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Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
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SPRAGUE - Authorities are investigating the death of a 26-year-old Moxee woman whose body was found in a Sprague backyard a week after she was reported missing. The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office identified the woman as Aspen Jada Valdez. She was last seen Feb. 26 after exiting a family vehicle on state Route 23 near Sprague, saying she wanted to go to Spokane, according to a sheriff's office press release. Valdez's body was discovered about 10:05 a.m. March 3 by a resident...
DAVENPORT — Broadband Director Margie Hall updated county commissioners Monday on progress in several high-speed internet projects, including completions in Wilbur and Davenport and upcoming bids for Seven Bays and Deer Meadows. Northwest Line Builders will return to finish two home drops disrupted by rock in Wilbur and Davenport, Hall said. The work falls under Phase 2 of the Davenport Wilbur Grant, as Phase 1 closeout has begun. Crews are heading to a Wilbur site near the golf course. In Odessa, invoices for underground a...
DAVENPORT — Lincoln County commissioners tackled safety concerns at the Mohler and Harrington-Tokio Road intersection Monday after a recent crash, amid calls for improvements via safety grants. Commissioner Jo Gilchrist noted worsening skid marks and speeding. “I just wish that we could address something with just the history of Mohler and Harrington-Tokio Road. It's awful to see all those skid marks and they’re getting worse. People are going faster, and people are bombing across the other way,” Gilchrist said. “So it...
DAVENPORT — Boosting local parades with lodging tax dollars, the Davenport City Council approved a $3,000 tourism grant Wednesday for float construction, emphasizing accountability amid state reporting requirements. The funds, via Resolution 2026-04, support the nonprofit Celebrate Davenport for materials and insurance. Council members Lance Strite and Michael Strite abstained, noting their wives’ committee ties. Council member Heath Becker called the amount reasonable. “The dollar amount they’re asking for is pretty reasona...
REARDAN — Newly elected Mayor Kathy Eastman is navigating early turbulence in her administration, defending her solo decision to hire a full-time deputy clerk while vowing to mend rifts with the City Council after a contentious meeting exposed divides over transparency and budget moves. In a follow-up interview after last week’s Reardan City Council session, Eastman explained her hiring of Juliet Richards without prior council approval, citing her authority as mayor to handle personnel matters. “The mayor is the one that...
HARRINGTON — In a small rural town where global adventures might seem worlds away, Harrington High School educator Justin Ikehara is set to bridge continents as a Fulbright Teacher Exchange award recipient, heading to Romania this April to share knowledge and foster international connections. Ikehara received the prestigious award for the 2025-2026 cycle from the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board, according to a district announcement. He is among approximately 400 master teachers and a...
DAVENPORT - As a phone call between alarmed superintendents in Davenport and nearby Colfax, highlighted mounting fears over state budget cuts that could strip rural districts of up to $250,000 in funding, the Davenport School Board on Monday approved retirements, sports cooperatives and a new calendar while decrying threats to early learning and levy equalization aid. Superintendent Chad Prewitt, during the meeting at the high school media center with in-person and Zoom...
DAVENPORT — A woman who accused her estranged husband of threatening to kill their family and attempting to burn down their home asked a judge to lift a domestic violence no-contact order, saying she wants to reconcile. Megan Edgerton appeared Tuesday in Lincoln County Superior Court to request rescission of the order against Nicholas Gene Finch, 39, who was arrested last year on charges of felony harassment with a threat to kill and attempted first-degree arson, according to court records. Prosecutor Ty Albertson o...
ODESSA — Odessa School District faces potential funding challenges from proposed state budget cuts to K-12 education, but Superintendent Steve Fisk told the school board Tuesday the district remains financially stable thanks to conservative budgeting and strong local levy support. At the Feb. 24 regular meeting in the high school library, Fisk reported that recent state revenue figures came in about $814 million higher than earlier projections. Despite the boost, both the Senate and House proposed reductions to public s...
TACOMA - The WIAA Mat Classic wrestling championships wrapped up Feb. 21 at the Tacoma Dome, with strong performances from Reardan and Davenport in the small-school divisions. Reardan finished 13th with 89 points. Logan Valdez took third at 285 pounds, Carson Kline placed fourth at 132, and Owen Pendell earned sixth at 138. Three Eagles reached the semifinals. "All of the boys wrestled extremely hard with grit and determination," Reardan Coach Carson Durbin said. "Our boys...
SPOKANE VALLEY — A second-half surge turned an early deficit into a season-extending victory in a winner-to-state, loser-out matchup at the District 6 2B girls district basketball tournament. Davenport erased a 14-12 first-quarter hole to defeat Lind-Ritzville/Sprague 43-37 on Friday at West Valley High School in Spokane Valley, clinching a berth in the district tournament. The Broncos built early momentum with crisp ball movement, including two quick passes to Zoe Galbreath for a finish off the glass. Lin...
REARDAN — In a heated special session, Reardan Mayor Kathy Eastman clashed with council members over her decision to hire a full-time deputy clerk without prior approval, sparking accusations of budget overreach and lack of transparency just weeks into her term. The Wednesday meeting at Community Hall, called to discuss the 2026 deputy clerk position and review attorney contracts, quickly devolved into personal barbs. Council member Leanne Merkel, recently fired as deputy clerk by Eastman, questioned the hiring of Juliet Rich...
DAVENPORT - Dozens of Republicans convened for an annual fundraiser spotlighting live music, a prime rib feast and talks on judicial elections, gun rights and local governance hurdles. The Lincoln County Republicans held their Annual Lincoln Day Dinner on Sunday at Memorial Hall in Davenport. The event featured a bar operated by the Davenport Lions Club as a fundraiser, led by club President Tim Hoskins. Live music from Group Therapy of Spokane accompanied the meal, prepared...
ALMIRA - A paperwork mix-up led to the brief detention of a woman convicted in a small-town burglary, but a judge released her to a relative after attorneys confirmed she had complied with court-ordered treatment. Thea Rose Wenz, 29, of Moses Lake, appeared in restraints Tuesday in Lincoln County Superior Court for a status conference before Judge Dan B. Johnson, according to court records. She was released to her mother without bond or additional conditions, with a follow-up...
DAVENPORT — Persistent vandalism including slashed tires, loosened lug nuts and stolen tools has plagued a local resident for months, leaving her feeling unsafe and frustrated with inadequate law enforcement responses. The issues were raised during the Davenport City Council meeting Wednesday, Feb. 11, where the resident detailed ongoing harassment she linked to neighbors since October 2024, including blocked driveways, vehicle tampering, rock-throwing and surveillance. The resident described repeated incidents of air b...
DAVENPORT — Tiny dancers will soon twirl under the lights at the fourth annual Itty Bitty Prom, transforming Davenport High School’s auditorium into a magical evening for the community’s youngest residents. Hosted by Growing Gorillas, a nonprofit cooperative preschool, the event welcomes Davenport School District students from preschool through fifth grade, accompanied by parents, guardians or loved ones. It runs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21. Tickets are available at the door via cash or Venmo, with children 2 and...
ROCKFORD - Fourteen wrestlers from Davenport and Reardan advanced to the state Mat Classic after placing in the Top 9 Saturday, Feb. 14, at the District 6 1B/2B tournament at Freeman High School. The Davenport contingent includes Lincoln Holmberg, Daman Gale, Wayland Holmberg, Malachi Hoff, Gabe Carey, Solomon Holmberg and Conner Horwath. Wrestlers on the road to the Tacoma Dome from Reardan are Owen Pendell, Malachi Hoff, Carson Kline, Terry Ough, Parker Grallapp, Alex...
DAVENPORT - Lincoln County commissioners approved voucher payments totaling more than $482,000, declared surplus property from multiple departments and advanced broadband infrastructure projects during a Tuesday meeting, Feb. 17. The session began at 8 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance in the commissioners' chambers at the county courthouse. Commissioners Jo M. Gilchrist of District 1, Chairman Scott Hutsell and Rob Coffman of District 3 were present. Under consent agenda...
ODESSA — In his 25th season coaching the Odessa Tigers track and field team, Travis Schuh aims to extend a streak of sending at least one athlete to state every year, with a bolstered roster including three boys from Wilson Creek joining the program. “Our goal always is to try to take as many kids to the state competition as I can,” Schuh said. “It’s a little bit different this year with Wilson Creek joining us for track, kind of like football.” The girls’ team leads the way with returning standouts. Senior Alexis Eden placed...
DAVENPORT - A head-on collision on State Route 2 left an 18-year-old driver with a fractured pelvis, left leg and left arm after a vehicle crossed into the westbound lane while the driver was under the influence, according to court records. Dean Robert Swanson, 64, of Lincoln, pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of vehicular assault under the influence in Superior Court. He was sentenced to 17 months in prison followed by 18 months of probation. Swanson was ordered to report...
DAVENPORT — A local mother accused of concealing her 3-year-old daughter from the child’s father in violation of a court-ordered parenting plan appeared in court Tuesday, pleading not guilty to custodial interference. Maria Del Rosario Barriga, 36, of Davenport, entered the plea at a preliminary hearing in Lincoln County Superior Court, according to court records. Judge Dan B. Johnson appointed public defender David Hearrean to represent her and set a jury trial for April 1, with a readiness hearing on March 17. Barriga app...
DAVENPORT - Fierce pins and technical falls echoed through the gym as wrestlers clashed in a pivotal league event, setting the stage for upcoming state qualifiers amid displays of grit and strategy. The NE 2B League Duals unfolded Saturday in Davenport, drawing teams from across northeast Washington. Host Davenport split its performances, topping Colfax 36-24 in the opening dual before falling 6-41 to Freeman in the second. Reardan, meanwhile, dominated Colfax 30-6 in...
SPOKANE VALLEY - A thrilling District 6 2B boys basketball quarterfinal ended with a dramatic comeback victory as one team rallied from a double-digit deficit to claim a 62-60 win in double overtime. The Freeman Scotties defeated the Reardan Screaming Eagles 62-60 on Tuesday at West Valley High School's main gym in Spokane Valley. Reardan built an early lead, outscoring Freeman 20-11 in the first period and taking a 31-23 advantage into halftime. The Scotties surged in the...
SPOKANE VALLEY - A rematch turned into a rout in the District 6 2B boys basketball tournament as one team flipped the script on its recent conqueror with relentless pace and execution. The Davenport Gorillas defeated the Liberty Lancers 60-40 on Tuesday at West Valley High School in Spokane Valley, Washington. Davenport avenged a loss from a week and a half earlier, pulling away after a competitive first half. Davenport led 17-16 after the first quarter and extended to 25-22...
As I sit here in the quiet of our place out by Porcupine Bay on Cayuse Cove Road in Davenport, Washington, the air feels unusually mild for early February-no snow blanketing the ground, no crunch underfoot, just damp earth and open views across the lake. It's a strange winter, almost like the season forgot to show up fully. My mind, though, is locked on Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, where this Sunday, February 8, the Seattle Seahawks will square off against the...
