Articles from the June 4, 2015 edition


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  • Someone's loss is Cheney's gain

    John McCallum, Editor|Updated Jun 4, 2015

    Thanks to another area agency’s inability to obligate funding, the city of Cheney is positioned to begin work on a major road project ahead of schedule. The City Council signed a pair of agreements at its May 26 meeting allowing it to receive federal funding and begin engineering work on its Betz Road Preservation project. The $352,000 project will repave Betz from State Route 904 to North Sixth Street, as well as provide installation of ADA-compliant curb ramps. The city is eligible to receive 86.5 percent of the total p...

  • LOOKING BACK WITH THE CHENEY HISTORICAL MUSEUM

    Updated Jun 4, 2015

    One hundred years ago in 1915, the Herculean Pillars at the south entrance of the State Normal School were erected from granite from the old Cheney Normal School building. The project was sponsored by the school alumni association. Learn more about our area’s history at www.cheneymuseum.org....

  • Jodi Roberta (VanAllen) Wickering

    Updated Jun 4, 2015

    Jodi Roberta (VanAllen) Wickering of Cheney/Tyler, Wash., passed away after a long battle with health issues on May 24, 2015 at Deaconess Medical Center in Spokane. Jodi was born in Vaudeville, Calif. on Jan. 4, 1953 to Robert and Marlo Van Allen. She was a graduate of Medical Lake High School class of 1971. She completed Beauty School of Cosmetology in Spokane in 1972. She met her husband of 42 years, Raymond J. Wickering at Fairchild Air Force Base that same year and was married on Dec. 15, 1972. Jodi was preceded in death... Full story

  • Looking Back

    Updated Jun 4, 2015

    1 Years Ago June 2, 2005 The Eastern Washington University Board of Trustees approved the process to begin the search for a replacement to outgoing president Dr. Stephen Jordan, who accepted a new position at Metropolitan State College in Denver. The findings of an electrical rate study have indicated the city of Cheney would need to initiate an electrical rate increase of 9.1 percent. Katie Kimball, running in the 100-meter high and 300-meter low hurdles, and Tyriel Poosri, competing in the 300-meter low hurdles and 400-met...

  • What's Happening on the West Plains

    Updated Jun 4, 2015

    City of Cheney • June 5, Baby Play and Learn Storytime (ages 0 – 18 months), community library, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. • June 8, Planning Commission Meeting, City Hall Council Chambers, 6 p.m. • June 8, Dance Class, Wren Pierson Community Center, 7:15 – 8:15 p.m. • June 9, Senior Light Fitness, Wren Pierson Community Center, 9 – 10 a.m. • June 9, City Council Meeting, City Hall Council Chambers, 6 p.m. • June 10, Toddler Play and Learn Storytime (ages 1 1/2 – 3), community library, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. • June 11, Dance Class, Wren... Full story

  • Churches

    Updated Jun 4, 2015

    Cheney United Church of Christ Eastern Washington University students who sing in our church choir are performing in various concerts at EWU: June 4, Spring Choral Concert; June 5, Jazz Bash and the June 7 Opera Workshop. Kate Sloan, our music director, invites everyone to find the concert details. We really appreciate all the choir members and the keyboardist for their worship music. Summer worship continues at 10 a.m. in the sanctuary with Sloan leading the congregation in hymn singing, followed by cookies and chatting in t... Full story

  • Ask Celeste

    Updated Jun 4, 2015

    Dear Celeste, I finished high school many years ago and went straight into the work force. I’m considering a career in baking. What should I do to begin this journey? Signed, Allison S. Dear Allison, No matter when you finished high school, it’s never too late to pursue a passion. There are many avenues you can take to begin a career in culinary arts or baking. There are no education requirements to work as a baker, most establishments do prefer that applicants have at least a high school diploma. There are over 200 acc...

  • Isn't there a better way to address school funding issues?

    PAUL DELANEY, Staff Reporter|Updated Jun 4, 2015

    Cheers to teachers in Cheney and Medical Lake, plus a significant number of other educators who chose not to disrupt the lives of their real bosses, the taxpayers — and more importantly students — to be part of recent statewide rolling walkout orchestrated by the Washington Education Association. Intended to rattle the cages of lawmakers, WEA and their members want more money devoted to multiple fronts in education, but so does everyone else. In the lead-up to the May 27 demon...

  • History provides understanding of present-day issues

    Updated Jun 4, 2015

    Change the name of the geographical area, throw in the names of the major participants and one could say we are back in the days of the then — so called “advisors.” It was the spring of 1968 — and Tet was near. My company was assigned to locate the main Army advisor on the “Street Without Joy,” as he was the main liaison between MACV and the ARVN division assigned to that area. He sat there on his canvas field chair with his cooler filled with ice and beer, along with his faithful M-1 Carbine and PRC 25 for radio contact to...

  • Defining basic education in Washington

    Updated Jun 4, 2015

    One thing is for certain — and that is the release of the Washington House of Representatives 2015-2017 budget proposal on Monday shows there are still signs of life in Olympia among our elected representatives. That may be a small comfort to K-12 educators around the state who have been trying to send a message to legislators to do something about education via everything from emails to one-day teacher walkouts. Both the House and Senate proposals would add between $1.3 billion – $2.2 billion for educators’ compe...

  • West Plains Briefs

    Updated Jun 4, 2015

    Feed Medical Lake meal Feed Medical Lake celebrates its fourth anniversary on Monday, June 8, at St. John’s Lutheran Church from 5-6 p.m. Hot dogs or sausages, chips, and ice cream sandwiches will be served. There will be games for all ages and prizes. Legion Post 196 meeting Medical Lake American Legion Post 196 meets Tuesday, June 9, at 6 p.m. at Medical Lake’s Pizza Factory. Please call Matt at 280-8852 for more information. Blackhawk Scramble Come out to the Fairways Golf Course Saturday, June 13, and take part in the... Full story

  • Isherwood to study medicine at Whitworth University

    AL STOVER, Staff Reporter|Updated Jun 4, 2015

    Medical Lake High School senior Kris Isherwood has worn many hats throughout his academic career including Key Club secretary and National Honor Society president. Now he'll don one more - salutatorian of his graduating class. As the salutatorian, Isherwood will speak at the Medical Lake High School graduation ceremony held at Eastern Washington University's Reese Court, Saturday June 6. Aside from participating in several clubs, Isherwood is mostly known for performing in...

  • Three named as Cheney High School salutatorians

    John McCallum, Editor|Updated Jun 4, 2015

    Connor Pratt, Allison Sanchez and Jackson Spencer have been selected as salutatorians for the Cheney High School graduating class of 2015. Pratt is a life-long Cheney resident. His mother is a chemistry teacher at CHS and father is a financial advisor at Principal Financial Group. His favorite subjects are math and economics, which tie into his plans to attend Washington State University and hopefully study business. "I enjoy the diversity of business and ability to do many...

  • Three Springs High School graduates find their own way to success

    John McCallum, Editor|Updated Jun 4, 2015

    Most students face challenges in reaching their educational goals - elementary, middle, high school and college. For students at Cheney's Three Springs High School, those challenges can be different than for students at traditional schools. In fact, quite often those challenges become obstacles that can seem insurmountable. Three Springs Principal Ryan Fitzgerald believes it's not the obstacles that should be considered, but the paths around them. "It's not how many times you...

  • Medical Lake's Burris to attend Pepperdine University

    AL STOVER, Staff Reporter|Updated Jun 4, 2015

    For Stephanie Burris, being the valedictorian of her graduating class was a goal she set in her freshman year. She accomplished it back in March. "(Setting that goal) got me to take harder classes and really focus on my studies," Burris said. "For it to happen after four years is amazing." Burris will speak in front of her class Saturday, June 6, at the Medical Lake High School 2015 Graduation ceremony at Eastern Washington University's Reese Court. One of Burris' passions is...

  • Hetrick and Emert named CHS valedictorians

    John McCallum, Editor|Updated Jun 4, 2015

    Sonora Hetrick and Keith Emert have been named valedictorians of the Cheney High School graduating class of 2015. Both students achieved a perfect 4.0 grade point average. Hetrick moved to Cheney from the Spokane Valley in the summer of 2011. Both of her parents work at Eastern Washington University, and she has two brothers and a sister. Science and language arts have been Hetrick's favorite subjects while in high school, although she said she likes almost all of the classes...

  • Mayfest 2015

    Updated Jun 4, 2015

    According to organizers, Cheney's third annual Mayfest, celebrated last weekend, May 29-30, was a great success. Good crowds both days enjoyed a variety of activities and events downtown....

  • Riveted by the raptor

    PAUL DELANEY|Updated Jun 4, 2015

    Karmen Yount, a volunteer with the West Valley Learning Center's Raptor Exhibit, is explaining to visitors at last Saturday's Floods, Flowers and Feathers Festival at Turnbull Wildlife Refuge about Stan the Harris's Hawk. The exhibit, which also featured Sadie, an American kestrel hawk, was one of a number of booths and displays an estimated 600 visitors were able to see and experience at the refuge's annual open house event....

  • No injuries as car collides with tree

    AL STOVER, Staff Reporter|Updated Jun 4, 2015

    The Medical Lake Fire Department and Spokane County Sheriff's Office responded to an accident on the 2300 block of Salnave Road in Medical Lake, across from Lakeland Village, last Saturday morning. A car went off the road and struck a tree. The Spokane County Sheriff's Office investigated the collision. The front section of the vehicle was damaged and according to Deputy Mark Gregory, no injuries were reported. Salnave Road remained open as agencies investigated the accident,...

  • Welcome to Sunset Park

    AL STOVER|Updated Jun 4, 2015

    The city of Airway Heights received two new entrance signs for Sunset Park. One of the signs is at Lawson Street (pictured above) while the other is at King Street. Both signs have green lettering with the image of a yellow sun above. The reasons for purchasing new signs were a combination of resident feedback and concern over the conditions of the old signs. Both signs cost $3,913.20....

  • Reimagine Medical Lake works to preserve the past and build future

    AL STOVER, Staff Reporter|Updated Jun 4, 2015

    There’s a revitalization movement poised to happen in the Medical Lake. Leading the charge is Reimagine Medical Lake, a group of citizens, that is looking to preserve the city’s history, as well as help it thrive in the future. The group is currently making a documentary about the history of Medical Lake. The film will focus on historical buildings in the city. Ben Cabido, community-based economic development director and CMTV14 program developer and marketing director for Community Minded Enterprises, said the doc...

  • Up in the air

    Rachel Stuart|Updated Jun 4, 2015

    Kacey Brantley (above) and fellow members of the Spokane Aerial Performance Arts' troupe wowed Cheney festival goers with complex and colorful routines last Saturday during the third annual Cheney Mayfest. See page 10 and our website, www.cheneyfreepress.com, for more photos....

  • Cheney High School receives national award

    John McCallum, Editor|Updated Jun 4, 2015

    Cheney High School has again received a bronze ranking on U.S. News and World Reports’ “2015 Best High Schools.” According to a May 12 news release, the rankings are produced in conjunction with RTI International, a global nonprofit social science research firm, and is based on a complex methodology formula. That formula is “based on three aspects of school performance: (1) the performance of all students on state assessments in reading and mathematics; (2) the performance of disadvantaged student subgroups — defined a...

  • Airway Heights cancels council meeting

    AL STOVER, Staff Reporter|Updated Jun 4, 2015

    The June 1 Airway Heights City Council meeting was canceled due to lack of necessary agenda items, according an email from City Manager Albert Tripp. Tripp added that the council will meet June 8 for its regular study session. The next legislative session will be June 15 in council chambers. Al Stover can be reached at al@cheneyfreepress.com....

  • Moratorium on medicinal pot put in place

    AL STOVER, Staff Reporter|Updated Jun 4, 2015

    At its May 26 study session, the Airway Heights City Council passed an emergency moratorium on medical marijuana cooperatives and dispensaries. The moratorium is a result of Gov. Jay Inslee passing a new state bill referred to as the “Cannabis Patient Protection Act.” The bill, which was passed in April and will take effect in July, establishes the Liquor Control Board — now the Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) — as the regulatory agency overseeing medical marijuana. It also establishes guidance for rules, regulation and lic...

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