Coffee Breaks: New City Manager, Safety Program Expansion, and Airport Funding

Welcome to this week's episode of What's Happening Salem!

In this inaugural Coffee Breaks segment—a new partnership with Salem Reporter—Jacob Espinoza and Rachel Alexander deliver a quick 10-minute update on local news and community developments. This week's episode covers:

• Christian Ambury's unanimous appointment as Salem's official city manager (no longer interim).
• The ongoing state ethics investigation involving Mayor Julie Hoy and five city councilors regarding the former city manager's departure.
• $680,000 approved for safety and livability programs, including expanded homeless services and crisis response teams.
• New police homeless service team expansion from four to seven days a week.
• The civilian SOS (Safety Outreach Services) team also expanding to seven days.
• Launch of the CARE team—a new fire department partnership with mental health professionals.
• Commercial air service recruitment efforts with redirected airport funds.

And much more!

This is a new weekly series in partnership with Salem Reporter, bringing you the latest local news in just 10 minutes. Support quality local journalism by subscribing to Salem Reporter at https://www.salemreporter.com/

Timestamps:

00:01 - Welcome to Coffee Breaks

00:14 - Introduction with Rachel Alexander, Salem Reporter's managing editor

00:38 - City council meeting overview

01:04 - Christian Ambury: From interim to official city manager

01:29 - Ethics investigation and former city manager controversy

05:14 - $680,000 for safety and livability programs

05:36 - Homeless service team expansion details

06:18 - SOS team expansion and encampment response

07:11 - New CARE team with mental health professionals

09:09 - Commercial air service and airport funding decision

10:42 - Wrapping up the first Coffee Breaks episode