The top stories of 2022 - Part 1

DAVENPORT - It was another interesting year in Lincoln County, and a fascinating inaugural year of The Record-Times.

Here's a look back at the news that dotted headlines and news pages in the first half of 2022. A recap of the news from the second half of 2022 will be in next week's issue.

January

A substation regulator at the Avista transformer station on Third Street caught fire and knocked power out throughout Davenport for over 10 hours.

Confusion spread throughout Lincoln County and Davenport over the status of Willow Ridge Apartments and the units' eventual transfer of ownership to Rural Resources.

Wayne Massie announced his intentions to retire as superintendent with the Harrington School District at the end of the school year.

A Davenport resident, 21-year-old Austin Anderson, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence three months and charged with third-degree child molestation for allegedly making sexual advances toward a 14-year-old girl.

A surge of COVID-19 cases forced the Reardan-Edwall School District to move to remote schooling for a week.

Lincoln County received a third broadband internet grant from the state Broadband Office to provide an eight-mile connection between Sprague and Lamont and a 13-mile connection from Creston to Hawk Creek.

Bill and Ginny Ressel were named Sprague Citizens of the Year at the annual Chamber of Commerce meeting.

A benefit was held in Odessa to raise funds for rebuilding the Almira School, which burned down in Sept. 2021.

Jess Silhan took an oath as the new Mayor of Harrington at the start of 2022. In addition, Joe Armand was named a new council member.

The Odessa and Marlin gun clubs joined forces to compete in the 104th year of Spokesman-Review Inland Northwest Trapshoot.

The Washington State Broadband office announced approval for 13 projects, including Lincoln County. The movement will bring high-speed, reliable internet to 14 communities when it is completed. In addition, the $145 million in Broadband Infrastructure Acceleration moves closer to connecting residents to the infrastructure. Lincoln County received $5.2 million and the project is expected to be completed by December 31, 2023.

February

The Harrington School District passed a replacement levy that charged taxpayers approximately $2.25 per $1,000 of assessed property value.

The Reardan boys wrestling team finished first at sub-regionals in Colbert and prepared to send 10 wrestlers to the subsequent regional tournament in Warden.

Construction began on the Family Dollar/Dollar Tree hybrid store on the east end of Davenport.

Former Davenport head volleyball coach Pete Schweiger was inducted into the High School Hall of Fame.

Jonn Chapman was selected by Davenport city councilmembers to fill a vacant position created by Nathan Hansen's departure from council.

Davenport and Reardan's basketball teams competed at the district tournament in Spokane Valley. No local teams were able to advance to state, but the Reardan girls came the closest with a fourth-place finish.

21-year-old Ruthie Massie of Davenport was killed in a car accident a mile east of town on a windy and treacherous Presidents Day.

Brandy J. Hood of Reardan was sentenced to 43 months in prison after a jury found her guilty of fourth-degree assault, two counts of second-degree assault and harassment with the threat to kill. Hood's daughter was the main victim of her mother's crimes.

The Odessa School District Ag shop announced they received a grant from the Washington State FFA Foundation for $56,700. The proceeds went to implementing CASE AFNR (Agriculture, Food and Natural resources) and CASE APT (Agriculture Power Technology) to the curriculum.

The trial of a man accused of attacking state Senator Mark Schoesler was moved to Lincoln County after a change of venue hearing. Glenn R. Stockwell, 71, of Ritzville, allegedly assaulted Schoesler in October 2021.

March

Airlift Northwest announced it would construct a new helicopter base at Davenport Municipal Airport.

The Davenport Times and Odessa Record merged to form the current Lincoln County Record-Times. Times editor Drew Lawson stayed in his position, while Ashley Parkinson of Odessa was hired to cover the Odessa/Harrington region.

The Odessa Memorial Healthcare Center board planned for facility expansion.

Matt Clouse was chosen to succeed Eric Nikkola as head football coach in Reardan.

Bill Schillinger, an Odessa native and longtime WSU professor/research agronomist, was honored by the state Senate through an official resolution.

Davenport School District was awarded a $523,919 federal grant from the Department of Agriculture for telecommunications equipment in classrooms.

The statewide mandate on masks and facial coverings derived from the COVID-19 pandemic was lifted by Gov. Jay Inslee.

First-grader Kaleb Walter of Odessa found the first buttercup of spring.

Jeremy Smith of Odessa traveled to Ukraine to assist in war relief efforts.

Lincoln County brass planned to construct a readerboard at the Fairgrounds on the outskirts of Davenport.

Local businesses voiced concern that power outages could stifle their ability to continue operations as normal.

Harrington city councilmembers discussed its desire to preserve the local history found in the city's old buildings.

A 17-year-old boy in Spokane County made online threats to Reardan High School, forcing the school district into a two-day modified lockdown.

Lincoln County and Teamsters Local 690, which represents the Sheriff's Office's commissioned and non-commissioned officers, reached the first contract agreement in six years.

Several locals living near the Lincoln County Fairgrounds voiced displeasure with a proposed R.V. Park at the Fairgrounds.

The Davenport Chamber of Commerce convened for the first time since before the pandemic, and attendees discussed a desire to provide support for local community events.

A Spokane County judge quickly dismissed an elections lawsuit filed against the Lincoln County Auditor's Office by the Washington Election Integrity Coalition United.

The Odessa Memorial Hospital ceased offering the COVID-19 vaccine due to a significant drop in virus cases locally.

The Stumpjumpers Motorcycle Club opened dirt bike racing season with the Frostbite Grand Prix south of Odessa, featuring hundreds of racers.

The Odessa school board voted to give local substitute teachers a pay raise.

April

Churches, community groups and schools celebrated the Easter holiday with egg hunts and services galore throughout the county.

A windstorm with gusts up to 60 miles per hour downed trees in Davenport, Reardan and Odessa, including on Porcupine Bay Road, South Lake Street and Crescent Road.

John Cordell was selected to be the new superintendent at the Harrington School District.

Alaina Parker was crowned Miss Harrington in a community ceremony.

Catherine Marie Herrman of Davenport was arrested after fleeing the Lincoln County Courthouse prior to her court appearance.

Wade Magers announced he wouldn't seek re-election as Lincoln County Sheriff in the November general election.

John Bruce was named the new superintendent of the Odessa School District.

Inmate meal prices doubled at Lincoln County Jail, forcing the county commissioners to adjust numbers in the jail's allotted budget.

The Odessa Chamber of Commerce began preparations for the annual Spring Fling.

Lincoln County reached an agreement with the town of Reardan on a two-year contract for jail, dispatch, District Court, prosecutor and defense services.

The Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program was funded and approved through the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Jon and Karen Heimbigner, formerly of Odessa, were recognized by the Eastern Washington University Alumni Association at a gala awards ceremony at Northern Quest Resort and Casino.

Wade Magers announced he would retire as Lincoln County Sheriff June 30 instead of at the end of 2022, citing the health of his mother as the reason for his departure.

Construction began on Highway 2 between Davenport and Reardan, creating lengthy delays in a project that would last nearly two months.

Former and current Reardan head football coaches Gene Smith, Dan Graham, Eric Nikkola and Matt Clouse were honored at a "50 Years of Football Banquet" that featured a packed house of former and current football players and community members.

Colleen Ellis was crowned Miss Reardan-Edwall by the previous crownbearer, Emma Wiedmer.

May

Odessa residents celebrated the town's 120th birthday.

Odessa principal Jamie Nelson was named the FBLA Administrator of the Year.

Avista announced it would bring two electric car chargers to Harrington.

The Davenport boys track and field team won the NE2B Championship.

Rick Becker announced his retirement as Lincoln County Public Works director after 39 years working with the county.

The Harrington school board accepted a proposal to join the Lind-Ritzville/Sprague/Washtucna athletic co-op for the 2022-23 school year.

Reardan baseball played for an opportunity to advance to the state playoffs but was eliminated by Colfax in a District 7 third-place game.

The Celebrate Davenport float received the Best Community Float award at the Spokane Lilac Festival. Darby McLaughlin of Reardan and Cady Zellmer of Davenport were awarded the annual P.E.O. scholarships.

Kelly Watkins announced his retirement as Lincoln County undersheriff after 32 years in law enforcement.

The Davenport Municipal Airport project for runway reconstruction was named the Project of the Year by the Airport Management Association.

Abby Breithaupt was crowned Miss Davenport in a ceremony at Pioneer Plaza downtown.

Tim Rasmussen was named the athletic director for the Davenport School District after Tim Zeiler's retirement.

Lincoln County Sheriff's Office deputy Raymond "Riami" Hayden passed away from complications with a brain tumor.

Classic chassis lined Third Street at the annual Harrington Car Show.

The Davenport boys track and field team brought home a district title at the 2B District 7 meet in Liberty Lake.

June

The Davenport Water Park opened for the summer season despite hot weather taking its sweet time arriving.

A processional of Lincoln County Sheriff's Office patrol cars, fire trucks and ambulances paraded down Morgan Street before arriving at Memorial Hall for the remembrance of former deputy Riami Hayden.

Glen Stockwell of Ritzville was sentenced to two days in jail and 24 months probation in Lincoln County District court for assaulting state Sen. Mark Schoesler.

Sarita Hopkins was chosen to succeed Noelle Carstens as Davenport Elementary School principal. Carstens moved to secondary principal after Chad Prewitt succeeded Jim Kowalkowski in the superintendent slot.

Richard Alsept of Reardan won the state high jump title, while the Davenport boys finished second and the Odessa girls finished fourth in their respective meets.

Gabe Gants was chosen by the Lincoln County Commissioners to succeed Wade Magers as interim Sheriff prior to the November general election.

High school graduates were celebrated in ceremonies at schools around Lincoln County.

Reardan Mule Days returned after a pandemic-induced two-year hiatus.

The National Park Service closed fishing stations at Lake Roosevelt due to several septic issues.

Gonzaga head baseball coach Mark Machtolf was arrested for driving under the influence in Reardan and allegedly had a blood alcohol content as high as 0.284.

Partisan candidates running for county offices in the August primary election shared their views at a forum hosted by the Republican Central Committee.

The annual Odessa kid's fishing derby sponsored by the Crab Creek Alliance was held at Schafer's Pond.

The Odessa Memorial Healthcare Center board fired CEO John Serle without cause.

Wade Magers and Kelly Watkins were recognized in a retirement celebration attended by dozens of family, law enforcement officers and elected officials.

The Willow Ridge apartment complex and safehouse was transferred from Family Resource Center to Rural Resources.

Don Llewellyn took over the title of director of the Lincoln County WSU Extension.

Emmett Schuster was named interim CEO of the Odessa Memorial Healthcare Center.

Michelle L. Hopkins of Davenport pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree computer trespassing in a case involving child pornography being found on her smartphone.

Several teams from Lincoln County participated in Spokane Hoopfest, which returned for the first time since 2019.

Wade Magers' court appearance regarding three criminal charges he faced stemming from a Feb. 21 incident was continued into July.