Abbey McDonald
Abbey McDonald joined the Salem Reporter in 2022. She previously worked as the business reporter at The Astorian, where she covered labor issues, health care and social services. A University of Oregon grad, she has also reported for the Malheur Enterprise, The News-Review and Willamette Week.
Salem adds space for court-ordered behavioral health treatment
The newly completed Marion and Polk County Secure Residential Treatment Facility will serve people with severe and persistent mental illness who have been ordered by a judge to receive treatment. It adds capacity to a strained statewide system which leaves many without such options for longer term care.
Salem doctors, nurses ask lawmakers to fight harder against cuts to Medicaid
Over 600 doctors around the state have added their names to a joint letter asking Oregon’s state and federal lawmakers to stop proposed federal cuts to Medicaid. Many on the list work in Salem Health’s emergency department.
Former Oregon State Fair artisans find place to land at Salem Art Fair
A group of artisans who previously brought their craft to a secluded area of the Oregon State Fair plan to boycott it this year. Many of them have accepted an invitation to join the Salem Art Fair two weeks later.
In final days of session, lawmakers combine two controversial mental health bills
The Legislature is considering some of the largest changes in years to Oregon’s system of committing people to mental health treatment who pose a serious danger to themselves or another person. A last-minute decision to tie those changes into a larger bill may have muddied the waters, said some working in Marion County.
White oaks, soil get a needed break at Bush’s Pasture Park
Taller grass and more mulch are among the recent changes in the upper area of Bush’s Pasture Park. They’re signs of a ‘no-mow’ effort by parks staff to strengthen historic white oak trees and revitalize the soil.
Summer dig zeroes in on Salem’s lost Indian Manual Labor Training School
An open house on Friday, June 13, at Willamette University shared the latest leads in an excavation looking for the foundation of a historic building once used by Methodist missionaries to force Indigenous children to work.
Salem Swim Club builds back Salem’s swimming programs, one meet at a time
Salem Swim Club is working to teach local kids how to become competitive swimmers, and to have fun while doing it.
Inside Out 2, Wicked, among Movies in the Park this summer
The City of Salem has announced this summer’s Movies in the Park lineup of free outdoor showings at Riverfront Park, starting next month.
CLASS OF 2025: Star baseball player learned to lead off the field
Andrew Mhoon was a popular baseball star at Sprague High School, and will play D1 college baseball after a summer as the Marion Berries’ shortstop. He’s graduating having learned there’s more to life than sports.
At Salem Hospital, a robot can now help detect lung cancer
A recent event at Salem Hospital allowed community members to try their hand with the latest robotic gadgets helping its surgeons find cancers earlier and make precise movements on a tiny scale.