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.
EVENTS: New Year’s Eve celebrations in Salem
A kids’ balloon drop, a whodunit mystery dinner and comedy shows are among the Salem New Year’s Eve festivities this weekend.
Salem to invest in Vision Zero road safety plan
The City of Salem hopes to eliminate pedestrian and road deaths in the next decade. Its goal to lower speed limits and develop a “Vision Zero” plan was recently awarded $2.8 million by the federal government.
After devastating fire, St. Joseph’s prepares for Christmas Mass
Renovations continue four months after arson burned the roof and caused extensive smoke damage to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Christmas Mass will meet in a gymnasium.
Unicorns, murder mysteries and magical adventures: Here are Salem’s top reads of 2023
Of thousands of books at the Salem Public Library, several titles stood out this year as community favorites. Here are the top book, DVD and “library of things” checkouts of 2023, plus some picks from local librarians.
EVENTS: Downtown caroling, free holiday movies this weekend
Enjoy live music downtown, see a free movie or catch the last evenings of annual holiday light displays this weekend in Salem.
More Salem property owners add apartments, cottages to increase housing
Over 50 permits to build accessory dwelling units, like a “mother-in-law” cottage or a basement apartment, have been filed so far this year. It’s twice as many as last year, and city planners say it’s something that will chip away at Salem’s housing needs. Officials hope to make the option more accessible with new ready-build plans.
Busy families, homeless Salemites disappointed by library cuts
The Salem Public Library announced earlier this month that it would close Sundays and reduce service hours throughout the week due to limited staff. The announcement brought community outcry, with some respondents saying it would impact their ability to go to the library.
UPDATE: Cherriots board approves new security cameras
The Cherriots board approved a $500,000 upgrade to its security cameras and postponed its vote on new paratransit buses during their Dec. 14 meeting.
EVENTS: Holiday bar crawl through downtown
Events in Salem this weekend include a holiday bar crawl hosted by Travel Salem, a carol sing-along at the library and an afternoon making handmade gifts for local seniors.
From Napoleon Dynamite to Barbenheimer, Salem’s indie cinema celebrates four decades
Salem Cinema opened on Christmas Day in 1982 under a parkade, with staff bribing skateboarding teenagers with popcorn to stay off the theater’s roof during shows. Though still recovering from the pandemic, there’s much more reel to spin ahead.