Willamette Wake-up

In this Polk County News segment, hear from the new mayor of the City of Monmouth - why she ran and her hopes for the city during her term.

Sarah White, Sheltering Silverton, talks about how this rural community cares for people experiencing homelessness in Silverton through warming centers, a drop in day center and the pursuit of tiny homes for a few un-sheltered women.

Michael Slater discusses the plan to remove street trees on Division Street to create more parking.

Bob Rossi, retired union organizer, gives an update an what's new with unions in the mid-Valley. North Marion County School District is still in negotiations with its represented workers.

Reyna Lopez discusses her new role in PCUN - The Tree Planters and Farm Workers organization. She talks about farm worker issues and how PCUN advocates for these workers.

Kendra Boren, Marketing Director for the Marion Polk Food Share, discusses year end giving and a couple of initiatives for 2019.

Janet Carlson served as Marion County Commissioner for 16 years. Hear her reminisce about her greatest accomplishments, lessons learned, regrets and why she is moving on.

Oregon State Police officer Tim Fox talks to Scott Schlegel about people living next to the highway and the dangers these people face.

At a joint session between Salem City Council and Marion County Commission, continuous hauling rate increases and whether the county's Waste to Energy burn facility is the best approach to managing garbage was discussed.

Michael Livingston reports on last week’s meeting of the Salem City Council, which included the adoption of an ordinance effectively prohibiting the use of carry-out -- or "single-use" -- plastic bags for retail purchases and the first reading of a proposed ordinance to make it easier for the City to address the growing problem of public-nuisance properties.