Articles from the January 13, 2022 edition


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  • Cardinal boys top Deer Park

    Matthew O. Stephens, Reporter|Updated Jan 13, 2022

    MEDICAL LAKE – The Cardinal boys basketball team rose to victory over Deer Park 66-54 behind Tyler Sembly’s 21 points. Sembly also had quite a night rebounding as well and worked the defensive glass quite effectively. Eugene Haas added 17 points, and Oran Rhimer added 13 to join Sembly in scoring double digits. A strong first half allowed the Cardinals to maintain the lead and hold off a fourth quarter push by the Stags. Deer Park’s Seth Hickman and Cole Krepcik did everything they could to keep the Stags in it, with Hickman...

  • Under the Bus

    Matthew O. Stephens|Updated Jan 13, 2022

    This was one of two city buses that got stuck in the snow on January 6. The winter storm created multiple problems for area drivers and people using public transportation....

  • City Council Votes On COVID Vaccine Mandate

    Jonathan Olsen-Koziol, Cheney Free Press|Updated Jan 13, 2022

    CHENEY – On Monday Jan. 10 the city council decided how they will handle a COVID-19 vaccine mandate issued by OSHA. Resolution E-959 was approved with a vote of six to one. Jill Weiszmann was the one person who voted against Resolution E-959. Mark Posthuma ended up voting yes, but was divided on the resolution’s scope regarding the vaccination status of future employees. He ultimately voted to approve the resolution despite his clear opposition to the resolution’s portion regarding future employee’s vaccination status. Resolu...

  • Airway council pushes mayoral decision

    Matthew O. Stephens|Updated Jan 13, 2022

    AIRWAY HEIGHTS – Choosing a council chair and Mayor for Airway Heights was moved to the top of the agenda on January 10, and two individuals were nominated to fill the position for the next two years. Deputy Mayor Veronica Messing nominated current Mayor Sonny Weathers to continue his role as council chair, and council member Larry Bowman nominated himself to fill the spot. However, council was deadlocked in the vote, as both candidates received three votes. Council member Jennifer Morton had been excused for this meeting a...

  • Cheney Schools Stay Open Amidst Omicron Surge

    Jonathan Olsen-Koziol, Cheney Free Press|Updated Jan 13, 2022

    CHENEY – School districts around the nation are once again debating about closing down amidst the latest surge of the newest Coronavirus variant deemed colloquially as omicron. Superintendent Rob Roettger released a statement saying that despite many other districts electing to shut down, Cheney would stay open while continuing to implement health and safety protocols to mitigate the spread of the highly contagious variant. Roettger said the school district works closely with the Spokane County Health District and state o...

  • State lawmaker looking to eliminate park fees

    Matthew O. Stephens, Reporter|Updated Jan 13, 2022

    OLYMPIA – Washington state has a lot of parks and outdoor recreation areas that require people to either pay for an annual $30 Discover Pass or $10 daily passes to visit certain areas including Washington State Parks such as Palouse Falls, Steptoe Butte, Riverside State Park, Steamboat Rock, etc. Representative Mary Dye, a Republican from the 9th District wants to eliminate those fees, and recently proposed House Bill 1824 in order to possibly make outdoor recreation more affordable to families. The main goal of HB 1824 is t...

  • Legislative session gets underway

    Azeb Tuji, Washington State Journal|Updated Jan 13, 2022

    OLYMPIA — The state Legislature opened its planned 60-day session Monday, Jan. 10, with legislators saying they want to help strengthen economic well-being, manage COVID-19 risks, provide child care help, support mental health and mitigate the effects of climate change. One thing both parties agree on: the state appears to have plenty of money, thanks to $1 billion in remaining federal pandemic relief. Rep. J.T Wilcox, R-Yelm, said he thinks some of the money should be spent improving the state’s transportation system. “If...

  • Looking Back

    Updated Jan 13, 2022

    Visitors to the Cheney Recycling Center may have seen the nifty piece of patriotic artwork constructed by the center's aluminum crushing guru John Ballister. Using Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and various silver cans, Ballister made an aluminum flag....

  • West Plains Eagles look to a strong season

    Matthew O. Stephens, Reporter|Updated Jan 13, 2022

    CHENEY – The West Plains Eagles are a group of athletes that compete in the Special Olympics competitions, and they represent the Northeast area of Washington state. Brenda Devine, who has been the Program Coordinator for the West Plains Eagles since 2016 said she signed on when the previous coordinator retired. The team was tied to Cheney Parks and Recreation, and the Eagles had substantial success through 2017 and 2018 Devine said. She has since also taken on the role of Northeast Area Director for the Special Olympics i...

  • Winter storm hits early in 2022

    Matthew O. Stephens, Reporter|Updated Jan 13, 2022

    CHENEY – The Spokane area and west plains saw significant snowfall during the winter storm on January 6, and measurements at the Spokane International Airport show over 5 inches of fresh snow fell. This added to the snow already on the ground totaling nine inches according to statistics from the National Weather Service and it also created problems for commuters. Multiple cars were stuck along city streets, and even a couple of Spokane Transit busses were stuck in the s...

  • King Farms expands into equipment service

    Matthew O. Stephens, Reporter|Updated Jan 13, 2022

    MEDICAL LAKE – For over 20 years Jeff King has been following his passion and working with tractors, recreational vehicles, utility trailers, and other farm equipment. Over the last five years King has been working to build the foundation to start his own business and was recently able to make this dream a reality. King has been working at R & R RV in Spokane for much of those 20 years and has set a goal to retire from that job to completely focus on running the home-based business his wife Deborah King said. The couple h...

  • Open government group continues redistricting lawsuit

    Updated Jan 13, 2022

    OLYMPIA -- The Washington Coalition for Open Government will pursue in Thurston County Superior Court its open meetings lawsuit against the state Redistricting Commission for violating transparency laws. The state Supreme Court last Thursday declined to bypass the trial court and hear the case directly. The question before the state’s highest court was a matter of venue rather than the merits of the case. The coalition sued the Redistricting Commission to protect the integrity of the state Open Public Meetings Act, hold t...

  • Keep our legislative sessions open

    Mark Schoesler, Contributor|Updated Jan 13, 2022

    My first session was way back in 1993, and as a freshman state representative, I was very humbled and excited about being elected to serve the people of the 9th District in the House. Now, almost 30 years later, I’m still humbled and excited to serve you and other 9th District residents, even if I’m now considered to be a Senate veteran. This year’s legislative session started Monday and is scheduled (by our state constitution) to last 60 days, finishing on March 10. This will be what we call a “short session” instead o...

  • Hydroelectric storage yields benefits

    Don C. Brunell, Contributor|Updated Jan 13, 2022

    Increasing river flows to wash young salmon to sea works; however, once water goes down stream, it is gone. What if we could recycle it in key parts of the Columbia River system allowing us to increase electricity generation as well? The Columbia River and its tributaries offer enormous potential for innovation. Power planners are looking for new ways to increase electricity output while providing sufficient water for migrating salmon and steelhead. The good news is we are...

  • Looking Back

    Updated Jan 13, 2022

    January 12, 2012 Cheney Council members sworn in for 2012 The Cheney City Council eased into 2012 renewing contractys and accepting grants at its Jan. 12 meeting. Three council members were sworn in to start the meeting; Bob Stockton, Graeme Webster and Doug Nixon repeated oaths to retain their seats on the council after winning in the November elections Stockton and Webster beat repeat challengers Kathleen Warren and Tim Gainer respectively., while Nixon was unopposed. Councilwoman Jill Weizsmann, appointed in 2011, also...

  • Lawrence Patrick "Pat" Crowley

    Updated Jan 13, 2022

    Lawrence Patrick "Pat" Crowley Nov. 16, 1944 - Jan. 4th, 2022 Lawrence Patrick "Pat" Crowley passed away at his home Jan. 4, 2022. Pat was born Nov. 16, 1944 to Lawrence and Wanda Holmes Crowley in Pocatello, Idaho. He graduated from Pocatello High School and attended Idaho State University. Pat married Patricia Clement in 1970, celebrating their 51st anniversary this past June. They moved to Spokane in 1971, then to Cheney in 1973, five days before the birth of their son... Full story

  • Dollars for Scholars has successful wreath raffle

    Matthew O. Stephens, Reporter|Updated Jan 13, 2022

    MEDICAL LAKE – Medical Lake Dollars for Scholars tried a new approach to fundraising during the holiday season and partnered with multiple local businesses to create a holiday wreath raffle. Steven Meltzer, the group’s President said this was the first time trying this type of fundraiser, and it was so successful he plans to hold annual raffles of the same nature. “All of the businesses we partnered with this time are already on board to do it again next year,” he said. “The businesses really put themselves on the line, and...

  • Cheney Connections New Year Update

    Jonathan Olsen-Koziol, Cheney Free Press|Updated Jan 13, 2022

    CHENEY – The city of Cheney has released their Cheney Connections newsletter to keep the community updated on city services, meetings, and other comings and goings. Cheney waste crews are picking up Christmas trees. You can leave your tree curbside with your garbage cans just make sure the segments aren’t over six feet long. If any segments are over six feet, the residence will be billed $3.44. The city also recommends that if you’re planning on burning your old Christmas tree that it should be done in an outdoor burn barrel...

  • Writer's Workshop

    Updated Jan 13, 2022

    Carol Beason 1 January 2022 I don’t make New Year’s resolutions because I am fickle and they don’t work for me. Empty promises. So I focus on what I want to get rid of instead. A favorite way of releasing stuff cluttering up my mind is to rely on an old release ritual that has been in practice for a very long time. Right around the Winter Solstice, up to the first part of January, or the darkest part of night, is the best time to shed the unwanted in order to make way for the new; however it can be performed anytime. This...

  • West Plains Police News

    Updated Jan 13, 2022

    CHENEY – Here are the police reports from the Cheney Police Department from Jan. 3 to Jan. 10 Jan. 3 Tools stolen from vehicle on the 700 block of Villard Street. License plate stolen from the 1000 block of Betz Road. Jan. 4 77-year-old-male suddenly died on the 600 block of Salnave Road. Child abuse and neglect reported on the 1000 block of Betz Road. Jan. 5 Verbal dispute on the 100 block of Alki Street Death threats and harassment reported on the 1000 block of Betz Road. Jan 6. Bryce D. Smith, 34-year-old-male was a...

  • News Briefs

    Matthew O. Stephens, Reporter|Updated Jan 13, 2022

    SPOKANE – The Spokane County Library District has announced Beanstack’s 5th Annual Winter Reading Challenge, “Read for a Better World.” A press release from the district said, “A New Year’s resolution of reading more can make a better you. Even reading for just 20 minutes a day can reduce stress levels, improve your memory, and help us all be more empathetic.” The library invites readers to sign up through links on their website, and those participants can also track their reading through the Beanstack Tracker app for mobil...

  • Cheney Hosts Wrestling Invitational

    Jonathan Olsen-Koziol, Cheney Free Press|Updated Jan 13, 2022

    CHENEY – Cheney hosted 14 other teams from all over the Inland Northwest for a Blackhawk Wrestling Invitational on Jan. 8. The Cheney High School gym was packed as wrestlers threw down on four different mats simultaneously to find out who some of the best wrestlers in the northwest are. Cheney’s Joe Showalter secured a second-place overall finish in the 132-pound weight class. Collin Martin was third overall in the 160-pound weight class, Bradley Golden scored fourth overall in the 170-pound weight class, Ezra Anderson was...

  • Cardinal wrestler continues winning streak

    Matthew O. Stephens, Reporter|Updated Jan 13, 2022

    CHENEY – Medical Lake's Aden Carl went into the Cheney Invite as the number one seed in the 132 pound class, and increased his winning streak to 21-0 on the season by winning all of his matches on January 8. After a bye round, Carl pinned Coen Caldwell from Cheney and then Kayden Cate from Omak. Carl faced Joe Showalter from Cheney and won by decision 6-4. Andrew Roberts placed second highest for Medical Lake at 3rd and scored 19.0 team points in the 170-pound division. Robert...

  • Youth wrestling club to start in Airway Heights

    Matthew O. Stephens, Reporter|Updated Jan 13, 2022

    AIRWAY HEIGHTS – For a few years Pastor Jacob Powers has wanted to see a wrestling club start up to serve the Airway Heights community, and he said he is excited to get the Kingdom Wrestling Club started. Powers said he has been volunteering as the club organizer, and other parents have stepped up to volunteer as coaches. He said the club is still trying to get details worked out and figure things out, but he anticipates a lot of kids signing up. Powers said the pandemic made it tough to try organizing anything over the p...

  • Blackhawks Basketball Continues to Struggle

    Jonathan Olsen-Koziol, Cheney Free Press|Updated Jan 13, 2022

    CHENEY – Blackhawks basketball has resumed since taking a break for the Christmas holiday. The boys faced off against Mt. Spokane and fell 41 to 64. Josh Whiteley and Evan Stinson had strong performances, but it wasn’t enough to keep them at bay as they played with a lead for the entire game. The girl’s also fell to Mt. Spokane 56 to 27. The team tried to battle back behind a strong performance from Megan Schuller, SG but ultimately couldn’t bring a win within striking distance. After facing down Mt. Spokane, the Cheney...

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