Whitney Woodworth
@whitneywoodworth.bsky.social
Statesman Journal reporter based in Salem, Oregon, covering local government and development. Here posting about news, Lord of the Rings, and life in the PNW.
Pinned
Twitter has diminished to the point where I no longer find it helpful or healthy! I'll be spending more of my time on the other apps so please list any good Oregon, newsy, or LOTR-related accounts to follow here ⬇️
Movie you’ve watched more than six times with a gif. Hard mode: no Stars (Wars nor Trek), LOTR, or Marvel, Disney Animated or Pixar.
Also on my list: Die Hard, Heat, Terminator: Judgment Day, Home Alone, Constantine.
Also on my list: Die Hard, Heat, Terminator: Judgment Day, Home Alone, Constantine.
December 8, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Movie you’ve watched more than six times with a gif. Hard mode: no Stars (Wars nor Trek), LOTR, or Marvel, Disney Animated or Pixar.
Also on my list: Die Hard, Heat, Terminator: Judgment Day, Home Alone, Constantine.
Also on my list: Die Hard, Heat, Terminator: Judgment Day, Home Alone, Constantine.
Not only have I heard this song, but as someone who worked full-time for three years at an Italian restaurant as a teen, I listened to it 6x/day during the holidays and was slowly driven into madness.
🎄 GOOD MORNING, and welcome back to the annual Italian Christmas Donkey Challenge 🫏
The rules are simple 🌟
You must find a person who has never heard “Dominick the Donkey” and play it for them:
youtu.be/Ca5wXojemRM?...
The rules are simple 🌟
You must find a person who has never heard “Dominick the Donkey” and play it for them:
youtu.be/Ca5wXojemRM?...
Lou Monte - Dominick The Donkey (HQ Audio)
YouTube video by Christmas 365
youtu.be
December 1, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Not only have I heard this song, but as someone who worked full-time for three years at an Italian restaurant as a teen, I listened to it 6x/day during the holidays and was slowly driven into madness.
The Salem City Council meeting ran so long with public testimony last night, it almost bled into the next day. The bulk of the hours-long testimony urged council to take more action against ICE sweeps. (Thanks to @isabeldfunk.bsky.social for photos)
www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/l...
www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/l...
November 25, 2025 at 6:41 PM
The Salem City Council meeting ran so long with public testimony last night, it almost bled into the next day. The bulk of the hours-long testimony urged council to take more action against ICE sweeps. (Thanks to @isabeldfunk.bsky.social for photos)
www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/l...
www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/l...
What kind of parties, pray tell me, does Saks think I’ll be attending this holiday season?
November 25, 2025 at 4:13 PM
What kind of parties, pray tell me, does Saks think I’ll be attending this holiday season?
The first trial of a man accused of raping his wife while living with her happened in Salem. A new book by @sarahweinman.com takes a look back at the case and its impact— paired with an expected twist 38 years after the initial trial.
www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/l...
www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/l...
November 24, 2025 at 7:33 PM
The first trial of a man accused of raping his wife while living with her happened in Salem. A new book by @sarahweinman.com takes a look back at the case and its impact— paired with an expected twist 38 years after the initial trial.
www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/l...
www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/l...
This story by @diannelugo.bsky.social captures the fear and uncertainty gripping Oregon's largest Hispanic community amid ICE arrests. www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/p...
November 19, 2025 at 6:50 PM
This story by @diannelugo.bsky.social captures the fear and uncertainty gripping Oregon's largest Hispanic community amid ICE arrests. www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/p...
I got to sneak in a Fast & Furious reference into a city council meeting preview story. Please clap.
November 10, 2025 at 9:21 PM
I got to sneak in a Fast & Furious reference into a city council meeting preview story. Please clap.
This is how it feels when a PIO sits in on an interview with a source
July 11, 2025 at 4:10 PM
This is how it feels when a PIO sits in on an interview with a source
Reposted by Whitney Woodworth
What we know so far about the mass-stabbing incident at the Union Gospel Mission last night in Salem. Story from @isabeldfunk.bsky.social , @whitneywoodworth.bsky.social, Capi Lynn and our news editor Jonathan Williams. Photos from Kevin Neri. www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2...
11 people stabbed at Union Gospel Mission of Salem: What we know
Salem Police responded to a stabbing incident involving 11 people at Union Gospel Mission of Salem on the evening of June 1. A suspected was arrested.
www.statesmanjournal.com
June 2, 2025 at 6:17 PM
What we know so far about the mass-stabbing incident at the Union Gospel Mission last night in Salem. Story from @isabeldfunk.bsky.social , @whitneywoodworth.bsky.social, Capi Lynn and our news editor Jonathan Williams. Photos from Kevin Neri. www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2...
Early returns have the levy passing in Salem, avoiding dozens of layoffs and keeping the libraries, drinking fountains, splash fountains, summer camps and Center 50+ open this summer.
www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/p...
www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/p...
Voters appear to pass levy to fund Salem library, parks, Center 50+ in early returns
A five-year local option levy to fund the Salem Public Library, parks and Center 50+ appears to be passing, according to initial ballot returns May 20.
www.statesmanjournal.com
May 21, 2025 at 4:31 AM
Early returns have the levy passing in Salem, avoiding dozens of layoffs and keeping the libraries, drinking fountains, splash fountains, summer camps and Center 50+ open this summer.
www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/p...
www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/p...
Pre-gaming election night with my national treasure. Follow me on statesmanjournal.com for updates on the levy to fund the library/parks and Ward 6 council race
May 21, 2025 at 12:59 AM
Pre-gaming election night with my national treasure. Follow me on statesmanjournal.com for updates on the levy to fund the library/parks and Ward 6 council race
Lots of $$ coming into Ward 6/Salem for the May election. When I joined the SJ in 2016, $10k was common for a city council campaign. Now one candidate has $57k and the other has $31k. This plus the levy and school board vote means I am getting papered in campaign mailers
May 16, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Lots of $$ coming into Ward 6/Salem for the May election. When I joined the SJ in 2016, $10k was common for a city council campaign. Now one candidate has $57k and the other has $31k. This plus the levy and school board vote means I am getting papered in campaign mailers
I did a roundup with answers to commonly asked questions about moving to Salem. Did I miss anything? www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/l...
Moving to Salem? Here's what to know for housing, public safety, downtown, jobs, schools
Moving to Salem? Here's what to know about government, schools, restaurants, parks and recreation in Oregon's capital city.
www.statesmanjournal.com
April 29, 2025 at 4:36 PM
I did a roundup with answers to commonly asked questions about moving to Salem. Did I miss anything? www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/l...
Just wrapped up three months of training with the Eugene Half-Marathon. It seems like the whole city came out to celebrate the race— lots of cheering, funny signs, snacks (including someone handing out beer) and a fun finish on the track at Hayward Field.
April 28, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Just wrapped up three months of training with the Eugene Half-Marathon. It seems like the whole city came out to celebrate the race— lots of cheering, funny signs, snacks (including someone handing out beer) and a fun finish on the track at Hayward Field.
Reposted by Whitney Woodworth
Hundreds are gathered this sunny afternoon for the 50501 Salem protest by the Oregon Capitol. Story/live coverage from the Statesman Journal TK.
April 5, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Hundreds are gathered this sunny afternoon for the 50501 Salem protest by the Oregon Capitol. Story/live coverage from the Statesman Journal TK.
Reposted by Whitney Woodworth
ICYMI: This is a huge story in Salem. The city is worried it won't be able to produce enough drinking water for 200,000 people if the drawdown of Detroit Lake moves forward and sends muddy water into the city's water source, the North Santiam River.
www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2...
www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2...
'This is serious': Detroit Lake drawdown could bring drinking water shortfall in Salem, Stayton
The planned drawdown of Detroit Lake could bring major complications for the drinking water systems in Salem and Stayton.
www.statesmanjournal.com
March 7, 2025 at 4:50 PM
ICYMI: This is a huge story in Salem. The city is worried it won't be able to produce enough drinking water for 200,000 people if the drawdown of Detroit Lake moves forward and sends muddy water into the city's water source, the North Santiam River.
www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2...
www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2...
How much you pay for a home in Salem varies greatly depending on when you bought it. In the matter of four years, the mortgage for the average home doubled as prices continued to increase.
February 25, 2025 at 6:49 PM
How much you pay for a home in Salem varies greatly depending on when you bought it. In the matter of four years, the mortgage for the average home doubled as prices continued to increase.
Having eaten New Haven pizza, I, too, would leave the sea for a sweet slice of Pepe's.
A young seal was found wandering the streets of New Haven, Connecticut, and rescued by Mystic Aquarium volunteers. “It was looking for clam pizza,” said a spokesman for the city’s police department.
He will be named once the aquarium assesses his personality.
He will be named once the aquarium assesses his personality.
Why Did the Seal Cross the Road? To Get to Connecticut’s Pizza Haven.
The police in New Haven, Conn., found a young seal wandering the streets and aided in its rescue. “Maybe we should just start keeping mackerel in the cruisers,” one officer suggested.
www.nytimes.com
February 18, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Having eaten New Haven pizza, I, too, would leave the sea for a sweet slice of Pepe's.
About two inches of snow in east Salem (which is about two inches too much for Scout)
February 13, 2025 at 7:49 PM
About two inches of snow in east Salem (which is about two inches too much for Scout)
Reposted by Whitney Woodworth
Some information from @oregonoutdoors.bsky.social about the winter storm watch issued for the Willamette Valley. Warming shelters are open. Information about those here: mwvcaa.org/programs/eme...
Stay safe everyone. www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/l...
Stay safe everyone. www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/l...
Winter storm watch issued for Willamette Valley for snow and ice Thursday and Friday
A winter storm watch has been issued for the Willamette Valley for snow and ice that could disrupt work, school and travel on Thursday and Friday.
www.statesmanjournal.com
February 12, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Some information from @oregonoutdoors.bsky.social about the winter storm watch issued for the Willamette Valley. Warming shelters are open. Information about those here: mwvcaa.org/programs/eme...
Stay safe everyone. www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/l...
Stay safe everyone. www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/l...
Coverage of yesterday's protest at the Capitol. Despite last-minute organization, the crowds turned out by the hundreds, a mix of older adults, families, young adults and teens. www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/l...
Protesters come together against Trump and Project 2025 at Oregon State Capitol
Hundreds gathered Wednesday at the Oregon State Capitol to protest recent actions taken by President Donald Trump. Follow along for live updates.
www.statesmanjournal.com
February 6, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Coverage of yesterday's protest at the Capitol. Despite last-minute organization, the crowds turned out by the hundreds, a mix of older adults, families, young adults and teens. www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/l...
There are many things I dislike about my hometown of Gilbert, Arizona, but the library absolutely slaps. It is open 7 days a week and borders a riparian preserve (where I got married). In comparison, our library in Salem is open five days a week at reduced hours--- and could even face closure.
January 28, 2025 at 9:01 PM
There are many things I dislike about my hometown of Gilbert, Arizona, but the library absolutely slaps. It is open 7 days a week and borders a riparian preserve (where I got married). In comparison, our library in Salem is open five days a week at reduced hours--- and could even face closure.
My hot take on what app we should replace TikTok with.
January 16, 2025 at 7:08 PM
My hot take on what app we should replace TikTok with.
I just posted content that may be too controversial for Facebook (I said I feel safe going to most Salem parks on the local FB Moms group)
January 6, 2025 at 10:15 PM
I just posted content that may be too controversial for Facebook (I said I feel safe going to most Salem parks on the local FB Moms group)
Back on the mall beat this morning. www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/l...
Salem's downtown Macy's department store set to close: What to know
Some sections are bare, and employees are confirming what has been rumored for months: Macy's at Salem Center is closing.
www.statesmanjournal.com
January 6, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Back on the mall beat this morning. www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/l...