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

Portland Police Recover $200,000 in Stolen Goods, Arrest Suspect in Retail Theft Ring

Lucille McNamara Sep 16, 2025

On Sunday, the Portland Police Bureau’s Neighborhood Response Team (NRT) recovered $200,000 in stolen merchandise and seized $32,000 in cash in a fencing operation targeting numerous retailers. Working in collaboration with the Gresham…

Crime & Courts

Florida Man Flew Into the Tampa International Airport from Oregon Carrying 64 Pounds of Marijuana

Lucille McNamara Sep 16, 2025

Phillip Michael Valeriani, who flew into the Tampa International Airport from Medford, Oregon, with 64 pounds of marijuana inside three suitcases on May 12, 2024, could spend 75 years in a federal prison. Guilty of Possessing…

Education

Oregon Universities Caught in National Backlash as Federal Minority-Serving Grants Are Canceled

Lucille McNamara Sep 15, 2025

The U.S. Department of Education’s withdrawal of $350 million in funding to several Minority-Serving Institutions (MSI) has impacted Western Oregon University and Portland State University. Western Oregon University became the first…

Aging Oregonians and Falling Birthrates Leave Immigration as the State’s Lifeline

Lucille McNamara Sep 15, 2025

As the Trump administration makes it increasingly difficult for immigrants to enter the U.S., Oregon remains heavily dependent on that influx to swell its dwindling population. Oregon’s Population is Older Than Most other States…

Environment

Oregon Rivers Hit Record Lows as State Faces Fourth Driest Season in 130 Years

Lucille McNamara Sep 14, 2025

Oregon had its fourth driest season between April and July since 1895, when rainfall figures first began being recorded, according to state climatologist Larry O’Neill. Almost 80% of the Northwest Has Been Declared a Drought…

News

Public Safety at Risk as Washington County Voters Face $337 Million Levy Decision

Lucille McNamara Sep 14, 2025

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ore. — The surge in popularity of Washington County has increased the need for expanded public safety services, and County officials are now appealing to its 611,272 residents to support the introduction of a levy that…

News

Oregon Homeowners Sitting on Backyards Worth Half a Million Each

Lucille McNamara Sep 14, 2025

Oregon homeowners have the seventh most expensive backyards in the U.S., with the average yard worth more than half a million dollars. This data is revealed in a study conducted by R&T Fence, a fence installation company, which…

Crime & Courts

Coos Bay Father Sentenced to Over 20 Years in Fatal Crash That Killed Umpqua Softball Coach and…

Lucille McNamara Sep 13, 2025

COOS COUNTY, Ore. — A 33-year-old father of two small children has been placed on suicide watch following his sentence of more than 20 years in prison for his involvement in an accident while intoxicated that claimed the lives of two people…

Environment

Oregon’s Post-Fire Forest Recovery Inspires South Korean Delegation to Reshape Their Woodlands

Lucille McNamara Sep 13, 2025

A delegation of South Korean researchers, who recently visited Oregon to learn from recovery efforts in the Santiam Forest following the devastating 2020 wildfires, will apply the lessons they learned to help reshape forests back home.…

News

Oregon Councilor Quits City Seat After Outrage Over Social Media Comments on Charlie Kirk

Lucille McNamara Sep 13, 2025

A Cornelius councilor, who posted on social media that the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk brightened his day, resigned from the City Council yesterday (Friday). His Comments Resulted in a Backlash of Protests John…

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