Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Sorted by date Results 101 - 125 of 5659
Almira — The final defendant linked to a January burglary in Almira pleaded guilty Tuesday, Oct. 14, in Lincoln County Superior Court. Thea Rose Wenz, 29, of Moses Lake, admitted to residential burglary. Charges of second-degree burglary, second-degree theft, and second-degree possession of stolen property were dismissed under a plea agreement. A status hearing is scheduled for Dec. 16. Wenz, who has no prior criminal history, was sentenced to 90 days in jail, suspended upon completion of outpatient treatment, 12 months of co...
DAVENPORT — Lincoln County voters will start receiving their ballots this week for the November 4 election, which includes races for city councils, mayors, commissioners, and board members. Ballots went out in the mail Wednesday, Oct. 15. A second batch of roughly 60 ballots is expected Thursday, Oct. 16. “It’s a fluid number,” said Norm Caley, Lincoln County elections manager. Overall, 8,677 ballots are being mailed throughout the county. Ballots can be returned by mail or dropped off at three official locations: the Lincoln...
DAVENPORT - Lincoln County commissioners discussed the draft 2026 budget at their meeting Monday, Oct. 6, weighing revenue trends, projected deficits and potential spending cuts as the county plans for next year. Lincoln County Auditor Chandra Schumacher said most budget requests for 2026 were similar to 2025, though some revenue streams are expected to decline. Court revenue, in particular, has decreased, while the county anticipates adding roughly $150,000 back into the...
WILBUR — A Reardan mother who pleaded for more time to pursue mental health treatment was sentenced to 38 months in prison Friday after a Lincoln County Superior Court judge determined community safety outweighed further delay. Justina Buffington, 40, asked Judge Adam Walser for leniency after her attorney, public defender Dave Hearrean, requested additional time for the Department of Corrections to complete a psychiatric evaluation scheduled for Thursday, November 14. "My c...
DAVENPORT - Davenport City Council members opened a public hearing Monday, Oct. 7, to review the city's proposed 2026 budget, highlighting preliminary revenue forecasts, utility rate adjustments and the regular property tax levy. The hearing, which began at 7:15 p.m., was closed 11 minutes later after council members reviewed the draft and discussed next steps. According to the city's proposed revenue forecast, updated Sept. 3, property tax collections are expected to...
GRAND COULEE - A Grand Coulee man arraigned Tuesday in Lincoln County Superior Court is accused of using his brother's identity during a traffic stop earlier this year. Joshua James Martin, 41, pleaded not guilty to one count of second-degree identity theft, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. He was assigned a court-appointed public defender, Dave Hearrean. "I strongly encourage you to maintain regular contact with Mr. Hearrean," Judge Adam...
DAVENPORT — As cooler temperatures arrive and the National Weather Service predicts a wetter fall, some burn bans across Lincoln County are being lifted. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office said Districts 1 in Sprague and 5 in Davenport are no longer under burn restrictions. In addition, National Park Service lands have lifted all fire restrictions. Burn bans are placed and lifted by fire commissioners in each district. By press time, several districts remained under restriction: District 3 in Odessa (as of June 13), Dis...
DAVENPORT — A Chewelah woman’s attempt to restore her firearm rights returned to Lincoln County Superior Court Tuesday, Oct. 7, after years of legal back-and-forth over prior convictions. Dawn Rina Kortness, 52, faces issues stemming from a 2005 escape conviction. She filed a petition in 2021 with Stevens County Superior Court to restore her firearm rights, which was granted, allowing her to receive a Washington State Concealed Pistol License. Lincoln County Prosecuting Attorney Ty Albertson said, “The basis is that it is a...
ODESSA — Local public works crews are busy preparing roads for the potato harvest while keeping ongoing projects on schedule, officials said, an update discussed at the most recent Lincoln County commissioners meeting. In Sprague, crews are primarily focused on the Mohler Project, with backfilling of pipes scheduled to begin Monday, Oct. 6. Harrington crews worked on Mill Canyon last week and are now on Bald Ridge. Wilbur crews are believed to be conducting similar maintenance, officials said. Public Works Director David Orvi...
DAVENPORT — Trial dates have shifted for a 20-year-old Cheney man accused of sexually assaulting a teenager in Davenport. Superior Court Judge Adam Walser received a waiver for a speedy trial, setting the trial for Dec. 3 with a readiness hearing on Nov. 4. Devous is scheduled to appear in court again Nov. 4. Andre Marcel Devous pleaded not guilty Tuesday, Sept. 2, to one count of second-degree rape, a Class A felony punishable by up to life in prison and a $50,000 fine. Court records show deputies were dispatched Monday, A...
ODESSA - Odessa Memorial Healthcare Center's board met with interim CEO Emmett Schuster for a regular board meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 30, following the termination of former CEO Brett Antczak, outlining financial updates, compliance issues and new leadership measures. Schuster, who stepped into the role earlier this month, said his early days have been "wild" but encouraging. He noted he found an empty corporate compliance manual on his desk and emphasized the importance of...
DAVENPORT — The first official day of fall passed on Sunday, Sept. 22, and with it, Lincoln County residents are beginning to see cooler temperatures sweep into the region. “The outlooks are generally not that specific,” said Miranda Cote, meteorologist for the National Weather Service station in Spokane. “The forecast for the fall is for near-normal temperatures and leaning above normal precipitation.” Cote said residents could see highs in the 60s this week before temperatures climb back into the 70s by Oct. 7 or 8. While...
LAKE ROOSEVELT — Federal operations across the country came to a halt Tuesday night after Congress failed to reach an agreement on funding, leaving agencies like Lake Roosevelt with limited staff and services. Lawmakers remain deadlocked over enhanced health care subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. Non-essential federal operations were suspended at midnight, and staff at Lake Roosevelt are out of the office until the government reopens. Voicemail messages warn that some services may be unavailable and that employees are...
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 Sept. 22 Traffic Stops: 15 2:51 p.m. – A caller reported a disabled vehicle in the middle of the road on Hawk Creek Rd. 5:59 p.m. – A hit and run was reported on West Broadway in Reardan. 8:44 p....
SOAP LAKE — A two-vehicle crash in Soap Lake on Monday afternoon left one driver hospitalized after a motorhome pulled into an intersection and was struck by an oncoming car, according to the Washington State Patrol. According to Washington State Patrol, the crash happened at approximately 3:50 p.m. at the junction of state Route 17 and state Route 28. Troopers said a 2007 motorhome driven by Cody T. Johnson, 71, of Soap Lake, failed to stop at a stop sign before entering the intersection. A 1996 Chevrolet Geo Tracker, d...
DAVENPORT — Davenport’s Public Works Department has closed a section of Mohler Road to replace a drainage structure that previously had weight restrictions, Public Works Director Dave Orvis said. “We are replacing a drainage structure that had weight restrictions with two large pipes that will not have weight restrictions on them,” Orvis said. “Basically, it will change the old granite structure that the feds call a ‘bridge.’ The channel is dry most of the year, but in the spring, there is a good runoff.” The closure is just...
ODESSA - Deutschesfest returned to downtown Odessa last weekend, bringing crowds to Main Street, First Avenue, Old Town Hall, the Historical Museum and city parks for four days of parades, live music, contests, food and German traditions. The festival kicked off Thursday, Sept. 18, with tricycle races, mattress races, sidewalk chalk art and live music. Events continued through Sunday, Sept. 21, featuring a full schedule of activities for all ages - from pancake breakfasts and...
HARRINGTON — Pancakes, parades and plenty of small-town charm are on tap this weekend as Harrington hosts its annual Fall Festival on Saturday, Sept. 27. The celebration kicks off early with the FFA Pancake Feed at Memorial Hall from 8 to 10 a.m. and continues with a parade at 11 a.m., followed by an afternoon packed with activities. Highlights include the Huff N Puff Fun Run at 9 a.m., an alumni gathering at noon, and kids’ carnival games beginning at 12:30 p.m. Vendors and the Lions Club barbecue will run through the aft...
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 Sept. 15 Traffic Stops: 6 11:41 a.m. – A landlord requested a welfare check on a tenant that no longer has a phone. 1:09 p.m. – Medical assistance was requested for an unresponsive 16 year old in...
DAVENPORT - Davenport city leaders focused on business permits, committee planning and museum funding during their regular council meeting Wednesday, Sept. 24. The council held a public hearing on Sandra Dart's request to operate a one-room home hair salon at 535 Harker Street. Dart, a licensed cosmetologist for 40 years, told the council she intends to serve one client at a time and operate on a limited basis. Councilmember Patrick Katz reminded her that state law requires a...
DAVENPORT - A man was arraigned in Lincoln County Superior Court on Tuesday, Sept. 23, on one count of vehicular assault while under the influence, according to court documents. Dean Robert Swanson, 64, of Lincoln, appeared before Superior Court Judge Adam Walser, with state prosecutor Bruce Cox. Swanson, found indigent, was appointed public defender David Hearrean and entered a not guilty plea. Cox recommended release conditions, including a $25,000 bond, down from an...
DAVENPORT — A man accused of two counts of first-degree rape was arrested in Reardan and arraigned in Lincoln County Superior Court on Tuesday, Sept. 23, according to court documents. William Zackary Carroll, 33, of Spokane, was arrested on Broadway Avenue in Reardan on Sept. 18, court records show. During the arraignment, Superior Court Judge Adam Walser ordered pretrial restraints and appointed Dave Hearrean as Carroll’s public defender, as Carroll appeared while incarcerated. State prosecutor Bruce Cox recommended mai...
DAVENPORT - Lincoln County commissioners on Monday heard an update on workforce development efforts, with officials pointing to both successes and challenges in helping residents access training and employment. "People are our most important resource," said Pete Valdon, employment coordinator for the Workforce Services Division of Rural Resources. "We have strengthened our outreach." Valdon told commissioners he recently visited Odessa during the town's Night Out event and...
DAVENPORT — A Lincoln County man accused of stealing a car earlier this year will wait until October to face trial after attorneys requested more time to prepare. Scott C.J. Skenandore-Kieffer, 38, appeared in Superior Court on Tuesday, September 16, for a status hearing before visiting Judge Dan B. Johnson. “Mr. Skenandore-Kieffer is here today. I spoke with him last night,” said his public defender, Victoria Iverson. “He has accepted an offer from the state.” A plea agreement is in the works, with the case continued...
SOAP LAKE — A 36-year-old Ephrata man was killed in a crash on Wednesday, Sept. 10, on State Route 28 about nine miles east of Soap Lake, according to the Washington State Patrol. Troopers said Jesse A. Perez was riding a 2004 Harley-Davidson motorcycle eastbound when he lost control for an unknown reason around milepost 62. According to the Washington State Patrol, Perez was ejected and landed in the eastbound lane. His motorcycle continued into the westbound ditch, where it came to rest. An eastbound vehicle struck Perez a...
