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]

Crime & Courts

Oregon Wood Treatment Plant Violated Hazardous Waste and Clean Air Regulations

Lucille McNamara Jan 23, 2025

The J.H. Baxter group of companies will pay $1.5 million in criminal fines after the president, George Baxter-Krause, pleaded guilty to violating hazardous waste and the Clean Air Act at its wood treatment plant in Eugene. According to a…

Education

Whistleblower Sues Oregon DOE Over $3.1M Misuse, Neglect of Students with Disabilities

Lucille McNamara Jan 22, 2025

A former Oregon Department of Education (ODE) employee claims the agency mishandled $3.1 million in state funding tied to Senate Bill 819, a 2023 law aimed at ensuring full school days for high-needs students. Allison Watkins joined the…

Crime & Courts

Oregon Woman in Custody After Leaving Her Baby for Hours Without Food or Diapers

Lucille McNamara Jan 22, 2025

A woman who left her six-month-old baby at a friend’s house without food or diapers for more than 10 hours, is in custody in the Lane County Jail. Charged with Second-Degree Child Neglect Faith Miranda Rhoads (24) of Springfield…

Politics & Elections

Oregon Joins Legal Battle to Stop Trump’s Citizenship Order

Lucille McNamara Jan 22, 2025

Oregon has joined forces with three other states to stop President Donald Trump from stripping citizenship of children born to undocumented immigrants, or who were born to parents who were temporarily in the country. Together with the…

Crime & Courts

Salem Police Suspect Arson After Fire at a Tesla Dealership

Lucille McNamara Jan 21, 2025

SALEM, Ore. — The Salem Police Felony Crimes Unit is investigating a fire at a car dealership during the early morning hours as possible arson. Salem police and firefighters rushed to the Tesla dealership at 2755 Mission St. SE at 3.45…

News

Oregon Couple Arrested for Impersonating Firefighters at a Palisades Restricted Zone

Lucille McNamara Jan 21, 2025

An Oregon married couple who impersonated firefighters when entering a restricted zone of the Palisades fires in Los Angeles are in custody. They were in a Fire Truck Bought on Auction Driving a fire truck bought at an auction…

Environment

Solar Farms Exploit Oregon Law to Claim High-Value Farmland

Lucille McNamara Jan 21, 2025

A loophole in Oregon state law allows developers to build large-scale solar farms on what should be protected high-value farmland. 34 Solar Projects Granted Exceptions To date, every single one of the 34 solar projects have…

Environment

Oregon’s Offshore Drilling Ban Sparks Clash with Trump’s Energy Vision

Lucille McNamara Jan 20, 2025

Days before relinquishing the American Presidency to Donald Trump, President Joe Biden outlawed offshore drilling affecting 625 acres of federal waters – a move slated by the American Petroleum Institute as politically motivated. …

News

Medford’s Emergency Housing for Addicts Could Set a Statewide Example

Lucille McNamara Jan 20, 2025

MEDFORD, Ore. — A small-scale emergency housing project to get drug addicts off the street and into emergency housing started by nonprofits in Medford two years ago has attracted the attention of lawmakers who want the model replicated…

Politics & Elections

Oregon Braces for Potential Medicaid Cuts and Rising Premiums Under New Trump Administration

Lucille McNamara Jan 19, 2025

The Director of the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Dr. Sejal Hathi, is preparing for changes to health policies that could impact Oregonians after Donald Trump is inaugurated as president of the U.S. tomorrow. Concerns that…

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