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.
Half of city navigation center residents moved into permanent housing, report says
In its first year of operation, 54 residents at Salem’s navigation center were able to move into housing within months, according to a new annual report from operators. It’s a higher success rate than other local shelter programs, but funding for the center currently runs out in June 2025.
Developers break ground on secure behavioral health facility in east Salem
A new 16-bed behavioral health facility in east Salem is expected to open next summer. It will serve patients often caught in a cycle of homelessness, incarceration and hospital visits, organizers said.
Salem micro shelters secure millions from state to stay open
Church at the Park announced Wednesday that all three of its Salem micro shelter sites, hosting 250 people, will remain open at least another year using state grants.
Seventh, presumed eighth case of measles diagnosed in Marion County
Two more unvaccinated children in Marion County are showing symptoms of measles, health officials said Wednesday. One case has been confirmed through testing, and the other lives with someone else who was diagnosed with measles.
Peek inside the Oregon State Capitol as crews work to finish new foundation
The home to Oregon’s state Legislature, and perch for the Gold Man, will see major steps to finish its foundation this week. The multi-year project includes major seismic retrofitting on the historic building weighing 160 million pounds.
Unsheltered Salemites report frequent discrimination, annual city survey finds
Salem’s 2024 community belonging survey looked at where and how often people experience discrimination in Salem, and their comfort level reporting bias crimes to the Salem Police Department.
Fifth, sixth measles case confirmed in Marion County
The outbreak is the largest in Marion County in over a decade. All of those diagnosed so far have been unvaccinated against measles, health officials said.
Salem Health cancels some surgeries, but local impacts from global IT outage limited
Salem's fire and emergency dispatch center are operating normally Friday after a global IT outage affecting many Windows systems hit hospitals, emergency services and airlines nationwide.
Man charged with arson in fire at Washington Elementary School
Investigators say that Javier J. Venegas-Quinones, 27, lit a towel and placed it at the corner of the elementary school on July 9, causing thousands of dollars in damage to the building.
Health officials confirm fourth measles case in Marion County
An unvaccinated Marion County child was diagnosed with measles Tuesday, health officials said. There are no known public exposures to the virus or links to three other Marion County children recently confirmed to have measles.