Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
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DAVENPORT - The Lincoln County Record-Times welcomes a new reporter. Derek Bilodeaux, 38, who relocated from Spokane to Davenport in 2023, brings a diverse background to the newsroom. With experience spanning multiple industries - including woodshop foreman, concert stagehand, musician, closet designer, and seed plant manager - Bilodeaux previously worked in journalism at the Othello Outlook and Columbia Basin Farmer newspapers, occasionally serving as a reporter. "It's good...
ALMIRA - A local man accused in a burglary has changed his plea to guilty. On June 3, Recardo E. Rocha, 32, pleaded guilty to reduced charges in Lincoln County Superior Court in Davenport. Rocha charges were reduced from 10 to two felony counts related to property and firearm thefts. He remains in jail on a $20,000 bail, according to court documents. Charges include one count each of residential burglary, second-degree theft, motor vehicle theft, second-degree burglary,...
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 May 25 Traffic Stops: 11 6:53 a.m. — A disabled vehicle with a flat tire on Wagner Lake Rd. was reported. 7:14 p.m. — A man called to report that he thinks his caregiver stole money from his roo...
ODESSA - The Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program (OGWRP) is gaining traction with nearly $40 million in recent funding to shift Central Washington farmers from declining groundwater to sustainable surface water, state and federal officials announced. The initiative aims to preserve the Odessa Subarea aquifer while supporting the region's $4.6 billion agricultural economy. In April 2025, Washington's State Capital Budget allocated $39.9 million for the EL-22.1 irrigation...
DAVENPORT - The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners approved funding for multiple vouchers and contracts during its Monday, June 2, meeting, which began at 8 a.m. Approved vouchers included $57,279.41 for current expenses and small funds, $17,357.20 for current expense P-cards, $15,297.57 for the noxious weed board, $15,406.54 for public health, $21,520.74 for county roads, $211.58 for solid waste, $32,864.46 for equipment rental, $11,122.60 for pits and quarries, $445.16 fo...
DAVENPORT — The City Council approved $1,650 in funding for the Okanogan County Transportation and Nutrition for Senior Meals, also known as Meals on Wheels, during its regular meeting Wednesday, May 28. The out-of-county organization provides meals in Davenport and the funds will help support home-delivered meals for qualified homebound seniors here. “With the cost of food these days, it’s really important to help,” Mayor Jonathan Chapman said, noting the program’s significance and that it hadn’t requested funding in recent...
ODESSA - Odessa Memorial Healthcare Center plans to sell its underused mobile clinic and is bracing for financial pressures tied to declining Medicaid support and rising operational costs, hospital leaders said during a May 22 board meeting. During public comment, a resident questioned how cuts to Medicaid under the Trump administration would affect the hospital's bottom line. CEO Brett Antczak said certain provisions could have an impact, but the total dollar effect remains...
DAVENPORT - A months-long case involving a failed car theft, a mental health evaluation, and a plea agreement is moving forward in Lincoln County Superior Court. Billy J. Bragg, 31, of Almira, reached a plea agreement with the state on Tuesday, May 27, and was sentenced to 15 days in jail with credit for one day served. He was released into community custody and ordered to pay a victim's assessment fee of $25 a month for six months. He must report to Lincoln County Jail by 5 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 May 19 Traffic Stops: 7 8:13 a.m. – A man called to say his step-daughter and her husband were having a physical altercation. 9:45 a.m. – Lock out assistance was requested at Ricky’s corner ma...
COLFAX - Dry conditions are projected across the state in coming months which will affect agricultural yield and profits. The projection follows a USDA Water Supply Outlook Report released last week. According to the report, a low snowpack and warmer month could cut into agricultural yields and profits this summer. Snowpack in the Spokane basin, which includes the Palouse, was 77% of normal as of May 1, according to the USDA report. Despite precipitation in early April, the...
HARRINGTON — Aaron Kyle Timm, 42, accused of unlawful possession of a firearm, pleaded guilty in Lincoln County Superior Court. Timm appeared before Judge Adam A. Walser on Tuesday, May 27, and received a 60-day jail sentence with 41 days credited for time served, plus 19 days of inpatient treatment in Wenatchee. Deemed indigent but with future ability to pay, Timm was ordered to pay a $500 victim’s assessment fee, starting at $25 per month 60 days after release. Due to the felony conviction, he must undergo future court pro...
SPRAGUE - A Sprague man accused of unlawful imprisonment was arraigned Tuesday, May 27, in Lincoln County Superior Court. David Gene Keener, 69, faces one count of unlawful imprisonment. His bail was set at $10,000, which he posted. David Hearran was appointed as his public defender. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Bruce Cox recommended regular attorney contact, no out-of-state travel, no contact with the victim, a 500-foot restraining order, no use or possession of alcohol or...
DAVENPORT - As Memorial Day weekend began, the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office Marine Unit, in collaboration with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, conducted mandatory watercraft safety and aquatic invasive species inspections on May 23 off Highway 25 in the Lincoln County Public Works parking lot. "We just want everyone to be safe," said Sheriff's Deputy Evans. "Anything that goes on the water - jet skis, paddle boats, rafts, even kayaks. Everything except inner...
DAVENPORT — A new hardware store is set to open in Davenport later this summer, filling a long-standing void in the local market. Do it Best Hwy 2 Hardware is targeting a late August to mid-September opening, according to store co-owner Kerry Higgins. The business will be located at 801 Morgan Street, inside the building formerly known as Hardy Hardware and Davenport Building Supply. Business hours are still to be determined. “We’re still working with our supplier to finalize inventory and the overall product mix,” a spokespe...
DAVENPORT - Lincoln County commissioners opened a public hearing at 9 a.m. to discuss the proposed sale of used and surplus vehicles from the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office. The hearing was held during the regular meeting on Monday, May 19. Following discussion, the board voted to close the public hearing and determined that the three surplus vehicles - all from the sheriff's office - will be sold through Stout Auctions with minimum bids as set by the sheriff's office and...
HARRINGTON - A Palouse woman charged in a crash that killed three Davenport men has reached a tentative plea agreement and will likely be sentenced in two weeks. Jade A. Ellsworth, 30, of Palouse, is charged with a single count of vehicular homicide in connection with a June 7, 2024, crash that resulted in the deaths of Alan Kysar, 26, Braedon Efraimson, 26, and Blake Wilson, 24, all of Davenport. Ellsworth is out of jail on her own recognizance. She initially pleaded not...
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 May 11 Traffic Stops: 1 1:20 a.m. – A 38 year old male request assistance due to trouble breathing. 1:25 p.m. – A gray sedan with poor lane travel was reported traveling westbound on Highway...
FORD - A Ford man accused of illegally cutting trees and possessing stolen firearms was arraigned Tuesday, May 20, in Lincoln County Superior Court. Thomas Holt, 54, is facing three counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm, and third-degree theft. His bail was initially set at $15,000, but Judge Adam Walser lowered it to $10,000 during the arraignment, noting that while Holt had a history of failing to appear in court, those incidents were...
REARDAN — The trial for a local woman accused of burglary and theft in Wilbur has been postponed until Tuesday, August 13. Justina Buffington, 40, appeared in Lincoln County Superior Court for a readiness hearing, where her public defender, David Hearrean, requested the delay, citing the need for two full days of trial preparation. A new readiness hearing was set for Tuesday, July 22. Buffington previously pleaded not guilty on Tuesday, March 18, to charges of residential burglary, second-degree theft, and third-degree m...
DAVENPORT — Lincoln County Superior Court judge Adam Walser ordered the complete removal of all legal financial obligations (LFOs) against Cody James Magruder, 40, of Carlton, after finding him indigent and unopposed by the state. At a motion hearing Tuesday, May 20, the court waived all collection fees, unpaid interest and the DNA fee, and directed that discretionary LFOs—except restitution—be stricken from collections. Because Magruder lacks income and remains incarcerated, the judge determined he cannot satisfy the fees. M...
DAVENPORT — Filings for the upcoming primary election closed Friday, May 9. The withdrawal deadline was Monday, May 12, and the primary election is scheduled for August. Below is a list of candidates who have filed for offices across Lincoln County. Countywide, Ty Albertson of Odessa filed as a Republican for the unexpired term of Prosecuting Attorney. In Davenport, three candidates filed for Councilman No. 1 (unexpired term): Libbie Klettke, Daniel Coriell and Michael Strite. Victoria Lynn Gunning and Lance Strite filed for...
DAVENPORT - The Davenport City Council approved a $1,000 tourism grant for the local Future Business Leaders of America chapter during its regular meeting on Wednesday, May 14. The funding will support the club's efforts in organizing this summer's town-wide yard sale. The grant will help pay for the creation of maps, signs and advertising to promote the event. FBLA members told the council the project will support both tourism and youth development, noting that five...
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 May 5 Traffic Log: 8 6:58 a.m. – A call was received reporting a tilt deck trailer with no decking, no plates, pared behind a gravel pile near Alexander Rd. 7:31 a.m. – A Reardan woman fell an...
ODESSA — Following a rise in complaints over unsafe scooter use by children in Odessa, town officials passed a new ordinance aimed at regulating motorized foot scooters and improving safety throughout the community. Ordinance No. 741, adopted and implemented on April 28, prohibits scooters on sidewalks, in parks and on certain streets, and includes specific regulations such as helmet requirements, lighting standards, and age-based supervision rules. The ordinance was enacted after an increase in reports from schools and b...
SPRAGUE — A recent national survey of more than 3,000 long-haul drivers and travelers has named the Sprague Lake Rest Area on Interstate 90 as the best public restroom in Washington state. The survey, conducted by American River Wellness, ranked Sprague Lake at No. 81 out of the top 100 public restrooms across the country. Nestled east of Spokane, the rest area received high marks for its cleanliness, scenic lake views, spacious parking and tranquil atmosphere. The survey reflects responses from 3,017 drivers and truckers w...
