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.
5 things to know: Local governments zero in on Wallace Marine as residents worry about options
Last week, Salem Reporter published a report featuring the perspectives of Wallace Marine Park residents and local elected officials, health care workers and law enforcement who work there. The park will be the center stage for a new collaborative effort to address homelessness from Marion County, Polk County and the city of Salem.
City closes Woodmansee Park lot due to flooding; wind advisory in place
This week’s forecast predicts that up to 2.75 inches of rain will fall in Salem by Wednesday, and high winds may knock over trees.
As local governments sharpen focus on Wallace Marine Park, residents worry about a lack of options
For the first time, Marion County, Polk County and the city of Salem are meeting to discuss a joint plan to address camping at Wallace Marine Park. Though the park is in Polk County, Marion County commissioners say the problems are significant enough to merit a regional response.
PacificSource Medicaid patients warned they may lose coverage at Salem Health Jan. 1
As of Tuesday, PacificSource Community Solutions and Salem Health had not reached an agreement for in-network coverage for thousands of Salem Residents on the Oregon Health Plan for 2026. The parties announced earlier this week that they’d agreed on coverage for PacificSource patients with commercial insurance or Medicare.
What’s showing at Salem galleries, museums in December
Tiny paintings, fiber arts and an annual community show featuring the color red are among the exhibitions at local galleries this month.
Emergency shelters seek volunteers ahead of winter weather
Salem’s emergency warming shelters are seeking dozens of volunteers to help provide life-saving protection from the elements in the winter months.
Man hospitalized, suspect arrested after early Saturday domestic violence shooting
Sany Morales-Gabriel, 43, of Salem was arrested after surrendering to the Salem Police’s SWAT team early Saturday morning, following a domestic violence shooting that sent one man to the hospital, police say.
City to consider raising garbage rates for West Salem
On Monday, the Salem City Council will consider a proposal for new garbage collection rates that would increase costs for West Salem residents by about $1 a month. There’s no increase proposed for Salem residents of Marion County.
New Trump administration policies on homelessness ask Salem providers to follow methods they say don’t work
A Trump administration shift in homelessness policy would prioritize shelters that require drug treatment and work with immigration authorities, with a preference for funding new programs over existing ones. Salem providers said the changes would be “catastrophic.”
How to help people in Salem get gifts, food and warmth during the holiday season
Salem nonprofits and businesses are collecting toys, food, coats and more to support neighbors struggling financially during the holiday season. Here’s a roundup of where and how to donate.