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Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
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HAY — The Whitman County Sheriff’s Office is looking for an overdue motorist/missing person. William “Bill” Betcher, 81, of Hay, is described as a white male approximately 6-foot-2 weighing 270 pounds. He may be wearing a large straw sombrero-type hat and shorts. Betcher left Hay at about 4 p.m. July 21 to buy a horse in the Ford area north of Reardan, he's been missing since. He was seen eastbound on U.S. Highway 26 east of Hooper and on the morning of July 22 in the Almira area. Betcher may be experiencing memory issues...
OLYMPIA — The governor today followed Oregon Gov. Kate Brown’s lead today, July 23, in cracking down on restaurants, bars and gyms, as well as expanding mask-wearing requirements. During a press conference, Gov. Jay Inslee announced a shutdown of indoor service at bars effective July 30. He also said bar and restaurant alcohol sales will not be allowed after 10 p.m., and ordered arcade, gaming and cardroom areas shuttered. State Secretary of Health John Weisman added an expanded mask order, requiring face coverings to be wor...
WENATCHEE — Since February, Washingtonians have experienced a dizzying set of mandates and orders related to the Covid 19 virus from the governor’s office. From business shutdowns to stay at home orders and mandating masks, the ongoing emergency declaration from Governor Inslee has caused frustration throughout the state. One group says they have had enough. Restore Washington, an activist group that includes former 12th Legislative District Rep. Cary Condotta, R-Wenatchee, has worked on several issues in the past, inc...
Wheat fields north of Davenport are starting to show their golden harvest color, but High Line Grain Growers Manager Beau Duff said even after the fields turn color, it is usually another 15 days before the grain is ready to harvest. Duff noted most fields are roughly five days or more behind this year due to the moisture and the cool weather. He anticipates harvest for fields north of Davenport will start around Aug. 5....
OLYMPIA — Gov. Jay Inslee threatened to roll back openings of businesses and activities Tuesday, July 14, due to the reported increase in coronavirus cases state wide. During a press conference, he said residents should not be surprised if the state followed the actions of California, where Gov. Gavin Newsom in recent days ordered bars, restaurants and other businesses and activities closed after an increase in cases there. “The situation we are in is unsustainable,” he said. “We have to reduce the numbers… We have to find s...
ODESSA - The Independence Day holiday offered a gigantic yard sale and a barbecued lunch to local folks, who participated in droves. And those who purchased illegal fireworks were also plentiful as the big boomers frightened household pets and frayed the nerves of PTSD sufferers all over town. Fortunately, all the ruckus died down after about 11 p.m., and the night was peaceful. The yard sale benefitting the Old Town Hall Rejuvenation Society took place on the grounds of the...
SPRAGUE – Dan and Trisha Nelson opened Sapphire Cannabis May 2, taking over where 2020 Solutions had been the previous three years. Dan Nelson, owner of Nelson Construction out of Odessa, said the couple was looking to get into the business of cannabis farming when this opportunity opened up. He said he started to get to know people in the business when he and his daughter started a You-Tube channel called Washington Weed Reviews. "We wanted to point out quality products w...
BASIN CITY - What do you call it when more than 3,000 rural residents get together for the Fourth of July to rodeo, parade, dance and shoot off fireworks? Well, rodeo clown turned Freedom Rodeo announcer J.J. Harrison calls it a "cowboy protest," a protest in which ruralites build up America instead of tearing it down. Harrison, of Walla Walla, emceed the inaugural Freedom Rodeo on July 3 and 4 in this city of 1,100 people in Franklin County. The mask-optional "protest" rodeo...
SPRAGUE – Dave Davisson is enjoying life as the new owner of Four Seasons Campground and Resort on Sprague Lake. Davisson took over the resort from the former owners about three months ago after closing on the deal a month and a half prior. His business partner, Andy Louie, made the dream possible. “Andy has a lot of properties in Spokane I help him out with, and in return he is helping me out with my retirement,” Davisson, 52, said. Davisson has always worked in the construction trade, and finds his experience comes in ha...
DAVENPORT — Families who were already struggling to pay rent haven’t been dealt any favors with the COVID-19 pandemic effectively shutting down much of the economy. Rent assistance, affordable housing and shelter needs have all risen in Lincoln County in 2020. Rural Resources in Lincoln County said they have seen an uptick in community need for housing and housing assistance. Rural Resources Housing Case Manager Alita Crosby said Rural Resources has received two grants during the pandemic to further assist these people wit...
DAVENPORT — A man who was pulled over for creating an eight-car backup on Highway 2 in Lincoln County has been charged with possession of methamphetamine that was discovered by officers during a traffic stop. Jebediah Willyard, 38, was stopped by a Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputy on Feb. 11 for causing an eight-car backup of traffic with his 1988 Chevy pickup. The officer, who was at the end of the line of cars, noted the truck was only driving 50 miles an hour an a 60 mph zone. Upon stopping the truck, Deputy Cuzzetto not...
GRAND COULEE — Starting on July 13, the National Park Service will be conducting geotechnical work on the Spring Canyon boat launch seawall. Core samples will be taken to evaluate the soil structure for future repairs of the existing seawall. During this time, the lower parking lot of the Spring Canyon boat launch will be closed for the staging of drilling equipment. The upper parking lot will remain open. The public is asked to ensure that all vehicles are moved from the lower parking lot of the Spring Canyon boat launch n...
ODESSA — Unlike past July 4 holidays that boasted parades, sporting contests and many and varied activities, the Independence Day holiday in Odessa this year will be a rather low-key affair. Nevertheless, there will be things to do for residents still striving to maintain social distancing and prevent the scourge of Covid-19 from reaching Odessa. The Odessa Volunteer Fire Department will hold a modified version of their annual July 4 barbecue this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering their usual menu of pulled-pork s...
ODESSA — The Odessa School Board met at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 24, 2020, preceded by a workshop at 5:30 p.m. at which the board reviewed and discussed the district’s proposed 2020-2021 budget. Present were board chairman Ed Deife, board members Heather Valverde, Chris Crossley, Janie Steward and Carmen Weishaar; Superintendent Dan Read; Principal Jamie Nelson and Business Manager Juli Weishaar. Also present were Bruce and Kim Todd, Justin Parr and Staci Claassen. The board approved the consent agenda which included the min...
SPOKANE – The state Department of Fish and Wildlife will restrict campfires and other activities on department-managed lands in Eastern Washington beginning July 1 to help reduce the risk of fire on state wildlife areas and water access areas. “Observing fire restrictions and exercising common sense will go a long way toward preserving public recreation lands, wildlife habitat, public health, and safety for local communities,” said Cynthia Wilkerson, Lands Division Manager for WDFW. Wilkerson said the threat of wildf...
GRAND COULEE — The National Park Service (NPS), in partnership with local law enforcement agencies, will be participating in “Operation Dry Water” from July 3-5. Operation Dry Water is a national campaign to educate boaters about the dangers of boating under the influence of drugs or alcohol. During this time, boaters at Lake Roosevelt will see an increased law enforcement presence from NPS, Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife Police, and local Sheriff offices during this effort to promote safe recreation on Lake Roose...
DAVENPORT — The City Pool reopened last Thursday, offering residents a cool respite as the summer temperatures have arrived. However, opening the facility has included some major challenges for city officials trying to meet state health department expectations. “It has been pretty much a circus,” said City Clerk Dave Leath. “We tried to get guidance from the state board of health, which was vague, and local officials basically said to do what we were comfortable with.“ Leath said the city opted to try and follow coronavir...
DAVENPORT — The City Council is looking to renegotiate their contract with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office in hopes of getting deputies specifically assigned to the city. The city says it is dissatisfied with the current $315,000 annual sheriff’s office contract, as it only provides general law enforcement services. City Administrator Steve Goemmel said the city feels that they are receiving “drive-by” service, but paying a much higher rate. “If all we are going to get is drive-by service, then we want the same rate a...
DAVENPORT — As the coronavirus pandemic continues to affect live cattle markets throughout the country, many ranchers and feedlot owners are looking for grazing land to hold animals that are awaiting slaughter. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), a backlog of roughly 800,000 to 1 million head of cattle are awaiting slaughter as packing plants slowly return to capacity throughout the U.S. The Tyson cattle slaughter plant in Kennewick, for example, is now operating “near” capacity, but company offic...
HARRINGTON — As school boards throughout Lincoln County are grappling with the new coronavirus prevention restrictions, Harrington School Principal Tiffany Clouse said one thing is certain. “It is incredibly clear that if you want to have kids in the building, you will be wearing masks,” Clouse told the Harrington School Board at their June 24 meeting that was held on the Zoom internet platform. Face masks were a hot topic for school board members, even before the Washington State Governor’s order mandating masks for all Was...
HARRINGTON — Members of the Harrington Chamber of Commerce are offering free grocery delivery to residents in the Harrington area as a way to help the community during Covid-19 restrictions. Chamber member and Post and Coffee Shop owner Heather Slack said the chamber was looking for a way to help the community during what can be a challenging time. “We just wanted some way to help people stay connected and feel like they were cared for,” Slack explained. “We know since the Covid lockdowns that there are people who feel is...
DAVENPORT — The Lincoln County Health Department has been notified of two new positive COVID-19 cases in Lincoln County. This brings the total case count for Lincoln County to four with two cases recovered. The two new positive cases were confirmed on Friday, June 26 and Monday, June 29. One case was detected at a clinic in Odessa and the other at a medical clinic in Spokane County. Labs who have confirmed coronavirus cases are required to report them to the county health department where the patients reside. Both cases w...
OLYMPIA — A fake coronavirus vaccine manufacturer that was selling his wares on Facebook and charging $400 per dose is being forced to pay back his victims and is permanently barred from marketing vaccines without testing and evidence. Redmond-area resident Johnny T. Stine and his company, North Coast Biologics, marketed a Covid-19 vaccine via Stine’s Facebook profile around the time the Wuhan coronavirus began to peak in the country and Seattle. In social media posts, Stine claimed to have developed a “vaccine” in “half a da...
DAVENPORT — A group looking to establish an organized Lincoln County militia is planning to have its first meeting from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, July 14, at Memorial Hall. The effort is being led by Randy Mace, a retired Marine and National Rifle Association gun safety instructor. Mace said an active militia can assist local law enforcement and protect local communities in case of emergency. “We are living in a time when our law enforcement officers are outnumbered by violent anti-American groups,” Mace shared. “We are reestab...
Lincoln County farmers with sons who play football will have a bit more help available in preparing for harvest in August. The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) announced Tuesday, July 7 that the start of fall sports practices will be delayed to Sept. 5 for football and Labor Day, Sept. 7 for all other fall sports. "The (Executive) Board will continue to work with staff, member schools and state agencies to monitor the impact of COVID-19," the WIAA said... Full story
