Author: Eric A. Howald

Mask protest prompts walkout at city council

A Keizer resident protesting retightening COVID restrictions prompted a walkout in the chambers of the Keizer City Council Monday, May 3. Alexis Smith warned of her intent to remove her mask inside the Keizer Civic Center, where masks are required, but city councilors did not make comments on her action[Read More…]

A regal post

A close-up of the profile of a new public art sculpture at the corner of River Road North and Chemawa Road North. Salem sculpture artist Jim Johnson had his fourth piece of art selected as part of the Keizer Public Art program recently. The metalwork piece featuring a bald eagle[Read More…]

The ties that bind Detroit & Keizer

Prominent Keizer names and faces, as well as the Keizer Civic Center, are popping up frequently in an unusual space: Detroit City Council meetings. In recent months, the husband of one Keizer city councilor was appointed to the Detroit council, another Keizer city councilor was retained as the pro bono[Read More…]

A rep to protect

A lawsuit involving an anti-fascist group caught up in The Red Scare laid the groundwork for the former Keizer city manager to receive a six-figure severance package. Since his resignation after discharging a gun in his office, Chris Eppley has been hired by Marion County as a community development manager[Read More…]

Public testimony sides with Herrera

Members of the Keizer City Council were taken to task during public testimony for calling to investigate Councilor Roland Herrera for potential violations of public records law and council rules and policy. The push to reprimand Herrera comes more than a month after the former city manager fired a gun[Read More…]

Crowded field vies to reset school board

After more than a year of festering political tumult and hurt feelings, it may come as no surprise that the Salem-Keizer School District’s board seats are hotly contested. What might be harder to fathom is that there are 11 candidates for four open positions. Election Day is May 18. While[Read More…]