Author

Lucille McNamara

Lucille McNamara is a Daily Tidings reporter with 27 years of journalism experience, covering Oregon public safety, crime and courts, plus statewide policy and community impact stories including housing, education, health, and immigration. She previously worked at The Star.
Contact: [email protected]

Education

Oregon School Cell Phone Ban Now in All 197 Districts as Students Report Better Focus

Lucille McNamara Mar 20, 2026

A blanket ban on cell phone use has been implemented in all 197 school districts in Oregon and, on Wednesday, Governor Tina Kotek visited Estacada High School in Clackamas County to witness first-hand her Executive Order 25-09 in operation.…

Crime & Courts

Californian Faces Life Imprisonment in Sex Trafficking Scheme Spanning Oregon and Four Other States

Lucille McNamara Mar 20, 2026

Brandon Denzel Washington, who used ‘fists, lies, and manipulation’ to coerce vulnerable women to support his lavish lifestyle, was convicted yesterday of six federal felonies related to his multi-state sex trafficking activities.…

Crime & Courts

Medford Business Owner Accused of Laundering 13 Million Dollars in Drug Proceeds Through Southern…

Lucille McNamara Mar 19, 2026

MEDFORD, Ore. — An illegal resident from Mexico, who used his Oregon businesses to launder narcotics trafficking proceeds involving more than $13 million, appeared in court yesterday, charged with money laundering. Jose Alonso Paramo…

Environment

Oregon Senator Urges Federal Action on Klamath River Water Crisis as Drought Strains the Basin

Lucille McNamara Mar 18, 2026

U.S. Senator for Oregon, Ron Wyden, is urging the federal government to become more involved in water management in critical water resource areas, such as the Klamath River Basin. Wyden points out that western states, like Oregon, are…

Crime & Courts

Blowtorches and Construction Worker Disguises Used in ATM Robbery Spree Across Oregon and the West…

Lucille McNamara Mar 18, 2026

A string of ATM and bank robberies throughout Oregon, California, and Washington, amounting to over $5.5 million, led to a guilty plea yesterday by a member of the South American theft group. Francisco Antonio Marin Ilbaca (46), of…

Crime & Courts

Former Medford Business Leader Indicted Over Alleged 100,000 Dollar Theft From Southern Oregon…

Lucille McNamara Mar 17, 2026

MEDFORD, Ore. — The former CEO of the Builders’ Association of Southern Oregon (BASO), Bradley Bennington, has been indicted on charges of aggravated theft and identity theft. The indictment follows his arrest last month after a lengthy…

Crime & Courts

Roseburg Father Charged With Murder After 911 Call Reporting Infant Son Missing Led to Confession

Lucille McNamara Mar 17, 2026

ROSEBURG, Ore. — A Roseburg man, who confessed to detectives from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office that he had murdered his 11-month-old son, has been charged with murder. He Initially Told Police His Son Had Gone Missing His…

Crime & Courts

Oregon Man Appears in Federal Court Over Social Media Threat to Hunt Elected Official

Lucille McNamara Mar 17, 2026

PORTLAND, Ore.— A 41-year-old man, who threatened an elected official with a post on X, warning him to keep his windows and doors locked “because I love a challenge when hunting my PREY,” appeared in the U.S. District Court in Portland last…

News

Oregon Drops Criminal Case Against DEA Agent Who Struck and Killed Salem Cyclist

Lucille McNamara Mar 16, 2026

A court action against an agent from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), who struck and killed a woman cyclist in Salem while he was involved in an undercover operation, will no longer be pursued by the state of Oregon. …

Crime & Courts

Intruder Dies After Confrontation With Oregon Homeowner During Attempted Break-In

Lucille McNamara Mar 16, 2026

Bend Police detectives are investigating the death of an intruder following a confrontation with the resident during an attempted break-in at a property on NW Braid Drive. Tidings Insight Oregon law allows deadly physical force only in…

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