensational messaging and not enough on getting clean water to residents. However,[Read More…]
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Salem grew faster than Portland last year, Census data shows
Calling Salem “western Oregon’s hottest city” might be overstating it. But Oregon’s capital grew by 2,369 people in 2017, Census Bureau data released Thursday shows. That’s a growth rate of 1.4 percent over 2016, putting Salem slightly ahead of both Portland and Eugene. Portland proper grew by about 1.3 percent[Read More…]
Woman breaks free of attacker in Minto Brown Park
A 29-year-old woman fought off an unknown attacker last night at Minto Brown Park, escaping a man who tried to kidnap her at knifepoint, according to the Salem Police Department. Police said they arrested 23-year-old David Belluno and booked him into the Marion County Jail. He has since been charged[Read More…]
DHS seeks more than 1,000 new employees to support child welfare in proposed budget
Oregon’s largest state agency is asking for more than $1 billion to add 1,664 new employees. But the proposed salaries won’t fill Oregon Department of Human Services’ cubicles with high-paid lawyers or bolster a public relations team. It will go toward protecting the most vulnerable Oregonians; children and the elderly.[Read More…]
Swegle kindergarten students kick off year with dual language classes
Rashelle Méndez, left, and Albeiro Reyes, right, listen during a lesson on the first day of kindergarten at Swegle Elementary. (Salem Reporter/Rachel Alexander) Karina Rodríguez sounded out her name, writing each letter on the board as her students shouted out their best guesses. Then, she turned to her instructional aide,[Read More…]
Salem Keizer school board won’t take position on immigration ballot measure
Students enter Highland Elementary on Friday, Sept. 7. (Special to Salem Reporter/Moriah Ratner) The Salem-Keizer School Board Tuesday night renewed a resolution supporting “safe and welcoming schools” but declined to take a public position on a more controversial Oregon ballot measure that would repeal the state’s so-called sanctuary law. Tuesday’s[Read More…]
ACLU takes aim at Measure 11 in a plan to cut Oregon’s prison population in half
Oregon State Correctional Institution east of Salem (Salem Reporter/Aubrey Wieber) In recent decades, Oregon’s prison population has ballooned. In 2016, it was nearly five times that of 1980. In January, 14,713 people were held in Oregon prisons. Now, a civil rights group is proposing Oregon cut that population in half,[Read More…]
Salem students start school year amid push to improve attendance
Classmates talk over breakfast at Highland Elementary School on Friday, Sept. 7. (Special to Salem Reporter/Moriah Ratner) As Salem students head back to school, the district is launching a campaign to improve student attendance. Early efforts are focusing on North Salem High School, where half the student body is chronically[Read More…]
Cherriots, Walmart at odds over potential transit center in south Salem
Walmart on Southeast Commercial Street worries it could lose more than 140 parking spaces if Cherriots pursues its transit station. (Special to Salem Reporter/Moriah Ratner) Update Sept. 12: Cherriots and Walmart have not yet struck a deal. The two sides met and have agreed to extend the window to Oct.[Read More…]
Salem, cities must disclose arrest records even involving child abuse, appeals court says
The city of Salem lost a case in the Oregon Court of Appeals last week that could have broader implications on the disclosure of arrest records. The appellate court last Thursday overturned a Marion County Circuit Circuit ruling that supported the city when it withheld from the public the arrest[Read More…]