INDEPENDENCE, Ore. (KOIN) — Fifteen minutes southwest of Salem sits Independence, Oregon: population 8,600. It’s a quaint and unassuming town that’s quietly becoming Oregon’s first smart city. “I ...

Each day this week, we are taking you on a whirlwind tour of two cities in the Willamette Valley that together form one community. On behalf of our sponsors at Divine Distillers, we’ll see you in ...

As summer unofficially comes to a close, pieces of the season still are available in Polk County. Bright fuchsias, mustards and scarlets surround Buena Vista Flowers with late-season blooms. Dahlias, ...

The predictions were dire in 2013 as Oregon lit the fuse to blow up a system that for decades had overseen the state's seven public universities. The universities would be at each others' throats, ...

Facing a projected budget shortfall, Independence is closing its city-owned museum and reducing city hall and library hours. Despite the cuts, no city employees will be laid off. City officials hope ...