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Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
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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...
Lincoln County broadband project advances DAVENPORT — Lincoln County Broadband Director Margie Hall provided commissioners on Monday with an update on ongoing fiber-optic projects. Hall said the county received a reimbursement for the WIZBO One project, which involves splicing fiber from a residential development to the main facility. Construction for that phase is complete. She added that plans to expand further will wait until the start of the new year, when the county can solicit bids. Hall also noted that the State B...
INCIDENT LOG Editor’s note: Most items in this section reflect the starting point for response by local police and emergency agencies. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) does not release names of individuals who report possible criminal or suspicious activities to dispatchers or alleged victims for this column. DISPATCH LOG Nov. 24 Traffic Stops: 12 8:47 a.m. — A caregiver responsible for a man with dementia said one of his friends came over and took his medications. 9:54 a.m. — A false panic alarm was reporte...
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... Full story
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...
A view from inside one of the basalt caves above Hawk Creek Campground on Sunday, Nov. 23, overlooking Lake Roosevelt and the surrounding canyon....
SPRAGUE — Small towns across Lincoln County are set to appear on the big screen in the upcoming road-trip comedy Supermassive, with filming wrapping in the area last month. The production spent the bulk of its three-week shoot in Lincoln County, including four days in Sprague and multiple scenes at the Speed Trap in Reardan. Seattle writer and director Steve Utaski said the story follows characters on a road trip who get delayed while waiting to be picked up, with much of the film set in small-town locations. “That all too...
Lincoln County certified its election Tuesday, Nov. 25, closing out a cycle marked by several close races and a modest bump in turnout. “Two years ago turnout was 40.56%, and this year it was 43.54%,” Elections Manager Norm Caley said. “Davenport mayor was really close — 14 votes difference. It could’ve changed if more people voted.” Caley said any of the contested races could have shifted with higher participation. Across 46 precincts, 3,836 of the county’s 8,811 registered voters cast ballots. Despite recent concerns about...
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...
DAVENPORT — Sharing Trees will begin popping up around town Thursday, Nov. 19, as the annual Christmas Care Project launches its season of giving with bright holiday tags waiting to be picked up by community members. “This is around the normal time we distribute them,” Christmas Care Project coordinator Carey Guhlke-Falk said. “The calendar is a bit wonky this year, so I think people are a bit ahead.” Tags will be placed at Davenport Pharmacy, Lincoln Hospital and Some Like It Hot Espresso. Each tag represents the holiday n...
REARDAN - A new family-friendly restaurant, Kornfed Ted's, is slated to open the first week of December. The restaurant is owned by Doc and Louise Williams who promise to bring "hometown flavor with an All-American menu" to the community. The restaurant's namesake, Kornfed Ted is a 2-year-old Australian Shepherd and movie star who has an upcoming role in Netflix film Train Dreams, scheduled for release on Nov. 21. Kornfed Ted, known for his striking "ghost eyes" is showcased...
DAVENPORT - A man accused of leading law enforcement on a dangerous, multi-county pursuit in a rented moving truck appeared in Lincoln County Superior Court for arraignment Tuesday, Nov. 18. Marquis Andrew White, 33, pleaded not guilty to third-degree assault and attempting to elude a police vehicle. Both charges carry maximum penalties of five years in prison and/or $10,000 in fines, plus restitution, assessments and court costs. White was found eligible for a public defender...
RITZVILLE - East Adams Public Hospital District No. 2 officials hosted a meeting Saturday, Nov. 15, to curtail rumors of a hospital closure. The session stemmed from the districts decision to issue a WARN Act letter to the state and employees at the East Adams Rural Healthcare hospital. The federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification law requires large businesses and government agencies to report conditions which could lead to a possible bankruptcy or closure....
SPRAGUE — The Sprague Chamber of Commerce will meet Thursday, Nov. 20, to establish its rules of standard orders of procedure. The special meeting is set for 6:30 -7:30 p.m. and will be followed by its regularly monthly membership meeting at 7:30 p.m. The meeting will be in the Community Center, During the special meeting, chamber members will discuss procedures for events, sale and disposal of real and personal property, dispersing funds and managing operating procedures. In addition, the membership will discuss ...
DAVENPORT — The change-of-plea case for a Cheney man accused in an alleged August assault was pushed back Tuesday, Nov. 18, in Lincoln County Superior Court as attorneys requested more time to negotiate a deal. According to defense attorney Dave Hearrean, the defense moved to waive speedy-trial requirements to continue discussions on a potential plea agreement. A new readiness hearing was set for Monday, Dec. 2, with trial scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 31. The speedy-trial expiration would shift to January 31. Andre Marcel D...
SPRAGUE — A Spokane man accused of sexually assaulting a child in Sprague appeared for arraignment in Lincoln County Superior Court on Tuesday and will return to court on January 13. Nelson Olsen, 43, faces two counts of 1st degree child molestation-DV, both class A felonies carrying maximum penalties of life imprisonment and/or a $50,000 fine. His trial date was set for February 4 after he pleaded not guilty. According to Lincoln County Deputy Jon Evans’ original report, on Oct. 8, he was dispatched to Spokane to con...
REARDAN — A Lincoln County judge on Tuesday, Nov. 18, agreed to review a request for sweeping financial relief tied to a past identity-theft case. The motion concerns Damon Joseph Ashe, 42, who pleaded guilty on June 14, 2022, to second-degree identity theft and received two concurrent 14-month sentences. Ashe is asking the court to waive interest, remove his legal financial obligations from collections, eliminate his DNA fee and reduce or waive optional fines. He stated he is indigent, receives food assistance and has b...
