Articles from the February 18, 2016 edition


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  • ML Circuit Breakers prepare for Stronghold competition

    AL STOVER, Staff Reporter|Updated Feb 19, 2016

    The Medical Lake High School Circuit Breakers robotics team is gearing up for the 2016 season. This year the Circuit Breakers, along with others, will compete in FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Stronghold, where an alliance of three teams uses their robots to capture on opponent's' tower. Bernie Polikowsky, one of the team's mentors, said the team is engineering their robot to have it focus on shooting boulders to weaken their opponents'...

  • Seeking West Plains advocate

    John McCallum, Editor|Updated Feb 19, 2016

    Citing lack of support for West Plains’ issues, the Cheney City Council has decided to throw its support behind a pair of bills in the state Legislature that would change the government of Spokane County from a three-member board of county commissioners to a five-member board. House bill 2610, sponsored by Spokane District 3 Rep. Marcus Ricelli, and its companion measure Senate Bill 6514 requires non-charter counties with populations of 300,000 and more to establish a redistricting committee by Jan. 31, 2017 and divide the c...

  • Looking Back

    Updated Feb 19, 2016

    1 Years Ago Feb. 23, 2006 Proponents of a proposed recreation center at Eastern Washington University was seeking approval of a street vacation for North 10th Street from Elm to Cedar. A grain bin in downtown Cheney collapsed, spilling 65,000 bushels of grain on the ground adjacent to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad tracks. It had been 15 years since Medical Lake hosted a girls basketball playoff game but they did not forget how to perform as the Cardinals scored a 48-42 victory over Riverside to advance to...

  • Dale F. Hagel, Sr.

    Updated Feb 19, 2016

    Dale Franklin Hagel, Sr. died peacefully surrounded by family at his home on Feb. 8, 2016 in Spokane, Wash., at 82 years old. Dale is survived by his 11 children and their spouses: Dale Jr. and Sharon Hagel of Medical Lake; Gary Hagel of Spokane; Teresa and John Spracklen of Pahrump, Nev.; Donald and Amy Hagel of Spokane; Susan and Michael Klemke of Medical Lake; Cindy and William Kirste of Winnemucca, Nev., Sam and Paulette Hagel of Spokane; Larry and Susan Hagel of Spokane;... Full story

  • Ricky Tyler Petersen

    Updated Feb 19, 2016

    Ricky Tyler Petersen was born April 12, 1996 and passed away unexpectedly on Feb. 5, 2016. This tragic event has left a hole in our hearts and family that we feel almost every second. He brought joy and happiness to everyone he met and his smile would change the room. He especially loved his family and would do anything for them. Ricky was a wonderful son that we were always so proud of, and a great brother. He was our “handsome little man” and “buddy” but he was described by most as “my best friend.” Ricky was a gifted athl... Full story

  • What's Happening On The West Plains

    Updated Feb 19, 2016

    Cheney • Feb. 19, Free AARP Tax-aide, community library, noon – 5 p.m. • Feb. 20, Pancake breakfast, Cheney’s Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 11326, American Legion Hall, 116 College Ave., donations appreciated, 7:30 –10:30 a.m. • Feb. 23, “Just Play,” community library, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. • Feb. 23, City Council meeting, City Hall Council Chambers, 6 p.m. • Feb. 23, Book Discussion Group of the Friends of the Cheney Community Library, community library, 7 p.m. • Feb. 24, Mobile Food Bank grocery distribution, Westwood Mi... Full story

  • Serving an LDS mission: a rewarding struggle

    KAMERRA FOSTER, Contributor|Updated Feb 19, 2016

    In the beginning, Sister Taya Worthen didn't plan to serve as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter-day Saints. It would mean 18 months of no work, postponing college and paying her way. "I never thought that was in the cards for me," Worthen said. Yet, she is here in Cheney. What changed her mind? Nothing. What changed her heart? God. Like many little girls, Worthen always wanted to be a Disney princess. She came close enough to that dream to touch it. She...

  • The electricty answer is not entirely blowin' in wind

    DON C. BRUNELL, Contributor|Updated Feb 18, 2016

    In 1962, songwriter Bob Dylan composed “The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind.” It was a Vietnam War protest song suggesting the ambiguous answer to ending war and living in peace and harmony was “blowin’ in the wind”…somewhere. Today, wind power is an important part of our nation’s electricity generating system and it will be essential in the decades ahead. The question is how much of it can we reasonably produce to meet our nation’s growing electrical demand...

  • Bernie Sanders: a candidate for peace activists

    LAWRENCE S. WITTNER, Contributor|Updated Feb 18, 2016

    On Feb. 10, 2016, Peace Action — the largest peace organization in the United States — announced its endorsement of Bernie Sanders for the Democratic nomination for President. Peace Action is the descendant of two other mass U.S. peace organizations: the National Committee for a Sane Nuclear Policy (SANE) and the Nuclear Weapons Freeze Campaign (the Freeze). SANE was founded in 1957 with the goal of ending nuclear weapons testing. Soon, though, it broadened its agenda to include opposing the Vietnam War and other ove...

  • Put wheels in motion for new youth voter registration

    Updated Feb 18, 2016

    The keys to future elections in the state of Washington could be in the hands of those who may have just recently earned their drivers license. That is if legislation Secretary of State Kim Wyman is proposing passes, allowing 17-year-olds to pre-register to vote in a program that would be part of high school history and civics classes. The legislation, House Bill 2707/Senate Bill 6340, was introduced in both chambers on Jan. 19. The prime sponsors are Rep. Steve Bergquist, D-Renton, and Sen. Joe Fain, R-Auburn, with members f...

  • Medical Lake High School announces first semester honor roll

    Updated Feb 18, 2016

    Medical Lake High School announced their honor roll for the first semester of the 2015-16 school year. Seniors President’s Honor Roll (4.0-3.5) Dara Abounorinejad, Kaylee D. Andrews, Nathan V. Braswell, Rikki M. Brynes, Emma L. Davis, Zoe S. Davis, Joan De Lara, Derek J. Dick, Claire L. Dormaier, Isiah B. Farmen, Nehemiah J. Fields, Taylor L. Fritz, Alexander A. Garza, Jamie K. Grantham, Boaz M. Guidry, Kayla S. Guthimiller, Aryn R. Gygi, Peter A. Hansen, Jaysen P. Haynes, Cassidy A. Hillebrandt, Romana J. Hyde, Christian J...

  • Hallett Elementary honors January award winners

    Updated Feb 18, 2016

    Hallett Elementary School announced its award winners for January. Fairness (PACE) —Mason Hecker, Lucas Williams, Journey Blazovich, Emily Russell, Ashtyn Butterfield, Madison Reynolds, Abigail Hall, Tanna Pedersen, Drew Harper, Isaiah Bowser, Elizabeth Gies, Nicholas Roberson, Garrett Montney, Kameron Davis, Tessa Appel, Abby Kubes, Caelynne Lowe, Kayla Ramsey, Riley Chiamulon and Ethan LaBonte. Bug—Draeson Bushy, , Preston Coyner, Andrew Briscoe, Christopher Parazoo-McCully, Kayla Bolles, Dayton Rife, Zaviyan Thomes, Eli...

  • Education Briefs

    STAFF AND NEWS SOURCES|Updated Feb 18, 2016

    CHS seniors named Spokane Scholars The following Cheney High School seniors were named Spokane Scholars: Sami Zakrzewski, world languages; Claire Arensmeyer, fine arts; Shayla Payne, science; Georgianna Black, social studies; Hannah Simonsen, English and Shogo Starr, mathematics. FFA raises funds, supplies for SCRAPS Cheney High School’s FFA chapter has chosen to serve their community this year by volunteering monthly at the Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Agency (SCRAPS). As part of this service project, the c...

  • Friends of Turnbull to hold annual fundraiser dinner

    Updated Feb 18, 2016

    The 10th annual Wild Refuge Fundraising Dinner and Auction will be held at the Wren Pierson Community Center from 5- 9 p.m. on Saturday, March 5. This fundraiser is known for its wildlife-related art, fun hotel packages and creative gift baskets. Those who attend can expect a delicious salmon dinner prepared by T.T. Peone Catering. Most importantly, all proceeds go to supporting the mission of the Friends of Turnbull. Tickets can be purchased at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2475808....

  • Pharmacist Connect offers check-up for meds

    PAUL DELANEY, Staff Reporter|Updated Feb 18, 2016

    As the Pharmacist Connect website notes, they know the importance of a variety of health checkups and measures — mammograms, colonoscopies and vaccines. But spending more than the moments one does with a pharmacist who dispenses a prescription is not thought of as important. Do we really give a thought to what he or she tells us; about when to take medicine, how much or often to take and the potential side affects? Pharmacist Connect offers a new service that owner Holly J...

  • Redefine Fitness looks to bridge some gaps

    PAUL DELANEY|Updated Feb 18, 2016

    It's more than your average fitness facility so the new name of the Apex Physical Therapy's Redefine Fitness seems to be aptly named. Located in the Apex Wellness Center at 1855 First St., Redefine Fitness, combines the best elements of physical therapy and fitness, all under one roof. "We've kind of been in the process of rebranding and changing a lot of the way we do things," Tim Irgens, a strength and conditioning specialist at Redefine Fitness said. The gym offers a...

  • Eastern brings one-day NEW Leadership institute to campus

    AL STOVER, Staff Reporter|Updated Feb 18, 2016

    The Eastern Washington University Women’s Studies Center and Women’s and Gender Studies Program are hosting a one-day NEW Leadership institute at the Cheney campus March 4 from 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. According a news release, NEW Leadership is a program developed by the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University in New Jersey to educate, empower and encourage college women to become politically active, take on leadership roles and advocate for issues they care about. Lisa Logan, who previously went to Washi...

  • Cheney Schools roll out facilities planning timeline

    AL STOVER, Staff Reporter|Updated Feb 18, 2016

    At its Feb. 10 meeting, the Cheney school board received an outlook of its community engagement and facilities planning for the year. In the fall the school district used Thoughtexchange, a community engagement tool, to reach out to residents and ask them what they feel are the most important issues in the district. Superintendent Dr. Deb Clemens explained that through the results of the first Thoughtexchange process, the district learned the top priorities the community has are the increasing enrollment and facilities to...

  • News Briefs

    STAFF AND NEWS SOURCES|Updated Feb 18, 2016

    Cheney Light Department scheduling outages The city of Cheney Light Department is doing system improvement work requiring power disruptions for switching purposes in neighborhoods surrounding Garden Manor Apartments. The area of outages runs from Eplin Street to Washington Street, and Salnave Road to State Route 904. According to a news release, the disruptions will take place during normal work hours, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., beginning Monday, Feb. 22 and concluding Friday, March 11. The approximate times of the outages should b...

  • Support needed for restoration, maintenance of Cheney's historic Sterling-Moorman House

    SCOTT WILBANKS, Contributor|Updated Feb 18, 2016

    The next time you go to the Cheney Post Office, glance to your right before entering the building. You will see a tidy little white house with a bench in the front yard. This is the Sterling-Moorman House. Built in 1883, it is one of the last standing houses from the early days of Cheney. It is a rare example of a 19th century house with Gothic Revival elements - the vertical lines, lack of ornamentation and the symmetrical spacing of windows are all characteristics of that ar...

  • Moseley named ML Senior Citizen Volunteer of the Year

    John McCallum, Editor|Updated Feb 18, 2016

    "Someone in your community is going to honor you today." Whether it was a line from a fortune cookie or not, it was the opening line of an anonymous letter nominating long-time resident Elisabeth Moseley as Medical Lake's 2015 Senior Citizen Volunteer of the Year. And like some fortunes, it came true when Moseley was named the recipient of the award at the 32nd annual Medical Lake Kiwanis Senior Citizen Valentine's Day Dinner, held Feb. 13 at St. Anne's Catholic Church's...

  • AH commissioners discuss relationship with Cheney School District and facilities

    John McCallum, Editor|Updated Feb 18, 2016

    Not always does a meeting need action items to have a good discussion. During commissioner reports on a very light Airway Height Planning Commission meeting agenda Feb. 10, Commissioner Sonny Weathers commented that he had received several emails asking about the growth in the Cheney School District and the need for more schools in the city. Weathers suggested the commission might include how Airway Heights might go about getting property in the city for the school district to build another school as a future meeting agenda...

  • Planning Commission approves Cheney capital facilities plan

    John McCallum, Editor|Updated Feb 18, 2016

    With a prognosticating eye to the future, the Cheney Planning Commission approved a motion to forward the city’s capital facilities plan to the City Council and recommended its approval. Required by state law, the plan is based upon providing measurable and financially feasible service levels so that a community’s growth over time does not exceed its government’s ability to provide system improvements to deliver those services to residents — known as concurrency. Cheney’s plan envisions the facility needs through the year...

  • Cheney High grad receives Polk award

    John McCallum, Editor|Updated Feb 18, 2016

    Cheney High School alumna and former Free Press reporter Cara Fitzpatrick has been named a recipient of the prestigious George Polk Awards in Journalism for an education series she helped write as part of a team at the Tampa Bay Times. The Polk Awards are administered by Long Island University in New York, and are named for CBS news correspondent George Polk, who was murdered in 1948 while covering the civil war in Greece. Seven New York Times journalists were also winners of...

  • Playin' that ole' timey music

    Updated Feb 18, 2016

    Brown's Mountain Express members Aaron Castilla (mandolin), Marking Harding (upright bass) and Kelly Gogan (banjo) performed such rousing renditions of a number of favorite bluegrass standards that attendees at the 32nd annual Medical Lake Kiwanis Senior Citizen Valentine's Day dinner found it hard to stay in their seats at times. See the story on page 10 to learn who was named the 2015 Senior Citizen Volunteer of the Year at last Saturday's event....

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