Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Sorted by date Results 76 - 100 of 254
HARRINGTON - A Palouse woman charged with vehicular homicide in the deaths of three Davenport men appeared in Lincoln County Superior Court on Tuesday, Feb. 11, where the court ordered assessments and proposed a trial date of April 9. A readiness hearing is scheduled for March 18, and a waiver of a speedy trial was completed. Jade A. Ellsworth, 30, of Palouse, is facing one count of vehicular homicide in connection with the Friday, June 7, 2024, crash that killed Alan Kysar,...
REARDAN - Reardan Elementary students took to the runway on Friday, Feb. 7, for the school's fifth annual 100th Day Fashion Show, a cherished tradition that continues to grow in popularity. The event, held in the school commons, drew a packed audience and was also streamed live on the Reardan School District homepage. "What began as a passion for giving every child the opportunity to put a creative spin on a '100 collection' has grown into a beloved tradition," said...
GRAND COULEE - Linda Ann Zaragoza, 44, of Spokane, pleaded not guilty to multiple burglary and theft charges during her arraignment in Lincoln County Superior Court on Tuesday, Feb. 11. Judge Adam Walser found probable cause to move forward with the case. Prosecutors requested standard release conditions, citing Zaragoza's nine outstanding warrants and asking for a $50,000 bond. "Judge, she can't afford a $50,000 bond, but she could afford a $5,000 bond," her defense argued....
DAVENPORT — With Valentine’s Day approaching, local communities are offering a variety of events and specials to celebrate the holiday, from themed dinners to craft activities for kids and social gatherings for seniors. Reardan will host several events, including a Western Valentine’s Party at Teen Pie from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15. This event, open to middle and high school teens and their families, will feature line dancing, Valentine’s card making, bouquet crafting, an indoor snowball fight, jewelry making,...
DAVENPORT — A readiness hearing has been scheduled for March 18 in the case of Jason Trickel, a Sprague man facing second-degree burglary charges, following a Lincoln County Superior Court hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 11. Trickel’s trial date has been set for April 9 and 10, with an additional day on April 11 if needed. He waived his right to a speedy trial, and both the prosecution and defense agreed that two days would be required for trial proceedings. According to court records, Trickel, 45, was arrested following an Oct...
CRESTON — The Superior Court hearing for Mathew S. Chafin, 35, was postponed on Tuesday, Feb. 11, after officials noted that the court lacked contact information for him. However, the Department of Corrections does have his contact details. The hearing has been rescheduled to an unspecified, later-to-be-determined date. Chafin, who was arrested on Dec. 12, 2020, is facing a charge of first-degree child molestation. The hearing was intended to address a motion and affidavit for an order determining the existence of probable c...
GRAND COULEE - A man and woman accused of breaking into a local residence, stealing checks, and committing fraud underwent arraignment in Lincoln County Superior Court on Tuesday, February 4, where both defendants requested competency screenings to determine their ability to stand trial. Brittany A. Ogden, 41, and Jake Keith Denning, 42, each signed a 1077 motion for a competency evaluation after citing difficulties understanding their legal rights. Superior Court Judge Adam...
ALMIRA — A fourth suspect connected to the January burglary of an Almira residence has been charged and will face trial in Lincoln County Superior Court. Thea Wenz, 27, of Moses Lake, pleaded not guilty to one count of residential burglary, second-degree possession of stolen property, second-degree burglary, and second-degree theft. During her arraignment, the prosecution requested standard release conditions. Wenz, who resides with her grandparents, was appointed public defender Victoria Iverson. Her trial is scheduled f...
DAVENPORT - The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners convened Monday, Feb. 3, with Chairwoman Jo Gilchrist calling the meeting to order at 8 a.m. Commissioners approved various vouchers, including $700,601.43 for current expenses and small funds, $15,986.73 in current expense P-cards, and $43,904.00 for the IETT medical insurance special issue. Additional approvals included allocations for the Noxious Weed Board, county roads, solid waste, equipment rental, and pits and...
REARDAN - A Reardan man accused of threatening to kill his family and attempting to commit arson pleaded not guilty during his arraignment in Lincoln County Superior Court on Tuesday, February 4. Nicholas Gene Finch, 39, remained handcuffed during the proceedings and did not object to the restraints. Superior Court Judge Adam Walser confirmed that Finch met the qualifications for a public defender, and Finch requested a court-appointed attorney. The prosecution asked for a...
ODESSA — The dismissal of an alleged whistleblower following concerns over potential asbestos exposure at Odessa Memorial Healthcare Center was a key topic of discussion at the hospital board meeting on Thursday, Dec. 30. A hospital employee, Barbara Vogelsank, said she was placed on administrative leave after raising concerns about possible asbestos in flooring glue during hospital renovations. The employee stated that after bringing the matter to the attention of hospital leadership, she received a letter informing her t...
SOAP LAKE — Two 16-year-old boys from Soap Lake have been arrested in connection with a burglary at a marijuana shop, according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies responded around 1:30 a.m. Friday to an intrusion alarm at 2020 Solutions, located at 261 State Route 28 West in the Lakeview community of unincorporated Soap Lake. Upon arrival, deputies found no suspects but, given a previous attempted burglary at the business on January 27, the Sheriff’s Crime Reduction Team initiated a stakeout. Shortly after conce...
Growing up in Northern Michigan, winter wasn’t just a season but a survival challenge. The snow didn’t gently fall; it descended like a vengeful force determined to bury everything in sight. And did we get snow days? No. We dug ourselves out and trudged like Hobbits marching toward Mount Doom. My late maternal grandmother, who grew up during the Great Depression, used to tell me about walking to school “uphill both ways.” As a kid, I rolled my eyes, figuring she was exagger...
ODESSA - The Odessa School District band program received an unexpected $500 grant from the Columbia Basin Foundation through its "Jazzy January" program. Band director Daniel Lloyd said the Odessa band program did not apply for the grant but was selected after foundation representatives attended a pep band night and were impressed by the students' performance. "I was surprised by it because I didn't apply for anything," Lloyd said. "They called us and told us they had money f...
HARRINGTON - Home & Makers reopened its doors in downtown Harrington after a January winter break. The grand re-opening ceremony began at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb 1, welcoming patrons with cookies, goodie gift bags and more. "Our grand reopening exceeded expectations in every way," said Kathi Matthews, owner of Home & Makers. "Customers seemed to appreciate how the store was refreshed while we took our annual January winter break. We were busy from open to close with a steady...
DAVENPORT - Cedar & Sage, a new boutique in Davenport, opened its doors to a packed crowd, with customers filling the store until closing. "The opening went well. It was awesome," said store manager Mykaiha Stensland. "We were overwhelmed with everyone's love and support." The new boutique, located at 712 Morgan Street, opened its doors for the first time Saturday, Feb. 1. Cedar & Sage offers a variety of products, including clothing, gifts, candles, knickknacks, and...
GEORGE – A single-vehicle crash on Sunday night resulted in the death of a 58-year-old Soap Lake man, according to the Washington State Patrol. The crash occurred at approximately 9:35 p.m. on State Route 283, about two miles east of George. A 2021 Honda CR-V was traveling southbound on SR 283 when it left the roadway at the intersection with North Frontage Road West. The vehicle lost control, rolled, and came to rest in a driveway, officials said. The driver, identified as James W. Carley, 58, of Soap Lake, was pronounced d...
DAVENPORT — Lincoln County’s unemployment rate remained steady at 5.1 percent in December, according to the Employment Security Department. The county reported a civilian labor force of 4,392, with 4,168 employed and 224 unemployed. Neighboring Adams County recorded an unemployment rate of 5.9 percent, with 9,345 people employed out of a labor force of 9,934. Whitman County reported one of the lowest rates in Eastern Washington at 4.2 percent, with 21,826 in the labor force and 20,912 employed. Spokane County, the reg...
DAVENPORT - The future of Davenport's skate park was a key topic of discussion at the City Council meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 22, as community members voiced concerns over issues surrounding the facility. Shane Gilthvedt, a property owner adjacent to the skate park, addressed the council during the public comment period, citing ongoing problems with illegal activities and property damage. Gilthvedt told the council he had contacted the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office numerous...
ODESSA —The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced plans to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the Odessa Subarea Special Study Project. The SEIS will analyze lands and resources tied to a proposed irrigation distribution system that was not included in the Bureau of Reclamation’s 2012 Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the project. The project, a collaboration with the Washington State Department of Ecology, aims to replace groun...
MOHLER — A 67-year-old man accused of unlawfully possessing a firearm following a domestic dispute pleaded not guilty during his arraignment on Monday, January 15. Wesley Rollon Brown, 67, of Mohler, was arrested on January 13, 2024, after deputies responded to a report of threats made during a conflict involving Brown, his partner Stacy Davis, and her son, Jason Davis. According to court documents, Jason Davis called 911 at 10:30 a.m. to report that Brown had threatened to kill him. Deputies were told that the conflict b...
HARRINGTON - Twenty-six residents gathered at the Harrington School Multipurpose Room on Saturday, Jan. 25, to kick off "Harrington Heart & Soul," a community development initiative funded by a grant from the Innovia Foundation. The meeting, led by Brent Baker, a certified Community Heart & Soul™ coach from Sandpoint, Idaho, introduced participants to the project's first phase, known as "Imagine." This phase, which typically spans two to three months, focuses on gathering v...
I’ve been on a bit of a health kick lately, and honestly, it’s been refreshing. Between smarter food choices and staying active, I’ve been feeling more energized and confident. So, when the chance came up to spend the weekend at my National Guard Armory for Military Combative training, I thought, “Why not?” Little did I know, I was about to spend hours grappling, sweating, and proving just how much “fighting like a girl” can mean holding your own—and then some. The train...
DAVENPORT — For the third year in a row, the Itty Bitty Prom is bringing joy and excitement to Davenport’s youngest community members. Scheduled for Saturday, Feb.22, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the high school auditorium, the event offers children in fifth grade and under an evening of dancing, playing, and bonding with their guardians. The event, originally inspired by a similar tradition in Forks, Wash., was launched by Mykaiha Stensland and quickly gained traction in Davenport. “We don’t have any mother-daughter or daddy-d...
HARRINGTON — Residents, workers, and visitors are invited to take part in the launch of Harrington Heart & Soul, a community-driven initiative aimed at shaping the town’s future. The event will take place on Saturday, Jan. 25, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Harrington School multi-purpose room. Organizers are calling on community members to join in envisioning the future of Harrington and developing a comprehensive plan to make those dreams a reality. Coaches will guide attendees through a community network mapping exe...
