Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
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... Full story
DAVENPORT - A fire broke out at El Ranchito, a Mexican restaurant on Morgan Street, around 10:30 a.m. Monday, but was quickly extinguished by firefighters. The Davenport Fire Department responded to the call and contained the blaze, which originated from a malfunctioning stove, according to restaurant owner Pablo Gutierrez. No injuries were reported, and damage was minimal. Firefighters remained on scene until Avista utility workers inspected the gas connections and confirmed...
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...
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 Feb. 22 Traffic stops:0 6:36 a.m. – A welfare check on an absent employee was requested. 1:04 p.m. – A hit and run with extensive damage was reported in Odessa. 3:31 p.m. – Lockout assistanc...
HARRINGTON — The Harrington School District board accepted the resignation of longtime secondary teacher Sharon Kruger during its Feb. 25 meeting, honoring her decades of service in business, career and technical education, and Future Business Leaders of America. Board members praised Kruger for her extra efforts, including advising FBLA and overseeing the yearbook. “Thank you for many moons,” said Michelle Quigley. Justin Slack added appreciation for “all of the extra and FBLA and yearbook.” The board also approved...
Bail reduced in Boss exploitation case DAVENPORT — A felony trial involving allegations of sexual exploitation of a minor has been delayed again, with bail reduced from $100,000 to $50,000, according to court records. James Alan Boss, 57, appeared in restraints during a March 3 hearing in Lincoln County Superior Court before Judge Adam Walser, records show. Defense attorney Bevan Jerome Maxey appeared via zoom requested the continuance, and Boss waived his right to a speedy trial. The trial is now set for July 22, with a r...
ODESSA — Odessa Memorial Healthcare Center expects to receive about $700,000 in federal funding for rural hospitals this summer, while its board considers ending a costly sleep studies program that has attracted few patients, CEO Vince Oliver said at a Feb. 26 meeting. The funding comes from a $50 billion federal allocation to rural hospitals, with $10 billion distributed annually. Washington state got $181 million for fiscal year 2026, funneled through the Washington State Hospital Association for equitable distribution a...
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— After 24 years with the Reardan Edwall School District, transportation director Mike McCain is leaving to take a regional role overseeing school transportation in northwest Washington. McCain will become one of the state’s five regional transportation coordinators, providing technical support and guidance to 35 school districts. His new position is based in Anacortes. A Reardan High School graduate, McCain joined the Washington National Guard in 1995 at age 17. He initially trained as a Bradley Fighting Vehicle inf...
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...
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 Feb. 12 Traffic stops: 14 9:13 a.m. — Report of a two-vehicle collision on Seven Bays Road East and Airport Way; no injuries reported and roadway cleared. 11:06 a.m. — Deputy took a subject into cu...
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...
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 — Lincoln County will temporarily say goodbye to one of its own as she trades her newsroom desk for a military uniform. Olivia Harnack, 23, of Harrington, managing editor of the Lincoln County Record-Times and a member of the Idaho Army National Guard, deployed Monday, Feb. 16, to Washington, D.C. She is expected to return June 20. During her absence, sports reporter Derek Bilodeaux, 38, of Davenport, will take on full-time reporting duties. And correspondent Byrne Bennett of Reardan, will continue to provide p...
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 Feb. 8 Traffic stops: 7 3:57 p.m. — Multiple reports of a man lying on the side of the road across from the fairgrounds; deputies provided a courtesy ride home. 8:50 p.m. — Report of an erratic...
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 - 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...
DAVENPORT — As the season drags on, Lincoln County health officials are reporting an uptick in respiratory illnesses, with influenza A currently leading the surge. According to Lincoln County Public Health, cases of influenza A and B, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19 are all trending upward across the county. Officials said influenza A is the most prevalent infection at this time. Public health officials have received notification of one influenza A-related death in Lincoln County. Statewide, 74 i...
ODESSA — Routine governance, long-term planning and student-focused programs took center stage during the school board meeting late last month. The Board of Directors met in regular session Tuesday, Jan. 28, at the high school library following a workshop on athletics and results from a district cell phone survey. Chris Crossley was unanimously elected board chairman, with Carmen Weishaar elected vice chairman. Sheena Starkel was named legislative representative, and Zach Schafer was selected as the district’s WIAA rep... Full story
