Tag LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Eight Salemites nominated to oversee transit, state library, worker’s comp
Gov. Tina Kotek announced a slate of appointments to state boards and the governing body overseeing Cherriots.

Steele retires as treasurer, former commissioner appointed through 2022
Marion County Commissioner Danielle Bethell swears in Sam Brentano as county treasurer on March 30. (Facebook/Marion County) When Sam Brentano decided he wouldn’t seek re-election in 2020 after 17 years as a Marion County commissioner, he thought his days running for public office were over.…

Salem City Council approves search for providers, cost estimates to run mobile crisis response unit
Brenton Gicker, left, and Katie Haney call up to a woman in order to check on her at her apartment. The two CAHOOTS workers responded to low-level 911 calls. (Troy Brynelson/Salem Reporter) The Salem City Council on Monday approved a fresh start for a program…

National opioid settlement could bring millions to Salem area for reducing substance abuse
A primary care room in the medical wing of the medically managed withdrawal program at Bridgeway, where patients can detox from drugs and alcohol, on Thursday, Jan. 28. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Salem, Marion and Polk counties could get millions for substance abuse prevention as part…

Marion, Polk county homeowners see steady rise in property tax as values hit historic high
The Marion County building in downtown Salem (Caleb Wolf/Special to Salem Reporter) Property values across Marion and Polk counties are at an all-time high, but most homeowners this year can expect the same 3% property tax increase they’re accustomed to. As of Jan. 1, the…

Salem, United Way halt plans for mental health crisis responder program
Brenton Gicker, left, prepares to pull CAHOOTS van toward a 911 call at Eugene Public Library. The city of Salem paused its plans to start a program where mental health workers respond to some crisis calls, rather than police. The program was intended to run…

City of Salem, other public employers will likely fall under Biden’s vaccine mandate
Four of Salem’s 10 largest employers are local government agencies, rather than private businesses – but they’ll still likely fall under the vaccination mandate President Joe Biden announced last week. That means most workers for the city of Salem, Marion County, Polk County and Chemeketa…

Keizer city manager to resign after office gun episode
Keizer City Manager Chris Eppley The Keizer City Council accepted the resignation of City Manager Chris Eppley at a special meeting Thursday, April 1. The resignation is effective Monday, April 5. The city will offer Eppley six months salary and one year’s worth of health…

Woodburn hotel used for Covid isolation could continue until June
A sign at Salud Medical Center in Woodburn on Wednesday, April 29. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) A hotel in Woodburn that Marion County has used to provide a place for people exposed to Covid who have nowhere to isolate could remain open a little longer. During…