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CHENEY – At the March 13 School Board meeting, Jenna Larson took the floor to deliver a comprehensive report on the district’s financial status and enrollment figures. Larson’s insights provided context for future planning. Larson began her report by addressing enrollment figures. “Our numbers are just below what we predicted,” Larson said.. Around 380 students are enrolled in kindergarten, whereas the prediction had been 400, she said.. Conversely, in fifth-grade, there were 400 students enrolled, surpassing the initial p...
CHENEY - Local police are investigating a rash of vehicle prowls in an apartment complex in teh 1400 block of Second Street. As of March 27, detectives were still trying to identify three suspects. The Police Department released pictures of the suspects, as well as a black SUV believed to have been driving by them. A firearm and other objects were stolen March 18 from an unlocked vehicle in the apartment complex, police said. Social security cards, insurance cards, banks...
AIRWAY HEIGHTS – An amendment to the city’s governance manual garnered unanimous support at the March 18 City Council meeting The amendment institutes a procedural update that would impact the voting process when council members are absent. Under the revised guidelines, any council member who is unable to attend a meeting would be automatically recorded as abstaining from voting on agenda items. This measure aims to ensure transparency and accountability within the council’s decision-making process, preventing the absen...
AIRWAY HEIGHTS – The City Council discussed the future of the connectivity with a special presentation by the Spokane Transit Authority taking the spotlight during a March 25 meeting. Transit Authority Chief Planning and Development Officer Karl Otterstrom elaborated on his bus service’s 10-year plan, “STA Moving Forward.” The plan was approved by voters in 2016. “Our focus is on building a transit system that is responsive to the evolving needs of our community and supports sustainable growth,” Otterstrom said. “This partn...
MEDICAL LAKE – A split City Council voted March 19 to accept a $100,000 climate planning grant. In a 5-2 vote, Councilmen Chad Pritchard and Don Kennedy dissenting, the council agreed to accept the grant. Prior to the vote, City Administrator Sonny Weathers highlighted the importance of securing the grant. “We could have more money to do what we want, to approve a plan for potential disasters, a hazard mitigation plan,” Weathers said. However, discussions also revealed the complexities inherent in communication and colla...
A rainbow appears to end at a barn on Spangle-Waverly Road last week, east of Liberty High School. The rainbow and sunset combined to cast a golden hue over the farm....
NINE MILE FALLS – The man body of a man found in the Spokane River has been identified by the Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office. Sol Bagby, 32, was found floating in the river March 21, according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities, including Sheriff’s Office deputies and Washington State Park rangers recovered his body after responding to a report d north of Seven Mile Road on March 21. In coordination with the Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol Unit and Dive Team, efforts were made to recover the indiv...
Cheney CHENEY — Police responded to the following calls for service from March 18-25: March 18 A firearm was stolen during a vehicle prowl in the 1400 block of Second Street. Jennifer Howerton, 41, was arrested in the 300 block of Erie Street for violation of an anti-harassment order. Credit and debit cards, and a license were stolen in the 1000 block of West First Street. A social security card, driver’s license and bank cards were stolen during a vehicle prowl in the 1400 block of Second Street. Pots and pans, a veh...
AIRWAY HEIGHTS – The City Council discussed public safety issues and emergent budget needs during a March 25 meeting. Police Chief Brad Richmond led a presentation on emergent budget needs, highlighting staffing requirements for the investigative and patrol division of his department. “Our detectives division currently faces staffing challenges, with only three detectives, a lower number than in 2019,” Richmond said. “Despite this, our team of 37 active major crimes investigators is diligently working on cases, with 54% inv...
LaCROSSE - Public Works Supervisor Don Keeney has been on the job for 40 years. On Thursday, March 14, the Town Council recognized him for his years of service and commitment to LaCrosse. “It’s something you have to like to do, or you wouldn’t stick with it,” Keeney said, of being supervisor. “You have to love the work.” Town Clerk and Treasurer Angela Broeckel said Keeney started working March 12, 1984. Keeney said he wouldn’t have stayed so long if it weren’t for the fact that LaCrosse is his hometown. He grew up and gra...
AIRWAY HEIGHTS – The Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office has released the name of a woman killed in a March 13 crash on West Sunset Highway. Casey Junior, 34, succumbed to blunt force injuries of the head, neck, torso and extremities as a result of the crash, according to the Medical Examiner’s report.. Junior sustained the injuries when she was struck by two cars, according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. She was hit by one car, and then immediately struck by a second vehicle, a report said. Marissa Jolly,...
Cheney Brownie Lianna Wuesthoff, 8, markets her Girl Scout cookes along West First Street last week. Wuesthoff, was joined by brother Elijah, 7, and mother, Eryn, not pictured....
CHENEY – A fugitive from Arkansas arrested here March 21 remains in the Spokane County Jail awaiting extradition. Walter Roy Sexton, 44, is being held without bail on a warrant connected to multiple sexual assault cases in his homes state. He was apprehended in Cheney at a residence near Third Street, records show. His arrest followed a collaborative effort by the U.S. Marshals Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force, Idaho Fish and Game, local police and the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. Sexton, a convicted fel...
OLYMPIA — Amid state traffic fatalities reaching their highest point in more than 30 years, Gov. Jay Inslee on Monday, March 26, signed House Bill 1493 into law. The law takes effect June 6, and expands the length of time a DUI conviction remains on a drivers record to 15 years. The final version of House Bill 1493 was passed March 6 by the House on a 69-27 vote. The Senate approved it 49-0 on Feb. 29. The new law takes effect June 6. “This new and overdue law is a major step toward making Washington roads and highways saf...
CHENEY – Walter Roy Sexton was apprehended at a residence near 3rd Street in Cheney on March 21, following a collaborative effort by the U.S. Marshals Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force, alongside Idaho Fish and Game, the Cheney Police Department, and the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. Sexton, a convicted felon, had purportedly been evading law enforcement for over three years, allegedly fleeing Conway, Arkansas, upon learning of an ongoing investigation into multiple allegations of sexual assault against him. Af...
CHENEY – Cheney High School's FFA club embarked on an educational initiative, visiting Betz Elementary to impart knowledge about cows to students in kindergarten through second-grade March 26. In Ms. Marcotte's first-grade class, FFA member Zachary Cox led a presentation on the origins of cows from around the world. C ox engaged the students by asking, "Has anyone pet a cow? Or seen one at a festival?" The room buzzed with excitement as several eager first graders raised t...
SPOKANE — More Spokane County voters turned out in the March 12 presidential primary election to support Donald J. Trump than any other candidate. Election results were certified March 22 and forwarded to the state. In Spokane County, a total of 129,324 ballots were cast by voters; former President Trump received 45.4% of the total. Overall turnout was 35.2%, county election officials said. Looking at the breakdown by party, Trump dominated the Republican field; he received 58,750 votes, or 76.1% of all Republican votes c...
MEDICAL LAKE — The City Council considered repealing and replacing its right-of-way development laws during a March 19 meeting. But the measure was unanimously tabled after Mayor Terri Cooper suggested exploration of alternative fee structures, particularly for activities undertaken by individual homeowners on private property adjacent to city rights-of-way. At issue was the introduction of Ordinance 1123, which aimed at replacing Chapter 11.08 and repealing Chapter 11.16 w...
MEDICAL LAKE – Historic preservation took center stage at the City Council meeting March 19, as council members discussed an ordinance to establish guidelines for the designation of historic properties as landmarks. The proposed ordinance outlines the preservation process and assigns responsibility to Spokane County for processing landmark nominations and certificates of appropriateness. Additionally, it sets the framework for a local review board to oversee historic p...
MEDICAL LAKE – In a bid to address the need for temporary housing following last year’s Gray Fire, Spokane County Commissioners have approved a letter of intent to amend to the zoning code to expand the use of Conex boxes for wildfire survivors. The proposed amendment would extend the duration for which Conex boxes can be utilized, County Commissioner Josh Kerns said. These containers, widely employed in shipping and logistics, offer a practical and cost-effective means of temporary housing for those displaced by wildfires, h...
AIRWAY HEIGHTS — In a move to address traffic congestion, the city recently celebrated the acquisition of federal funding for the much-anticipated U.S. Highway 2 project. Heather Trautman, the principal city planner, unveiled the development during the City Council on March 18. “Securing $1.8 million from the federal government is a major win for our community,” Trautman said. Trautman then revealed an additional $300,000 allocation from the state Department of Transportation, further bolstering the resources at Airway Heigh...
AIRWAY HEIGHTS AIRWAY HEIGHTS — The Police Department arrested the following individuals from March 11-17: March 11 Michael S. Wood arrested for second-degree burglary-commercial and third-degree theft-shoplifting, in the 1200 block of South Hayford Road. Amanda Cox arrested for violation of a domestic violence order in the 600 block of South Lawson Street. Ricki M. Bossard arrested for first-degree criminal trespassing in the 14300 block of West Highway 2. Ashley A. Abuhle arrested for third-degree theft-shoplifting -n t...
CHENEY – City Financial Planner Mark Schuller unveiled the “Visioning Element: Cheney 2046” during a recent City Council meeting. The plan, rooted in the principles of the Growth Management Act, aims to shape the future of the city through long-range planning. Schuller emphasized the importance of the city’s comprehensive plan as the cornerstone of local long-term planning. This plan, he said, encompasses a vision, goals, objectives, policies and implementation actions, serves as a guiding framework for elected officia...
CHENEY — The city reported the following building permits for the month of February: Feb. 2 Sweet, 717 North Eight St, replacing a toilet, sink and furnace, $0.00. Feb. 3 Spencer, 705 Sunrise Drive, bathroom remodel, $3000.00. Feb. 5 Dauterman, 320 Union St, replace upper roof and front porch roof, $9000.00. Mainstream Feb. 6 Eastern Washington University, 501 Quad Lane #taw, rebuilding steps to loading dock at Tawanka Hall, $12,000.00. Feb. 7 Mainstream Electric, 2608 Wheaton Lane, replacing furnace and AC, $0.00. Feb. 8 B...
CHENEY — A recount of the School District’s three Feb. 13 ballot measures will take place next week. Spokane County election officials announced the recounts of Proposition Nos. 1, 2 and 3 on Monday, March 18. Five residents filed for the a manual recount of the votes for precinct 9014, officials said, noting the recount will take place at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 26, in the ballot processing center.. “The district doesn’t have anything to do with it,” county Elections Officer Mike McLaughlin said. “The citizens will pay th...
