Tag "free"
BREAKING: Brush fire forcing evacuations in south Salem as crews surround the blaze
A major brush fire has erupted in south Salem, forcing evacuations as more than 50 pieces of fire equipment respond on Friday, Sept. 9.
Deputy police chief’s retirement remains a mystery as city withholds documents
The city of Salem Friday refused to release public records sought by Salem Reporter of events leading up to the retirement of Deputy Chief Steve Bellshaw. Awarded extra public money, he left while facing misconduct allegations.
A Salem deputy police chief quietly retired under an agreement. City leaders aren’t saying why
A longtime Salem Police Department official left his job in February with no public fanfare and under a separation agreement that has since triggered a state investigation. Secrecy surrounds the circumstances of the retirement of Deputy Chief Steven Bellshaw after 32 years. City officials have…
Rising costs, supply chain problems plague construction projects in Salem
For Pence Construction, a Salem commercial contractor, this year marked the first time a construction project hinged on dimmer switches. All other supplies are in, but Brent Pence, owner and senior project manager, said they can’t have dimmable light switches in hand until August. “My…
Spiraling costs have some local families choosing between food, medical care
Holli Thomas’ breast cancer is responding to the drug trial she’s enrolled in. But the 54-year-old Keizer resident has to drive to Oregon Health & Science University in Portland for her treatment. With gas prices over $5 per gallon, she’s now having to sell clothes…
Years in the making, new trans student policies for Salem schools draw backlash
Three years ago, a transgender high school student approached leaders at the Salem-Keizer School District and told them they needed to do better. Julian, a nonbinary student who is now a senior, said the lack of consistent school or district policies led to teachers incorrectly…
Man who died after confrontation with Salem police was homeless, had lifelong mental illness, family says
Rachel Coble saw her brother two weeks before he died in a confrontation with Salem police officers. After living in his car at Northgate Park for a year – and decades of struggling with addiction – Richard Meyers looked well. Meyers told Coble he’d been…
As Salem schools seek emergency subs, some experienced teachers struggle to get into classroom
Anne Haskell knew she wanted to substitute teach after she retired in June 2021. She’s been teaching in the Salem-Keizer School District since she graduated college in 1982, most recently spending a decade at Cummings Elementary in Keizer. Subbing would allow her to keep covering…
Salem schools turn to superintendent, administrators to cover classes as teacher absences rise
Christy Perry was back in the classroom Monday, teaching a math lesson to first grade students at Harritt Elementary School. Perry, the superintendent of the Salem-Keizer School District, often stops by schools for events or special occasions. But her return to teaching Monday was a…