Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Sorted by date Results 101 - 125 of 410
DAVENPORT — With one key local office vacant and most incumbents expected to seek re-election, Lincoln County’s 2026 election season kicks off next week as candidates can begin filing for a full slate of county positions. Elections Manager Norm Caley said the majority of courthouse positions are on the ballot this cycle, along with dozens of precinct committee officer spots for both major parties. A 1% filing fee based on salary applies to the paid offices. “Those positions, we have one Democrat lately who files, and 16 to...
DAVENPORT - The School Board has approved expanding its solar program at elementary and middle schools. During a Monday, April 27, meeting, the board decision came after a presentation from David Funk of ZEN Northwest PPA, the company that installed solar arrays on the high school last year. Funk said the expanded system will save the district $900,000 during its lifespan. The deal calls for rooftop solar arrays, with work scheduled for next summer after roof replacements are...
GRAND COULEE — A local man failed to appear Tuesday for a scheduled change-of-plea hearing on a second-degree burglary charge earlier this week. Leonard Edwin Ethrington IV, 45, of Grand Coulee, did not show for the hearing before Lincoln County Superior Court Judge Adam Walser in Davenport, according to court records. “I tried to text him and it was rejected. So sorry,” public defender David Hearrean told the judge. Walser noted that he routinely advises defendants to stay in contact with their attorneys. Prosecuting Attor...
DAVENPORT — A vehicle fire fully blocked state Highway 25 about 10 miles north of the city Sunday evening, April 26. The blaze involved a 2017 Hyundai Tucson and was reported around 8:39 p.m., according to Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office dispatch records. Deputies, fire crews and Washington State Patrol troopers responded. Crews watched the vehicle burn until it was safely extinguished, records show. The driver was not injured and was given a ride to the casino afterward, records show. The burned vehicle was towed by Joh...
DAVENPORT — A property disagreement over cattle corral panels that had stood for more than 30 years off state Highway 25 prompted dueling calls to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office on April 21. According to Sheriff’s Office records, Miranda Susan Marty of Fruitland reported that neighbor Dirk Oscar Jacobsen crossed her fence the previous day and removed some of the panels, records show. Her husband, Jack Daniel Marty, had recently acquired the land from previous owner Kenny Swiger. Jacobsen told deputies he has owned the p...
WILBUR — A state Department of Transportation employee reported a road-rage incident April 26. Sarah Katherine Wirth of Moses Lake was southbound in her work truck on State Highway 21 on Sunday morning when she passed a black-and-red Chevrolet Corvette traveling at about 30 mph in a 50 mph zone, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office reported. After passing, the Corvette driver allegedly tailgated her and followed her into Wilbur, the report said. Wirth pulled into Sandy’s Family Foods to avoid confrontation. But the Corve...
ODESSA - The Odessa High School Tigers baseball coach and his assistant have stepped down. Head Coach Joe Schlomer and Assistant Coach Travis Powers made the announcement earlier this week, citing a desire to spend more time with family. Cam Smith is expected to serve as interim head baseball coach for the remainder of the season. Athletic Director Larry Moffet was unavailable for comment before deadline. Schlomer, who also coached football three seasons with a 21-11 record...
DAVENPORT - A new roadside farm stand 10 minutes outside town is giving residents an easy source of fresh eggs, bread and handmade soap. Daniel Zickler, 41, of Davenport, opened Happy Life Farm Stand about a month ago at the corner of Olsen Hills and Level Road - in his own driveway. The name reflects the farm's guiding philosophy. "We came up with the name because we wanted animals that are living a happier life than they live in a confined animal operation," Zickler said....
DAVENPORT — Lincoln County’s multi-phase broadband project is encountering fresh setbacks as contractor availability and a tightening national supply of fiber-optic materials push back timelines for bringing high-speed internet to more rural residents. Broadband Office Director Margie Hall provided commissioners with a detailed update Monday morning, April 20. “The biggest hurdle we face right now is getting materials,” Hall said. “We just saw our MST and fiber delivery dates get pushed out. MSTs are now due to ship on M...
DAVENPORT — The Lincoln County Public Health Department is preparing for multiple retirements and a potential loss of $500,000 in state funding next year. Public Health Director Ed Dzedzy outlined the challenges and proposed solutions to county commissioners Monday, April 18. Dzedzy first received approval for the promotion of environmental health specialist Mike Troutney to the registered sanitarian level after he passed the state exam, a step that recognizes advanced certification and adds roughly $380 to the annual budget....
DAVENPORT — Lincoln County District Court is asking commissioners for permission to hire an additional clerk. The request comes as the court is in the process of transitioning to a new statewide court management system next year. District Court Administrator April Bassen and Judge Dan B. Johnson presented the “State of the Court” update and formal hiring request during the commissioners’ regular meeting Monday, April 20. Bassen said the office, with two employees, handled 3,465 misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, traffic...
DAVENPORT — Lincoln County road crews are stretching limited budgets by spot-blading gravel roads, salvaging old culverts and delaying major equipment repairs. Public Works Director David Orvis and County Engineer James Wege gave commissioners an update Monday on day-to-day operations and the financial pressures facing the department. Orvis said maintenance crews are limited to spot blading only when moisture allows and are using pipes already in stock rather than buying new ones at inflated prices. The department is also c...
DAVENPORT — Lincoln County’s legislative lobbyist is calling for a shift from a defensive posture in Olympia to a more proactive approach. Zak Kennedy of Potts & Associates updated county commissioners Monday, April 20, on the strategy change during the board’s regular meeting. “We are basically always on our heels, always playing defense,” Kennedy said. “We have made no progress in the past 30 years. Meanwhile, the other side of the issue, in 10 years, laying groundwork through small builds and small changes resulted in...
IRBY - An Enumclaw rider made history Sunday at the Stumpjumpers Desert 100, becoming the first in the event's 54-year history to win four consecutive overall titles in the 100-mile desert motorcycle race. Jaden Dahners of Enumclaw outran a field of 884 entries on the 50-mile course to post the fastest time of 3 hours 17 minutes 25.seconds. His father, Jason Dahners, had won the race three times. Dylan Summerlin of Hermiston, Ore., placed second in 3:22:51. Dancon Ensign of...
DAVENPORT - Low snowpack in Eastern Washington has melted weeks ahead of schedule in many areas, leaving Lincoln County's dryland wheat farmers to rely more on spring rain and local soil moisture than distant mountain runoff as they head into the growing season. USDA-NRCS Snow Survey water supply specialist Toby Rodgers and National Weather Service meteorologist Jeremy Wolf in Spokane analyzed the April 1 Washington Water Supply Outlook Report. "Snowpack as of Monday, April...
SPRAGUE - The Spokane County Medical Examiner's Office has determined the cause of death of a woman found in the backyard of a local home. Aspen Jada Valdez, 26, of Moxee, died from hypothermia, the office reported. At the time of her death, she was in a state of "methamphetamine intoxication. Valdez was discovered about 10:05 a.m. March 3 in the 400 block of West Second Street, roughly one week after she was reported missing, records show. She disappeared Feb. 26 after...
DAVENPORT - A frustrated resident told city officials Wednesday, April 8, that the town is "going to hell in a handbasket" because of junk cars, derelict motor homes and debris littering properties along highways leading into town. Stan Reider, who has complained about the issue for about two years, addressed the City Council during public comments at the council's April 8 meeting. He described multiple problem sites visible to visitors and residents. One house on the south...
DAVENPORT - The City Council approved Resolution 2026-08, providing tourism funding for a new two-day family aviation and classic-car event . During the council's Wednesday, April 15 meeting, organizers said the event could draw hundreds of visitors. Mark and Lydia Vlk offered updated plans for the Tailfeathers and Wheels Annual Swap Meet, set for Aug. 29-30 at Davenport Municipal Airport. The not-for-profit gathering will feature tethered hot-air balloon rides, biplane and...
DAVENPORT - The City Council approved annexation of state Department of Natural Resources-managed lands northeast of the city. The council agreed to the annexation during its Wednesday, April 8, meeting, following a request from the state agency. The request involves properties identified as the "North Lot" and "South Lot," located in Section 16, Township 25 North, Range 37 East, Willamette Meridian. The parcels lie near McInnis Road (County Road 5513) and State Highway 25...
WILBUR - A Hayden, Idaho, man charged with breaking into a motel room and stealing property made his initial appearance Tuesday in Lincoln County Superior Court. Trever Owen Hamblen, 36, of Hayden, Idaho, is charged with second-degree burglary, a Class B felony; second-degree vehicle prowling, a gross misdemeanor; and third-degree theft, a gross misdemeanor, according to court records. The charges stem from an incident on the morning of April 7 at Willows Motel, 303 N.E. Main...
DAVENPORT — The Lions Club is once again giving Davenport residents a free chance to clear out household junk, yard waste and bulky items that would otherwise clutter yards or end up as illegal dumps. The annual Clean Up Days return Friday and Saturday, with Lions volunteers helping seniors and people with disabilities at their homes on April 24 and assisting at the Lincoln County Transfer Station on April 25, according to club leaders and city officials. The event, revived in 2024 after a seven-year hiatus, is paid for by th...
DAVENPORT - A home-schooled senior from a wheat farm and cattle ranch won the Washington State High School Rodeo Association girls cutting championship while balancing daily ranch chores, horse care and intense training. Addie Schneider, 18, of Rocklyn, claimed the title earlier this month at the WSHRA state finals. She also competed in soccer during the fall and basketball in the winter for the Davenport Gorillas and has qualified for the National High School Finals Rodeo...
POMEROY — Odessa athletes turned in several strong individual and relay performances Tuesday, April 14, at a District 6 1B league eet at Pomeroy High School’s Lybecker Field. Landon McMillan won the 110-meter hurdles in 17.76 seconds and took second in the 300 hurdles (45.76 PB). He also placed eighth in the 100-meter dash (12.58 PB) and third in long jump (17-08.50). Aiden Schmierer finished second in the 110 hurdles (18.30) and third in the 300 hurdles (47.36). He placed sixth in the 200 (26.92). Izaak Schmierer took nin...
IRBY - Brutal high-desert terrain and a field of 884 entries tested riders Sunday during the 54th running of the Desert 100 motorcycle endurance race. Jaden Dahners of Enumclaw won Group A completing two laps in 3:17:25.345 seconds aboard a KTM 250cc. Dylan Summerlin of Hermiston, Ore., finished second in 3:22:51.444 on a GAS. Dancon Ensign of West Kelowna, B.C. Canada, placed third in 3:23:00.000 on a KTM. In Group B (mostly 50-mile runs), Jerry Allen of Lake Havasu, Ariz.,...
DAVENPORT - Persistent cold, hail and soggy field conditions forced a one-day delay, but defensive miscues ultimately doomed the home team in a varsity baseball contest. The Gorillas led Newport 5-0 after two innings Tuesday when umpires suspended the game at the Davenport Sports Complex because of unplayable field conditions. Play resumed Wednesday, April 15, at the top of the third inning, and Newport rallied for an 18-9 victory in the seven-inning game. Cooper Danekas...
