Salem news — 2026-03
24 articles · Page 1 of 3
Marion County State of the County Highlights Behavioral Health, Homelessness and Infrastructure
Decision Snapshot (Click here) What Happened Marion County commissioners used their annual State of the County address to highlight county priorities in behavioral health, homelessness response, infrastructure and public works....
WVCC Launches 6-Month ‘Ava’ AI Pilot for Non-Emergency Calls, Raising Questions About Oversight and Public Trust
Decision Snapshot (Click here) What Happened Willamette Valley Communications Center launched a six-month pilot using an AI system called Ava to handle selected non-emergency calls. What Is Not Changing Officials...
Salem Extends Tourism Promotion Fee to Short-Term Rentals After Final Council Vote
Decision Snapshot (Click here) What Happened Salem City Council gave final approval to Ordinance Bill No. 4-26, extending the city’s Tourism Promotion Area fee to short-term rentals and accessory short-term...
Local Family’s Lego Collection Caught in Keizer Franchise Fight, Criminal Investigation
Decision Snapshot (Click here) What Happened A Star Wars Lego collection built by the Mansell family over roughly 15 years is now at the center of a dispute involving former...
Owner of Salem Restaurant, Donatellos, Ordered to Pay More Than $96,000 After Tax Evasion Plea
Decision Snapshot (Click here) What Happened A Salem restaurant owner pleaded guilty to three felony counts of tax evasion tied to failures to file quarterly payroll tax reports and remit...
Dallas Police Arrest Woman After Moon Spa Investigation in Polk County
Decision Snapshot (Click here) What Happened Dallas police arrested a 63-year-old woman after a months-long investigation into alleged criminal activity at Moon Spa in downtown Dallas. Where It Happened The...
A Field for East Salem: Capital Futbol Club Opens Final Pass Field
Decision Snapshot (Click here) What Happened Capital Futbol Club officially opened Final Pass Field on March 14 at the East Salem Community Center, adding a new 9v9 grass soccer field...
South Salem Annexation and Multifamily Rezoning at 5524 Skyline Road S Advance to Second Reading
Decision Snapshot (Click here) What Happened Salem City Council gave first reading to Ordinance Bill No. 5-26, advancing annexation of 1.94 acres at 5524 Skyline Road S into the city....
ideabox Says Interest in Prefab Housing Is Expanding in Oregon
For years, prefab housing sat outside the mainstream, often dismissed as too limited or too far removed from conventional homebuilding. Salem-based ideabox has spent the last two decades trying to...
Salem Maps Drug Response Gaps but Has No Immediate Plan to Close Them
Decision Snapshot (Click here) What Happened Salem city leaders presented a new framework for addressing drug use through prevention, treatment and enforcement, but no policy package or funding plan was...