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.
COLUMN: A dispatch from an unusual bus ride
Abbey McDonald of Salem Reporter describes her experience driving a Cherriots bus on a closed course, in advance of a district hiring event on Feb. 21.
YOUR GOVERNMENT: Raises for Police on Salem City Council agenda
During its Monday, Feb. 13 meeting, the council will vote on its 2023 policy agenda, consider raises for the police department staff, and vote on whether to reallocate $1.1 million in federal housing funding.
Covid weekly report for Feb. 10: Cases, testing positivity up
In the past week, the Oregon Health Authority reports one newly identified death of a Marion County resident with Covid.
Popular Salem program returns to teach about raptors
The Salem Audubon Society’s most popular webinar returns on Saturday, Feb. 11 to teach Salemites how to identify Oregon hawks, eagles, vultures and more.
Free showing set for ‘Buffalo Soldiers’ that highlights erased history
The film “Buffalo Soldiers: Fighting on Two Fronts” explores the legacy of Black American soldiers in conflicts throughout the nation’s history. A Thursday, Feb. 9, screening at Willamette University is free and open to the public.
Marion County residents quiz U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley during town hall
The senator fielded questions about mental health funding, the war in Ukraine and catalytic converters during an hour long conversation with constituents on Monday, Feb. 6.
“Hattitude” presentation honors community leader Willie Richardson
The longtime community leader and advocate for education worked to plan an evening celebrating hats and local hat lovers before her death on Jan. 25.
Covid weekly report for Feb. 3: Cases up in Marion, Polk counties
Reports of new Covid cases increased statewide and in Marion and Polk Counties this week. In December, Gov. Kate Brown issued several executive orders intended to provide more resources to health care facilities amid a sustained surge of Covid, flu…
Salem-Keizer NAACP to host civil disobedience training
The non-violent method of protesting was used during the civil rights movement of the 1960s. The free presentation will be on Friday, Feb. 3, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and again Saturday, Feb. 4, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Overtime firefighters continue to fill in for Falck
The Salem Fire Department will continue to operate an ambulance until Falck can hire enough staff to meet emergency demand in the city. The cost will be covered through patient fees, according to the budget.