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Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
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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...
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...
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE-Col. Cassius T. Bentley became the new commander of the 92nd Air Refueling Wing during a change of command ceremony at Fairchild Air Force Base Wednesday (July 1) morning. He takes over for outgoing commander Col. Derek Salmi, who will be "assigned to the joint staff at the Pentagon in Washington D.C.," according to a press release from the 92nd. Salmi was commander of the 92nd for the allotted two years. Bentley takes over at Fairchild after a stint...
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
OLYMPIA — Gov. Jay Inslee announced today that residents statewide will be required to wear a face mask effective Friday. “This is something we can get use to,” Inslee said, noting that a willful decision not to wear a face mask is “tantamount to a misdemeanor.” The governor balked, however, when questioned on how the state would enforce the requirement. “We just think people will respond,” he said. Inslee said the requirement stems from an order by the non-elected state Secretary of Health John Weisman. “COVID-19 sti...
DAVENPORT – At its June 15 regular session, the Board of Lincoln County Commissioners unanimously approved the commitment of $100,000 of CARES Act funding to be disbursed to small businesses. There is a cap of $5,000 to each approved business application for the first round of CARES monies, according to the commisioner meeting minutes. The commissioners authorized auditor Shelly Johnson to be “the lead for any County expenses and purchases,” per documentation. Lincoln County Economic Development Council director Margie Hall...
BASIN CITY -- Local cowboys are buckin' the state's rejection of reopening Franklin County as the Fourth of July approaches. Despite the state's rejection of Phase 2 reopening in the wake of the coronavirus, residents are planning to kick up their heels for Independence Day. Two rodeo performances, a street dance, parade and fireworks are on tap as part of the Basin City Fourth of July Parade and Freedom Rodeo. The fun gets underway at 8 a.m. Friday, July 3, with rodeo slack. The first of two rodeo performances is set for 6 p...
DAVENPORT – The Lincoln County Jail has experienced an estimated quarter million dollar loss in revenue due to restrictions related to the Covid-19 virus, as the jail has not been able to rent out their extra beds to other counties. Sheriff Wade Magers said he estimates the jail has lost upwards of $250,000 in revenue over the last 90 days by having to turn away bed rental from other counties due to the virus. The annual jail budget, which includes money for county dispatch services, ranges from $1.3 million to $1.5 million....
DAVENPORT – As the country continues to experience unrest due to the Corona virus and recent riots by the Black Lives Matter and Antifa movements, locals in Eastern Washington are clearing the shelves of local gun stores. Davenport Sporting Goods co-owner Jonn Chapman said that the store that features handguns, hunting rifles, ammo and accessories has been growing in business since it opened in 2016. "Our sales have grown every year but this year has blown last year out of t...
ODESSA – The Odessa Athletics Hall of Fame awarded plaques to the slate of 2020 inductees last Saturday afternoon. On the date that would also have been the occasion of the Odessa High School Alumni Banquet, had the Covid-19 pandemic not intervened, the hall of fame committee chair Larry Weber and vice-chair Jon Heimbigner greeted the invited guests at the high school gym foyer, where the display case containing information on all of the inductees to date is housed. The guests...
Olympia – State Fire Marshal Charles P. LeBlanc has announced that the sale of consumer fireworks begins at noon June 28 and ends July 5, 2020, at 9 p.m. A number of cities and counties have restricted or banned the sale and discharge of fireworks, while other counties have modified the type of fireworks that can be purchased. Always check with local jurisdictions before purchasing or discharging fireworks. A state license is required along with a local permit to operate a fireworks stand in Washington. The Washington S...
MOSES LAKE - The Moses Lake School District has named Odessa High School alumna Vickey (Thompson) Melcher its 2019-2020 Board Member of the Year. She is the school board's legislative representative and a champion for the local community. She advocates the needs of the community on behalf of the school district by communicating regularly with the legislative representatives. She conveys to them the importance of public education and of engaging with community stakeholders in s...
DAVENPORT — The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office will not be issuing citations or fines for citizens who choose not to wear a face mask per Governor Inslee’s order on June 23. After nearly 100 days after the Covid-19 outbreaks began, Inslee said all Washingtonians must now wear a face mask when in a public space, both indoor and outdoor. Residents with respiratory problems, those who are deaf and children younger than 5 are not required to wear face masks. The order takes effect on Friday, June 26. When asked about enfor...
