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.
City cancels Viva Salem event due to understaffing
Viva Salem, a popular community celebration of Hispanic heritage at Riverfront Park, won’t return for its third year due to understaffing at the city.
How a group of library lovers convinced a reluctant Salem to raise property taxes
Salem’s public library, parks and Center 50+ will likely avoid deep cuts with Salem voters favoring the levy as of late Tuesday night. It’s a victory for library advocates, who knocked on doors and secured a wide range of endorsements to get the public’s backing.
Voters pass Salem’s levy, initial counts indicate
Salem’s public library, parks and services will likely avoid deep cuts after 54.2% of voters in initial count support a new city tax levy to fund them.
Marion County sees increase in syphilis among pregnant women
Oregon is seeing an alarming increase in congenital syphilis, which is when the infection transmits to a fetus during pregnancy. Nearly one in four Oregon cases last year was in Marion County.
State Street construction to add some traffic through the fall
Intermittent construction work at the intersection of State Street and Southeast 25th Street will slow down traffic in the area through October. Another project on a section of Southeast McGilchrist Street will close eastbound traffic between Southeast 22nd and 25th streets through the end of the year.
Fearing federal cuts, Liberty House seeks state money to advocate for abused children
The Liberty House Children’s Advocacy Center provides medical exams, forensic interviews and therapy to hundreds of abused children in Marion and Polk counties each year. They’re seeking additional support from the state and community to meet the need.
Thursday evening fire burns Southeast Salem home, displacing 3 residents and pets
Three adults and their pets were displaced from a home off Southeast Sunnyside Road after a devastating fire Thursday evening.
What to do in Salem from May 8-14: Mother’s Day, walk in the park
Events in Salem this week include a community walk to the park, a kids clothing swap and a Mother’s Day comedy show.
City plans to pull funding from safe parking, warming shelters
The city’s proposed budget would pull some of its last remaining annual investments into homeless services, which have supported safe parking options and warm shelter on freezing nights for hundreds in the community. The programs plan to turn to state funding.
New apartments for refugees, low-income families open in NE Salem
This week, families will begin moving into Blossom Gardens, Salem’s latest affordable housing complex which aims to give refugees from around the world a place to settle and build community.