“When I was placed into foster care, I arrived with nothing,. Project Joy gave me a backpack filled with clothes, pajamas, and a pink teddy bear. That bear gave me my first safe place. It wasn’t just stuff—it was a powerful message that I mattered, that I was seen, and that I deserved comfort.”

Today, the Marion County Board of Commissioners signed a proclamation recognizing November 11, 2025, as Veterans Day in Marion County, honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans through Operation Green Light.

Today, the Marion County Board of Commissioners approved a six-month pilot program with the Salem Fire Department to launch a new emergency co-response model in downtown Salem…

With SNAP benefits set to expire November 1, 2025 due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, the Marion County Board of Commissioners held an urgent meeting this evening to discuss how the County can support food insecure individuals in the community.

The Marion County community took a significant step forward in bolstering its behavioral health resources this week…

Marion County Health & Human Services (MCHHS) is proud to announce the relocation of its Behavioral Health Crisis Center (BHCC) to a newly renovated facility at 1234 Commercial Street SE in Salem.

Today, 20 of Oregon’s 36 Counties joined together in sending a letter to the United States Attorney General and the Oregon Attorney General seeking legal clarity for the good of all.

Oregon’s Sheriffs “agree that there is a good deal of legal uncertainty” that needs to be resolved by a court decision “that provides the type of clarity that will help all local governments in Oregon ensure they are properly following federal, state, and local laws.”

Today, Marion County filed a lawsuit seeking clarification on whether the County is allowed under the state’s sanctuary law to turn over parole-related records of four alleged undocumented immigrants in response to subpoenas from the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Marion County took another significant step forward yesterday in addressing community behavioral health and public safety needs with the official ribbon cutting for a new Secure Residential Treatment Facility (SRTF) at 325 Lancaster Drive in Salem.

“House Bill 2005 puts two systems of work together and harms one or both,” said Commissioner Bethell. “The counties are not being heard at all in the aid and assist space.”

On June 7, 2025, Commissioner Danielle Bethell participated in a survey flight with Oregon Disaster Airlift Response Team (ODART) President Jim Origliosso. This flight was part of ODART’s 4th annual training exercise assisting emergency management teams in the case of a catastrophic level event. 

“Marion County applauds these fines designed to force Oregon State Hospital to finally get serious about providing the desperately needed mental health care that Oregon law requires and that is needed to protect public safety.”

On Friday, April 4, Marion County Commissioners Kevin Cameron and Danielle Bethell participated in the “Paint the Town Blue” parade from the Oregon State Fairgrounds to the Salem Police Department, joining community partners in recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Erin Burt and Kevin Thompson have your latest update on all things parks in Marion County for Spring, 2025. Winter, an adoptable Husky, joined them for the occasion.

Have you ever wondered how vital services like education, public safety, and infrastructure get funded here in Marion County? You might think the bulk is paid for by your tax dollars, right? Well, that’s only a piece of the story. The broader answer lies partly in a silent contributor…

"By understanding the resources we can provide and working to cover the gaps in services, we can come together and find the most effective path forward to restoring individuals in crisis in our community.”

“We have an amazing team at Marion County, and together we will continue working on the issues that are important to our community.”

“This year has a significant impact to us. With ReWorld closing on December 31 and no longer accepting medical waste within Marion County, we are no longer able to provide the reduced cost that we’ve been able to for decades.”

DON't FORGET: You are cordially invited to join us on October 24, 2024, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. for the Marion County Reentry Initiative (MCRI) “Giving People a Second Chance” breakfast.