Lucille McNamara

Lawmakers, the police, and the criminal justice department can collectively sigh with relief that Oregon’s soft approach to drug possession is over. The majority decision by the House of Representatives and the Senate to recriminalize the…

Only one of four proposals was unanimously approved in the Senate and House this week. Senate Bill 1520 ensures that survivors of wildfires do not pay tax on funding settlements and compensation for losses. UPDATE: Oregon Governor Resets…

JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. — Jackson County residents will have a voice that is heard if the Board of Commissioners is increased from three to five members. This is the opinion of Bill Thorndike, a member of the Jackson County Economic…

ASHLAND, Ore. — Ashland City Council this week rejected an Oregon State funding offer of $1.8 million to renovate 2200 Ashland Street into a permanent shelter. The premises will continue to be used as a severe weather shelter, offering 30…

GRANTS PASS, Ore. — Grants Pass has filed a brief supporting a lawmaker petition about an earlier court ruling that “makes it impossible” for municipalities to control crime around homeless encampments. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals…

JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. — Jackson County for All says two of the county’s three commissioners have violated the law by publicly appealing to residents not to support the organization’s campaign for change. UPDATE 1: More Board Commissioners…

JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. — Southern Oregon is a “childcare desert,” says Rene Brandon, director of the Southern Oregon Early Learning Service Hub. One of the Highest Dropout Rates in the Country With one of the highest school…

ASHLAND, Ore. — The fate of the 2200 Ashland St. property acquired last year to house homeless people during emergencies and severe weather conditions will be decided by the City Council at a study session Tuesday evening. UPDATE: 2200…

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek will have the final yeah or nay say when she assesses the pros and cons of House Bill 4002 approved by the Senate on Friday. HB 4002 will reintroduce the criminalization of drug possession and received the support…

Governor Tina Kotek’s long-fought high-ticket battle to provide more housing throughout the state has been approved by the Senate. The proposals will now be referred to the House for final approval. Gov. Kotek staked her political career to…