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]

Politics & Elections

Oregon Bill Would Ban Masked or Unidentified Law Enforcement Officers After Years of Controversy

Lucille McNamara Feb 5, 2026

A bill to prevent state and federal law enforcement agents from hiding their identity while operating in Oregon has been tabled for discussion by lawmakers. However, it will not be plain sailing for House Bill 4138, as antagonists have…

News

Oregon Lawmakers Consider Ban on Syringe Distribution Near Schools Amid Growing Safety Debate

Lucille McNamara Feb 4, 2026

A bill to prevent organizations from distributing syringes to users within 2,000 feet of Oregon schools could be discussed by lawmakers during the current short legislative session. Senate Bill 1573 calls for an end to programs that…

Crime & Courts

Medford Police Searching for Suspect Identified by Neighbor After $10,000 School District Theft

Lucille McNamara Feb 4, 2026

MEDFORD, Ore. — The Medford Police Department is searching for 24-year-old Nicholas Thomas Mitts in connection with a string of high-dollar thefts in and around the Medford School District 549C. A Resident on the Same Street…

Crime & Courts

Teen Arrested After Gunshot Sparks 11-Hour Police Search in Grants Pass, Officers Say

Lucille McNamara Feb 3, 2026

GRANTS PASS, Ore. — After an intensive 11-hour investigation, a 15-year-old male juvenile was arrested by officers from the Grants Pass Police Department following a shooting incident earlier in the day. The incident began to unfold…

Crime & Courts

Grants Pass Shoplifter Pulled a Knife on Customer After Clerk Tried to Lock Him Inside, Police Say

Lucille McNamara Feb 3, 2026

GRANTS PASS, Ore. — A customer at a Grants Pass A-1 Market was held at knife-point when an unknown man, who had snatched several items off the shelves, was prevented from leaving the store. The incident occurred at 2.05 p.m. on Sunday…

Politics & Elections

Oregon Lawmakers Propose Disconnecting From Trump Tax Laws to Prevent a $900 Million Hit to State…

Lucille McNamara Feb 3, 2026

Tax cuts proposed in President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act will cost Oregon an estimated $900 million, but two Democratic lawmakers are proposing to save the bulk of the loss in state tax revenue this biennium. …

Crime & Courts

Two Suspects Arrested After Armed Robbery at Depoe Bay Bank and Dramatic Getaway Car Fire

Lucille McNamara Feb 2, 2026

LINCOLN COUNTY, Ore. — Two armed robbers who escaped with more than $50,000 in cash during a heist of the Columbia Bank in Depoe Bay, Lincoln County, have been arrested. Franco Armando Mereno Jr. (37) of Portland and Jonathan F.…

Crime & Courts

Detectives Investigate Suspicious Deaths of Two Salem Women Found on Consecutive Days

Lucille McNamara Feb 2, 2026

SALEM, Ore. — Detectives are investigating the unrelated “suspicious” deaths of two Salem women on consecutive days. The first woman was found by the police at her home in the 4600 block of Dark Forest Place Northeast on Friday, January…

Politics & Elections

Oregon Lawmakers Push ‘Healthcare Without Fear Act’ as ICE Intrusions in Hospitals Drive Patients…

Lucille McNamara Feb 1, 2026

The increased presence of ICE agents in Oregon hospitals and clinics is not only hindering the work and daily routines of healthcare providers, but it is also forcing them into a role they were never meant to play. Having to navigate…

News

Lawmakers Want Half of Oregon Taxpayers’ “Kickers” to be Allocated to Education and Wildfire…

Lucille McNamara Feb 1, 2026

Two Democratic Oregon senators are proposing a constitutional change that will divert 50% of future personal income tax “kicker” refunds to schools and wildfire funding. Currently, personal income taxpayers receive a “kicker” when…

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