A coalition of Marion County, the City of Salem, the City of Stayton, and the Santiam Water Control District made their case in federal court today, asking the U.S. District Court to halt the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ plan to drain Detroit Lake below its minimum conservation pool this fall. Their arguments centered around concerns of harm to water for drinking, firefighting, and agriculture for more than 220,000 downstream residents.

"I'm incredibly honored to be selected to be a part of this work," said Commissioner Bethell. “I look forward to working with county leaders from across the country, sharing about Marion County and Oregon, and bringing back ideas that will help us reach our local youth facing housing challenges."

In the ongoing lawsuit Marion County filed against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to stop the draining of Detroit Lake, the Army Corps made an astounding claim: That their administrative record, which is the foundation of their review and decision to drain the lake, shouldn’t be seen by the Court or Marion County before the judge determines whether they can move forward with their potentially catastrophic plan this fall.

"New OHA rules endanger county staff, program participants, visitors, and neighbors," said Commissioner Danielle Bethell. “It is unacceptable that OHA refuses reasonable safety protections. We will not stop fighting to ensure our staff and the residents in these facilities they serve are safe from the harm OHA’s policies would needlessly cause."

“Risking the drinking water of our communities while harming thousands of fish is patently absurd” said Commissioner Colm Willis, Chair. “Since the Army Corps refused to listen to reasonable requests from the county, cities, and schools, this lawsuit is the strongest means we have to protect our downstream communities as well as recreation at Detroit Lake.”

“We welcome the City of Salem joining the County in fighting to protect the drinking water of our communities. Clean, reliable drinking water should never be thoughtlessly put at risk anywhere in the County.”

"OHA is making sweeping rule changes in a matter of weeks with little to no input from the people directly impacted," said Commissioner Danielle Bethell. "These rules will deeply affect the safety of staff working in difficult conditions and the residents they're trying to help."

"The Army Corps' own analysis acknowledges that this operation would adversely affect drinking water, water supply reliability, and recreation,” said Commissioner Colm Willis, Chair.

On Monday afternoon, a federal judge granted a Disability Rights Oregon (DRO) motion to exclude many criminally-charged individuals from the Oregon State Hospital in the ongoing Mink/Bowman case, which will force early release of mentally unstable individuals charged with serious Measure 11 crimes like rape, murder, kidnapping, assault, and robbery.

Today, the Marion County Board of Commissioners formally announced that the county is filing a lawsuit asking the United States District Court to order the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to pause efforts to drain Detroit Lake until the Army Corps completes the turbidity report required by federal law and allows informed public comments.

On Monday, a federal judge denied Marion County’s request asking the court to allow the county to file a response opposing a Disability Rights Oregon (DRO) motion to exclude more criminally-charged individuals from the Oregon State Hospital in the ongoing Mink/Bowman case.

“It’s unfortunate to see our legislators fail to be responsive to the very real needs of our community,” said Commissioner Danielle Bethell. “This bill would have filled a crucial gap in the process of law right now that prohibits us from doing the best we can to take care of vulnerable individuals experiencing mental health crises.”

The Marion County Bar Association (MCBA) has selected Marion County Justice of the Peace Justin Kidd as the recipient of the Carson Award for service to the community, recognizing his sustained commitment to public service.

You are cordially invited to the 2026 Marion County State of the County Address on Tuesday, March 31! Join your Marion County Commissioners for an important update on the past year's accomplishments and an outline of future plans.

“REACH builds on the work already underway through our Behavioral Health Crisis Center mobile response programs,” said Commissioner Danielle Bethell. “By integrating with Salem Fire, we can respond more effectively in the moment and connect people to the services that support longer-term stability.”

“The loss of over a million Kokanee salmon at Green Peter wasn’t theoretical,” said Commissioner Colm Willis, Chair. “It was real, it was catastrophic, and it was preventable.”

Marion County called on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to strengthen its analysis of turbidity, drinking water impacts, and community risks associated with the proposed deep drawdown of Detroit Lake.

“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…