Marion County commissioners on Wednesday will consider renewing its funding for a program that sends mental health professionals right to people in the middle of a crisis. Since 2014, a mental health professional has paired with a Sheriff’s Office deputy to respond to 9-1-1 calls involving mental health crises, said[Read More…]

The Salem City Council may decide on Monday whether the public library temporarily moves into a church-owned building. It’s a controversial decision that’s gained attention in recent weeks, as some feel the move could impact the LGBTQ community. Salem Public Library needs a home for at least 18 months while[Read More…]

Chemeketa Community College board members will review the college’s equity efforts in staffing at a meeting next week. A scorecard shows the college’s student body has about the same percentage of Latino students as the area Chemeketa serves, but staff and faculty remain mostly white, especially in full-time roles. The[Read More…]

Contract approvals headline the Marion County Board of Commissioners meeting on Wednesday, the largest of which involve millions of state dollars for behavioral health and disability services. If approved, a $17.6 million agreement with the Oregon Health Authority would fund the county Health and Human Services Department’s substance abuse, mental[Read More…]

A July 16 meeting will be the first for newly elected school board members Satya Chandragiri and Danielle Bethell. They’ll be sworn in and the board will elect a new chair and vice chair for the 2019-20 school year. Board members will consider a safe and healthy schools plan and[Read More…]

Heavy machinery rests at the construction site for the upcoming, 104,000-square-foot headquarters of the Salem Police Department. (Troy Brynelson/Salem Reporter) Salem’s future funding for police, firefighters, the library and other public services will headline Salem City Council on Monday. Salem leaders will discuss a new fee on utility bills and[Read More…]

After more than a month of discussion, the Salem-Keizer School Board will consider the district’s 2019-20 budget at a meeting Tuesday. The $1.2 billion proposal maintains current district services with some additions, including more high school mental health counselors and elementary school behavioral support staff. Prior to voting on the[Read More…]

Marion County Commissioners will consider a few contracts and purchases at their regular meeting Wednesday. The commissioners will consider approving a $420,000 contract for janitorial service at Marion County Health and Human Service buildings. The contract would be awarded to Sustainable Cleaning Systems, according to the county agenda. Commissioners will[Read More…]