🌱 Salem Council Homeless Camping Vote + Gov Kotek Speaks GOP Walkout

Hello all. I'm back with your fresh copy of the Salem Patch newsletter. Let's get this Monday started off right with a quick guide to the most important things happening these days in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Monday: Times of clouds and sun. High: 69 Low: 47.
• Tuesday: Times of clouds and sun. High: 70 Low: 48.

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Here are the top three stories in Salem today:

1. After the Oregon Legislature passed two new bills concerning homeless camping, the Salem City Council will consider updates to its own camping laws at its regular meeting today, May 22. To be consistent with the new Oregon laws, Salem city officials created a new ordinance that would repeal the regulations on leaving personal property and sitting and lying on the sidewalks as well as revise the ban on camping in public spaces. If the council votes to pass the ordinance, it will become effective on Jun. 22. (Statesman Journal)
2. In its third week, the Republican walkout in the Democrat-controlled Oregon Senate in Salem threatens to derail hundreds of pending bills, the approval of a state budget, and the boycotters' political careers. The GOP boycott began on May 3, and Republican Sen. Daniel Bonham said, "There is no turning back now. We are in it for the long haul." With the last day of Oregon's legislative session approaching on Jun. 25, Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek could order the Oregon State Police to bring the protesters to the Senate. But Kotek said she does not think the state "is in crisis mode yet." Kotek recently signed a bill to keep funding state agencies until September in case there is no budget by Jul. 1. (KATU 2)
3. One of Oregon's deadliest highway crashes occurred on Thursday, May 18, when a semi truck ran off Interstate 5 and hit a van parked on the roadside near Albany, about 26 miles from Salem. According to authorities, the seven killed and four injured victims in the van were agricultural workers of Mexican nationality. The Mexican Consulate in Portland traveled to a hospital in Salem to assist the injured, who were there for "urgent medical attention." On Friday, May 19, the truck driver, 52-year-old Lincoln Clayton Smith of California, was arrested for suspicion of manslaughter, driving under the influence of intoxicants, reckless driving and assault. Smith's next court date is May 30. (KGW 8)

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Today and tomorrow in Salem:

Monday, May 22

• Just Walk Salem Keizer-Bush's Pasture Park Monday Walk At Bush's Pasture Park (9:00 AM)
• Salem City Council Meeting At Council Chambers (6:00 PM)

Tuesday, May 23

• Crochet & Slay: A Fiber Arts Hangout for Teens At Salem Public Library (5:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Salem Public Library recently introduced the new Library of Things (LOT)! The LOT is a collection of various useful items that library cardholders can check out. Items include things you only need to use once and things you might want to try before buying. Click here to learn more and to browse an online catalog of items in the LOT. (City of Salem via Twitter)
• Yelp experts compiled a list of the 14 "highest-rated restaurants for burgers in Salem!" The list includes Masonry Grill on Commercial Street, Bo & Vine Burger Bar on Liberty Street, and Rex Prehistoric Patties State Street. View the link for the full list. (KOIN.com)
• Looking for your new dream home in Salem? Check out five new homes on the market, including an adorable red two-bedroom on 18th Street in Salem for $339,000! (Salem Patch)

Alrighty, you're all good for today! See you all soon for another update.

— Rose Mendez

About me: Rose Mendez is a freelance writer. She is studying English Literature at Hunter College. She loves reading, walking around the city, and coffee!