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.
What to do if you lose, or find, a stray pet in Salem this holiday weekend
Loud fireworks on the Fourth of July means it’s typically Marion County Dog Services’ busiest week of the year. Here are pet safety resources and lost and found forums in the Salem area.
What’s showing at Salem galleries, museums in July
Galleries and museums in Salem will share the history of the drag community in the Willamette Valley, work from dozens of photographers and wood-fire ceramics.
What the Supreme Court’s Grants Pass ruling means for Salem
Friday’s Supreme Court ruling, which says cities can ban homeless people from sleeping outside, won’t cause any immediate changes in Salem. But advocates say the ruling will likely increase pressure on the state to provide more services, and to give cities more room to criminalize people who are homeless.
Revenue task force recommends boosting city property, income taxes
The city’s revenue task force has spent months evaluating ways to bring money into Salem to pay for its services. Its recommendations, finalized Wednesday, include a levy which could pay for the library and a personal income tax paired with tax reform.
Cherriots to finalize $148 million budget in Thursday meeting
The Salem Area Mass Transit District board on Thursday is reviewing a security report showing that bus drivers and security officers reported eight instances of verbal threats from customers in January through March, a decrease from the previous quarter.
Southeast Salem Home Depot distribution center fined for mislabeling hazardous waste
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has fined Southeast Salem’s Home Depot warehouse and distribution center over $25,000 for failing to determine whether it was generating hazardous waste over a three year period.
What’s getting cut, what got funding as Salem council votes on final budget
City-funded micro shelter sites will continue operating with state money next year, while Salem’s Center 50+ will close some Saturdays.
Ukrainian culture to take center stage at World Beat
Inna Kovtun fled war in her native Ukraine with a collection of folk songs she’s carefully preserved. She’s among the center stage performers at this year’s World Beat Festival, June 28-30 in Riverfront Park.
Salem punks expand from yearly music festival into “epic” outreach service for homeless youth
Salem nonprofit Punx With Purpose, known for its annual Punx in the Park festival, has gone mobile. At monthly pop-up events, teens and young adults can get clothes, connect with housing and build community.
On Juneteenth, Salem remembers history, celebrates freedom
Salemites participated in history walks, talked about the legacy of slavery, shared resources and donated blood in honor of Juneteenth.