March 2018

April 7, 2018

In 1996, on her 18th birthday, the victim was allegedly raped and sodomized by a Morning Star Community Church youth pastor. Photographed in Keizer on Friday, Feb. 23, 2018.

Kayla Talbott, 26, watches Toy Story with her daughters Jocelynn, 6, and Savannah, 3, in their room at Simonka Place in Keizer on Friday, March 23, 2018. Talbott, a single mom, has been at the shelter with her girls for about two months. She is working to earn her GED and start a new job in caregiving.

Jill Magness, 56, a Simonka resident for about three years, tickles Savannah Talbott, 3, while she eats dinner with her sister, Jocelynn, 6, and mom, Kayla Talbott, 26, at Simonka Place in Keizer on Friday, March 23, 2018. Talbott, a single mom, has been at the shelter with her two girls for about two months. She is working to earn her GED and start a new job in caregiving.

Salem firefighters go through training exercises at the Salem Fire Training and Emergency Medical Services in Salem on Thursday, March 1, 2018.

Lily Bennett, 11, of Albany, paints inside The Splatter Box at the Albany Art Studio on Wednesday, March 28, 2018.

March was a great month. The Statesman Journal published some meaningful stories surrounding sexual abuse at a local church and families facing homelessness. It was so nice to feel like we are doing real watchdog journalism. Riding in a fire engine ladder and getting splattered with neon paint was just a fun bonus.