Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
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PULLMAN - The Rolovich era will begin in 2020 after all for WSU football as the Pac-12 CEO Group voted Thursday, Sept. 24, to resume athletics competition Nov. 6. The team will play seven games, all within the conference. No fans will be allowed at any PAC-12 football venue. WSU will also not host tailgating. The CEO Group noted that the decision to resume play - which had been postponed to no earlier than Jan. 1 - was based on updated Pac-12 COVID-19 Medical Advisory...
OLYMPIA — Republic Police Chief Loren Culp came out swinging and kept incumbent Gov. Jay Inslee on the defensive during their only planned gubernatorial debate Wednesday night, Oct. 7. Culp, R-Republic, blasted Inslee, D-Bainbridge Island, for mismanaging state agencies, violating state and constitutional rights, and a lack of leadership. "What we have right here in Washington is a leadership crisis," Culp said as the one-hour debate kicked off. Rather than defend his r...
RENTON—More tweaks have come to the benchmarks for playing high school sports, as the WIAA updated its return-to-play guidelines Oct. 6 following new guidance given by Gov. Jay Inslee. Sports have been grouped into three categories based on the “risk level” they provide in regard to possible transmission of COVID-19: low-risk, moderate-risk and high-risk. Various sports can return based on their risk level compared to COVID-19 transmission within their community. Local COVID-19 activity will also be measured in three categori...
OLYMPIA – With salmon spawning season in full swing at many state hatcheries, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) reminds the public that hatchery facilities remain closed statewide due to the continued spread of COVID-19. Many people visit hatcheries in late summer and early fall to observe spawning activity, or to take advantage of available parking to fish nearby for returning salm on. However, WDFW hatcheries remain closed at this time to ensure the health and safety of hatchery employees, and v...
SPOKANE – In response to inquiries about the wildfires in its region over Labor Day weekend, electric company Avista has released the initial findings from its investigations. Avista’s investigation has determined that the primary cause of the fires in its region was extreme high winds, a weather event that triggered wildfires and affected electric utilities throughout the Pacific Northwest. To date, the Company has not found any evidence that the fires were caused by any deficiencies in its equipment, maintenance act...
LINCOLN COUNTY – Physical education and is important for students. It provides a chance to not only develop physical fitness, but has been shown to be beneficial for mental and emotional needs as well. However, when social gatherings are discouraged and even prohibited based on COVID-19 virus guidelines, getting those students the physical activity they need looks a little different. At Reardan Middle-High School, athletic director and P.E. teacher Eric Nikkola has faced the challenges of virtual learning and air quality p...
LINCOLN COUNTY – The family of a Lincoln County man who died after an accident with a semi in 2017 is suing Lincoln County and Wilbur Emergency Medical Services, claiming the man died due to negligent response. Trenton Edward Frye was involved in a vehicle collision on Aug. 11, 2017 that ejected Frye from his vehicle, but pinned his left shoulder under his car. Both the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and Wilbur Fire/EMS responded to the accident and extracted Frye from under the vehicle so he could be taken via a Life Fli...
REARDAN – A crowd of around 50 people gathered at the Mann family ranch off Highway 231 north of town Friday, Sept. 18 for a dedication of a historical marker recognizing Medal of Honor recipient and Reardan native Joe Mann. Mann died at 22 after jumping on a grenade to protect his comrades in World War II. The event began with a welcome message by Rae Anna Victor of the Jonas Babcock chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. A presentation of colors by the F...
Lincoln County Commissioner Rob Coffman recently presented a “Standards of Good Practice” certificate to Lincoln County Public Works Director Rick Becker. The certificate from the state County Roads Administration Board was gained by ensuring that roads within the county allowed for the “safe and efficient movement of people and goods over county roads.” Lincoln County also had to meet standards of engineering, design procedures, maintenance and other professional qualifi...
AIRWAY HEIGHTS — Spokane Police confirmed late Thursday that a man suspected of burglary, assault and other crimes has died after being involved in an officer-involved shooting Thursday evening, Sept. 25. The shooting occurred near the Bell Motel on West Sunset Highway, across the street from the Rusty Moose. The suspect, who has yet to be identified by police, was wanted for reportedly firing a round into his ex-girlfriend's house in Northwest Spokane on Sept. 21, then returning Sept. 23 and pistol-whipping her. He was w...
OLYMPIA – The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) released an updated process on necessary steps to potentially return to organized competition in the fall, the organization announced in a press release Sept. 19. The press release detailed five requirements needed to return to athletic competition: • Gov. Jay Inslee must recommend a return to play. • The Department of Health must provide guidance regarding required health steps to take before commencing athletics. • Risk management teams must review the r...
REARDAN – The Town of Reardan recently approved an updated fire and emergency services contract with Fire District No. 4 at its Sept. 17 meeting. Mayor Gail Daniels signed the contract at the meeting. Fire commissioners Carol Paul, Casey Nonnemacher and John Bennett were expected to sign it shortly after press time at their commissioner’s meeting. The contract, officially called the “Fire and Emergency Medical Protection Agreement,” goes into effect Oct. 1 and ends Dec. 31, 2022. If a written notice of termination isn’t p...
DAVENPORT – The City of Davenport and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office have reached a tentative agreement on a new four-year contract for law enforcement services. The contract language is set to be reviewed by the city council at their Sept. 23 meeting. As a result of months of discussion, the city will contract with the sheriff’s office for law enforcement services including response to calls, dispatch and jail services. The new contract includes provisions to improve communication between the entities. Other contr...
DAVENPORT – The Davenport School District has begun to offer half-day classes for all students due to a drop in Covid numbers that lower the risk factor in the county. According to Davenport Superintendent Jim Kowalkowski, the school district moved from a “orange” to “yellow” risk level on Sept. 22. “Due to the lower Covid-19 positive rates during the last two weeks, we will be offering school from 8am to noon for all students, Monday through Thursday,” Kowalkowski related. The change to half-days increases the school day by...
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is reopening all recreation lands east of the Cascades to recreation beginning Friday, Sept. 18. Eastside recreation was initially closed on Sept. 8 due to critical wildfire danger. While fire danger overall has decreased slightly, it is extremely important to stay diligent when it comes to fire safety. “We are optimistic the weather will continue to cooperate, allowing us to reopen eastside recreation areas closed due to extreme wildfire danger and the risk...
PULLMAN - The Police Department has released the body-video camera footage of Washington State University basketball coach Kamie Ethridge issued a $150 citation Aug. 28 for violating Gov. Jay Inslee's coronavirus quarantine orders. The video was released to KREM TV. The municipal ticket was written as a civil infraction under the city's nuisance party law, which prohibits parties in the city. Pullman and Washington State University, as well as the city of Cheney and Eastern...
AIRWAY HEIGHTS--The police department has requested the public's help in identifying two suspects in a robbery case that occurred near 21st Avenue and Russell Street yesterday, Sept. 22 around 8:45 a.m. According to a post on the department's Facebook page, a man asked two other males to give him a ride to his son's house in exchange for $10. The two men then beat the first man and stole his wallet. The suspect vehicle is a white 2014 Ford Focus with Idaho plates, the...
DAVENPORT – Many businesses have been negatively impacted by COVID-19-related shutdowns, but perhaps no industry has been hit harder than restaurant businesses. As the economy begins to turn back in a positive direction, some local restaurants are beginning to recover, while for others, another shutdown or more restrictions could prove costly. Edna’s Drive-In Business has been good at Edna’s, according to owner Virginia Fries. “August is always our big month,” Fries said. “It feels very similar to any other year…it’s a...
DAVENPORT – A vote on Davenport re-establishing its own police force was tied at last week’s city council meeting, as one council member who would have broken the tie was absent fighting area wildfires. Therefore, the motion to create a new police department failed. The vote decided if the city should no longer contract for police services with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, an arrangement that costs the city $315,000 a year. Since 2002, Davenport has contracted with the Sheriff’s Office for services including respons...
AIRWAY HEIGHTS – A new location of the North 40 agricultural chain store has started construction just outside Airway Heights with a completion date of sometime next year. The 95,000 square foot, 16-acre North 40 Outfitters location is just east of the Airway Heights city limits off Highway 2 and Deer Heights Road. Construction on the popular farm, ranch and outdoor store began at the end of August. “Full lines of feed, tack, animal health, fencing, hardware, tools, plumbing, electrical and automotive will be available for...
DAVENPORT – The City of Davenport is considering selling a lot known as “Lion’s Park” to a “major retailer” who has shown interest in the property. In a resolution considered by the Davenport City Council on Sept. 9, the .8 acre parcel has been owned by the city for the last 30 years during which time the city has maintained and kept electricity on the property at “considerable expense.” The retailer, who is listed only as Anderson 1 LLC of Draper, UT, is offering $75,000 for the property. The city council approved the pr...
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 does not release names of individuals who report possible criminal or suspicious activities to dispatchers or alleged victims for this column. NOTE: Several listings are missing locations because the Lincoln County Sheriff’s office did not include them in its report to the media. SEPTEMBER 4 Number of traffic stops: 18 Suspicious person complaint. Dead...
LINCOLN COUNTY – Washington state voters may soon receive a postcard from the U.S. Postal Service encouraging voters to “plan ahead” for the Nov. 3 General Election. Among the recommendations is to request a mail-in or absentee ballot at least 15 days before Election Day. The Washington Secretary of State said the “If you plan to vote by mail, plan ahead.” Postcard is misleading. “Voters in Washington do not need to request a ballot, as ballots are automatically mailed to a...
OLYMPIA -- The state Department of Fish and Wildlife is celebrating National Hunting and Fishing Day all month long with a virtual event each day in September. “In previous years, we’ve worked with volunteers, sponsors, and conservation partners from across the state to host in-person events for hundreds of youth and their families. Participants learn about hunting, fishing, shooting sports and conservation,” agency Hunter Education Division Manager Dave Whipple said. “This year, we are celebrating National Hunting and Fis...
The pandemic may have put an axe in many sporting activities this fall, but nothing is stopping hunters in Eastern Washington from enjoying the outdoors and trekking down some wildlife as the season gets underway. Some hunting seasons have already begun, while others kick off soon. Below runs a guide to each season by animal and weapon type, with an emphasis on opportunities for youth. Information is obtained from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife relative to Spok...
