Top news stories from 2022 - Part 2

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 second half of 2022. A recap of the news from the first half of 2022 will be in next week's issue.

July

Chad Prewitt began his role as superintendent of the Davenport School District, replacing the retiring Jim Kowalkowski.

The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office received no calls of fires related to fireworks on July 4.

Gabe Gants was sworn in as interim Lincoln County after Wade Magers' retirement.

Michelle Leigh Hopkins was sentenced to three months in county jail and three months electronic home monitoring after the court she took a "passive" role in crimes regarding possession of depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

David Orvis was named Lincoln County Public Works Director after Rick Becker's retirement.

The pool in Odessa was vandalized.

The Odessa FBLA team placed in the top 10 at the 2022 National Leadership Conference in Chicago.

Preparations commenced for the 50th annual Pioneer Days in Davenport.

The City of Davenport was sued by Greg's Crop-Care Company, a Wilbur-based agricultural business, claiming the city and airport failed to meet the terms of a hangar lease between the company and city.

The Davenport Chamber of Commerce hosted a candidate forum for Lincoln County Treasurer and Sheriff candidates to share their thoughts and discuss issues.

Davenport Pioneer Days showcased its usual celebratory events, including a parade, belly flop contest, chalk art contest and live music in City Park.

Harrington was offered a wastewater treatment loan by the Department of Ecology as a safety net for the local wastewater treatment plant.

Joe Kennedy, an assistant football coach in Bremerton, spoke at the Odessa Christian Music Freedom Festival after winning a Supreme Court case concerning Kennedy's prayer on the field after games.

A group of ranchers filed a lawsuit accusing Inland Power and Light Company of causing the 2020 Whitney Road Fire.

Authorities ruled that the Lincoln County Fair wouldn't showcase poultry exhibits due to a bird flu outbreak.

Hot temperatures led to burn bans countywide.

August

Gabe Gants and Brian Telford were the top two vote-getters for Lincoln County Sheriff in the primary election and advanced to the general election, while Emily Lybbert Hansen and Brad Sweet advanced in the race for Treasurer.

Preparations began for Odessa's annual German festival, Deutchesfest.

Stephen Murphy and Stephanie Murphy of Davenport were indicted by a federal grand jury for COVID-19 fraud and charged with fraudulently obtaining three PPP loans for fake landscaping and manufacturing businesses.

The city and airport couldn't tear down, demolish or remove the hangar belonging to Kevin Leyva and Greg's Crop-Care Company during the proceedings for civil suit filed by the latter against the city, Superior Court Judge Jeffrey S. Barkdull ruled.

The Reardan-Edwall School District announced it would seek a capital levy aimed at athletic facility improvements.

Wheat harvest began for many local farmers.

Lincoln County crews assisted with firefighting efforts in Lind, Adams County.

A hay truck fire was quickly snuffed out in downtown Davenport.

Two options for medical air services created confusion in Lincoln County. AirLift Northwest and LifeFlight services are now both offered here.

Dick and Claudette Sharp were named the Grand Marshals for the Sprague Days parade.

High school football teams returned to practice in preparation for the 2022 season.

Harrington was awarded a $750,500 grant from the Department of Ecology to assist with water leak repairs.

Wade Magers pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of third-degree criminal assistance and was ordered to complete 40 hours of community service, concluding an 18-month saga stemming from a Feb. 2021 incident involving Magers and his son.

Lincoln County Sheriff's Office deputies captured an escaped inmate, Cody James Magruder, the day after Magruder dodged authorities in an alleged attack on a jail deputy and tried to flee town.

A second group of ranchers filed a civil complaint against Inland Power accusing the company of negligence in maintaining a downed powerline blamed for the start of the Whitney Road Fire.

Thousands attended the annual Lincoln County Fair and Rodeo held at the County Fairgrounds the last weekend of the month.

September

Davenport settled a lawsuit with Greg's Crop-Care Company for $65,000 after mediation in Spokane County.

109 acres and two structures burned in the Deep Creek Fire just east of the county line between Hite and Deep Creek.

Tessa Wicks joined the Reardan-Edwall school board after longtime board member Roger Peterson passed away suddenly two months prior.

Students returned to the classroom at the beginning of the month.

Over 1,000 acres of brush burned in the Seven Bays Fire north of Davenport, but no structures were lost.

Mandy Lewis was hired as the new secretary for secondary schools in Odessa.

Two types of officers, a school resource officer (Melissa Foust) and school security director (Brad Eylar) were hired to patrol the Reardan-Edwall School District.

Davenport defeated Reardan in the first football game of the season on a last-second field goal by Brenick Soliday.

The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office cautioned county residents of a group possibly trying to pawn gold jewels off for cash.

A 14-year-old Reardan boy was arrested for allegedly making threats to a school in Edmond, Oklahoma through cyber-means.

Odessa High School won a cash prize in the Lead4Change Challenge for the eighth-straight year.

A WSDOT paint truck was sideswiped by an inattentive motorist near Telford Rest Area.

Rickey's Corner Market in Davenport was robbed, but suspect Casey Lattanzi only made away with two packs of cigarettes after a feeble attempt to open the cash register failed.

Harry McCartney was awarded Harrington Citizen of the Year.

Odessa destroyed Springdale in a Sausage Bowl game that was forfeited by the visitors 16 minutes into play.

Thousands flocked to Odessa for the annual Deutchesfest celebration.

Charles R. Bergman of Moses Lake was charged with the murder of his wife, Theresa Bergman, after Theresa Bergman's body was found 12 miles northwest of Sprague.

Mike Jacoby was hired as Davenport school safety officer.

Emmett Schuster was named interim CEO at Odessa Memorial Healthcare Clinic.

Harrington hosted its annual Fall Festival, complete with vendors and a parade.

October

The Lincoln County Commissioners began exploring the option of pivoting from its self-funded medical insurance plan for county employees due to cost issues.

Charles R. Bergman waived his extradition in Pennsylvania and the slow process of bringing him back to Lincoln County to be arraigned began.

The state Auditor's Office gave Lincoln County a finding after accusing the county of not having the correct policy in place to "conform to federal procurement standards," creating frustration within the commissioner's chamber.

Bailey Nachtigal of Davenport was named Miss Rodeo Washington.

Justin Young resigned as head football coach in Davenport suddenly after 12 years at the helm.

Janelle Hein and Byrne Bennett joined The Record-Times as an office specialist and reporter, respectively.

Hardy Hardware announced it would be joining the Ace Hardware franchise.

Capital Rivers Commercial, a Sacramento-based real estate agency developing the AirLift Northwest hangar and living quarters at the Davenport Municipal Airport, accused the city of refusing to help the company secure financing for the project, while the city said the consent agreement Capital Rivers wanted signed would change the original lease agreement.

Gonzaga head baseball coach Mark Machtolf's motion to suppress evidence in his DUI case was denied in Lincoln County District Court.

A Enumclaw man charged with the rape of his daughter in Odessa was given a trial date beginning in October.

Edna's Drive-In announced it was selling the longtime hamburger restaurant to Les Schwab.

Casey Lattanzi was arrested for stealing a car after he was released from Lincoln County Jail.

County commissioners approved a move to PEB for county medical insurance benefits.

Reardan High School's top-rated FFA team competed at nationals in Indianapolis.

November

County commissioners reached an agreement with Teamsters 690 for Sheriff's Office unionized employees to receive medical benefits under the Teamsters umbrella, but faced tension with Local 1254 and 1254 CH Union when the latter refused to negotiate benefits publicly.

A local man allegedly pulled a gun on several Davenport High School students accused of throwing eggs at the man's car.

Davenport's girls soccer team defeated Reardan and Brewster in the postseason to advance to the state playoffs.

Turkey Bingo returned to Davenport, with a massive turnout.

Gabe Gants was elected Lincoln County Sheriff in the general election, while Emily Lybbert Hansen won the race for Treasurer and Rob Coffman was re-elected Lincoln County Commissioner.

J Scott Liebing, Chandra Schumacher, Traci Gants, Adam Walser and Dan B. Johnson were elected to the offices of Assessor, Auditor, Clerk, County Prosecuting Attorney and District Court Judge, respectively in uncontested races.

Mark Stedman announced his resignation as Lincoln County Commissioner effective at the end of the year.

A consent agreement was reached between Davenport and Capital Rivers after a tumultuous back-and-forth between the two parties.

An armed robbery was reported on Laney Brothers Road east of Odessa at a residence in which the homeowners were held up at gunpoint and stripped of money and jewelry.

The Reardan-Edwall School District capital levy failed after district voters elected not to have taxes raised for capital facility improvements.

Scott Hutsell received the Melvin Jones Award given to outstanding Lions Club members.

Odessa received a $1.7 million grant from the Department of Commerce to renovate the community center.

Tim Dempsey of Odessa became a Special Olympics Ambassador.

Gonzaga baseball coach Mark Machtolf was sentenced to two days in jail and fined $1,500 after pleading guilty to reckless driving in Reardan.

Odessa football advanced to the state semifinals before being eliminated by eventual champion Liberty Bell.

December

Antonio James Aguilar Hartman was arrested in Hawk Creek on suspicion of murdering a man in Kennewick.

Brian Telford and J.J. Kowalkowski were hired to work facilities at the Davenport School District.

Locals gathered at Pioneer Plaza in Davenport for the return of Hometown Christmas, while Harrington hosted its own Hometown Christmas and Odessa hosted Christmas Fest.

Five from Lincoln County were named to All-League football teams.

Former deputy Jesse Allen was appointed Lincoln County undersheriff by Sheriff Gabe Gants.

Local farmers dealt with heavy snowfall in late November and early December that nearly doubled average snow amounts.

County commissioners approved its usual 1% property tax increase.

Basketball games and wrestling tournaments got under way for local schools.

Charles R. Bergman entered a not-guilty plea against his charge of first-degree murder and received a trial date of May 17.

Treasurer Jody Howard, child support enforcement officer Debbie Keller and clerk Peggy Semprimoznik retired after many combined years with Lincoln County.

Julie Jacobsen temporarily opened her mercantile shop, Ag Swag, for the holiday season.

Budgets were approved in municipalities countywide.

Elected officials were sworn into their offices in Lincoln County.

A sharp cold front was succeeded by warmer than normal temperatures in an odd last two weeks of December weather-wise.

Davenport's boys basketball team ended the calendar year 9-0 and ranked No. 1 in the state heading into league play.