Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
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ODESSA - If there's one thing Santa never misses, it's a good Lincoln County celebration. And according to locals, he has a soft spot for Odessa, the kind of place where he can slip into Deutschesfest undercover, grab a German stout, and then swap it for milk and cookies during Christmas Fest without anyone batting an eye. This year, Santa made his most recent stop on Wednesday, Dec. 3, swooping into Odessa for the annual Christmas Fest, where, according to 4-H leader and...
ODESSA — For anyone who loves dazzling Christmas displays and a little holiday competition, several Lincoln County communities are gearing up for their annual lighting contests, each offering its own traditions, prizes, and hometown pride. The Odessa Lions Club will judge its yearly Christmas lighting contest on Monday, Dec. 22, with increased cash prizes this season: $200 for first place, $150 for second, and $100 for third. “For the Lions Club every year we do a light competition and we go out and judge the lights from aro...
ODESSA - A Wenatchee man accused of restraining his mother inside their Odessa home appeared in Lincoln County Superior Court on Tuesday, Dec. 9, where he pleaded not guilty to unlawful imprisonment. Thomas Emerson Ray, 37, of Wenatchee, was arraigned before Superior Court Judge Adam Walser. David Hearrean was appointed as his public defender. Prosecutors requested no bond and asked that Ray refrain from alcohol and drugs and have no contact with the victim, his mother,...
HARRINGTON — Many residents noticed spotty or low water pressure on Wednesday, Dec. 10, after a communication relay connected to the city’s wells abruptly failed, city officials said during the regular council meeting held later that evening. Mayor Joe Armand told the council the relay, which was aging, caused the unexpected pressure drop. A replacement was already on hand, and early worries about a larger electrical malfunction at the new well were resolved when workers found the issue to be far simpler than ant...
ODESSA — The Odessa School District Board of Directors approved multiple resolutions, winter coaching contracts, and a pilot cell phone program during its regular meeting Tuesday, Nov. 25, while also recognizing outgoing board member Janie Steward. The meeting was held in the high school library at 6 p.m. and was open to the public. Board members present were Chris Crossley, Zach Schafer, Sheena Starkel, Carmen Weishaar, and Janie Steward. Superintendent Steve Fisk, District Secretary Holli Eden, and Operations Supervisor Jus...
DAVENPORT — Innovia Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2026 Community Grants Program, which awards more than $1 million annually to nonprofit organizations serving Eastern Washington and North Idaho. This year’s theme, “Building Stability and Belonging,” emphasizes programs that provide access to basic needs such as food, housing, healthcare, childcare, and education, as well as initiatives that foster community connections and inclusive spaces. Shelly O’Quinn, CEO of Innovia Foundation, said the grants ai...
This past weekend brought another round of Army National Guard shenanigans, the kind where you spend half the time training and the other half realizing you are, in fact, stronger than a kid who hasn’t even unpacked his ruck from AIT. I talked a brand-new private into trying one day of my bodybuilding routine from Barb, and I’d love to tell you the story ends with grace and humility. It does not. I outlifted him and then outran another soldier who still had that fre...
DAVENPORT - Lincoln County commissioners voted Monday to approve a 1% increase in property taxes for 2026, a move officials said is routine but critical to sustaining county operations. "We are allowed by law to collect 1% more than the previous year," Commissioner Rob Coffman said. "We can vote on collecting that 1% every year, and almost every taxing entity does. One percent of our tax fund is like $28,000 in increased revenue." Coffman said $28,000 is minimal compared with...
DAVENPORT - Snow plows rolled out across Lincoln County early Tuesday after an overnight flurry left slick roads scattered across the region, prompting reminders from officials about winter driving safety. Public Works Director David Orvis said crews focused first on the main oiled roads, with sanders deployed into the canyons. "We have to be a little more picky and choosy for the days we go out," Orvis said. He noted the county's size creates unpredictable conditions. "We cou...
DAVENPORT — A Cheney man accepted a reduced plea deal Dec. 2 in connection with an alleged rape case. Andre Marcel DeVous, 21, of Cheney, pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of third-degree assault in exchange for a 17-month sentence, including nine months of exceptional confinement. DeVous will also serve 12 months of community custody and pay a $500 victim assistance fee. DeVous was initially arrested for rape. The maximum penalty for the offense is five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Bruce Co...
DAVENPORT — The Davenport City Council approved a grant agreement for city street improvements and a new rental arrangement for dumpster storage during its regular meeting Wednesday evening. Mayor Jonathan Chapman called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Council members Heath Becker, Cody Jenkins, Cory Hollis, Lance Strite and Mike Wilkinson were present. Daniel Coriell and Patrick Katz were absent. The council approved minutes from the previous meeting without changes. No police report or public hearing was presented. D...
DAVENPORT - A local man appeared in court this week after an investigation revealed allegations involving substantial bodily harm to a juvenile during a reported roadside incident in August. Kevin Raymond Duclos, 37, of Coulee Dam, was arraigned Tuesday, Dec. 2, on one count of second-degree assault, substantial bodily harm. Duclos chose to be represented by defense attorney Dave Hearrean and entered a plea of not guilty. Prosecutors requested standard release conditions in ad...
HARRINGTON - Holiday planning took center stage Wednesday night as the Harrington Chamber of Commerce reviewed preparations for its annual giving programs and the fast-approaching Hometown Christmas celebration. Chamber members reported that the Tree of Sharing effort is already underway, with gift tags available at Harrington Haus for the past two weeks. Volunteers were granted access to the basement of the Catholic church, allowing space t`the school so families could...
ODESSA — Odessa Memorial Healthcare Center has added sleep medicine services through a new partnership with Rural Sleep Solutions, expanding local access to testing and treatment for sleep disorders, including sleep apnea. Dr. Jakdej “Jak” Nikomborirak, with more than 25 years of experience in sleep medicine and having served as a medical director at several Washington hospitals, will oversee the program. Jon Hoffman, a sleep technician with nearly a decade of experience, will conduct overnight sleep studies at OMHC. OMHC...
While most people spent Thanksgiving worrying about overcooking the gravy or forgetting the rolls in the oven, I spent mine on my knees praying to the culinary gods that my turkey wouldn't explode. Yes, explode. Not because that's a normal concern, but because I've seen National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, and if you think I'm above imagining my bird turning into a puff of Thanksgiving confetti, you're wrong. In that movie, Cousin Eddie's wife's turkey is cut into at the...
DAVENPORT - Santa Claus made his grand entrance in true small-town fashion Saturday, Nov. 29, hitching a ride with the local fire department for Davenport's time-honored Hometown Christmas celebration. He hasn't missed the event in decades, calling it one of his favorite stops for warm chili, sweet treats and carnival games, though this year he had unexpected company, as the Grinch and Max roamed the festivities with mischief of their own. Debbie Meserve, president "queen" of...
BREWSTER - A local woman with multiple past warrants appeared in Lincoln County Superior Court on Tuesday, Nov. 25, where she was arraigned on new charges and asked the judge to trust her to return to court. Kira Esmeralda Oregon Hernandez, 24, was appointed Public Defender Dave Hearrean. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Bruce Cox said Hernandez's history includes 17 Washington cases, eight prior warrant activities and one active warrant out of Okanogan County. He requested a...
DAVENPORT — A local man who changed his plea to guilty on domestic-related charges was sentenced Tuesday to three days in jail and two years of community custody after completing a treatment program and outlining years of recovery from a traumatic brain injury sustained during military service. Christopher Matthew Kilian, 48, appeared for a readiness hearing on Tuesday, Nov. 25, where Public Defender Dave Hearrean submitted Kilian’s guilty plea and documentation showing he had completed nearly three months of treatment thr...
DAVENPORT — The City Council will meet Wednesday, Nov. 26, at 7 p.m. to review committee recommendations and revisit a proposed rental agreement with Sunshine Disposal & Recycling. Three committees will meet ahead of the full session. The Park/Cemetery Committee meets at 5:30 p.m. to review bids for improvements at the city park and skate park. The Building/Planning Committee meets at 6 p.m. to consider updates to the city’s impact fee schedule. At 6:30 p.m., the Water/Sewer/Garbage Committee will review Sunshine Dis...
GRAND COULEE — An Airway Heights man accused of stealing electronics and cashing a fraudulent check belonging to a Grand Coulee resident appeared in Lincoln County Superior Court on Tuesday, Nov. 25, where he faced charges of forgery and two counts of second-degree theft. Joseph Myers, 36, was arraigned on allegations stemming from a Nov. 4 report filed by a Grand Coulee man, who told deputies several items went missing after a technical cleaning crew worked in his home following a recent death in the household. He r...
DAVENPORT — Two Davenport brothers charged with identical counts of second-degree assault returned to Lincoln County Superior Court this week for separate readiness hearings tied to an incident at their 12th Street home last month. Michael Jake Gatewood, 43, and Christopher Ray Gatewood, 45, previously pleaded not guilty to the charges during a court appearance on Tuesday, Oct. 21. Michael Gatewood’s attorney, Victoria Iverson, requested a continuance to allow more time to prepare for the brother’s trial. The court grant...
This year, I’m hosting my first Thanksgiving at my own house, meaning chaos, smoke alarms, and the very real possibility that someone will eat all the stuffing before dinner. And yet, as I run through my mental checklist of mashed potatoes, gravy, and rolls, my mind drifts to the seats I wish were filled. Not just family, but friends from a Thanksgiving many years ago, far from home in Sierra Vista, Arizona, Fort Huachuca, Advanced Individual Training (AIT). I was 20 years old and facing my first holiday without my family. T...
DAVENPORT - The Lincoln County Conservation District received the 2025 Northeast District of the Year award from the Washington State Conservation Commission this year. The commission cited the district's board and staff for financial practices, policy management, and outreach to increase voter participation in annual elections. The district's work implementing the Conservation Reserve Program in Lincoln and Adams counties in partnership with the Natural Resources...
SPRAGUE - The Sprague Chamber of Commerce celebrated a stronger financial showing this year at Turkey Bingo during its Thursday, Nov. 20, meeting. The popular event raised $186.30 more than last year, selling 2,203 tickets and keeping every table packed from the start. After covering the cost of turkeys, the chamber netted $603.50. The meeting, called to order at 7 p.m., included a review of previous minutes and updates on upcoming events. The chamber's ending balance is...
SPRAGUE — The Sprague Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Christmas Bazaar Sunday, Dec. 7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sprague Community Hall, 3rd and C streets. Local vendors will offer crafts, goods, and holiday items. Vendors are encouraged to bring tables, chairs, canopies, or display racks, though some equipment is available on site. Spaces with electricity can be arranged in advance. Check-in is 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., and completed forms should be submitted ahead of time for booth mapping. The event offers a f...
