Articles from the July 16, 2015 edition


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  • Rushing under fire for comments

    AL STOVER, Staff Reporter|Updated Jul 20, 2015

    Airway Heights Mayor Patrick Rushing is under fire for some recent comments made on his personal Facebook account last weekend. Rushing made a comment in response to a friend’s comment, comparing First Lady Michelle Obama to a “gorilla” and referring President Barack Obama as a “Monkey-man.” He made these comments through his personal Facebook page that was not affiliated with the city or his position as mayor. Rushing made a public apology and said his comments were not meant to offend anyone. “I made an insensitive...

  • Apex opens clinic in Fairways Plaza

    John McCallum, Editor|Updated Jul 17, 2015

    Residents in the residential-boom town of the West Plains' Fairways area have always faced a decision when it comes to seeking physical therapy. That decision is where to go. Do you travel the 8-10 miles to Cheney, or the roughly equal distance to Airway Heights or the longer trek into Spokane? As of July 1, that decision became, "I hope I am able to get an appointment." Apex Therapy has opened a fourth clinic at 10511 W. Aero Road in the Fairways Plaza, the small business...

  • Blue Waters, Bluegrass festival brings in notable duos and trios

    AL STOVER, Staff Reporter|Updated Jul 17, 2015

    The sounds of fiddles, mandolins, guitars and other instruments will fill the air at Waterfront Park as 14th annual the Blue Waters Bluegrass Festival returns to Medical Lake, Aug. 7-9. Headlining this year's festival are a couple of reunion acts, one being Laurie Lewis and Kathy Kallick, who were the founding members of the Northern California Band "Good 'Ol Person." Kevin Brown, festival music director, said this year's event will focus on some of the women in bluegrass....

  • Close contact

    John McCallum, Editor|Updated Jul 17, 2015

    Despite wet conditions, many people made it downtown for the Cheney Rodeo Parade and Vendor Roundup, browsing vendor booths and taking part in a number of activities such as this petting zoo in the Owl Pharmacy parking lot....

  • Watch out for each other on the road

    Updated Jul 17, 2015

    Last month, a Cheney Middle School student was struck by a car at the corner of Sixth Street and Golden Hills Drive. The driver of the car was a high school student on the way to Cheney High School. The bicyclist was riding on the wrong side of the road and was not wearing a helmet. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries. There are several lessons that can and should be taken from this incident. First, parents should ensure their children are aware that bicyclists should ride with, not against, the flow of traffic....

  • Americans really do need more hours of work

    From The Orange County Register|Updated Jul 17, 2015

    The following July 12 editorial from the Orange County Register may or may not reflect the views of the Cheney Free Press editorial board. Jeb Bush tripped over his tongue this past week when he posited that, to grow the U.S. economy, “people should work longer hours.” The remark by the Republican presidential candidate was misconstrued in some quarters as suggesting that American workers are somehow lazy. Indeed, that’s how the Democratic National Committee’s rapid response team chose to play it: “So does Jeb’s whole 4 perce...

  • Key command on how we treat others lost in same-sex marriage argument

    John McCallum, Editor|Updated Jul 17, 2015

    The ink was barely dry on the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 26 decision guaranteeing same-sex marriage as a constitutional right when the backlash against the ruling began. The most laughable of these came from Republican presidential aspirant Sen. Ted Cruz, who criticized the decision along with a ruling the previous week upholding the federal government subsidy of the Affordable Care Act as “judicial activism.” Cruz said he planned to introduce a constitutional amendment subjecting a “lawless” Supreme Court to intermitt...

  • Thanks from Friends of the Cheney Library

    Updated Jul 17, 2015

    Thank you to everyone who donated books or purchased books at our Friends of the Library Rodeo weekend sale. We also thank all the people who helped us move books indoors during Saturday’s rain. It takes many people to set up the sale and we thank them for their efforts. Special thanks go to the 11 EWU women’s basketball team members who carried up books and to the Cheney Faith Center youth group for organizing and placing tarps over the outdoor book sale area. We could not hold the sale without your help. Funds raised by...

  • Mustard receives doctorate

    Updated Jul 17, 2015

    Cheney High School and Eastern Washington University alum T.J. Mustard graduated in June with a doctorate degree in chemistry from Oregon State University, where he defended his thesis “Computational Investigations of Transitional Metal Catalyses and Amorphous Metal Oxides: Accelerating Scientific Discovery Through Automation.” Mustard, his wife Erin (Conrath) and their son Henry will be moving to San Diego Calif., where he will begin working as a postdoctoral researcher at Schrödinger, Inc. While attending OSU he rece...

  • Sweeney makes Wichita State University honor roll

    Updated Jul 17, 2015

    Cheney’s Adam Sweeney made the Wichita State University’s dean’s honor roll for spring 2015. To be included on the dean’s honor roll, a student must be enrolled full time — at least 12 credit hours — and earn at least a 3.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale. Wichita State enrolls more than 15,000 students and offers more than 50 undergraduate degree programs in more than 150 areas of study in six undergraduate colleges....

  • EWU new freshmen admission application deadline is Aug. 1

    Updated Jul 17, 2015

    With a record number of entering freshmen expected this fall, Eastern Washington University announced in a news release that it will close the application for admission to new freshmen on Aug. 1. Students who have already applied to Eastern or who are waiting for back-up material to complete the application process are not affected by the deadline. Transfer students and returning students may still apply for admission after Aug. 1. “EWU prides itself on providing access to higher education for as many students as possible,” S...

  • Medical Lake High School announces 2015 spring honor roll

    Updated Jul 17, 2015

    Medical Lake High School announced their honor roll for the second semester of the 2014-15 school year. SOPHOMORES Principal’s Honor Roll Natasha R. Alsept, Serenity L. Bremer, Glori I. Cheevers, Grady A. Chiamulon, Chloe L. Christensen, Kristen L. Ehr, Thomas E. Evans, Alanna M. Fisk, Camille M. Flores, Bodhi L. Forbes, Mykenzie M. Foster, Mollee A. Gray, Hailey M. Hostetter, Nickolas M. Isherwood, Stayton N. Kent, Nathan L. King, Gabriel L. Mangione, Maggie D. McGowan, Shay P. McIntyre, Nathan P. McShane, Kristina A. M...

  • State budget holds promise for Cheney School District

    John McCallum, Editor|Updated Jul 17, 2015

    It takes training, skill and experience to put together a multi-million school district budget — especially given the Washington Legislature’s penchant for going down to the final session seconds before passing a budget. Given all that, sometimes you need the winds of fortune to blow your way. Right now, Cheney School District’s executive director of finance, Kassidy Probert, is enjoying the breeze. In information provided to the school board at a June 24 budget workshop, Probert explained he had included funding for all-d...

  • Superintendent Ames reflects on first year at ML

    AL STOVER, Staff Reporter|Updated Jul 17, 2015

    It's been a pretty smooth first year for Medical Lake School District Superintendent Tim Ames. At the end of 2013-14 school year, Ames took over for Dr. Pam Veltri, who left Medical Lake after 14 years to take a position as an assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction with the Mead School District. Ames came to Medical Lake after nine years as the Wellpinit School District's superintendent, which helped him transition into Medical Lake. "There are always changes...

  • Damp weather, not spirits

    John McCallum, Editor|Updated Jul 17, 2015

    Cheney residents lined the streets downtown Saturday for the annual Rodeo Parade. Wet weather kept many away until about one hour before the start of the parade....

  • Scenes from the 2015 Cheney Rodeo Days

    Updated Jul 17, 2015

    Clockwise from upper left: During last Saturday's Happy Hoofer's run, Dan Hilton (left) and his son Calvin run down the home stretch. Calvin Hilton took first place in the boy's race after he finished in 28 minutes and 42 seconds. Kiwanis member Fred Pollard serves up some cotton candy prior to the rodeo parade. Some of the entrants in the annual rodeo parade were World War II veteran Bill Hankel, Cheney 2015 Rodeo Queen Elizabeth Wright, the Spokane Lilac Festival Float and... Full story

  • Area firefighters respond to wildfire south of Turnbull

    John McCallum, Editor|Updated Jul 17, 2015

    Local fire crews battled what appeared to be a lightning-caused fire that began Sunday about eight miles south of Cheney and two miles south of the Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge along Cheney Plaza Road. State Department of Natural Resources spokesman Guy Gifford said 17 engines, two hand crews — one 10-person crew and one 20-person crew — along with a helicopter, two single-engine air tankers and other personnel responded to the fire that consumed 123 acres of grass, brush and ponderosa pine between Chapman Lake and nor...

  • Jaeger reaches new heights in firefighting career

    AL STOVER, Staff Reporter|Updated Jul 17, 2015

    Lt. Christina Jaeger continues to make strides in her firefighter career. Jaeger, who has been volunteering with the Medical Lake Fire Department since November 2013, recently graduated from the West Plains Crew Leader Fire Academy. She was promoted to lieutenant in May. Jaeger's firefighting career began 10 years ago when she was visiting her brother, who works with the Northern Lakes Fire Protection District, in Hayden Lake, Idaho. One night, her brother asked her to go on...

  • Churches

    Updated Jul 17, 2015

    Emmanuel Lutheran Church All are welcome to worship with us this Sunday, July 19, at 10:30 a.m. You may also watch our pastor’s sermon on our website emmanuelcheney.org or on YouTube at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Cheney. Adult education begins at 9 a.m. “Worship in the Park” will be held at the gazebo at Sutton Park on Sunday, Aug. 9 at 10:30 a.m. Bring your family, friends and a comfy chair and join us for worship in God’s creation. A two-site Vacation Bible School will be held Monday, Aug., 10 – Friday, Aug. 14. “Unvanquishe...

  • Story of a wooden boy made real

    Updated Jul 17, 2015

    Stage West Community Theatre will present their Children's Workshop production of "Pinocchio," Saturday July 18, in two performances at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at Medical Lake High School auditorium. Deborah Munyon and Judith Gross direct the play, adapted by Kathryn Schultz Miller. The cast of 30 students is entertaining with their enthusiastic acting, singing, and dancing. Admission is $5 per person and $10 per family at the door...

  • West Plains Briefs

    Updated Jul 17, 2015

    CHS all-class alumni picnic All former students of all classes at Cheney High School, their families and their friends are invited to the annual Cheney High School Alumni Picnic, sponsored by the Cheney High School Alumni Association. The picnic will be held Saturday, July 18, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Salnave Park in Cheney. Admission is free and donations are accepted. Bring a lunch and a folding chair. The classes of 1955 (60th reunion) and 1965 (50th reunion) will have special gatherings. Please come and join us for a v...

  • What's Happening on the West Plains

    Updated Jul 17, 2015

    City of Cheney • July 17, Baby Play and Learn Storytime (ages 0 – 18 months), community library, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. • July 17, Heroic Birds of Prey, West Valley’s Outdoor Learning HOOT Program, community library, 2 – 3 p.m. • July 20, Dance Class, Wren Pierson Community Center, 7:15 – 8:15 p.m. • July 21, Senior Light Fitness, Wren Pierson Community Center, 9 – 10 a.m. • July 21, Farmer’s Market, City Hall Parking Lot, 2 – 6 p.m. • July 22, Toddler Play and Learn Storytime (ages 1 1/2 – 3), community library, 10:30 – 11:30 a....

  • Looking Back

    Updated Jul 17, 2015

    1 Years Ago July 21, 2005 Four elected officials in Cheney, Mayor Amy Jo Sooy along with councilmembers Mike McKeehan, Teresa Overhauser and Curt Huff were nearing the end of their terms and in need of deciding if they would run again. Radio station KEWU, located on the Eastern Washington University campus, was recently named as the Small Market Jazz Station of the Year by JazzWeek Magazine. The EWU football team was voted by both the media and coaches polls to win the Big Sky Conference title. 20 Years Ago July 20, 1995...

  • Condition yellow

    John McCallum, Editor|Updated Jul 17, 2015

    While conservation efforts have led to a restoration of levels in the city’s five-reservoir system, Cheney officials are cautioning residents from a false belief they are out of the woods when it comes to water supply over the remainder of the summer. The city is still maintaining a water usage status of yellow, even with cooler temperatures forecast over the coming weekend. Under a yellow status, residents and businesses are advised to water on odd/even days — odd days if location’s street address ends in an odd numbe...

  • New penalties for leaving animals in hot cars

    PAUL DELANEY, Staff Reporter|Updated Jul 17, 2015

    The next time Jill Weiszmann comes across a pet locked in the roaster oven of a car on a hot summer day, she will have a weapon other than a cell phone and her concern. Weiszmann hopes that what she experienced recently in a Cheney supermarket parking lot will never happen again after having had to intercede on behalf of a yellow Labrador retriever she found locked in a car. But just in case, recently approved Senate Bill 5501 will at least provide the additional threat of...

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