Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
The Record-Times staff has grown to four people excited to serve Lincoln County. From left to right are reporter Byrne Bennett, editor Drew Lawson, reporter Ashley Parkinson and office specialist Janelle Hein.
DAVENPORT-At long last, locals don't have to guess whether someone will be in the newspaper office when they try to stop by. Janelle Hein has been hired as an office specialist for The Record-Times and will be here four days a week helping to serve clients and the community.
Hein will maintain office hours Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. She will assist with subscriptions, answering phones, welcoming customers and contribute to local advertising sales.
"I've always enjoyed writing and being part of the local community," Hein, a local who previously worked in Wilbur, said. "And being closer to home is nice."
Hein has lived in Davenport for 13 years while her husband, Erich Hein, a lifelong resident here. Two of her three sons are in the local school district, while the youngest, a two-year-old, is still at home.
"Janelle has been long awaited by the newspaper and local community," editor Drew Lawson said. "Having a consistent presence in the office even while I'm out and about at various meetings and events will make us more reliable and accessible for people who want to drop off news tips, discuss pricing or subscriptions in person or just chat about what's going on around Lincoln County."
Hein may also contribute to newspaper content while assisting Lawson, Odessa/Harrington reporter Ashley Parkinson and The Record-Times' second new hire: Byrne Bennett of Reardan.
Bennett joins The Record-Times on a part-time basis with a focus on covering Reardan sports, town council and school board. He has lived in the Reardan area off Coulee-Hite Road with his wife Denise for just three years, but his mother, Irene Mann, grew up there.
"I love sports and enjoy writing," Bennett said. "I have a fondness for Reardan since my mother grew up there...I thought it might be nice to give back to the community and thought writing for the paper was a way I could do that."
Bennett is a published author of "A Greater Destiny," a historical fiction novel based on the life of his uncle, World War II hero Joe E. Mann.
Mann, a Medal of Honor recipient, jumped on a grenade to save fellow soldiers at 22 and is the inspiration for the school's new "Screaming Eagles" mascot.
"Byrne is an accomplished writer and has the local connections to add top-notch coverage of Reardan to our paper," Lawson said. "Between him, Ashley and myself, we should be able to staff almost every Davenport, Reardan and Odessa home game with a newspaper history...a first in local history."
Locals are encouraged to stop in the office and say hello to Hein, or flag down Bennett at a Reardan sports event or government meeting to introduce themselves and offer news tips. Lawson and Parkinson will remain the heads of news content for The Record-Times and are also available to anyone who wishes to speak.
Drew Lawson is the editor of the Davenport Times. He is a graduate of Eastern Washington University.
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