Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
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ALMIRA - A man charged in connection with the Almira burglary case pled guilty in Lincoln County Superior Court and was sentenced on Tuesday, March 25. Jose Rafael Medina Lomeli, 27, pleaded guilty to one count of residential burglary and one count of firearm theft in court, accepting a plea agreement that includes a 12-month and one-day sentence. Medina Lomeli, who initially faced multiple charges, including motor vehicle theft and multiple firearm theft counts, had his...
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 17 Traffic Stops: 2 9:46 a.m. - Lincoln County Public works called to report a semi stuck on a restricted road at Duck Lake Rd. and Groh Rd. 11:30 a.m.- A caller reported 2 people laying fac...
REARDAN — A local man accused of threatening to kill his family and attempting arson is seeking a bond reduction as his trial date is pushed to May. Nicholas Gene Finch, 39, appeared in Lincoln County Superior Court, where his defense requested a reduction of his $20,000 bond to $10,000. The state opposed the motion, citing Finch’s history of warrant activity and concerns from the victims, who reportedly expressed fear over his potential release. Attorneys also requested a continuance in the case, with a new trial date set...
DAVENPORT – A local man accused in the death of a 5-month-old boy appeared in Lincoln County Superior Court, where attorneys scheduled a trial date for late September. Jordan Russell Mills-Jay, 30, is facing charges of first-degree manslaughter and second-degree murder in connection with the June 21, 2023, death of an infant referred to as “Zander.” The trial is set to begin on Sept. 24, with a readiness hearing scheduled for Sept. 2. During a court hearing, Mills-Jay agreed to waive his right to a speedy trial temporarily. H...
GRAND COULEE – A Spokane woman was sentenced to 150 days in jail after pleading guilty to burglary and theft charges related to a break-in at a storage facility in Grand Coulee. Linda Ann Zargoza, 40, was identified as the driver of a gold 2006 Chevrolet HHR seen on surveillance footage during a burglary at State Route 174 Storage Units on Dec. 7, 2021. Judge Dan Johnson handed down the sentence, rejecting a lower-end sentencing request. Prosecutors had recommended three m...
DAVENPORT — Idaho State Police arrested a local fugitive over the weekend on a felony warrant. Troopers pulled over James Boss, 56, on Interstate 84 in Jerome County, Idaho, Friday, March 21. The arrest stemmed from a felony warrant issued in Lincoln County, Washington, for charges related to an ongoing investigation. Records show those charges include possession of depiction of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct in the first degree and sexual exploitation of a minor. According to court documents, Boss was r...
DAVENPORT – Lincoln County can expect variable precipitation and rising temperatures this spring, with stronger storms and early snowmelt impacting local waterways. Spring is officially here, having begun on Thursday, March 20. The National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center forecasts equal chances of above- or below-average precipitation from April through June, while temperatures are expected to rise with some areas experiencing brief cooldowns. “We will cool down pretty rapidly,” said Valerie Thayler, a meteo...
GRAND COULEE — A man accused of burglarizing an elderly resident’s home and committing financial fraud is moving toward a plea agreement as his trial date is rescheduled. Jake Keith Denning had previously undergone competency evaluations and was deemed fit for trial by both the state and their respective defenses. “We worked out a plea deal,” Denning’s defense attorney said during a recent superior court hearing on Tuesday, March 25. Denning, who faces multiple felony charges, including first-degree burglary, first-deg...
DAVENPORT – The Lincoln County City Council was set to convene Wednesday evening to discuss key issues, including the city budget, infrastructure improvements, and upcoming community events. The agenda included reviewing proposed budget allocations for the next fiscal year, discussing road maintenance and other infrastructure projects, and considering updates to zoning regulations. Council members were also expected to address public concerns and hear reports from various city departments. The meeting took place after p...
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...
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...
ODESSA — Teamsters Local 690 has filed a petition with the Public Employment Relations Commission to organize a bargaining unit at Odessa Memorial Healthcare Center. The proposed unit would include all regular full-time and part-time registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and certified nursing assistants working at the facility. The petition, submitted on March 13, marks the first time a unionization effort has been made at Odessa Memorial Healthcare Center. The bargaining unit would encompass 17 employees, according t...
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 10 Traffic Stops:8 7:46 a.m. – A caller advised that she saw a man walking around her house on her camera. 3:41 p.m. – A protection order violation was reported. 9:17 p.m. – A possible DUI wa...
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...
Editor’s Note: Brody Schillinger’s last name was misspelled in the headline of the March 6, 2025, issue of the Lincoln County Record-Times. And a private donation account has been set up at Banner Bank; it is not attached to the $50,000 WSU endowment....
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...
OLYMPIA — The three state lawmakers representing the 9th Legislative District and eastern Adams County will host a town meeting-styled event March 20. Sen. Mark Schoesler of Ritzville, and Reps. Joe Schmick of Colfax and Mary Dye of Pomeroy will host the virtual session to provide an update of the 2025 legislative session. Topics they expect to discusss are the state’s biennial operating budget, capital and transportation budgets, taxes, anti-gun legislation, K-12 education and agriculture. In addition, they will take que...
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 3 Traffic Stops: 10 10:30 a.m. – A caller reported his daughter called him because she had had an argument with her husband about the laundry not being done and she had locked herself in th...
SPRAGUE - A local veterinarian is helping some Ritzville residents care for an injured stray dog. The stray dog - dubbed "Evie" - appeared in Ritzville without a clue where she came from. When she was captured, "Evie" had two broken legs and an infection, and was in need of major surgery. The cost, an estimated $10,000 to $15,000. Veterinarian Jill Swannack of Ritzville has been helping care for the injured pooch. But before she could help, Evie had to be caught. "We don't...
SPOKANE — The State Attorney General’s Office filed a lawsuit Monday, March 10 against Adams County over its cooperation with federal immigration officials in their deportation effort. The lawsuit alleges the Adams County Sheriff’s Office of “illegally collaborating with federal immigration officials and aiding the Trump administration’s efforts to enlist local officials for federal immigration work.” It’s the second lawsuit in as many months seeking to stop local officials from handing over illegal aliens to U.S. Immigrat...
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...
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...
