Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 410
REARDAN — A 70-year-old woman was airlifted from her home on Saturday, July 4, after suffering a seizure and going into cardiac arrest, but the response took longer than usual. The woman’s name was not released. According to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, the Airlift Northwest helicopter based in Davenport was not available when dispatchers received a 5:07 p.m. call. Emergency personnel responded to 605 E. Spokane Ave., for an unconsious woman having a seizure and difficulty breathing. LifeFlight was eventually launc...
ODESSA - Local firefighters hosted their annual community barbecue Saturday, July 4. Fire Chief Brian Schorzman said the event was a success, with people enjoying good food and time spent with friends and neighbors. Some visitors who were just passing through even stopped in for a meal. Volunteers served more than 200 meals and raised over $5,400 in donations. Proceeds will go toward updating structure fire gear "It was a nice day for a barbecue," Schorzman said. "The people...
REARDAN — Questions about the decision to fire the police chief took center stage during the Thursday, July 2, City Council meeting. Councilwoman Leanne Merkel and several residents expressed frustration that the council was not informed before Mayor Kathy Eastman terminated Chief Barbara Werner earlier this month. “I think it would have been nice if this had been discussed a little bit,” Merkel said. “That’s a huge decision that’s going to affect our whole town for years to come.” Eastman said the decision was within her ma...
REARDAN - A new medical clinic is taking shape and is expected to open this fall, replacing an aging manufactured building that no longer meets the needs of the growing community. Lincoln Hospital CEO Tyson Lacy said the current clinic is outdated, noting it is a mid-2000s manufactured building purchased used from Colville. The clinic has small, cramped rooms, inefficient workflows and thin walls that limit patient privacy, he said. "We're looking to upgrade and invest in a...
TELFORD — U.S. Highway 2 has reopened after lightning sparked a wildfire Wednesday evening near the Telford Rest Area. The fire, located on the east side of South Telford Road near the railroad tracks, grew to more than 112 acres before crews stopped its forward progress, officials said. One home was threatened, but property owner Brian Steadman built a defensive line to hold the flames until firefighters arrived. Lincoln County Fire District No. 5 Chief Craig Sweet said the fire was burning "aggressively "when the first c...
REARDAN - The town is moving forward with plans to improve pedestrian safety along U.S. Highway 2, with a focus on the area near the school campus where speeding and visibility have long been concerns. At the July 2 council meeting, engineer Bryan Hicks with Century West Engineering presented a conceptual design for Phase 1 of corridor improvements between Aspen and Cedar streets. The plan calls for curb bulb-outs at intersections, rapid rectangular flash beacons at...
HARRINGTON — A physical altercation between neighbors on North Third Street on Saturday, July 4, led to an assault report but no arrests. Resident Todd Jeffrey Hamilton told Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jonathan Evans that his neighbor, Whitley David Pittman, approached him while he was sitting on his motorcycle around 4 p.m. on July 4, records show. Hamilton said Pittman began punching him in the ribs and back multiple times while he was seated, then struck him in the throat after he got off the motorcycle, records...
SPRAGUE — A Kansas man facing child sex charges will remain in Lincoln County custody until at least September after a judge extended his detention period Tuesday, July 7. Jesus Galvan, 34, of Dodge City, Kan., is charged in Ford County, Kan. with two counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, according to court documents. Galvan was arrested June 10 while camping outside of Sprague and has been held in the Lincoln County Jail since, records show. The charges allege that between December 2017 and December 2019, Gal...
DAVENPORT — Lincoln County Public Hospital District No. 3 (Davenport) has launched a new seven-day-a-week hospitalist program to provide physician coverage for patients who require admission. The district oversees Lincoln Hospital and its clinics. Lincoln Hospital CEO Tyson Lacy said the change moves away from the traditional model where emergency room and clinic physicians also covered inpatient care. He said increasing complexity in medicine has made that approach unsustainable. “Our doctors have done an amazing job for a l...
ODESSA - A local woman has turned her family's beagle into the star of her first children's book, with two upcoming book signing events planned in the area. Peggy DeWulf, 59, of Odessa, will celebrate the launch of Merry Toby Christmas with signings from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 11, at Home Makers in Harrigton and 3-7 p.m. Thursday, July 23, at Wild Roots Market in Odessa.. The story was inspired by Toby, a beagle given to her daughter as a Christmas gift during her...
DAVENPORT - For many young people, a summer lifeguard job means time in the sun and a steady paycheck. For Jesse Raugust, it has become something more meaningful. Raugust, 21, of Davenport, is in his third season as a lifeguard. He said the role has given him a chance to stay connected to his community while helping keep kids safe. "It's a good job. You get some sun, which is nice, but it's also a good opportunity to be around the community," Raugust said. "You see different...
ODESSA - Following resurfacing, the pickleball courts in the town park are open. Players must wear proper rubber-soled shoes, and bicycles, skateboards and other non-pickleball activities are not allowed on the courts, city officials said. Rules are posted on site. The project was a community effort supported by the Odessa Healthcare Foundation, which used proceeds from its May auction to help fund park improvements. The Odessa Lions Club provided the court surfacing and...
DAVENPORT — Davenport Lions Club Secretary Jim Reinbold recently submitted the group’s annual activities report, highlighting efforts under the Lions motto “We Serve.” The report focuses on the year July 2025 through June 2026 and details financial support and volunteer work aimed at improving the community. Youth programs received significant attention. The club sponsored a youth fishing program before Pioneer Days, funded by ongoing aluminum can collections, the report said. It also contributed to the BITE2GO program...
REARDAN - The town is relying on the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office for law enforcement while it searches for a new police chief following a leadership change Thursday, June 25. Mayor Kathy Eastman fired Police Chief Barbara Werner after a short time in the role. When contacted Tuesday night, Eastman said she terminated the chief because the town needed to go a different direction. She did not define what that direction is other than to say the police chief and law...
CRESTON - A new distillery has opened its doors along the shores of Lake Roosevelt, offering grape-based spirits in a family- and pet-friendly setting. Michael and Tara Haig launched Moonshine Bay Distillery on Saturday, June 27, with a grand opening that drew a crowd despite heavy rain. The couple is leasing space in the former Whitestone Winery building at 42395 N. Jump Canyon Road. They produce brandy, gin and vodka using Lincoln County-grown grapes. Michael Haig, who...
ODESSA - Area children got a practical lesson in staying safe on two wheels Wednesday, June 24, as the annual Bike/Scooter Nite event combined hands-on road safety training with an up-close look at emergency vehicles. Organizers said the event helped children understand traffic signs, helmet use and how to navigate safely on town roads. Police Chief Ericka Rose said the event returned last year to support a new town scooter ordinance aimed at improving safety. She noted...
EDWALL — Investigators are examining a string of fires that have broken out on the same rural property over the past five days, with the latest blaze prompting a response from Spokane County Fire District 3. Reardan Fire Chief Jim Adams said his department responded to one of the incidents, while Spokane agencies have handled most of the calls. The fires have occurred on property at the corner of Ben Apple Road and Tucker Prairie Road, an area where the address lists as Edwall but sits directly on the Spokane County line. “It...
DAVENPORT — A longtime leader who helped guide the city through major projects, financial growth and community improvements is stepping down after about 20 years working for the city. City Administrator Steven J. Goemmel, 65, officially retired Tuesday, June 30. He has served as city administrator since 2006. Goemmel plans to assist with the transition as the city begins searching for his replacement this summer. The City Council hopes to have a new administrator in place by September. Current City Public Works Director D...
DAVENPORT - A Spokane man charged with second-degree burglary was found incompetent to assist in his own defense during a Tuesday hearing, June 30. As a result, Andrew Lee Martin, 45, of Spokane, was committed to a 45-day inpatient competency restoration program, with the court also authorizing administration of involuntary antipsychotic medication if needed, according to court records. Martin will next appear in court at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 11. During the hearing Tuesday,...
DAVENPORT — Questions about where donated money would go if a planned airport event fails prompted a resident to ask the City Council for more oversight. Karen Kearney told the council June 24 that she received an unsolicited call from event organizer Lydia seeking donations for the Tail Feathers and Wheels event. Kearney said the organizer suggested funds should go to families affected by a recent incident in Longview and to animal shelters and military bases. She also noted there are currently no funds identified for s...
DAVENPORT — A failed well motor has prompted the City Council to approve a $25,000 replacement to keep the city’s water system running. During a June 24 council meeting, public works staff reported the well's 200-amp motor stopped working, likely due to a power surge. The well was taken out of service while staff evaluated options. Production from that well dropped and employees were unable to resolve the issue in time to prevent the outage. The affected well serves an area near the hospital. The council reviewed two est...
ODESSA — A wide variety of summer camps and hands-on activities are returning this year, giving local childrne opportunities to learn new skills, stay active and have fun close to home. Kaylene James started GO! Odessa Recreation in 2017 after noticing a lack of organized summer programs for youth. This month and next, the organization is offering a full schedule of camps and classes, most of them at Reiman Park. Programs range from creative crafts and themed day camps to sports and skill-building activities. Offerings i...
DAVENPORT — Five Lincoln County organizations are receiving a combined $53,000 in grants from the Innovia Foundation to support local programs in education, senior services and community spaces. The grants are part of Innovia’s annual Community Grants Program, which distributed more than $1.3 million across Eastern Washington and North Idaho this year. Funding focuses on building stability and a sense of belonging. Recipients in Lincoln County include: • Davenport Senior Center, 728 Morgan Street, Davenport — $15,000 for rem...
ODESSA - Grand Coulee dominated the final round-robin tournament of the modified slow-pitch softball season here Saturday, while local teams from Odessa, Wilbur and Davenport showed strong moments and standout individual performances. Grand Coulee finished the day with four decisive victories, including a 34-4 win over Odessa and a 41-1 rout of Bat Intentions. Odessa, meanwhile, opened with a dominant 27-1 victory over Bat Intentions and followed with a 14-4 win against Whiske...
WILBUR — A California-based company has taken over the long-neglected River Rue RV Park near Keller Ferry and is working to restore the popular Lake Roosevelt-area campground as a welcoming destination for visitors this season. Harmony Communities, an affordable housing provider based in Stockton, California, purchased the property at the end of April. It is the company’s first location in Washington state. George Antypas, a representative for Harmony Communities, said the company saw potential in the scenic spot and wan...
