March 12, 2026
March 12, 2026
REARDAN — In a fiery clash that exposed raw divisions in Reardan, a resident publicly branded a council member as “radical” during a city council meeting, sparking heated demands for apologies and debates over transparency in the town’s governance. The Thursday, March 5 session at the fire department featured sharp exchanges among officials and the public. Mayor Kathy Eastman presided, with council members Rocky Kidder, Dan Graham and Leanne Merkel present. Clerk-treasurer Sam Mathis attended, while Wayne Terry and...
SPRAGUE - A Kelso woman was sentenced to two months in jail for possessing a stolen pickup truck in a cross-country case that ended in Lincoln County Superior Court on Tuesday, March 9. Courtney Mae Currera, 35, of Kelso, appeared in restraints Tuesday in court and entered a guilty plea on one count of possessing a stolen vehicle, a Class B felony with a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine, according to court records. Superior Court Judge Adam Walser...
DAVENPORT – Heavy winds early Thursday morning, March 12, knocked out power, brought down trees and damages buildings across the county. As of press time, Inland Power and Light was reporting 1,086 customers remained without power among sustained winds. Most of those still without power were in northern Lincoln County, along state Highway 25, near Fort Spokane and in the vicinity of Seven Bays. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office said the storm brought gusty winds, but that law enforcement did not receive any reports of...
ODESSA — The Odessa Town Council voted Monday to deny a request to vacate a portion of an alley in Block 5 between East Fifth and East Sixth avenues, citing concerns over access costs and safety after a public hearing drew opposition from residents worried about utility maintenance and vehicle navigation. The decision followed a letter from resident Dennis Bergquist’s attorney, who supported the closure as long as it didn’t restrict his access. Council members debated the undeveloped west end, filled with rocks and...
DAVENPORT — The City Council approved aid for an indigent resident, upheld an infrastructure fee for new development and saluted retiring local grocers, closing with light chatter on snow plows and sparse police patrols. The council, led by Mayor Brad Sweet remotely from Seattle, met Wednesday with members Patrick Katz, Michael Wilkinson, Chris Stein, Heath Becker and Cory Hollis present. Michael Strite was absent. City Administrator Steve Goemmel, Clerk-Treasurer David Leath and Sabrina Warwick were present. During the...
INCIDENT LOG Editor’s note: Most items in this section reflect the starting point for response by local police and emergency agencies. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) does not release names of individuals who report possible criminal or suspicious activities to dispatchers or alleged victims for this column. DISPATCH LOG March 2 Traffic Stops: 10 7:32 a.m. - a man called to report a vehicle pulled up to his property and appeared to be taking pictures. March 3 Traffic Stops: 10 8:27 a.m. - WDFW requested a...
A superior court judge granted a woman’s request to rescind a no-contact order against her estranged husband in a domestic violence case involving alleged threats to kill their family and burn down their home, but kept a previous parenting plan in place as a safeguard for the child’s safety. Michelle Edgerton, the victim, and the defendant’s father appeared Tuesday at the motion hearing in Lincoln County Superior Court, where Judge Adam Walser approved the request against Nicholas Gene Finch, 39, who also was present...
KELLER — A mechanical issue has halted operations of a state ferry crossing the Columbia River, forcing travelers to seek detours that could add up to an hour to their journeys. The Keller Ferry, also known as the M/V Sanpoil, went out of service Tuesday on State Route 21 due to a steering problem, according to a Washington State Department of Transportation advisory. Crews are evaluating repairs with no estimated time for resumption. Travelers should use alternate routes via SR 25 or a combination of SR 155 and SR 174,...
The proposed state income tax is not only unconstitutional, unlawful, unfair and unnecessary – it's also the most unpopular piece of legislation ever introduced in Olympia. We know this because of a citizen-friendly feature available through the www.leg.wa.gov website. When a bill is scheduled for a committee hearing, people may click a button on that bill's online status page to register or sign in as being "pro" or "con" on the legislation. They also may submit written...
In the final weeks of a legislative session, it becomes easier to see the broader direction in which public policy is moving. Two recent bills passed by the Legislature illustrate a trend that should concern every Washington resident. Both expand government authority in ways that weaken important safeguards that protect citizens. The first measure, Senate Bill 5974, alters how county sheriffs may be removed from office. Under the bill, an unelected state commission would gain...
Gordon Morris Neale Aug. 28, 1937 - Feb. 10, 2026 Gordon Morris Neale came into this world on Aug. 28, 1937, in Seattle, Wash. He was the second child of Fred and Marjorie Neale. Growing up in West Seattle, Gordon started his walk of faith at West Seattle Presbyterian Church where both of his parents were very active. Gordon graduated from Highline High School in 1955. He married the love of his life, Virginia Metzenberg, on June 27, 1959. Gordon always said he couldn't...
James Alvin Bostwick Jan. 13, 1934- Mar. 2, 2026 Jim Bostwick, 92, was born to Elizabeth Bandy in Wilbur, Wash., and grew up with his mother and grandparents, George and Martha Bandy. His grandfather, the local pharmacist, greatly influenced the kind, cheerful, and hardworking man he became. The family lived above the pharmacy, now a flower shop. As a child, Jim loved playing sports, hanging out with friends, and spending time with the big Bandy family. After graduating, Jim...
J.P. Luiten Feb. 25, 1937- Mar. 6, 2026 J.P. Luiten was born on Feb. 25, 1937, in Odessa, Wash., to Alvin and Leona Luiten. He passed away peacefully on Mar. 6, 2026, in Odessa. J.P. grew up in Odessa with his siblings. He joined his older sister, Coleen, and brother, Bud, and later became the big brother to Fritz, Coletta, and Charlene. He graduated from Odessa High School in 1955. In Aug. 1956, J.P. enlisted in the United States Army and served until June 1958. During his...
ODESSA - In a spirited nod to March Madness, a small-town chamber banquet turned into a casual bash with game-day grub, comedy and a lively auction, uniting locals for awards and fun. The Odessa event Saturday at Old Town Hall highlighted community honors, as Vice President Zach Schafer, 45, of Odessa, touted its role in building ties under a "big game day" theme. The Odessa Chamber of Commerce named Das Kraut Haus Business of the Year, praising owners Alyssa and Winston Wade...
REARDAN - In a touching moment that evoked tears of gratitude amid a routine City Council meeting, a Vietnam veteran and local leader was surprised with a handmade quilt last week, honoring his wartime sacrifices and lifelong community service. The emotional presentation unfolded Thursday when Councilman Raymond "Rocky" Kidder received the tribute from the greater Spokane chapter of Quilts of Valor. Presenters Cheryl Moriarty and Glenda Haddican, representing the national...
REARDAN - A former standout athlete from this small town who went on to lead a high school boys basketball program to two state titles died after a long fight with pancreatic cancer, leaving behind a legacy that drew tributes from fans and rivals across the region. Reece Jenkin, 45, a 1999 Reardan High School graduate, passed away Feb. 27, the same day two of his children combined for 75 points in their opening games at the 2B state tournament. Jenkin excelled as a...
Davenport birthdays March 12: Ridge Gunning, Camryn Slahtasky March 13: Levi Schenk, David Thomas, Dahlia Strozyk, Gina Bowman March 14: Lynn Leisle, Mary Morgan-Gamble, Sidney Fleming, Jake Hennings, Mike McDaniel March 15: Peggy Semprimoznik, Brad Floyd, Lynee Carpenter, Jan Ziemer March 16: Emmett Kilps, Rob Hopkins, Noah Street March 17: Boone Easley-Cate, Dick Wandling, Chance Smith, Lisa Semprimoznik, Crystal Sellers, Ron Warner, Maetie Harvey March 18: Kayleigh Phillips, Pauline Drefs, Colton Jenkins Reardan...
March weather is salad one day, and soup the next.. This seemed a good time to test some recipes submitted by Anita De Mars of Odessa. I had asked readers to share recipes for excess sourdough starter and her recipe for Sourdough Skillet is a meat and vegetable filled meat pie/casserole cross. A good transition to spring. Sourdough Skillet 1 1/2 cups sourdough starter 3 eggs 1 tsp salt 1 tsp crushed basil 3 Tbsp butter or cooking oil 1 pound ground beef 2 tsp baking powder 4...
Davenport Gorilla basketball fans dressed for the occasion at the state 2B basketball tournament last week, including one fan who brought a little divine intervention with him as the girls took on the defending state champion Northwest Christian Crusaders. The fans celebrated as the Gorilla girls dunked the Crusaders to advance to the semifinals against rival Reardan. For more Davenport girls basketball coverage from state, see Page 10 and log onto w...
SPOKANE - The Reardan Screaming Eagles saw their state tournament run come to a bittersweet end Saturday, March 7, in Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena. Despite a furious fourth-quarter rally that nearly erased a double-digit deficit, Reardan fell to the Okanogan Bulldogs 63-57 in the 2B Boys State Basketball Tournament third-place game. The contest was in stark contrast to the team's previous meeting in the tournament, where Reardan handled the Bulldogs in a 12-point victory....
SPOKANE – Coming off a semifinal loss to Reardan less than 24 hours earlier, Davenport returned to the court Saturday, March 7, at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena looking to finish the 2B girls state basketball tournament on a strong note. In their final battle, the Gorillas held the upper hand for much of the game before the Napavine Tigers rallied late to pull out a 62–61 overtime win in the third-place game. The Gorillas were left with the fifth-place trophy....
SPOKANE - Reardan stood one win away from a long-awaited state championship, but the breakthrough proved elusive. Playing on the state's biggest stage for the first time since 2013, the Screaming Eagles saw their title hopes end in a hard-fought 49–43 loss to Cle Elum-Roslyn on Saturday, March 7 in the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena. The Screaming Eagles showed no sign of stage fright in the championship game. Sisters Tenice and Chasyn Waters attacked the basket...
To submit a legal or public notice, please email legals@odessarecord.com. 1. Put your Notice in a Word format. There is an additional fee of 10% for PDF submissions. 2. Deadline for publication is Monday by 5pm for publication on Thursday of that same week. 3. Cost. There is a flat rate for Notice to Creditors and Probate Notice to Creditors of $140. This fee includes a three consecutive week publication, an original affidavit and a searchable internet. There is a flat rate... Full story
