The sign at The ARCHES Project, the organization that will house the upcoming sobering center and an expanded day center. Construction started this week. (Anthony McGuire/Special to Salem Reporter) The city of Salem is spending more money than initially planned to build a sobering center while continuing to look for[Read More…]

A row of Salem Police Department vehicles parked at Salem City Hall pictured in the winter. (Caleb Wolf/Special to Salem Reporter) For four months, a Salem Police Department officer was assigned to stay home with pay because his superiors weren’t sure he was fit for duty. The public won’t learn[Read More…]

The Marion and Center Street bridges pictured last summer. (Salem Reporter files) Two Salem councilors on opposite sides of the now-defunct Salem River Crossing are coming together to help the city’s congestion issues. Councilors Cara Kaser and Jim Lewis say they will seek approval of the Salem City Council of[Read More…]

The lobby of Salem City Hall pictured summer 2018. (Salem Reporter files) Several city of Salem employees say they have recently faced discrimination and harassment at work, and are now seeking help from the state and courts. Since December, five current and former employees have filed claims or lawsuits against[Read More…]

A man and woman look out at Minto-Island Brown Park in early winter. (Caleb Wolf/Special to Salem Reporter) Salem officials are bumping up some costs of building new homes in the city to pay for more parks and traffic improvements. Salem City Council on Monday approved changes to its system[Read More…]

Salem City Councilor Cara Kaser addresses the West Salem Neighborhood Association on Monday, Feb. 18, regarding transportation issues. (Salem Reporter/Les Zaitz) Salem City Councilors Cara Kaser and Jim Lewis bridged some political differences Monday night, pledging to work together to solve the city’s congestion woes after staking opposing views last[Read More…]

The plaza of Salem City Hall pictured last summer. (Salem Reporter files) Salem City Manager Steve Powers continues to have full support of the Salem city councilors but he could work to communicate better, according to an annual performance review. Councilors recently completed the review, scoring the city’s top employee[Read More…]

Left to right: Councilors Cara Kaser, Tom Andersen, Brad Nanke and Jackie Leung. Andersen addressed Salem City Coucnil after the majority voted down a motion that would have kept the Salem River Crossing in play. (Troy Brynelson/Salem Reporter) Salem City Council has voted to halt the Salem River Crossing in[Read More…]

The Marion and Center street bridges pictured last summer. Salem City Council are expected to decide the fate of a long-proposed third bridge on Monday night. (Salem Reporter files) Salem City Council will be asked Monday night to decide the fate of the Salem River Crossing by choosing between two[Read More…]

The sign at The ARCHES Project, a building the city of Salem is said to be considering buying. Buying the property would give the facility hundreds of thousands more dollars to spend on services, like around-the-clock bathrooms (Anthony McGuire/Special to Salem Reporter) The city of Salem is considering becoming The[Read More…]