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.
Arena football coming to Salem in 2024
The Arena Football League, a fast-paced game played on a smaller field, is coming to the Oregon State Fair and Exposition Center arena this spring. The Oregon Blackbears, backed by a University of Oregon alumnus, hopes to fill its roster with local talent.
UPDATE: Councilors approve sidewalk repair guidelines
During their Monday, Oct. 23 meeting, the Salem City Council approved a grant for case workers for people who are homeless, and opted to further discuss proposed changes to the sign code.
Salem City Council to discuss alternative cuts
The Salem City Council meets Wednesday to discuss ways to address its budget crisis if the payroll tax fails in November. Among the hypothetical scenarios is closing the library to retain police and fire, or to keep shelters open. They’ll also hear the feasibility of cutting vacancies and adding furlough days.
Salem plans the next decade of sidewalk repairs
During their Monday, Oct. 23, meeting, the Salem City Council will consider a plan to allocate $18.2 million to sidewalk and crosswalk projects from the infrastructure bond voters approved last fall.
Business groups spend big to defeat Salem payroll tax
Opponents of Salem’s payroll tax have raised nearly $170,000 to kill the tax according to campaign finance records. Donors include Americans for Prosperity, an advocacy group funded by two of the nation’s most influential people in politics, brothers Charles and David Koch.
Shelter builders, fire heroes, rose tenders among city-honored volunteers for 2023
Salem’s annual volunteer award ceremony on Monday, Oct. 16, recognized community members who fought fires, tended roses and educated their neighbors on local history.
Warming shelters to rely on volunteers to keep people sheltered on freezing nights
The Salem Warming Network is seeking volunteers to help run warming shelters during the winter after seeing a substantial budget reduction. A volunteer event at the YMCA on Tuesday, Oct. 17, at 6 p.m. will share information about how to get involved.
Salem insurance agent loses license following identity theft conviction
Insurance agent Tricia Klock lost her insurance agent license last month, after being convicted of four counts of identity theft, and falsely representing insurance policies and coverage.
ART: October’s artist exhibitions in Salem
Opportunities to see art in Salem this month include open hours at a home studio, a celebration of quinceañeras and work by Indigenous printmakers.
PHOTOS: Salem unveils new $39 million public works building
The new 50,000 square foot building brings Public Works staff out of a 1950s-era building and into an earthquake-safe space.