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]

News

Grants Pass Restricts Charitable Work Among the Homeless Living on Public Property

Lucille McNamara Mar 12, 2024

GRANTS PASS, Ore. — Grants Pass City Council has approved a new ordinance restricting charitable organizations and nonprofits from helping homeless people who live on public property. UPDATE: Grants Pass Mayor Stymies Bill That Would…

Top Stories

Oregonians Face Crippling Power Costs

Lucille McNamara Mar 11, 2024

Oregonians have voiced dismay in the wake of a new round of energy price increases announced by three power utilities. The proposed new rate hikes add 40% to power bills for some customers of Portland General Electric (PGE) since January…

News

State Funding of $2.5 million+ is a “Big Win” for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival

Lucille McNamara Mar 10, 2024

ASHLAND, Ore. — “This is a big win for us” is how the delighted interim executive director, Tyler Hokama, described the $2.5 million+ funding for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) approved by the State Legislature last Thursday. Oregon…

Top Stories

Oregon’s Soft Approach to Drug Possession is Officially Over

Lucille McNamara Mar 9, 2024

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…

Top Stories

Oregon Wildfire Survivors Will Not be Taxed but Wildfire Funding Solutions Fail

Lucille McNamara Mar 8, 2024

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…

Top Stories

More Board Commissioners Will Give Jackson County Residents a Voice

Lucille McNamara Mar 7, 2024

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…

News

2200 Ashland Street Will Not Become a Permanent Homeless Shelter

Lucille McNamara Mar 7, 2024

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…

Top Stories

Grants Pass Joins Battle to Break Legal Chain Protecting Homeless Encampments

Lucille McNamara Mar 6, 2024

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…

News

Jackson County Commissioners Accused of Election Law Violations

Lucille McNamara Mar 5, 2024

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…

News

Southern Oregon is a “Childcare Desert”

Lucille McNamara Mar 4, 2024

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…

Load More Posts