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.
Council approves plan for Wallace Marine Park improvements as encampments in SE portion decrease
Salem city councilors voted to start developing a plan to pave a pathway through the southern part of the Wallace Marine Park natural area, which city leaders say has seen a decrease in encampments.
Our Place allows families to stay together as parents recover from addiction
Marion County’s newest residential addiction treatment program allows families to stay together as parents go through recovery and connect with supportive services.
What to do in Salem from Nov. 6-12: Veterans Day events, handmade goods, comic books
This week, events in Salem include concerts and ceremonies honoring Veterans Day, a punk-rock themed roller skating night and a guided kids’ walk through Minto-Brown Island Park to learn about nocturnal animals.
Hoy claims statewide petition to remove standards for homeless sweeps is about ‘local control,’ not criminalization
Over the course of an hour during a recent city council meeting on Monday, Oct. 27, over a dozen Salem residents questioned Mayor Julie Hoy’s decision to lead a statewide effort to repeal a state law that sets standards for when and how cities and counties can move homeless encampments. Hoy maintained that the petition doesn’t relate to encampment sweeps.
What’s showing at Salem galleries, museums in November
Locally made ceramics, peaceful woodland scenes and dolls from around the world are among the art featured in Salem’s galleries this month.
What to do in Salem from Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Día de los Muertos, new Willamette University musical, harvest festivals
Events this week in Salem include several places to celebrate Día de los Muertos, community trick-or-treat events and live performances of music and theater.
Meet the ghosts of Salem’s Historic Grand Theatre
The Ghosts of the Grand haunted house this year asks attendees to step into the role of paranormal investigators, with ghosts hiding around every corner. This year, visitors can also conduct a real ghost hunt in the theatre and its basement alongside guides.
Mayor Julie Hoy leads effort to expand city, county ability to sweep homeless encampments
Salem Mayor Julie Hoy and Oregon Business & Industry are leading a ballot initiative campaign to repeal a state law requiring that sweeps of people living in encampments be “objectively reasonable.” Local service providers say it would only harm homeless people and the city.
Most Salem residents satisfied with city services, survey shows
A city survey, taken amid a series of discussions with city and business leaders about public safety, showed a renewed interest in the city addressing crime, drugs and downtown business development.
REPORTER’S COLUMN: Reporting on the White House from Salem
Reporter Abbey McDonald spent last week in Washington D.C., where she and other local journalists had the opportunity to ask direct questions to longtime federal workers, former White House regulars and federal policy experts about how to report on the Trump administration. She wants to know what federal topics readers would like to see reported with a Salem focus.