Sorted by date Results 1 - 22 of 22
CHENEY – A Feb. 16 post on the Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the cause and manner of death of Loghan Starbuck, a 25-year-old Cheney woman who went missing on Dec. 18, 2021. But that information is not being released to the public at this time. On Jan. 10 of this year, authorities pulled her body from the Spokane River. While police cannot release any information during an ongoing investigation, Plan B Forensics LLC, a local forensic and expert witness service in criminal investigations, was heavily inv...
AIRWAY HEIGHTS – Sustainable housing units were the main topic of conversation when Governor Jay Inslee toured the newly opened Highland Village on Feb. 18 Learning about Habitat for Humanity Spokane efforts and speaking on the importance of energy-efficient housing, Inslee said the concept is multi-faceted. "Energy efficiency is a two-fer," he said. "Not only is it a critical tool for affordability and reducing the ongoing cost of homeownership, but it also happens to be a...
CHENEY – Stephanie Olsen was raised in Cheney, pursued her entire legal career in Spokane County, and is running to be its next prosecutor. She challenges incumbent Larry Haskell in a race that features two Republican representatives. Olsen thinks she’ll be a good fit for the position. “I’ve run a business before, I’m a good communicator, I’m a good listener, and that has been part of the problem (with the current prosecutor),” Olsen said. “I will go to the meetings — I wi...
CHENEY – Keith Fauerso, long-time director of the Cheney Care Center, is retiring at the end of March. Fauerso has been at the helm of the facility since 1988. "We're kind of unique as we are the only not-for-profit skilled facility in the state of Washington that was founded through community effort," Fauerso said. The original care center was located where the El Rodeo Mexican restaurant is. The Washington Department of Social and Health Services closed that facility in t...
AIRWAY HEIGHTS – As growth continues to move into the city and the housing market continues to spiral out of control, the concept of adopting land use alternatives has been crucial in developing the city’s comprehensive plan. The planning department has been gathering and studying community input, and during the city council meeting on Feb. 22, Principal Planner Heather Trautman told all in attendance what she’s heard. “We’ve been getting great feedback on our options,” Trautman said. “But we’re at a point of needing to make...
FAIRCHILD – Military families across Washington State can expect to see more childcare options following a Feb. 7 agreement between the Department of Defense and the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) to expand an existing program. The Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood (MCCYN) program has been in effect nationally for several years. But Washington state will now be the fourth state to use the new MCCYN-PLUS pilot program. According to Quality Recognition and Improvement System G...
AIRWAY HEIGHTS – Airway Heights residents craving Teriyaki now have another option to tantalize their taste buds with the opening of the Teriyaki Spice Restaurant located at 11980 W. Sunset Highway. The restaurant's owner, Brian Luna-Gonzales, worked diligently for the past six months to get the establishment up and running. Brian's parents started the first Teriyaki Spice restaurant in Woodland. The Airway Heights restaurant is the fourth location he and his family o...
When St. Patrick’s Day rolls around March 17, the Irish have lots to celebrate. Ireland is still clean and green. Now, it is spending $15 million to bring visitors back. Irish tourism officials are targeting 35 million people living in the U.S. with Irish heritage. They are key to generating $3 billion in pre-coronavirus yearly revenue. Ireland is an island nation roughly one-third the size of Washington state with 5 million people. It is no longer an agrarian country. T...
I am so glad that the Washington State mask mandate will be lifted soon. No, I am not against masks. I am actually very grateful for the caution and care our state and in turn Cheney School District has exercised during COVID. I am glad it will be lifted because maybe now our school board can get back to the critical work entrusted to them of overseeing the education of our children. Maybe they won’t have to be subjected to disrespectful disruptions to their work. I am a glad the mandate will be lifted because now maybe t...
“Wear masks!” “Social distance!” “Wash hands!” “Do not gather!” “Don’t be a danger!” “Quarantine!” “Vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate!” “Follow the science!” “Listen; do not speak!” “Stay in your lane!” “No room for rebels!” That was the narrative in the beginning. It was void and without form. But the narrative grew – and quickly. While it still had little form and virtually no substance, somewhere in its early growth, the narrative developed its own self-perpetuating energy supply called “agenda.” Later, adherents to the...
Ralph Donald Laws was born April 2, 1936 in Hamilton, Ravalli Co., Mont. He is the son of Ralph J. Laws and Margaret E. Nicholson, both early residents of The Bitterroot Valley. Ralph James was born in 1884 from Kansas and Margaret Ellen was born near Como in 1895. Ralph passed away Feb. 2, 2022 in Spokane, Wash. Ralph lived near Darby for seven years, then in Hamilton where he graduated in 1954. He was in the Army 1954-1956 stationed at Fort Ord, Herzo Base, Germany and Devens, Massachusetts. He attended M.S.U., now the... Full story
Neva Louise (Goller) Lincoln passed away on Feb. 13, 2022, with her husband and children by her side. Neva was born on Sept. 6, 1933, to Walter and Myrtle (Eignor) Goller at her Aunt Della's house in Kimberly, Idaho. She was the seventh of nine siblings. Neva was raised on the family farm in Wendell, Idaho and graduated from Wendell High School in 1951. Neva moved with her parents to Boise, Idaho where she attended Boise Junior College and worked for the Idaho Statehouse,... Full story
James (Jim) Wesley Mowatt passed away unexpectedly on Jan. 31, 2022. Born on July 27, 1936, in Chewelah, to Andy and Lorna (Seaman) Mowatt, Jim graduated from Chewelah High School in 1954, and then joined the U.S. Navy that next fall. He spent four years aboard the aircraft carrier Philippine Sea as a machinist's mate in the boiler room, traveling the world. Jim found the love of his life and married Arlene Schmitt in Oct. 1960. He worked as a logger up north and for a private... Full story
OLYMPIA – A package that pays for free passes on public transportation for young people and upgrades to major bridges are all part of a 16-year transportation funding plan approved by the Washington State Senate. The Senate approved the proposed revenue sources for the $17 billion ‘Move Ahead Washington’ transportation investment package on a 29-20 vote on Feb. 15. The bill sponsored by Transportation Committee Chair Sen. Marko Liias, D-Everett, now goes to the House for consideration. The plan includes funding for transit pr...
We’ve all probably heard or read the cliche, “honesty is the best policy.” It’s something instilled in us at a young age. It means to tell the truth, but what does that mean? How can we apply this to our lives? An important first step in thinking about honesty is realizing and appreciating honesty in others. Your friends, parents, and fellow humans face the choice of being honest every day, and that decision of “keeping it real” should be valued. Sincerity is a powerful tool people use to build relationships. It shows they ar...
Aijanae Young is a birth postpartum doula, a person who delivers non-medical care after birth. She said she didn’t realize the value she brought to her clients until she was the one in need. Young said before her doula arrived, she felt her pain and symptoms weren’t being addressed, and she had to fight to have the support she needed. “My doula listened to my cries, saw my struggles, she said. “I was afraid and suddenly didn’t know what to ask.” Doulas can provide physical, emotional, and informational support during and...
Kailey Budd (left) and Natalie Budd (right) brought in the first buttercups of the season on Feb. 16. They found and picked the little flowers along Cheney-Spokane Road on a day filled with sunshine and blue skies....
CHENEY – Winter sports officially wrapped with the swim and wrestling teams representing well at the state tournaments. The Blackhawks sent three wrestlers to the Mat Classic in Tacoma this past weekend, Feb. 18 and 19. Junior Joe Showalter competed in the 132-pound weight class, Junior Dalton Taylor wrestled at 152, and senior Ezra Anderson competed 182 pounds. "All three of these guys really peaked at the right time of year and their hard work during the season and out of se...
By Matthew O. Stephens Cheney Free Press MEDICAL LAKE – After eight seasons as the head coach for the Lady Cardinal basketball team, Kyle Lundberg has decided to hang up his sneakers and focus on his family. This past season presented some unusual challenges for the team. But the girls found success making it to the district tournament with a couple of players receiving postseason honors. "This season has been one of the strangest in my eight years as head coach here," L...
MEAD – Area residents can expect to see international military soccer this summer at no cost when Fairchild Air Force Base host the 13th Military Women's World Cup in July. The Conseil International Du Sport Militaire (CISM) revealed the site during a Feb. 18 press conference. Teams representing 10 countries will compete at Union Stadium in Mead from July 11-22 to determine which country will claim the championship trophy. Games will be held twice a day for 10 days at 3:30 a...
Cheney Police Reports Reports from 2-15 to 2-21 By Jonathan Olsen-Koziol Cheney Free Press Feb. 15 1994 Black Honda Civic abandoned on the 700 block of Chestnut Street. Harassment reported on the 2300 block of University Place. Jeffrey W. Pontier, 54-year-old male was arrested on felony harassment on the 200 block of North Eleventh Street. Tools and clothing stolen from garage on the 1000 block of Betz Road. Feb. 16 Stuffed animals and pillows stolen from the 500 block of Buena Vista Street. Feb. 17 Vehicle window broken on...
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