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.
UPDATE: Salem City Council advances 2023-24 budget, approves operations fee increase
The Salem City Council met Monday, June 12, to advance its 2023-24 budget and hear public testimony on the subject. Councilors also approved an increase to the city operations fee, effective July 1.
These bipartisan bills affecting Salem will die if walkout isn’t resolved
Bills to strengthen penalties for fentanyl possession, make it easier to change speed limits in Marion County and let community colleges train more nurses have passed the Oregon House with bipartisan support and await Senate votes.
City council considering payroll tax without voter approval
Salem city councilors on June 12 will review a draft ordinance that would tax Salem workers an average of $42 a month to sustain and expand police, emergency response and homeless services. Councilors would vote at a later date after a public hearing.
Juneteenth history walk to highlight contributions of Bayless family
A free event June 19 will showcase the story of one of Salem’s original Black families, who escaped slavery to become noted community philanthropists.
ART: Artist exhibitions in Salem for June
This month, galleries in Salem are sharing a wide range of perspectives in various mediums. June’s gallery roundup includes work from Indigenous artists, career-spanning collections and large sculptures of metal and wood.
Fire chief seeks payroll tax to fund 14 firefighters, cut response times
Last year, around a third of Salemites who called 911 had to wait more than five and a half
minutes for help to come. The Salem Fire Department, facing an increasing number of calls, hopes to add staff to improve response times.
EVENTS: Salem kicks off June with performances, local art and music
This weekend’s event calendar includes the renaming of the Salem Riverfront Carousel, theater performances and the biggest Market for the Strange yet.
Salem film about extraterrestrial crabs on cocaine gets streaming, Blu-ray deal
After selling out its November premiere at Salem’s Historic Grand Theatre, “Cocaine Crabs from Outer Space” by local filmmaker Chuck Magee is coming to home television screens.
Oregon’s Marshallese community gathers in Salem to celebrate culture and sovereignty
Celebrating 44 years since the adoption of the constitution of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Marshallese people from across the state gathered for speeches, performances and a weekend of sports.
Seniors, oldies fans can get their groove on at new Riverfront Park dances
“Let’s Dance,” which starts June 11, will bring a monthly family-friendly outdoor dance to Salem’s Riverfront Park, playing 50s, 60s and 70s music.