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.
“It’s changed who I am:” a Salem woman’s journey into homelessness, and back out again
Toni Maries and her dog, Tucker, are two of the new residents at Sequoia Crossings, Salem’s newest affordable housing complex. Formerly a military spouse, her path into becoming homeless, and becoming housed again, spans two decades and several diagnoses.
EVENTS: Native plant sale, metal concert in Salem this weekend
This weekend in Salem, shop for native plants at Deepwood Museum & Gardens’ annual sale, and see a metal show or Koto performance.
READ IT: Mayor Hoy’s full State of the City speech
Mayor Chris Hoy delivered his 2024 State of the City Wednesday, focused on Salem's budget challenges and the city's progress on affordable housing.
Hoy pushes for more money for Salem in State of the City address
Chris Hoy’s remarks in his second State of the City speech as Mayor focused on the city’s investments in homeless services and housing development. He urged the community to support new revenue sources that would pay for the city’s police, fire, libraries and parks.
Local filmmaker to screen documentary examining Holocaust remembrance
In his film “Monument,” Scotts Mills filmmaker Michael Turner visits the Hungarian town where his grandmother grew up before her family’s forced removal to Auschwitz. She later returned to build a memorial there. Salem Cinema will screen the film and host a Q&A with Turner and Willamette University Professor Ellen Eisenberg on Sunday, March 24.
To the constant sound of bombardment, Salem nurse helps hundreds in Gaza
Yvonne Groenhout, a volunteer emergency response nurse from Salem, has helped people in Chicago, Haiti and Ukraine. This winter in Gaza, she learned to tune out the sound of bombs to help patients.
EVENTS: Celebrate Cherry Blossom Day at the Capitol
This weekend in Salem, events include a concert under the cherry blossoms at the Oregon Capitol Mall, an outdoor wildlife class at the Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge and “She’s Speaking LIVE.”
In tense meeting, South Central neighbors press school district to restrict open campus
After a shooting involving teens and an unrelated raid on a neighborhood home, Wednesday’s meeting of the South Central Association of Neighbors saw over 100 in attendance. Those gathered sought changes to South Salem High School policies.
Slow ambulance responses trigger possible city takeover
Fire Chief Mike Niblock said that the private ambulance service Falck has repeatedly failed to meet contract requirements. Falck asked councilors to dig deeper into the data before making a decision.
Stapleton to withdraw from council race to seek state House seat
Salem City Council President Virginia Stapleton plans to run for House District 21. If she wins the Democratic nomination, she’ll challenge Rep. Kevin Mannix for the seat representing north Salem.