Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
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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...
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 July 13 Traffic Stops: 2 1:14 a.m. – A loud party was reported. 5:36 a.m. – A man called to report someone on his property taking items. 12:04 p.m. – A disabled vehicle was reported on Highway 2...
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...
MOCCASIN BAY - A fast-moving wildfire that began northeast of Davenport on Wednesday, July 9, has destroyed more than 50 structures and burned over 5,800 acres, prompting evacuations and drawing hundreds of personnel to the area. The Western Pines Fire, named after the rural road near its point of origin, is believed to be human-caused, though the exact cause remains under investigation, according to Washington Department of Natural Resources officials. As of Tuesday, July...
DAVENPORT— Roughly 8,700 ballots are set to be mailed Wednesday, July 16, for Lincoln County’s upcoming primary election, which will determine the top two candidates in several contested local races. The August 6 primary includes races for Davenport City Council, Sprague Mayor, and an Odessa hospital board position, as well as a maintenance and operations levy for Odessa Memorial Healthcare Center. “Washington is a vote-by-mail state, so most can and will vote by mail,” said Lincoln County Elections Manager Norm Caley....
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...
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...
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 July 7 Traffic Stops: 6 6:36 a.m. – Loose cattle were reported on Highway 2 a few miles west of Davenport. 10:02 a.m. – A resident called to report a pickup parked in front of her house that ha...
ODESSA - Golfers raised more than $3,000 for the GO! Odessa Recreational Program during a golf tournament June 22. Organizers said 56 golfers participated in the inaugural Odessa Healthcare Foundation/Odessa Memorial Health Care Fun Squad tournament at the Odessa Golf & RV course. The funds will help defray costs of summer activities and lunches for local youth. The winning team comprised Dayton Deife, Chad Strebeck, Camden Weber and Corbin Neilson, all former members of the...
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...
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...
