Articles from the May 28, 2015 edition


Sorted by date  Results 1 - 25 of 47

  • Kidnapping attempt thwarted

    John McCallum, Editor|Updated May 28, 2015

    Cheney Police arrested a 15-year-old female on alleged second-degree kidnapping charges in an incident that took place Sunday morning, May 24. Department Cmdr. Rick Campbell said an officer originally responded to a dispute call from Cheney Trading Company. Upon arrival, several people pointed the officer to a 15-year-old, carrying an 8 – 9 month old infant, who was asking people for a ride to Spokane. The female claimed the infant was hers. After leaving, Cheney Police were subsequently contacted by a woman informing them t...

  • Successful 'Beside Manners'

    Updated May 28, 2015

    StageWest Community Theatre's production of "Bedside Manners," by Derek Benfield, had a surprisingly successful first weekend despite it coinciding with three-day Memorial Day holiday weekend. "There was laughter from the audience," StageWest's director of publicity and advertising, Nancy Kuonen, said in an email. There are only three performances left this weekend, Friday night at 7 p.m., Saturday night's Special Dinner Theatre at 6 p.m. and a Sunday matinee at 3 p.m. Dinner...

  • Analysis: Cheney school bond lost support in almost all precincts

    John McCallum, Editor|Updated May 28, 2015

    After missing approval by just 1.57 percent in the February special election, proponents of the Cheney School District's $44.88 million expansion and renovation bond believed two things would lead to the measure's passage, one of which was increasing voter turnout. They got their wish in the April 28 special election, but not the desired outcome. Voter participation increased from 37.73 to 40.53 percent, but the bond again fell short of the 60 percent needed for approval,...

  • Control the fire of hatred against law enforcement

    Updated May 28, 2015

    I would like to thank the Cheney Free Press for having the good heart to print the article in the Opinion section of the paper titled “This war on police officers needs to stop.” This was in the May 14, 2015 edition. Police officers in our communities and across our nation put their lives on the line to preserve order in our society that we might have a sense of peace and safety where we live. For those who want to criticize, try walking in their shoes. Would you be willing to stand against vandals, thieves, the violent, the...

  • Camera crews bring fun to Medical Lake

    Updated May 28, 2015

    What fun we’ve had here in Medical Lake having a popular TV show filming right here in downtown. I’m sure some citizens have been a little disgruntled, driving out of their way to get to businesses, but only a block or two at most. Just to watch the many people, the vehicles and the trailers it takes to make a show. How exciting. Joyce Callaway Medical Lake...

  • Time to make funding for public mental health services a priority

    ROGER STARK, Contributor|Updated May 28, 2015

    The treatment of mentally ill patients has undergone radical changes in the past 150 years, and not always for the better. Unfortunately, public health treatment remains grossly underfunded and consequently care is fragmented and places a huge social burden on American communities. People with mental illnesses range from perfectly functional individuals, to those with severe disabilities who are unable to care for themselves. The role of government is to serve as a safety-net and to help dysfunctional, impaired people who may...

  • It's time to reform crop insurance and help smaller neighbors

    TRACI BRUCKNER, Contributor|Updated May 28, 2015

    At the Center for Rural Affairs, we’ve heard from farmers across the Midwest and Great Plains about negative impacts of federally subsidized crop insurance for over a decade. A farm safety net is important to help family farmers mitigate risks, but there are real concerns with the current crop insurance program. The federal government subsidizes crop insurance, paying 62 percent of premiums, on average, in 2012. Insurance policies are sold and completely serviced through 19 approved private insurance companies. Not only d...

  • Don't extend Patriot Act without changes

    Updated May 28, 2015

    Reprinted from the Orange County Register The House this past Thursday adjourned for its week-long Memorial Day recess leaving uncertain the fate of three provisions of the USA Patriot Act scheduled to expire June 1. Sen. John McCain, the Arizona, Republican, told CNN on Friday that he expects the House to interrupt its recess “for a few hours” to pass a short-term extension of the expiring provisions. “I think,” said McCain, “one thing we all are in agreement in (is) we can’t shut down the entire operation.” But no one is...

  • West Plains Briefs

    Updated May 28, 2015

    Blackhawk Scramble How’s your golf game? Whether it’s in top form or needs improvement, come out to the Fairways Golf Course Saturday, June 13, and take part in the annual Blackhawk Scramble. The scramble is a 9 a.m. shotgun start, and the $70 entry fee includes a round of golf, cart, a door prize and dinner afterwards. There will be a 50/50 putting, longest drive and closest to the pin contests, plus tons of other prizes and an auction. Proceeds benefit Cheney High School athletics and Kiwanis Club scholarships. For inf... Full story

  • WPCC Summer Kickoff breakfast

    Updated May 28, 2015

    The West Plains Summer Events Kick Off Breakfast is happening on June 4, 7:30 a.m. at the Shriner’s Event Center, 7217 W. Westbow Blvd., in Spokane. Join the chamber as they announce more about the local events happening throughout the summer from their coordinators. As always, there will be the West Plains Chamber Raffle, as well as a special announcement about our annual Taste of The West Plains Scramble coming up in September. Doors open at 7 a.m. for networking. Tickets are $18 for WPCC members and $30 for n...

  • Jaman earns degree from Minnesota State University

    Updated May 28, 2015

    Cheney resident Ali Jaman earned a degree in aviation from Minnesota State University, Mankato May 9. Minnesota State Mankato, a four-year state institution with 15,376 students, is part of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system....

  • Cheney Baseball Association Texas Hold 'EM poker night

    Updated May 28, 2015

    The Cheney Baseball Association is having a Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Night fundraiser, Friday June 12 at Northern Quest Casino in the Pavilion Room. The cost is $60 per ticket and includes $10 in food and beverage credit. Check-in and poker lessons begin at 5:30 p.m. and the event starts at 6 p.m. Cash pay out goes to the top 3 winners. There will also be a silent auction. All proceeds go to the Cheney Summerhawks youth baseball team. For more information contact Laura Martin at (509) 294-6985 or lamartinpr@gm...

  • Hallett Elementary announces PACE winners

    Updated May 28, 2015

    Hallett Elementary announced the Partners Advancing Character Education (PACE) award winners for April. April’s PACE trait is trustworthiness. PACE —Kaden Shaffer, Rilee Williams, Lucas Williams, Zoe Wilson, McKenzee Patterson, Connor Gibby, Katelyn Rodgers, Joy Taylor, Cheyannae Hughes, Baylee Bahr, Caydan Wagner, Cody Petersen, Kobe Turnbough, Jenna Castro, Kenny Cooper, Emily Sorey, Jacob Grantham, Adeline Hardison and Grayson Cogswell. Bug — Michael Laviano, Elizabeth Garrison, Nicholas Childe, Isabel Barry, Mered...

  • Cheney residents graduate from Oregon State

    Updated May 28, 2015

    CORVALLIS, Ore – Three Cheney residents will receive degrees when they graduate from Oregon State University, June 13 in Reser Stadium. Richard A. Arquette, master of science, college student services administration; Thomas J. Mustard, doctor of philosophy, chemistry; and Kaitlyn E. Wilson, doctor of pharmacy, pharmacy and Doctor of Pharmacy (four-year)....

  • MLMS honors May students of the month

    Updated May 28, 2015

    Medical Lake Middle School honored six students who were selected for the May Partners Advancing Character Education (PACE) Student of the Month award. They received certificates, gift certificates and T-shirts and were treated to a special lunch May 15 provided by Tommy G's Espresso, and the school. May's PACE trait of the month was courage. Name: Tashaun Berish Grade: Sixth Favorite Subject: Physical Education What courage means to them: Courage means not being afraid to...

  • Eastern's PUB renovation project moves into next phase

    PAUL DELANEY, Staff Reporter|Updated May 28, 2015

    The long-awaited remodeling project for Eastern Washington University's Pence Union Building student center is moving forward according to a report presented May 14 to the school's board of trustees. "We are on task and on our timeline," Mary Voves, vice president for business and finance at EWU, told the trustees. The remodel of the building constructed in 1971, estimated to cost $30 million, moved into the current phase following a conference call between the trustees prior...

  • Cheney School District honors teachers and staff

    Updated May 28, 2015

    Community members, friends and family came to honor Cheney School District teachers, staff and retirees at the annual Employee Recognition Night, held May 13 at Cheney Middle School. Winners of the "You Raise Me Up Award" were Betz Elementary School teacher Erin Williams, Cheney Middle School counselor Martha Meyers-Harris and Cheney High School teacher Jenna Tamura. Winners of the "Annette Grainer Team Collaboration Award" were the secretaries from all five elementary...

  • Medical Lake to bring in school resource officer

    AL STOVER, Staff Reporter|Updated May 28, 2015

    There will soon be a new addition to the Medical Lake School District, one that wears a deputy’s uniform. The district will soon enter into a contract with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office to provide a school resource officer to serve at Hallett Elementary, the middle school and the high school. Superintendent Tim Ames wanted to bring in a resource officer as other districts in Spokane County, such as Riverside, Deer Park and Cheney. Medical Lake Mayor John Higgins approached Ames about the district getting a resource offi...

  • Cheney woman escapes injury in Interstate 90 collision

    John McCallum, Editor|Updated May 28, 2015

    A Cheney woman escaped potential injury in a collision last Friday involving two semi trucks on Interstate 90 not far from the Cheney-Four Lakes exit. According to the Washington State Patrol, at just after midnight a 2007 Freightliner driven by Timothy Akers of Arlington, Wash., left the roadway in the westbound lanes and lost control. The trailer of Akers truck struck the trailer of a 2009 International driven by Binyam M. Wondmagegnehu of Calgary, Alberta before rolling over and coming to rest in the highway median,...

  • Ericka Rose is Airway Heights Police Department's newest officer

    AL STOVER, Staff Reporter|Updated May 28, 2015

    There's a new officer in Airway Heights and her name is Ericka Rose. Staff, public safety personnel and family filled the City Council chambers as Rose was sworn into the Airway Heights Police Department during a ceremony, May 20. "The feeling is surreal," Rose said after she received her badge. "I'm still waiting to wake up from this dream." For Rose, who was born and raised in Spokane, becoming a police officer was her dream since she was a child. "When I was a kid and we'd...

  • Airway Heights/Rotary club open splash pad at Sunset

    AL STOVER, Staff Reporter|Updated May 28, 2015

    Airway Heights residents finally have a water feature that can cool them off during those hot and dry summer days. Residents flooded to Sunset Park as the city of Airway Heights had the grand opening for the Rotary Splash Pad last Saturday. The splash pad, located next to the CXT restroom on Lawson Street, is one of the new features that went into the park this past year. The splash pad was a joint effort between Airway Heights and the Rotary Club of Spokane West that started...

  • Arbor Day contest winner

    AL STOVER|Updated May 28, 2015

    Airway Heights Mayor Patrick Rushing (right) presents Sunset Elementary fourth-grader Autumn Verstrate (left) with a plaque for winning the 2015 Arbor Day Poster Contest....

  • Cheney Mayfest; Floods, Flowers and Feathers both this weekend

    John McCallum, Editor|Updated May 28, 2015

    A pair of festivals could turn Cheney and nearby Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge into a couple of busy places this weekend. The third annual Cheney Mayfest takes place Friday and Saturday, May 29-30, downtown. Friday night will feature a street dance with live music by the Kelly Hughes Band along with fire eating performances by the Spokane Aerial Fire Troupe. Saturday, the 3-on-3 basketball tournament tips off at 8 a.m., along with vendor booths at College Avenue and First Street and in the Bank of America parking lot....

  • Medical Lake finds out zombies are OK

    AL STOVER, Staff Reporter|Updated May 28, 2015

    Medical Lake residents may have noticed what appeared to have been zombies followed by camera crews. In the last few weeks, the cast and crew of the Sci-fi Network's "Z Nation" have been filming scenes for the series' second season in Medical Lake. In 2014, crews filmed scenes at Eastern State Hospital. At the May 19 City Council meeting, Marc Dahlstrom, production supervisor of "Z Nation" praised the positive reception the crew has received from residents in the city,...

  • Time honored service

    AL STOVER|Updated May 28, 2015

    Members from the Sons of the American Revolution perform a three-rifle salute during the Memorial Day program at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery. See page 12 for images of other area observances....

Page Down