Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 5375
ALMIRA — A 72-year-old Almira man originally charged with first-degree child molestation, fourth-degree child molestation, and two counts of first-degree rape of a child pleaded guilty to reduced charges in Lincoln County District Court after a key witness, his son, rescinded his wittness statement. Kenneth Burda, 72, of Almira, pleaded guilty to the amended charges changed to assault in the fourth degree with domestic violence and sexual motivation. Sentencing for Burda is scheduled for 11 a.m. on May 1 in Lincoln County Dis...
DAVENPORT — Lincoln County will open candidate filing for 82 local offices from Monday, May 5, through Friday, May 9, 2025, according to Elections Manager Norm Caley. The county will begin accepting mailed Declarations of Candidacy on Monday, April 21. Filings can be mailed to P.O. Box 28, Davenport, WA 99122. In-person filings will be accepted at the Lincoln County Auditor’s Office, 450 Logan Street, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday. Online filings will be available from 8 a...
The April 17 issue of The Record-Times incorrectly reported that Nathaniel Lathrop, who faces multiple child rape charges, owned and sold the Rolling Thunder Saloon in downtown Odessa on October 30, 2024. Tax affidavits show that the building was sold on that date to a buyer who wishes to remain anonymous in this publication.....
DAVENPORT - The City Council received a $25,000 offer to sell the city's skate park while also approving its 2024 annual report and payment of more than $22,000 in bills during its Wednesday night meeting. The Davenport City Council met Wednesday night, calling the meeting to order at 7 p.m. and approving the minutes from its April 9 session. The council entered executive session to discuss litigation. During the public comment portion, a community member, identified only as...
INCIDENT LOG Editor’s note: Most items in this section reflect the starting point for response by local police and emergency agencies. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) does not release names of individuals who report possible criminal or suspicious activities to dispatchers or alleged victims for this column. DISPATCH LOG April 14 Traffic Stops 10 11:23 a.m. – A resident called to report a dead dog that appears to have been placed on her property. 2:28 p.m. – A red Plymouth Sundance just off the highway by Corner...
DAVENPORT - High-speed fiber internet service will be available to city residents and businesses starting Monday, May 5, according to the Lincoln County Broadband Office. The new network will allow internet service providers to begin connecting customers within city limits. Fiber offers faster speeds, better reliability, and stronger security compared to wireless and satellite options. Lincoln County built the network without charging providers for infrastructure costs,...
ALMIRA — The fourth suspect connected to the January burglary of a residence in Almira has been formally charged and will stand trial in Lincoln County Superior Court, following another continuance filed Tuesday, April 22. Thea Wenz, 27, of Moses Lake, pleaded not guilty to one count each of residential burglary, second-degree burglary, second-degree theft, and second-degree possession of stolen property during her arraignment. The prosecution requested standard release conditions. Wenz, who resides with her grandparents, w...
DAVENPORT - A 32-year-old Ephrata man pleaded not guilty Tuesday, April 22, in Lincoln County Superior Court to multiple felony charges related to a series of vehicle prowls and fraudulent transactions. Daniel Kyle Lewis, 32, of Ephrata, was arraigned before Judge Adam Walser and entered a not guilty plea to two counts of second-degree theft involving access devices, one count of money laundering, one count of second-degree identity theft and one count of theft of a firearm....
YAKIMA — An Odessa man facing multiple child rape charges in Yakima County Superior Court will now stand trial in September, after both the prosecution and defense agreed to postpone the case. Nathanial James Lathrop, 59, of Odessa, is facing two counts of child rape in the first degree and one charge of child molestation. He was originally scheduled for trial on April 7, but during a March 13 hearing, the court rescheduled proceedings to Sept. 22. A readiness hearing is set for Aug. 7. Authorities said Lathrop was c...
ODESSA - Motorcyclists across the country now have a new stop in Washington state's 2025 Tour of Honor: Odessa's veterans memorial tank. The tank, an M60A3 used during Operation Desert Storm, sits at the Odessa Cemetery off WA-28 and serves as a tribute to 12 Odessa residents who lost their lives in World War II. It was brought to the cemetery in 2000 after a four-year effort led by Odessa resident Mike Hardung, with support from former U.S. Rep. George R. Nethercutt. "I...
ALMIRA — The fourth and final suspect in the Almira burglary case is expected to complete intensive substance abuse treatment the week of April 20 and return to custody shortly after. Recardo Rocha, 32, was represented by his attorney during a hearing on Tuesday, April 15. His defense informed Judge Adam Walser that Rocha is still in treatment but nearing completion of the program. The court agreed to set the matter over for one week to allow for his return. Lincoln County Prosecuting Attorney Ty Albertson said Rocha e...
INCIDENT LOG Editor’s note: Most items in this section reflect the starting point for response by local police and emergency agencies. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) does not release names of individuals who report possible criminal or suspicious activities to dispatchers or alleged victims for this column. DISPATCH LOG April 7 Traffic Stops: 4 2:06 a.m. – A welfare check was requested by the Veteran’s Crisis Hotline on a potentially suicidal subject. 8:34 a.m. – A caller reported a male in all black clothing...
DAVENPORT — Two men were arrested Friday in connection with separate theft investigations led by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, following weeks of work by local deputies and the assistance of multiple law enforcement agencies. According to LCSO, deputies arrested Michael B. Flinn, 46, of Spokane, after serving a search warrant with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office at a property in Spokane County. The arrest stems from a report received approximately three weeks ago that multiple propane bottles had been stolen from a...
HARRINGTON — The City Council met for its regular session Tuesday, April 9, voting to reject all submitted bids for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Project and initiating a year-long trial to broadcast meetings via Microsoft Teams. The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. with a full roll call. Council members heard public comments and proceeded with a full agenda, including the consent agenda approval and review of the check register. Council members discussed the inspection and repair of Well No. 1 but determined they c...
DAVENPORT — The Davenport City Council approved the use of the city’s brush and yard waste landfill site for “Clean Up Davenport Days” during its regular meeting on Wednesday, April 9. The cleanup event, sponsored by the Davenport Lions Club and the city, is scheduled for Friday, April 26. Mayor Jonathan Chapman encouraged community participation and reminded attendees that the city council supports the event through Resolution 2025-07, which was approved on a motion by Council Member Lance Strite, seconded by Council...
REARDAN - A local man accused of threatening to kill his family and attempting arson successfully postponed his trial during a court appearance on Tuesday, April 15. Nicolas Gene Finch, 39, returned to Lincoln County Superior Court for a readiness hearing, where his defense told the court, "We are not prepared to go to trial in a few weeks and we request new dates." Superior Court Judge Adam Walser asked both the prosecution and defense whether they could realistically go to t...
DAVENPORT — Law and Motion Day is back on the docket for Lincoln County Superior Court following a court order filed Monday, April 14. The court had previously canceled the session scheduled for Tuesday, April 29, due to a trial and conference conflict. According to court documents, the trial has since been continued and the conference will not be attended, prompting the reinstatement. “Typically what that is, is if a judge had a conflict where he couldn’t be here on Tuesday, they would cancel,” Lincoln County Prosecu...
RITZVILLE - This city's search for a new police chief has left Reardan without its top officer. Reardan's former police chief, Mikeal Suniga, was hired away from the city; he began his new position on April 1 in Ritzville. Before coming to Reardan, Suniga was an officer in the Airway Heights Police Department. The Ritzville City Council agreed March 4 to offer him the job. But the city has been on the results of a background, polygraph and psychology and medical screenings...
DAVENPORT - The Davenport Lions Club presented the Lincoln County Museum with a $5,000 check two weeks ago to support the replacement of two furnaces in the museum's outer exhibition buildings, enabling the facility to complete critical heating and air conditioning upgrades ahead of its seasonal reopening. The donation, partially raised through the Lions Club's annual Turkey Bingo event, calendar sales and pop can drives, helped the museum reach its fundraising goal after...
DAVENPORT — The Lincoln County Record-Times has upgraded its email system, making it easier to contact the correct departments. The new emails went live on Monday, April 9. New emails include: • Advertising@odessarecordcom to reach Kelli Wilkie. • Editor@odessarecord.com to reach Olivia Harnack. • Sports@odessarecord.com • Obits@odessarecord.com to reach Yolanda Castillo for obituary submissions. • Classifieds@odessarecord.com to reach Yolanda Castillo for classified advertising. • Subscriptions@odessareco...
INCIDENT LOG Editor’s note: Most items in this section reflect the starting point for response by local police and emergency agencies. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) does not release names of individuals who report possible criminal or suspicious activities to dispatchers or alleged victims for this column. DISPATCH LOG March 30 Traffic Stops: 10 9:29 a.m. – A caller requested a welfare check on a friend going through a break up. 11:58 a.m. – An Odessa resident called to file a report about someone smearin...
DAVENPORT — The City Council was scheduled to meet Tuesday, April 9, to review first-quarter financial data, including budget expenditures and departmental activity, according to agenda documents and quarterly reports. Council members were presented with detailed revenue and expense reports for the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, showing that most departments are operating within their budgeted expectations. According to the quarterly revenue and expense report, the city’s general fund — which covers core services such...
ODESSA — The Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program (OGWRP) has reached a significant milestone with the launch of the EL 86.4 irrigation system, converting 5,426 acres from deep well irrigation to Columbia River surface water. The transition eliminates 16 wells, conserving 16,143 acre-feet, or 5.3 billion gallons, of water annually in the Odessa Subarea Aquifer. The project, spearheaded by the East Columbia Basin Irrigation District (ECBID), is part of a broader effort to address declining groundwater levels in the Odessa S...
DAVENPORT - A man charged with multiple felonies across several counties was sentenced to 48 months in prison in Lincoln County Superior Court on Tuesday, April 8, after pleading guilty as part of a global plea agreement. Joseph Lee Cooper, 43, appeared before Judge Jeffery Barkdull to be sentenced on two felony charges stemming from a high-speed chase last November that ended in a wheat field outside Davenport. The court originally considered a 50-month prison term. However,...
ALMIRA — Scammers are using fake hostage situations to demand money, preying on fear and targeting vulnerable individuals. A local woman reported receiving a call from an unknown number with a 253 area code. When she answered, she heard a young woman screaming. “I got a call, and it was a girl screaming, saying, ‘Mommy, help me! Mommy, mommy, mommy!’ She was inconsolable,” Cathy Florenzen said. “I could sense it was not my daughter because she has never called me ‘mommy’ in her life.” Florenzen handed the phone to her husb...
