Abbey McDonald

Reporter at Salem Reporter

Reporter @SalemReporter | prev @DailyAstorian @MalheurNews @UO_Catalyst @nrtoday | she/her | 🏳️‍🌈

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Articles

What’s showing at Salem galleries, museums in June

1 week ago | salemreporter.com | Abbey McDonald

From fish prints to outdoor yoga, Salem’s galleries are welcoming summer this month with celebrations of nature and community. Between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Friday, June 6, the Salem Art Walk will bring artists and musicians to local businesses downtown. Here’s what’s showing this month.
How Salem Hospital responded to a mass casualty event

2 weeks ago | salemreporter.com | Abbey McDonald

The mass stabbing at Union Gospel Mission on Sunday night was the first time in at least eight years that Salem Hospital activated its mass casualty protocol. A dozen people were injured and 11 were sent to Salem hospital, according to the Salem Police Department. In such circumstances, emergency department doctors brace to receive more patients than their resources can handle. Under Salem Hospital’s plan, the team has 20 minutes to clear treatment bays and prepare equipment.
Oregon State Fair’s 2025 concert lineup includes The All-American Rejects, Sean Paul, The Beach Boys

2 weeks ago | salemreporter.com | Abbey McDonald

The Beach Boys are coming back as part of a line up of 11 artists bringing 2000s nostalgia, country-pop and more to this year’s Oregon State Fair concert lineup. There will be a concert each night of the fair, which is from Aug. 22 to Sept. 1. Tickets for reserved concert seats go on sale Friday, May 30, at 9 a.m. See the Oregon State Fair’s page here. There are no service fees included with the purchase.
Salem’s housing production strategy aims to make it easier to build homes

2 weeks ago | salemreporter.com | Abbey McDonald

The Salem City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a six-year roadmap outlining ways to make housing more affordable and to build more of it. It’s the city’s first housing production strategy, which outlines 17 approaches the city could take to encourage housing development, preserve existing housing and promote fair and equitable access to housing.
New counseling office expands Salem mental health care

2 weeks ago | salemreporter.com | Abbey McDonald

On Friday, co-founders, counselors and the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce gathered to celebrate the expansion of therapy services in Salem. By the time they cut the ribbon, hundreds of people were already on the waitlist. Brightways Counseling Group held a grand opening May 23 after renovating a building to add capacity for staffing and clients. Its offices will mostly serve those on the Oregon Health Plan, and several providers specialize in working with children and families.
City budget committee to reconvene, restore city services with levy funds

3 weeks ago | salemreporter.com | Abbey McDonald

On Monday, the city of Salem was primed to make deep cuts to its library, parks and senior center. It’s a different story after Tuesday, when voters approved a new property tax to support the city services. The city’s budget committee will reconvene on Wednesday, May 28, to discuss changing the budget to account for the influx of money from the new five-year levy. The tax will charge the average Salem home about $220 per year, at a rate of 98 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value.
Punx With Purpose moves into downtown resource center

3 weeks ago | salemreporter.com | Abbey McDonald

Hailey Kelley and her sister, Stormie, shared the same hardships growing up in Salem, spending nights couch surfing and navigating the formative years of their lives with an abusive parent who used drugs. It was clear to the adults in Kelley’s life that she was struggling. She wore it on her sleeve, literally, dressing in emo and punk fashion and having noticeable difficulties in school. Meanwhile, Stormie was a perfect student, preppy and on the homecoming court.
City cancels Viva Salem event due to understaffing

3 weeks ago | salemreporter.com | Abbey McDonald

Viva Salem, a popular community event celebrating Hispanic heritage at Riverfront Park, won’t return for its third year. Organizer Irma Coleman, the city’s neighborhood program coordinator, said it has been a wonderful experience, and a huge success. Held in September, around 3,000 people attended last year. “It was a beautiful day full of celebration. Families dancing, enjoying the park and the music, and the food and shopping,” she said.
How a group of library lovers convinced a reluctant Salem to raise property taxes

3 weeks ago | salemreporter.com | Abbey McDonald

An all-ages crowd gathered in front of the Salem Public Library Wednesday morning, five minutes before the sliding doors opened at 10 a.m. It included an infant strapped into a harness and seniors with tote bags at the ready. Small children bounced around in front of the doors, and some people chatted while others kept their headphones on and their eyes trained at the entrance.
Voters pass Salem’s levy, initial counts indicate

3 weeks ago | salemreporter.com | Abbey McDonald

The Salem Public Library will likely keep the lights on more days of the week, dozens of city staff will keep their jobs and maintenance will continue at Salem’s park after voters appear to have passed a new property tax, according to initial ballot counts released Tuesday night. The tax will charge the average Salem home about $220 per year, going to maintain services at the Salem Public Library, parks and Center 50+.