Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Sorted by date Results 151 - 175 of 202
DAVENPORT- The local Chamber of Commerce sponsored a candidate forum July 14. The forum was held in the Davenport High School auditorium and featured the three treasurer candidates and five sheriff candidates. Editor Drew Lawson of The Record-Times moderated the event. Kathy Hedgcock and Mark Smith helped filter audience questions. The forum began with opening statements from the treasurer candidates. Mayor Brad Sweet, Emily Lybbert Hansen and Peter Brickner were given two min...
DAVENPORT – Those hoping to get outdoors for a camp or swim are full of options near Lake Roosevelt. Hawk Creek Falls is located 12.9 miles from Davenport and is perfect for a quiet swim. The campground is secluded and is best suited for families looking for a quiet area, a couple or anyone who wishes to be away from the general public. Hawk Creek has a waterfall that is accessible through paddle boat or a short swim. Sharon Ballou, a local who was fishing with her husband a...
ODESSA – The community pool has been vandalized again, police chief Les Jimerson reported at the town council meeting on Monday, July 11. Jimerson reported that the child rape case has concluded. Three cases are still under investigation: a no contact order violation, vandalism at the water tower and a theft. Jimerson reported two speeding tickets, two vehicle accidents and a civil issue. A suspicious person was reported outside a resident’s window. Jimerson also noted the...
DAVENPORT – Inflation has made it challenging for families to make ends meet, but there are several food banks in Lincoln County for families in need. Lorna Farris, who operates the Odessa Food Bank, said they are doing well. She said community donations have been great. Farris said they have plenty of food and anyone is welcome. The food bank serves about 20 families a month. Farris said within the last 4-6 months she has noticed a few new faces to the area. The Odessa F...
ODESSA – Due to more moisture in the area, local farmers are hopeful for a better wheat harvest this year. "Last year's white protein levels in the wheat were pretty high," Mark Cronrath of Odessa Trading Company said. "We are expecting a different outcome this year." The white protein levels jumped to 12% in 2021. "Our foreign buyers prefer their wheat to have that 8-10.5% range," Cronrath said. "We are looking to start harvesting around the 27th of July," he added. C...
HARRINGTON- John Cordell stepped into his new role as superintendent following the school board meeting on Wednesday, June 29. Cordell comes from Tekoa and said lack of financial resources was the reason for his departure. He said he was looking for something part-time and close to his home. Cordell spent two decades working for St. Maries High School in Idaho. The school board unanimously voted in March to bring Cordell on as Superintendent. In March vice chair Jon Evans said Cordell’s energy was off the charts. Cordell’s fo...
DAVENPORT- Emily Lybbert Hansen has served as Lincoln County Deputy Treasurer for 10 years. Hansen is looking to advance in her career and feels like Lincoln County Treasurer is the next step. The Lincoln County Treasurer position has been on Hansen's radar for a number of years. "I have been preparing for this seriously for the last six and a half years." Hansen said. "Honestly, it is the next step in my career...I am 52, I am hoping to retire in 10 years and it is the next...
ODESSA- The annual Firemen's BBQ was moved to the community center due to rain on July 4. The benches that were originally up in the park were removed following the rain. The event was from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Payments for the prepared meal were all by donation. The families prepared pulled pork sandwiches with barbeque sauce. Potato salad with pickles and fresh dill was full of flavor. Fresh watermelon was also offered and very appetizing. Assorted chips, cookies and water...
ODESSA- The annual car and bike was an enjoyable event despite the weather on July 3. Light rain caused the event to close down early, but the participants were enthusiastic. Local Odessa kids helped wash the vintage cars with music playing. There were vendors throughout town that sold a variety of tie dye shirts and other trinkets. Nate Lathrop of The Rolling Thunder thanked Diane Kennedy for her help with vendors and advertising. "The bike show was great this year and the...
DAVENPORT--The oft-controversial firework bans of 2021 enacted by many local municipalities due to heavy drought conditions aren’t due for a repeat in 2022. Most local fire districts and cities weren’t planning to ban or discourage fireworks during Independence Day weekend this year. Fire District No. 5, which includes the greater Davenport, Seven Bays and Deer Meadows areas, is among those districts that banned fireworks last year but isn’t this year. “We have not put any burn bans out as of yet,” District chief Craig Swe...
ODESSA- Emmett Schuster was named interim CEO of the Odessa Memorial Healthcare Center indefinitely at the Odessa Hospital Board meeting on Thursday, June 23. Schuster previously worked as CEO on an interim basis in 2020. This week's decision was made by the board following the termination of former CEO John Serle. Serle was removed as administrator of the district effective June 9. Clinic Services director Megan Shepard was announced as interim administrator of the district....
ODESSA- Emily Hansen and Brian Telford came to introduce themselves to the community during the town council meeting Monday, June 27. Hansen is running for Lincoln County Treasurer. Hansen said it was important for people to know who they are voting for. She gave a brief history of her background, experience and the importance of knowing the county office. Brian Telford is a candidate for Lincoln County Sheriff. Telford told the council of two instances that made him come back after a 19-month retirement. Council approved a...
ODESSA- Five new resignations were announced at the Odessa School Board meeting on June 22. Resignations were from high school secretary Chris Luiten, junior high assistant basketball coach Zoe Clark, High school assistant basketball coach Matt Gorman, bus driver Steve Matthews and junior class advisor Larry Moffet. During public comment Kerry and Paul Scheller expressed their concerns over school security. Kerry Scheller expressed the need for more security due to recent shootings. Superintendent Dan Read shared the average...
HARRINGTON- The city has a new treasurer. Sage Wilson was sworn in by city clerk Jere Lee after a unanimous motion by city council Wednesday, June 22. The board unanimously voted for approval until the next election cycle. Prior to Wilson’s swearing-in, councilmember Joe Armand read the letter of resignation of now-former city treasurer Michael Cronrath. Mayor Jess Silhan thanked Cronrath for his service and his continued help with the transition. Critical Area Ordinance No. 507 was updated and approved by the board. U...
DAVENPORT- Mayor Brad Sweet is running for Lincoln County Treasurer. Sweet has been the Mayor of Davenport for the last seven years and has one more year left in his term. He is currently working for the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office as a jail dispatcher. "I've been pretty involved with the community my whole life," Sweet said. "Four years ago, I asked Jody Howard if she planned on running again and told her I was interested in doing the job." "I thought with my experience a...
ODESSA- The Cruize On In Diner is up for sale after being open for less than a year. Dan and Becky Huntington, the owners, painted, cleaned and did minor remodeling to the establishment. Their son Andy Huntington helped with the remodeling. The Huntingtons moved here after looking for a more relaxed lifestyle. Odessa was the right fit for the private family. Dan Huntington said he has no plans to leave Odessa and that he loves the community.Dan Huntington was born and raised in Whittier, Calif. and moved to Washington in his...
REARDAN-After a considerable amount of thought, Pete Brickner is running for Lincoln County Treasurer. "I want the citizens of Lincoln County to have a choice," Brickner said. "I don't believe the two choices that were presented were enough. So, I put my name into the hat." His decision to run was not a spontaneous one. "I've been considering running for treasurer for a long time," he said. "It wasn't a spur of the moment plan." Brickner said he would have regretted not...
HARRINGTON- The weather didn't dampen the Vintage Country Fair. The fair returned for its second year on June 18. Vendors were lined up on Third Street in Harrington. Vintage trucks and tractors were also on display. The Harrington Golf Course offered hand dipped jumbo dogs for the event. There were over 100 quilts on display at the Harrington Opera House. Laura Estes of Odessa presented and gave demonstrations. Geri Sauter, owner of Stitch! had a wide variety of fabrics,...
ODESSA – The High School Alumni Association held their 86th annual banquet on June 18. The alumni banquet was canceled the previous two years due to the pandemic. The Class of 2012 hosted the event. Each year the class that is having their 10-year reunion hosts. The banquet was held at the community center in Odessa and was proudly decorated with black and orange. Composite photos of each honored class were displayed in frames, each identified with their respective year of g...
HARRINGTON- The burn pile is closed to public use, Mayor Jess Silhan reported at council’s June 8 meeting. He said the landowner was concerned about liability issues due to the burn pile. The landowner was also concerned that the burn pile was not being used for the intended purpose. Other materials that were not green waste were repeatedly left behind. Steven Marsh of Spokane gave an update on Adams Street construction. The paving of the street will be done by June 15. The construction is expected to be done by June 20. L...
ODESSA-Police Chief Les Jimerson reported multiple incidents at the council meeting Monday, June 12. Jimerson reported a drug overdose with the victim succumbing. He reported seven speeding tickets and one failure to stop. There was a report of a suspicious vehicle. He reported that junk vehicles had been removed. An investigation has started concerning a child rape. Jimerson also reported a runaway teenager. The theft of $300 was reported. A no contact order violation was also reported. Public works director Anthony...
REARDAN- The Class of 2022's excitement was felt at the June 11 ceremony. The gym was decorated with school colors of maroon and gray. The Senior Band played the national anthem. Class President Darby McLaughlin gave the welcome speech. She expressed how excited they were to graduate. She thanked the parents and school faculty. Valedictorian Alyssa Boyd expressed a thoughtful perspective. "Our teachers began asking adult questions, as if we would know everything at 18," Boyd...
ODESSA- Larry Weber, the now-former head high school baseball coach and math teacher here, discussed ideas and concerns with the athletic program at the May 25 school board meeting. Concern arose due to open coaching positions for the upcoming 2022-2023 school year. Weber created one of those open positions, as his resignation as high school head baseball coach was announced by Athletic Director Bruce Todd. Postings for head high school baseball coach and high assistant volleyball coach will be posted at a later date....
DAVENPORT- Rob Coffman has served District 3 as county commissioner since 2010 and is hopeful for another four-year term. Coffman is running for his fourth term in office. When asked if he thought the commissioner's board is doing a good job, Coffman said "I do. We have been able to balance the budget every year with declining revenues and more unfunded mandates from the state being put on us." "We've effectively balanced 11 budgets since I've been with Lincoln County," he...
ODESSA- The Class of 2022 Graduation Ceremony was held on Saturday, June 4. The school gymnasium was proudly decorated with orange and black to celebrate the event. Due to the pandemic this was the first graduation to be held in the gymnasium since 2019. Principal Jamie Nelson opened with a speech about the growth of the class. Nelson stated how they had been a challenge due to their out-spoken nature. She also said she was proud of how far they had come and hoped they would...