TOP STORIES: Health care access, food benefits crisis, community stories
In my first year at Salem Reporter, I tackled business, health care and events news, while also growing as a photographer.
I arrived at the newsroom in June as an intern covering public health as nationwide changes to health care policy unfolded at the federal level. During that time, I also covered community stories while taking on photography assignments.
I’ve continued to chase these topics as I transitioned from intern to full-time reporter, with a focus on business, health care and events. When I’m not reporting (and sometimes when I am), I’ve had the opportunity to visually capture the stories and people of Salem with my camera.
From hospitals to museum exhibits, here are some of the stories I am most proud of from 2025:
Volunteers, community spirit shined during Ironman 70.3 triathlon Sunday
I woke up around 4 a.m. on the morning of the Ironman triathlon to get downtown by 5 a.m.
It was one of my earliest stories – and earliest photography assignments.
I met up with the talented photographer Laura Tesler that morning to shadow her on the assignment. We began that day by capturing the racers in their swim gear crossing the “taco bridge” in Riverfront Park to hop in the Willamette River for the first stretch of the race.
Later that day, I conducted interviews between camera snaps for this story. I decided to center it on the hard work of the race’s volunteers, who were there when I arrived that morning, and still going strong when I left later that afternoon.
Stayton hospital offering Covid vaccines without prescription, a rarity in Oregon
Confusion mounted as Salem patients seeking a Covid-19 booster shot were turned away at pharmacies this fall. This came as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s deadline for its regular vaccine recommendations was pushed back. Santiam Hospital & Clinics was the only provider we could confirm was administering the vaccine without a prescription during this unusual period.
Some Oregon State Fair vendors pull out after seeing low foot traffic
This story began with a tip from an Oregon State Fair vendor who pulled out only days after the annual event began.
She estimated that just one vendor was left in the area she had been assigned to. So I decided to go and meet him, with my camera in tow.
When I arrived in the Sunny Side area, I found Isai Ramirez. His booth backed up to the only other tent that remained, though that booth was closed at the time. Stocked with hundreds of toys, his tent was a colorful dot in a vast concrete lot with little foot traffic.
The Forge’s transformation nears completion with ‘exciting’ developments still on the horizon
In a year filled with news about Salem store closures, it was a pleasure to cover a new development emerging in a previously closed location.
The Forge, located in the building of the former Liberty Plaza, opened its second floor in the spring as it finished development on the first floor. I brought my camera along for this trip, where I got to meet dedicated employees and business owners who had just moved in.
Though not every space was occupied at the time, it was evident that new life was being breathed into the building.
Residents raise concerns about potential national cemetery in Salem
A little over a hundred Macleay neighbors gathered for a town hall this fall in the wake of news about the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ plans to establish a veteran’s cemetery in their community. It was their first town hall since 2021, when they came together to halt a different development project proposed by the county.
The community’s concerns span the local water supply, traffic, noise levels and more. The public testimonies showcased the community’s passion and commitment for their rural town.
Neighbors continue to discuss and voice concerns about the VA’s proposal. I expect to cover this more in the new year.
Salem ice cream shop feeds community as SNAP payments lapse
The owner of On Any Sundae, Caleb Hayward, dedicated nearly $300 of his own funds to turn a table in the ice cream shop into a food pantry during the November pause in food assistance.
He was inspired to take action after reading about the situation, drawing in part from his own upbringing where his family relied on food assistance.
The food table is just one of many examples of how the community came together during this difficult time to support one another.
A decade of work brings caboose alive at Willamette Heritage Center
For this story, I got to walk a century-old caboose and learn about its many lives as a train car, a rental home and finally, a museum exhibit. I met with the project’s manager, who walked me through its trip to the museum and its repairs. And despite his self-proclaimed disinterest in trains, his passion for the project was evident.
Immigrant-owned Salem bakery celebrates 17 years of hard work and resiliency
Maravilla’s Bakery in east Salem has been through a lot – as have its owners. Juan Maravilla and Alma Ignacio started the business from scratch and without any culinary experience between them. As they grew the bakery, they were raising two children, who still help out around the business today. The beloved Hispanic bakery survived the pandemic and continues to persist amid inflation increasing the costs of their ingredients.
Salem Health in talks to acquire Stayton hospital
Salem Health and Santiam Hospital & Clinics signed an internal letter for affiliation. This is a major move by Salem Health, a health care giant in the Willamette Valley. They are expected to officially file for affiliation with the Oregon Health Authority in January, and I will continue to report on this as it unfolds.
New vintage toy store opens in Salem after months of anticipation
A sign reading “Subatomic Vintage Toys” marked a shuttered building south of downtown Salem for months – generating mystery and demand. Its owners CJ Nelson and Tom Engen saw eager prospective customers jiggling the door daily before finally opening in early December. It was exciting to get a sneak peak of its interior a day before they opened, which features a three-foot Yoda statue and shelves and shelves of iconic toys.
Have a news tip? Contact reporter Hailey Cook: [email protected] .
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Hailey Cook joined Salem Reporter in 2025, following the completion of an internship through the University of Oregon’s Charles Snowden Program for Excellence in Journalism. She works as a reporter and photojournalist, with a focus on business and entertainment, among other topics.
