Abbey McDonald
Senior Reporter Abbey McDonald joined the Salem Reporter in 2022, where she covers homelessness and housing. She previously worked as the business reporter at The Astorian. A University of Oregon grad, she has also reported for the Malheur Enterprise, The News-Review and Willamette Week.
Slow Art Day invites Salem gallery visitors to take extra time with pieces
On Saturday, visitors to the Salem Public Library, Salem Art Association and Salem on the Edge will be asked to consider a single piece of art for 10 minutes. The event, called Slow Art Day, is part of an international event encouraging people to take some time to themselves to connect with works.
What’s showing at Salem galleries, museums in April
Exhibitions in Salem this month will celebrate spring blooms, share local fashion history and showcase work by young artists. Free events include Slow Art Day, lectures on art history and downtown’s Salem Art Walk on Friday.
New program will help incarcerated people go directly to shelters, not the streets
The state recently awarded the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency an $800,000 grant which will launch a new program to take unsheltered people released from prison or the Oregon State Hospital straight to a shelter where they can get behavioral health support. It aims to improve outcomes and reduce repeat arrests.
Judge rules Salem Health monopoly lawsuit can move forward
Oregon Heart Center’s lawsuit alleging that Salem Health is attempting to push it out of the market can move forward after a Marion County judge decided that some of its claims, if true, could show the hospital was building an unlawful monopoly.
How state money has shaped sheltering in Salem
A recent report shows that Gov. Tina Kotek’s January 2023 executive order has helped shelter over 600 homeless people and families in Marion and Polk counties and added more than 200 shelter beds.
After five-month delay, senior residents at Mahonia Crossing get consistent hot water
Despite complaints to management, senior residents at Salem’s newest and largest affordable housing project said they haven’t had consistent hot water in one of the buildings since October. That changed this week, after questions from Salem Reporter.
City considers ways to build more housing and lower rents as part of state initiative
In the coming months, the Salem City Council and members of the planning commission will consider a broad list of proposals to increase housing development and help renters and homeowners.
A unicorn with braces and a story joins Salem’s Riverfront Carousel
Mr. Sprinkles the unicorn was unveiled at the Hazel Patton Riverfront Carousel on Friday. Behind the design is a decade-long orthodontics program giving free braces to children who are in foster care or have terminal illnesses.
Benefit concert to help McKay students pay for lessons, Chicago field trip
On March 21, the McKay High School Chamber Orchestra will play alongside Oregon Symphony violists to raise money for private lessons, instrument repairs and an upcoming trip to play in Chicago.
Frequently camped Market Street underpass to be blocked by fence
The Oregon Department of Transportation began installing a $75,000 fence last week to block people from camping underneath the Interstate 5 overpass at Northeast Market Street. The department said camping close to busy traffic is unsafe.