A library-goer checks out a book at Salem Public Library. (Caleb Wolf/Special to Salem Reporter) A dispute over Salem Public Library’s review of some of its books, which some feared would lead to a purge, could be resolved this summer. Salem City Council on Monday directed library staff to continue[Read More…]

As the city of Salem looks to wrangle its unwieldy general fund — which pays for parks, police, firefighters and other services — the Salem City Council on Monday will consider a new expense. Councilors are being asked to earmark $120,000 to pay the attorney fees for a news organization[Read More…]

Kids and homeless people would lose Salem city help under budget cuts disclosed Friday. City Manager Steve Powers proposed a budget for the next fiscal year, aiming to head-off forecasts that say Salem’s general fund – which pays for parks, police, firefighters and more – could be short $6 to[Read More…]

Salem City Council held a work session Monday night to discuss ideas to raise money for the city’s general fund. Councilors met with staff and members of the Sustainable Services Revenue Task Force. (Troy Brynelson/Salem Reporter) Salem residents could soon find a new expense on their water bill or a[Read More…]

Two complaints of sexual harassment and discrimination at the city of Salem have been dismissed by the state Bureau of Labor and Industries. Earlier this year, Permit Technician Casey Levy and Plans Examiner Deirdrie Wade complained they witnessed or were subjected to an array of misogynistic behavior, including unwelcome hugs,[Read More…]

The entrance to Salem Housing Authority, pictured Tuesday. (Troy Brynelson/Salem Reporter) The city of Salem department tasked with providing affordable housing for thousands of residents has been without its administrator for nearly two months and is undergoing an organizational shift. Andy Wilch, who has led Salem Housing Authority since 2009,[Read More…]

Heavy machinery rests at the construction site for the upcoming, 104,000-square-foot headquarters of the Salem Police Department. City and police officials say they need to find another $4 million for construction. (Troy Brynelson/Salem Reporter) Costs for Salem Police Department’s new headquarters continue to rise, sending officials to look for millions[Read More…]

The former site of McMahan’s Furniture & Appliances, where Koz Development is proposing a complex of micro-apartments. (Troy Brynelson/Salem Reporter) Salem’s elected leaders on Monday will face two decisions that could impact the city’s stock of affordable apartments. First, acting as the Urban Renewal Agency, councilors will consider selling two[Read More…]

Salem City Hall, pictured last summer. (Salem Reporter files) A Salem-based law firm has threatened to sue the city of Salem for charging fees it alleges are unconstitutional to property owners. James Vick, a partner at Glantz Law Group in downtown Salem, claims the city’s stormwater and streetlight fees charge[Read More…]

The lobby of Salem City Hall. (Salem Reporter files) Raw sewage spilled into Claggett Creek in Northeast Salem, the city of Salem announced Friday afternoon. The city said in its press release that it does not know how much sewage spilled into the creek, near 2965 Surf Court N.E. The[Read More…]