Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
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MOCCASSIN BAY - Several cabins and other properties in the Moccassin Bay area have been destroyed by the Western Pines Fire. Fire officials reported the blaze had grown to 3,787.3 acres and was 0% contained at press time Thursday morning, July 10. Evacuation advisories had been issued for the area that borders Lake Roosevelt. The Western Pines Fire broke out in the early afternoon Wednesday, July 9, with dispatch receiving calls around 12:44 p.m. for the initial response, acco...
DAVENPORT - The Davenport City Council adopted a resolution for the Lincoln County Comprehensive Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Plan for 2024-2029 during its regular meeting Wednesday, July 9. The council approved Resolution 2025-10, which adopts the plan developed by Lincoln County in collaboration with the cities of Davenport, Harrington, and Sprague, and the towns of Almira, Creston, Odessa, Reardan, and Wilbur, per RCW Chapter 70A.205. The plan outlines guidelines...
DAVENPORT - The Lincoln County Fairgrounds has opened its gates to provide shelter for livestock, pets and residents displaced this week by wildfires. Horse stalls, pens, and space for dogs, cats, chickens and other animals is available, as well as RV and tent camping for evacuees seeking refuge. Lincoln county Fair and Rodeo Secretary Dawn Canfield is leading the assistance effort. "We're just going to take it day-by-day," Canfield said Wednesday. "Our goal is to ensure every...
DAVENPORT — A Lincoln County deputy is facing a petition for a protection order filed by his former partner, who alleges threats of violence and concerning behavior in court documents. Milea Jean Hudspeth, 43, filed the petition in Lincoln County Superior Court against Brian Scott Hudspeth, 43, citing concerns for her safety and that of their two children, Cayson Hudspeth, 11, and Emery Hudspeth, 7. In court filings, Milea stated that Brian “has threatened suicide by gun in more than one scenario,” and claimed he has “mili...
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 June 30 Traffic Stops: 12 1:11 a.m. – A woman called to report a house near her is selling drugs and making porn and her daughter and other females are being drugged. 2:55 a.m. – A woman called...
DAVENPORT — The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners convened Monday, July 7, in the Commissioners’ Chambers to discuss infrastructure such as construction contracts, broadband initiatives, and local governance. Commissioners Scott Hutsell (District 2), Chair Jo Gilchrist, and Rob Coffman (District 3) were present. The board approved construction contracts with Legacy Telecom, doing business as Legacy Power, for the Reardan Colocation Facility (PBC22-96104-004, broadband) and with Zero dB Communications for networks in Rea...
HARRINGTON — Harrington School alum, Lincoln County resident, mom of three, and longtime educator, Courtney Strozyk, is adding a new hat to her collection — this time as the dual-role superintendent and principal of Harrington School. Strozyk, 44, of Davenport, officially took her oath of office during the School Board meeting on Monday, June 30, bringing her full circle to the school she once walked as a student herself. Strozyk is signed on for a two-year contract with the school district. “I am super excited. It is totally...
DAVENPORT - The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office has welcomed a new member to its patrol division. Deputy Nicholas Pecheos, who graduated from the Basic Law Enforcement Academy in Pasco last week, officially joined the department and moved to Lincoln County on Monday. Pecheos, whose last name is pronounced "Peaches," grew up in Moxee, Wash., and is a graduate of East Valley High School in Yakima. He served in the U.S. Army for six years before pursuing college in Moses Lake....
HARRINGTON - Harrington School District will shift to a four-day school week beginning this fall, according to action taken at the regular School Board meeting on Monday, June 30. Newly sworn-in Superintendent Courtney Strozyk, of Davenport, said preparations are well underway to ensure the new schedule does not affect core academic instruction, particularly for student athletes. "I have worked a ton on making sure student athletes aren't going to miss the core classes they...
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 June 23 Traffic Stops: 12 11:01 a.m. – Medical assistance needed in Reardan for a possible heart attack. 12:05 p.m. – A resident called to report that he received a call from Franklin County...
DAVENPORT - A 43-year-old man faced arraignment Tuesday, July 1, in Lincoln County Superior Court, charged with one count of felony harassment-threat to kill and one count of attempting to elude a police vehicle. Steven Michael Mawyer, who has active warrants in Virginia, Idaho, and Spokane County, entered a not guilty plea. He is being held on a $100,000 bond and appeared in court in full restraints. Prosecutor Bruce Cox and Judge Adam Walser agreed to maintain the bond,...
DAVENPORT — The Davenport School District No. 207 board held its regular meeting on Monday, June 30, hosting both in-person attendees at the High School Media Center and virtual participants via Zoom. The agenda covered personnel hires, financial approvals, and a proposed community solar power purchase agreement (PPA) with Zero Emissions Northwest (ZEN), presented in collaboration with Partners for Rural Washington (PRWA). The board approved several personnel actions, including hiring Sydney Smith as a transitional k...
DAVENPORT - The Davenport City Council addressed the vacant council seat left by the sudden death of Councilman Robert Jenkins during its regular meeting Wednesday, June 25. Jenkins died June 12, one day after the previous meeting. With Mayor Jonathan Chapman absent, Mayor Pro Tem Pattrick Katz led the meeting. Council members Heath Becker, Daniel Coriell, Cory Hollis, Lance Strite and Mike Wilkinson attended. No police report was given. During the public comment period,...
DAVENPORT - Following a week of near-normal rainfall, farmers and residents in Lincoln County are preparing for drier and warmer conditions expected this summer, raising concerns about crop yields and heightened wildfire risks. Daniel Butler, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service's Spokane office, which serves western Chelan, western Okanogan, and eastern Montana, reported that last week's cooler-than-average temperatures and 50% to 70% chance of precipitation...
DAVENPORT - A Davenport man was arrested June 23 on a warrant for allegedly violating a court-ordered furlough and appeared in Lincoln County Superior Court on June 24. Seldon Schmoyer, 32, was appointed public defender David Hearrean and appeared before Judge Adam Walser, with prosecutor Ty Albertson present. Schmoyer, found indigent, is scheduled for a show-cause hearing Tuesday, July 1, to address the alleged violation of a 120-day jail furlough tied to a prior court...
DAVENPORT - A Davenport man accused of first-degree voyeurism appeared before Lincoln County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey S. Barkdull for a readiness hearing Tuesday, June 24. Austin A. Anderson, 24, represented by public defender David Hearrean, had his original trial date of July 16, stricken for a continuance. A new trial date was set for Sept. 10, with a readiness hearing scheduled for Aug. 19. Barkdull noted the case's age and hesitated to grant the continuance but agreed...
DAVENPORT — Local towns will adhere to Washington state fireworks regulations, ensuring safe celebrations for the Fourth of July, a tradition symbolizing patriotism and freedom since the 1776 adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Davenport, Reardan, Harrington, and Odessa will follow state ordinances, permitting fireworks use without local restrictions if safety guidelines are met. A proposed burn ban starting June 30 will not impact July 4 fireworks. No town-sponsored events are planned. Under Washington’s State Fir...
DAVENPORT — Lincoln County has officially begun the process of updating its Five-Year Homeless Plan for 2025–2030, the Board of County Commissioners announced June 17. The update is being led by the Lincoln County Homeless Housing Taskforce and is required under RCW 43.185C. The current version of the plan is available for public review on the county website under the “Document Center – Board of County Commissioners” section. For more information on draft updates or upcoming public meetings, contact Cruze Thompson, housing d...
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 June 16 Traffic Stops: 9 10:19 a.m. – A welfare check was requested for some horses that appeared to be malnourished. 10:22 a.m. – A resident called to report that her neighbors goats were on her...
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 June 9 Traffic Stops: 10 6:47 a.m. – A Spokane hospital employee called to request a welfare check on a patient that missed an appointment. 11:07 a.m. – A verbal altercation was reported by one...
HARRINGTON - A Palouse woman was sentenced to 15 months in prison Monday, June 16, for a crash that killed three Davenport men. Jade A. Ellsworth, 29, pleaded guilty to one count of vehicular homicide in the June 7, 2024, collision that killed Alan Kysar, 26, Braedon Efraimson, 26, and Blake Wilson, 24. Lincoln County Superior Court Judge Jeff Barkdull emphasized allowing the victims' families to attend the plea and sentencing hearings. Lincoln County Prosecuting Attorney Ty...
DAVENPORT — Lincoln County workers earned significantly less than their state and national counterparts at the end of 2024, according to new data released Tuesday, June 17, by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. During the fourth quarter, Lincoln County reported an average weekly wage of $1,064—nearly $450 less than the national average of $1,507 and more than $800 below Washington’s statewide average of $1,897. The data includes workers covered by unemployment insurance programs, accounting for 2,687 total jobs acros...
EDWALL - A grant in the amount $10,645 from the Washington State Conservation Commission will fund efforts to address chronic flooding in Edwall, where late February 2025 deluges inundated State Route 231 near Reardan and flooded homes and garages in the town, located between U.S. Highway 2 and Interstate 90. The roadway was temporarily closed due to the flooding. Edwall has faced similar conditions before. In February 2014, record rainfall caused Simpson Creek, upstream from...
OLYMPIA — More young adults in Washington will soon be required to complete driver’s education under a new law signed by Governor Bob Ferguson earlier this year. Senate Bill 5583 directs the state Department of Licensing to expand mandatory driver’s education to include new drivers between the ages of 18 and 24. Currently, only 16- and 17-year-olds are required to complete a driver training program before receiving a license. Lawmakers cited crash data from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission showing that, over the p...
LINCOLN COUNTY — The Innovia Foundation has awarded $1,250,414 to 113 organizations across Eastern Washington and North Idaho through its annual Community Grants Program. The grants support initiatives in education, youth development, health, arts, culture, economic opportunity, and community well-being. Funded by donors addressing regional needs, the program prioritizes projects selected by local volunteer advisory committees. This year’s grants focus on nonprofit efforts to engage youth and reduce isolation. “For 51 years...
