Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Sorted by date Results 201 - 225 of 598
CRESTON — The Telford Rest Area on U.S. Highway 2 will be closed Thursday morning for scheduled maintenance, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation. WSDOT crews will shut down the rest area between Creston and Davenport from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. July 31 to perform septic system maintenance. Drivers will not have access during the closure and are advised to plan alternate stops along their route....
DAVENPORT — Farmers in Lincoln County may soon lose access to glyphosate, one of their most widely used weed-killers, following a federal commission’s report raising health concerns about the chemical. The “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) Commission—established by Executive Order 14212 on February 13, 2025—has identified glyphosate as potentially harmful to children. The report cited links to cancer, liver inflammation and developmental issues, and called for reevaluating its use in agriculture nationwide. “All of Lin...
HARRINGTON - Construction is underway near Harrington School and Harrington Park as the city begins a sidewalk improvement project aimed at modernizing aging infrastructure and improving accessibility for residents. The project, funded through a $250,832 grant from the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board, will replace and upgrade several wheelchair-accessible ramps to meet current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. The existing ramps are at least...
DAVENPORT — With the primary election approaching, Lincoln County voters have returned just 14.5% of ballots as of Tuesday morning. The Lincoln County Auditor’s Office has received 1,259 ballots so far and expects more to arrive in the coming days. Roughly 8,700 ballots were mailed on Wednesday, July 16. “You have a week. Get them done this weekend,” said Norm Caley, elections administrator. Ballots must be placed in official drop boxes or postmarked by Election Day, Tuesday, August 5, to be counted. The primary will determi...
SRAGUE - A Sprague man accused of unlawfully imprisoning his partner after she reportedly jumped from a moving vehicle appeared in Lincoln County Superior Court on Tuesday, July 29, where both prosecution and defense agreed to continue the case into September. David Gene Keener, 69, faces one count of unlawful imprisonment for allegedly restricting the movement of Amanda "Mandy" Cook, whom he was in a dating relationship with at the time of the incident, records show. He is...
GRAND COULEE - A local man accused of using his brother's identity during a traffic stop failed to appear in Lincoln County Superior Court on Tuesday, July 29, prompting a judge to set his bail at $1,000 to bring him in. Joshua James Martin, 41, was scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on a charge of second-degree identity theft but did not show. "It appears that Mr. Martin is not here," said Superior Court Judge Adam Walser. In court, Lincoln County Prosecutor Ty...
DAVENPORT — Lincoln County residents should prepare for a hot and dry August, according to forecasters with the National Weather Service. “There’s a 50 to 60 percent chance of above-normal temperatures for August,” said Daniel Butler, 27, a meteorologist based in Spokane. “It’s looking warm.” Butler said the first few days of the month may be slightly cooler, but warmer temperatures are expected to return around Aug. 7. “Precipitation-wise, it’s looking dry,” he said. “There’s about a 40 to 50 percent chance of below-normal p...
DAVENPORT — Lincoln County District Court will limit proceedings to first appearances only until Wednesday, August 21, as Judge Dan B. Johnson is away for the next few weeks, according to Lincoln County District Court officials. During this time, Superior Court Judge Adam Walser will preside over all first appearance hearings. The next regularly scheduled court docket is set for August 21. “Regulary hearings just are not scheduled.. That is just our next regularly scheduled court date. We didnt have anything that need to be...
There are a few emails in life that change you. College admissions. Job offers. And one from Brian Curtis - Vice President of the Davenport Road Knights - personally inviting you to ride in his 1948 Chevy Fleetmaster for the Pioneer Days Parade. That, dear readers, is what we in the industry call a hard yes. I didn't even finish reading the message before I was mentally picking out my parade-day sunglasses. With that, I handed over the Parade photography assignment to our...
DAVENPORT - Sunshine, community spirit and a full slate of events made for another successful Pioneer Days weekend, held Friday through Sunday, July 18–20, according to Pioneer Days Chairwoman, Dawn Canfield. Crowds turned out in force for classic events including the Davenport Road Knights Car Show, the Pioneer Days Parade, fun runs, a fishing derby, numerous vendors and a chalk art contest. "A wonderful day was had by all," said Brian Curtis, president of the Road Knights C...
HARRINGTON - A packed house, classic rock hits and lively dancing made for a successful night at the Harrington Opera House as the Rusty Vikings performed Saturday, July 19. An estimated 150 people filled the historic venue for the free concert, which featured music from the 1950s and 60s. Attendees clapped, sang along and danced in the space between the pews and the stage throughout the evening. "It was fun, fabulous and fantastic - the house was absolutely packed," said...
ODESSA - A $1,000 grant from the Columbia Basin Foundation helped fund recent upgrades to Odessa's Old Town Hall, where the Odessa Lions Club removed worn vinyl flooring in preparation for new hardwood floors. The project was sponsored by the Old Town Hall Rejuvenation Society and aimed at improving safety and functionality, particularly for seniors, as the building also serves as the town's senior center. The renovation is now complete. In related community news, the Odessa...
ODESSA - Fire crews responded to a fast-moving blaze that scorched roughly 475 acres of wheat and sagebrush near Duck Lake Road North and Tebow Road East on Saturday, July 19. According to Odessa Fire Chief Roger Sebesta, the fire broke out around 3:57 p.m. in a field owned by Landon Lobe. While much of the acreage burned was open land, Sebesta said the exact breakdown between wheatfield and sagebrush was unclear. "I do not know how much of that was wheatfield versus...
DAVENPORT — Lincoln County’s Auditor’s Office has started receiving ballots this week for the upcoming primary election and expects more to arrive over the next several weeks. “We mailed them last Wednesday, and we got a handful yesterday. Our Tuesday mail is pretty much null and void,” said Lincoln County Elections Manager Norm Caley. Caley encouraged voters to participate, adding, “Please vote. More votes will be coming in the next few weeks.” Roughly 8,700 ballots were mailed on Wednesday, July 16, for the primary elect...
WILBUR - A woman accused of breaking into a Wilbur home and stealing property is heading to trial, after one final delay was granted in Lincoln County Superior Court Tuesday, July 22. Justina Buffington, 40, of Reardan, appeared in Lincoln County Superior Court for a readiness hearing, where her public defender, David Hearrean, requested one final continuance. "It looks like this is heading to trial, but Ms. Buffington is asking for one final continuance," said Buffington's...
DAVENPORT - Avista representatives briefed Lincoln County Commissioners on wildfire mitigation efforts during a regular board meeting Monday, July 21, outlining a four-part plan focused on grid hardening, vegetation management, situational awareness, and emergency response. Michele McCollum, regional business manager, and Nick Hamon, operations manager, said Avista is prioritizing areas classified as Tier 3, which pose higher risks of utility-sparked fires due to population de...
DAVENPORT - The City Council met for its regular session Wednesday, July 23, addressing key infrastructure, personnel and grant items while also hearing updates from local and state officials. Among the new business, the council approved a resolution setting a hearing date for the proposed vacation of a portion of 10th Street and an adjacent alley. The hearing will be held at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday, August 13, at City Council Chambers. Insula LLC is the petitioner requesting the...
DAVENPORT — A Lincoln County man accused of stealing a car earlier this year appeared in Superior Court on Tuesday, July 22, for a hearing to determine the next steps in his criminal case. Scott C.J. Skenandore-Kieffer, 38, has been charged with theft of a motor vehicle in connection with the alleged unlawful taking of a green 1994 Geo Prism on April 10. In Superior Court, a conflict arose during Tuesday’s hearing when attorney Dave Hearrean disclosed that he had previously represented the alleged victim, John Orndorff, and...
DAVENPORT - A man who walked away from court-ordered treatment nearly a decade ago is now expected to enter an inpatient program within the next two weeks, court officials said Tuesday, July 15, in Lincoln County Superior Court. Sheldon Dennis Schmoyer appeared before visiting Judge Dan B. Johnson for a show cause hearing. Schmoyer's case will continue after Johnson agreed with both Lincoln County Prosecuting Attorney Ty Albertson and defense attorney Dave Hearrean to return...
DAVENPORT - A Sunnyside man accused of attempting to pick up a fraudulent prescription appeared in Lincoln County Superior Court on Tuesday, July 15, and pleaded not guilty. Isaac James Briones, 24, of Sunnyside, faces a Class C felony for knowingly attempting to obtain a controlled substance by fraud. Judge Dan B. Johnson presided over the hearing while Superior Court Judge Adam Walser is on military reserve duty. Briones waived his right to a speedy trial, entered a...
DAVENPORT - Forty years after saying "I do" during Pioneer Days, Mike Strite, 60, and Tania Strite, 59, of Davenport, will return to the celebration as Grand Marshals of the 2025 festivities. The couple, who have spent decades contributing to local events and causes, were notified of the selection after a community voting period ended. The announcement comes just as they marked their 40th wedding anniversary on July 13 - a milestone that holds deep sentimental value during...
Friday, July 18 At 7 a.m. Friday, the day casts off with the annual Kids Fishing Derby at City Park, where young anglers will try their luck and maybe reel in a big one. By 8:30 a.m., Smokey the Bear will make a special appearance in the park, reminding families to be fire-wise while posing for photos with kids. Things really pick up at 9 a.m., with the Chalk Art Contest sign-in kicking off at Wheatland Bank. At the same time, the Davenport Library Book Sale gets underway, and vendors open their booths in Memorial Hall,...
WILSON CREEK — A local woman was injured in a single-vehicle crash Monday afternoon, July 14. According to the Washington State Patrol, Stella P. Shull, 45, was eastbound in her 2003 Honda Civic on state Highway 28 about five miles east of town when her vehicle veered onto the right shoulder around 2:19 p.m. Shull reportedly overcorrected to the left and crossed into the westbound lane before the vehicle overturned. It came to rest on the westbound shoulder. Shull was ejected from the vehicle. The patrol confirmed Shull w...
When I first saw the smoke rise over the hills on Wednesday, July 9, I was driving home from Cheney. Within minutes, Fire Watch confirmed what my gut already told me - it was growing fast. I dropped Winnie off at home, changed into my field gear, and got out there. For three straight days, I documented as much as I could. From Cayuse Cove to Western Pines Road, from the destruction at Moccasin Bay to the cliffs above Seven Bays. I walked through scorched fields, down roads...
HARRINGTON - The Harrington Heart and Soul core team established a firm meeting schedule during their most recent planning session to ensure they stay connected ahead of Harvest Festival. The team, which typically meets once a month is hoping to organize subgroups to also convene between meetings. The core team determined they only need three more core meetings before the next major event, Harvest Festival, which will mark the end of the current phase of their project. "This...
