Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
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DAVENPORT – Washington State University Wrestling has launched an endowment in honor of Brody James Schillinger, a young wrestler who dreamed of competing for WSU. The scholarship fund, which aims to raise $50,000, will provide financial assistance to future high school wrestling recruits. Schillinger passed away in a fatal crash early on Sunday, Feb. 23, just hours after his younger brother, Brock Gustaveson, won the Washington State Mat Classic wrestling championship at 190 pounds. Schillinger had planned to wrestle at WSU...
DAVENPORT - A routine traffic stop turned into a high-speed chase, a drug arrest, and, ultimately, a year-long jail sentence for a local man. Orion White, 43, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in jail on Tuesday, March 18, after failing to appear for his sentencing hearing. White arrived late, citing road construction in Reardan as the cause of his delay. White, who faced charges of drug possession with intent to distribute, pleaded for leniency, requesting a delayed...
LIND - Racers from across the region gathered at the Lind Lions Club Arena on Saturday, March 15, and Sunday, March 16, for the 2025 RX Season Opener. The two-day event saw intense competition across multiple divisions, with drivers pushing their vehicles to the limit on the dirt course. "It went very smoothly. It was very windy," said Kito Brielmaier, co-founder and CEO of the event. "We had a handful of new people who started at the novice event, and they came out and...
HARRINGTON — A Palouse woman charged with vehicular homicide in a crash that killed three Davenport men will stand trial on Tuesday, June 11, with a readiness hearing scheduled for May 20. Jade A. Ellsworth, 30, is facing a single count of vehicular homicide in connection with the June 7, 2024, crash that claimed the lives of Alan Kysar, 26, Braedon Efraimson, 26, and Blake Wilson, 24. Despite three fatalities, Lincoln County Prosecuting Attorney Ty Albertson said the decision to file only one count was made in accordance w...
DAVENPORT — The Davenport City Council discussed the potential relocation of the city’s skate park and concerns over installing a fuel tank at the airport during its regular meeting on March 12. Mayor Pro Tem Patrick Katz calling the meeting to order. Council members present included Heath Becker, Daniel Coriell, Robert Jenkins, Patrick Katz, Lance Strite and Mike Wilkinson. Mayor Jon Chapman and Cory Hollis were absent and were excused following a motion by Strite, seconded by Becker. The meeting was available via remote acc...
REARDAN - A local woman is being held on $20,000 bail in connection with a burglary. Justina Buffington, 40, was arraigned in Lincoln County Superior Court in Davenport on Tuesday, March 18, charged with residential burglary, second-degree theft and third-degree malicious mischief. She pleaded not guilty. She remained restrained during the hearing. The judge determined she qualified for a public defender, records show. Her trial is scheduled for June 11, with a readiness heari...
DAVENPORT — A court hearing for a man facing multiple charges related to a January burglary has been rescheduled for Tuesday, March 25, at 10:30 a.m., following a motion from both the defense and prosecution. Jose Rafael Medina Lomeli, 28, appeared before Lincoln County Superior Court Judge Adam Walser on Tuesday, Feb. 25, as his cases progress toward trial. Medina Lomeli faces charges related to a Jan. 9 burglary, during which firearms, a Liberty safe, household items, and a Jeep were stolen from a residence and shop. He i...
ALMIRA — A 72-year-old Almira man charged with first-degree child molestation, fourth-degree child molestation, and two counts of first-degree rape of a child. Kenneth E. Burda faces charges related to the sexual abuse of his granddaughters. He is accused of inappropriately touching two of his granddaughters at his home on South Fifth Street. According to police reports, the case first came to light on September 9, 2024, when the mother of a 3-year-old girl contacted authorities, claiming that Burda had inappropriately t...
This week was like living in two parallel universes, one that involved ambient purple lighting and infrared heat therapy, and the other, dust, exhaust fumes, and a whole lot of "HELL YEAH." If you ever wondered what it's like to feel like you're in a science fiction movie one day and the next, an action-packed car chase, buckle up. Here's how my Friday and Saturday went from serene space pod relaxation to rally racing madness. Let's start with Friday. I was invited by Barb, th...
DAVENPORT — A Lincoln County Superior Court judge granted a motion Wednesday to release Brittney Rose Morgan, 39, from her financial obligations related to a previous conviction. Prosecutors did not object to the motion. Morgan pleaded guilty on Oct. 17, 2017, to second-degree theft. In other court proceedings, Joseph Lee Cooper, 43, appeared for a readiness hearing as prosecutors and his defense continue negotiations on a potential deal. Cooper pleaded guilty, and a new trial date was set for May 7. His attorney, Robert S...
ODESSA -The Odessa High School baseball team has nearly doubled in size from last year, increasing from 13 to an estimated 19 players, according to head coach Joe Schlomer. "I might be the weird coach, but I look forward to developing these younger kids, making them better at baseball and helping them become better adults," Schlomer said. "I would rather have a team with no bad grades." The team has also seen an increase in local participation. "Last year, I think we only had...
ODESSA – The School District Board of Directors met Wednesday, Feb. 26, in the high school library to discuss a range of topics, including professional development funding, upcoming student activities, and the approval of an electric bus purchase. During the meeting, teachers Abby Lindberg, Kelsey Scrupps, Kamie Iverson, Chelsea Watson, and Maria Brooks, along with Principal Cori Kane, presented on their attendance at a recent professional development conference, “Five to Thrive – Habits of Highly Effective Teach...
If there’s one thing I’ve learned about Odessa, it’s that every single resident is not only incredibly friendly but also a walking encyclopedia on just about everything. Seriously, I could probably walk into the post office, ask about the best way to build a chicken coop out of recycled materials, and leave with a step-by-step guide, a handshake, and possibly a hand-drawn blueprint. This past week, I wandered into the Odessa hardware store under the illusion that I am now q...
HARRINGTON – The Harrington Chamber of Commerce met on Monday, with Mayor Joe Armand in attendance. The meeting was called to order at 4:19 p.m. Minutes from the previous meeting were approved without additions to the agenda. The treasurer's report was also approved, with an overall balance of $38,511.46 and $3,594.60 in uncategorized expenses. Members discussed recent and upcoming community events. The Harrington Mercantile recently reopened, and the chamber announced a c...
ODESSA – The Odessa Hospital Board convened its latest meeting on Thursday, Feb. 27, where community members voiced concerns about hospital leadership, financial decisions, and facility management. Barbara Vogelsang initiated the public comment session, emphasizing the board's accountability in overseeing the hospital's operations. "A lot has happened since then. I am concerned. I am here not about me. I am concerned about this community's asset, for which you have the u...
GRAND COULEE - Two suspects accused of check fraud and burglary were found competent to stand trial during a hearing in Lincoln County Superior Court on Tuesday, March 4. Jake Keith Denning and Brittany Ann Ogden, both of whom had previously undergone competency evaluations, were deemed fit for trial by both the state and their respective defenses. Denning entered a plea of not guilty to the charges against him. The state requested that his bond remain at $50,000 with...
DAVENPORT – Brock Gustaveson capped off an exceptional season Saturday, Feb. 22, securing his second consecutive 1B/2B state title at 190 pounds with a technical fall victory. The Davenport junior, who was the defending champion at the weight class, remains the school's first and only state wrestling champion. Alongside teammate Malachi Hoff, Gustaveson also became one of the only two wrestlers in school history to achieve 50 wins in a single season. Among those victories w...
DAVENPORT — Lincoln County commissioners discussed declaring a state of emergency due to recent weather-related issues and approved various county measures during their latest meeting. Commissioner Rob Coffman was absent while attending a conference in Washington, D.C., with other commissioners from across the state. “We have 12 days from the time of an emergency to declare an emergency, and then we will keep that in place for the road closures,” Commissioner Scott Hutse...
SPRAGUE — A 69-year-old man accused of threatening to kill people while armed with a loaded firearm at the Sprague Motel is now set to face trial on Friday, April 19, with a readiness hearing scheduled for Monday, March 25. Michael Gilstrap was charged with one count of felony harassment-threat to kill following his arrest on June 11, 2024, at the Sprague Motel, located at 312 East First Street. According to reports, deputies responded to a 911 call reporting a man waving a gun and threatening to kill everyone. “There is a m...
DAVENPORT — The Davenport City Council discussed various community matters during its latest meeting, including the future of the city’s skate park, airport fuel costs, and an agreement with the school district for ballfield use. The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. with all council members present. A resident inquired about park and cemetery reports and advocated for keeping the skate park in its current location unless an offer was made to relocate it. Councilmember Lance Strite responded that there had been no progres...
CRESTON — A man accused of leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase on U.S. Highway 2 on Halloween remains in custody as his case moves toward trial. Alberto Lorenzo, 40, is being held in the Lincoln County Jail in Davenport on $50,000 bail on a charge of attempting to elude law enforcement. As his case moves toward trial, Lorenzo has claimed that his vehicle was disposed of and his cell phone was hacked. He sent a letter to the court stating that his personal belongings were inside the vehicle, which was recorded as bei...
ODESSA – Voters overwhelmingly approved two school levies for the Odessa School District, ensuring continued funding for critical programs and facility maintenance. The education programs and operations levy, which passed with more than 70% support, will help fund sports and activities programs, the school nurse, field trips, and other essential needs not fully covered by state funding, Superintendent Stephen Fisk said. “The levy helps us with what the state budget doesn’t adequately cover,” Fisk said. “We can start col...
CRESTON - After months of searching for a facility, Howard and Mia Lawson have officially reopened Crestoon H&M Custom Meat LLC, welcoming customers who patiently awaited their return. Located on Redwine Canyon Road, the Lawsons are eager to return to business. "We are open. Have been since the first of November," Howard Lawson said. "We are really blessed that some of our previous customers said, 'We'll wait.'" The business, inspected by the USDA, specializes in custom meat...
As I sit in my home, serenaded by the relentless, off-key meows of Harrington’s band of “aristocats”, I can’t help but wonder if the cats have officially claimed the town. My neighbor and I have spent countless text exchanges brainstorming ways to curb our new, uninvited guests. Should we plant a catnip (cat-cannabis) field out in the sticks to lure them into a blissful utopia? Perhaps. Do not take me seriously. But it did send me down a rabbit hole—or, more accurately, a cat...
I have always considered myself many things—an investigative journalist, a semi-decent cook, and a dog mom extraordinaire—but coordinated? Absolutely not. So, naturally, when I decided to try a tanning bed for the first time, I knew it was going to be an experience. For background, I have had my fair share of sunburns over the years, from spending summers on the lake with little to no sunscreen to testing out self-tanners that left me more orange and greasy than bronzed and...
