Articles from the December 2, 2021 edition


Sorted by date  Results 1 - 25 of 26

  • King Beverage plans new facility

    Matthew O. Stephens, Reporter|Updated Dec 2, 2021

    SPOKANE – King Beverage is planning a new warehouse with accompanying office space on a 20-acres parcel purchased from Spokane Airport Board for $1,957,923. The board made the announcement Nov. 17. The parcel is at the northwest corner of Geiger Boulevard and Flightline Boulevard. Records show Cory Barbieri of Goodale and Barbieri Co. as the broker handling the transaction. Although the specific address is yet to be determined, the warehouse is set to be over 200,000 square feet. A 20,000-square-foot, two-story office will si...

  • Turkey trotters

    Matthew O. Stephens|Updated Dec 2, 2021

    Two young competitors run toward the finish line led by a smiling dog during the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving....

  • Area runners fill Cheney streets

    Matthew O. Stephens|Updated Dec 2, 2021

    CHENEY – The horn blared on Cheney Fire Department's engine No. 1 at 9 a.m. Thanksgiving, signaling the start of the 14th annual Cheney Turkey Trot. Nearly 500 area participants ran the course. Camille Moseley, co-head coach of the Cheney High School cross country team, said she primarily heads the organizational efforts for the Turkey Trot. She said she was excited they could have an in-person event this year, as last year's event was virtual. Derek Slaughter is the other c...

  • West Plains Police News

    Updated Dec 2, 2021

    CHENEY Nov. 22 Verbal dispute on the zero block of F street. Demarco T. Espiritu, 23-year-old male, was arrested for fourth degree assault/domestic violence and interfering with reporting domestic violence on the 1000 block of Betz road. There was an involuntary committal for mental health reason on the 2200 block of Marigold Circle. Wallet was found on the 900 block of Elm street. Vehicle’s tires slashed on the 700 block of north Eighth street. Nov. 23 Verbal dispute on the 1200 block of north Second street. Second degree t...

  • Eastern advances to second round of playoffs

    Matthew O. Stephens, Reporter|Updated Dec 2, 2021

    CHENEY – Nearly 4,000 fans braved the rain and attended the first-round, Nov. 27 playoff game at Roos Field, where the Eastern Washington Eagles beat the Northern Iowa Panthers 19-9 in a hard-fought contest. Both teams battled back-and-forth early in the game as penalties and key defensive stops prevented scores on both sides of the ball. Receiving the ball initially, the Eagles first drive faltered after gaining just 17 yards and Nick Kokich punted the ball down to the N...

  • Winter sports seasons underway

    Jonathan Olsen-Koziol, Cheney Free Press|Updated Dec 2, 2021

    CHENEY – Fall colors are gone and the winter weather is officially here as Cheney High School officially kicks off its' winter sports season. Basketball, swimming, gymnastics and wrestling are underway. The girls basketball program is eager to start its new regime under head coach Ken Ryan, 48. He received the coaching job late and implemented a brand-new system in the last 11 days. While it's been frantic, he's never been around a harder working group of girls, Ryan said, n...

  • Free Thanksgiving Dinner at the Speakeasy has good turnout

    Sarah Stephens, Features Reporter|Updated Dec 2, 2021

    CHENEY — The Speakeasy restaurant hosted its first free Thanksgiving dinner for the community Thursday, Nov. 25. The dinner, held to honor the local police and fire personnel, consisted of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, salad, and pumpkin pie. Several restaurant guests said they were grateful for this opportunity to come out and connect with other residents and have a free Thanksgiving meal. The turkeys were donated by The West Plains Angels, a local charity organization which fulfills local needs. “It is abo...

  • Medical Lake food bank provides holiday meals

    Matthew O. Stephens, Reporter|Updated Dec 2, 2021

    MEDICAL LAKE – The local food bank handed out 326 meals to indigent residents Nov. 23. Director Terri Worl said families received a turkey along with a large box of canned foods and other Thanksgiving favorites. Recipients lining up at 207 S. Washington St. also got bags filled with fruit, rolls and other healthy eating options, she said. All of the food was provided by Tom's Turkey Drive and Second Harvest Foods in Spokane. Volunteers consisting of residents, Fairchild Air F...

  • News Briefs

    Updated Dec 2, 2021

    Passenger rail meeting set for Dec. 11 CHENEY – All Aboard Washington will host an online meeting Saturday, Dec. 11, to review actions being planned for next year in the organization’s effort to return passenger train service to several Eastern Washington cities. The"Bringing Economic, Environmental and Equity Benefits to Our Communities with Passenger Rail and Seamless Connections" online meeting will be at 1 p.m. and feature speakers Andrew Barkis, Dan Bilka, Rick Harnish, Luis Moscoso, Dave Strohmaier and Anna Ziv...

  • Election results certified

    Jonathan Olsen-Koziol, Cheney Free Press|Updated Dec 2, 2021

    CHENEY – Spokane County election officials have certified the results of the Nov. 2 general election. There were no major changes between the initial ballot counting and certification day, Nov. 23, officials said. Voters here called for all taxes to be repealed in the advisory votes. That includes the tax on phone lines to pay for mental health and suicide prevention services (No. 36), a capital gains tax increased education and child services (No. 37), and a tax on captive insurers. The city of Cheney’s election results wer...

  • Small Business Saturday successful for some

    Sarah Stephens, Cheney Free Press|Updated Dec 2, 2021

    CHENEY - Small Business Saturday sales showed shoppers returning to some area businesses this year after more than 20 months of coronavirus restrictions. The Owl Pharmacy in Cheney staff were surprised by the large turnout. "There were more people than normal this year," Manager Marti Lockwood said. "And we actually made more money than we normally do. People mostly bought gift items and Christmas decorations, she said. "I don't think people realize that this event is being he...

  • Libraries named 'Neighborhood Champions'

    Sarah Stephens, Cheney Free Press|Updated Dec 2, 2021

    CHENEY — For the sixth year in a row, the Cheney and Medical Lake libraries have been named “ Neighborhood Champions” for their support of small businesses. “As a Neighborhood Champion, the library is an ambassador for the Shop Small cause — supporting, rallying and bringing together local businesses and community members throughout the holidays and beyond.” Cheney Librarian Crystal Miller said. The Cheney library encourages people to shop local as much as possible during this event and throughout the year. “Being a Ne...

  • John Myron Berdis

    Updated Dec 2, 2021

    John Myron Berdis Feb. 16th, 1958 - Nov. 20, 2021 John Myron Berdis (63) passed unexpectedly in Cheney, Wash. on Nov. 20, 2021. John is survived by his wife of 34 years, Julie A Berdis of Cheney, Wash.; daughter, Brooke (Seth) Harrington, grandchildren Gavin, Milo, and Ashton of Taylorsville, NC; daughter, Julie M Berdis of Nampa, ID; Mother, Myrna Berdis of Cheney, Wash.; sister, Karen (John) Wirth of Peters Creek, AK; brother, David (Jennifer) Berdis of Norristown, Pa.; alon...

  • Electric heating costs similar to natural gas

    Updated Dec 2, 2021

    Last week, the Cheney Free Press ran a column with statements which I find incorrect or misleading. For example, in regards to Senate Bill 1084, the column states, “Prohibiting natural gas is expensive for home and building owners many of whom installed…” Senate Bill 1084 would eliminate on-site fossil fuel combustion for space heating and water heating in new construction in order to reduce climate impacts. Buildings account for almost 40% of CO2 emissions in the U.S. Senate Bill 1084 would only affect new const...

  • Ignoring debt is not an option

    Don C. Brunell, Contributor|Updated Dec 2, 2021

    Remember the television ad where the auto mechanic looks viewers straight in the eye and says: “You can pay me now or pay me later!” The message: if you change your car’s oil and filter every 5,000 miles, you can avoid a disastrous engine replacement later? The same principle applies to our national debt. Congress can either take steps to control spending and debt now, or watch interest payments swallow up our hard-earned tax dollars and starve needed programs. Ignoring massi...

  • Water rights should remain private, local

    Roger Harnack, Publisher|Updated Dec 2, 2021

    Under the guise of water conservation, the state Department of Ecology is once again moving to take water rights from farmers, ranchers and other private holders. Last month, the agency announced plans to fund creation of local “water banks,” in addition to the state “water bank” already in existence. The agency says the program helps municipalities buy water rights from private owners. It has set $14 million aside for the program. The goal, agency spokesman Jimmy Norris...

  • Moose at Turnbull

    Matthew O. Stephens|Updated Dec 2, 2021

    This cow moose was munching on some leaves at Turnbull in the early morning hours on November 28. Moose sightings in and around Cheney have been quite high this year....

  • Last-chance to recertify for pesticide credits

    Bill Stevenson, Whitman County Gazette|Updated Dec 2, 2021

    CLARKSTON — The last chance to re-certify for pesticide credits this year is Dec. 10. Washington State University and University of Idaho are offering the program from 8:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Clarkston Campus of Walla Walla Community College, 1470 Bridge St., or online. There is no charge to participate. Five Washington and Oregon and four Idaho re-certification credits have been applied for during the program. Topics for the program include are: Invasive and Noxious W...

  • Hensley recaps Cheney police activity

    Jonathan Olsen-Koziol, Reporter|Updated Dec 2, 2021

    CHENEY – Police Chief John D. Hensley presented the department’s budget proposal to the City Council during a Nov. 23 meeting. During the presentation, the chief also went over the department’s emergency calls over the last year and spoke about how the “new normal” of the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting law enforcement’s work in the area. The city saw almost the exact same amount of service calls this year (23, 282) compared to last year (23,830). These numbers are down over 3,000 calls compared to previous years before the...

  • School to host COVID, flu clinic

    Jonathan Olsen-Koziol, Cheney Free Press|Updated Dec 2, 2021
    1

    CHENEY – Cheney High School is set to host another pediatric COVID-19 and flu vaccination clinic Dec. 9. This clinic is open to the community to children between the ages of 5-18 by appointment only. The clinic will be providing the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, which requires two doses. This clinic will only be open for one session between 4-6:30 p.m., officials said, noting no other clinics are scheduled for the school campus. Officials said that means that if someone is getting their first dose at this clinic, i...

  • Council hears Fire Department budget request

    Jonathan Olsen-Koziol, Cheney Free Press|Updated Dec 2, 2021

    CHENEY – Fire Chief Tom Jenkins discussed the 2022 budget proposal with the City Council during a Nov. 23 meeting. The presentation was designed to recap the years emergency services while preparing the council’s vote to approve the new 2022 operating budget. Jenkins presented a litany of data recapping fire and emergency services over the last year and how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the landscape. Jenkins said this past year he’s seen things that he’s never seen before in his 28-year career and he surmised that ma...

  • Running Start expanding in Cheney

    Jonathan Olsen-Koziol, Cheney Free Press|Updated Dec 2, 2021

    CHENEY – The Cheney High School’s Running Start program just received a massive expansion. Now, students who are seeking careers in trades can take advantage of the program, officials said last week. Cheney Career and Technical Education Director Adam Smith, 47, presented the Running Start for Careers program at the School board meeting last week. He explained how it will widely increase the types of students that seek access to Running Start. Previously, Cheney’s Running Start program had nothing for students seeking caree...

  • Rep. Dye has plan for carbon tax funds

    Roger Harnack, The Journal|Updated Dec 2, 2021

    POMEROY – A 9th Legislative District representative wants to use the state's new carbon tax revenue as a way to eliminate the Discover Pass and cut fees to access and use publicly owned lands. Rep. Mary Dye, R-Pomeroy, is expected to introduce her Outdoor Recreation and Climate Adaption plan during the upcoming legislative session, which starts Jan. 10. The plan would dedicate previously approved Climate Commitment Act revenues – projected to be about $4 billion over the decad...

  • Newly elected Mayor ready to serve

    Matthew O. Stephens, Reporter|Updated Dec 2, 2021

    MEDICAL LAKE – Although she won’t take office until January the newly elected Mayor of Medical Lake, Terri Cooper said she is ready to start working with council and the community. Cooper said she has several topics of interest she wants to bring to the table, and public safety is at the top of that list. Cooper said she and her husband Ken Cooper were robbed in 2018 when a Spokane based crime ring targeted Medical Lake neighborhoods. After falling victim to these criminals and suffering a considerable loss, she became a ded...

  • Holiday Hoopla set for Dec. 3

    Cheney Free Press|Updated Dec 2, 2021

    CHENEY — Holiday Hoopla will usher in the Christmas season here from 5-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3. Santa Claus is expected to arrive on a large farm implement at the north end of the city, Cheney Merchants Association President Douglas LaBar said. After arrival, Santa will ride through the town giving out candy. Crews will be assisting Jolly Ole St. Nicholas by directing traffic through the city. Following arrival, there will also be an opportunity for people of all ages to get photos with Santa and attend a drive-in movie in t...

Page Down