Looking Back

10 Years Ago

April 17, 2003

The perpetual problem of parking in Cheney reared its head again as the second phase of Rob Brewster’s project promised to compound how to manage parking in the downtown core.

City Administrator Doug Ross was fielding complaints over the sudden influx of portable basketball hoops that were said to be blocking pedestrians from using sidewalks.

The Medical Lake Planning Commission continued its work revising the city’s 7-year-old comprehensive plan. Ultimately it was hoped their effort could take a document and transform it into a planning and budgetary document to address the growth many anticipate is headed the city’s way.

Cheney High School seniors John Albin and Drew Oswald were chosen to play in the 2003 Washington State Coaches’ Association 3A/4A All-Star Football game June 28 at Memorial Stadium in Everett.

20 Years Ago

1993 missing from the archives.

30 Years Ago

April 14, 1983

A controversial North Idaho church group, the Church of Jesus Christ Christian – better known as the Aryan Nations – was claiming having been denied freedom of speech after two meetings scheduled for the EWU campus during “Dorm Week” were cancelled by school officials.

The Cheney Civil Service Commission concluded taking testimony in the case of former city patrolman Kenneth Side’s appeal of his recent termination from the force.

The city of Medical Lake announced that alley garbage pick up, except in the case where dumpsters are found, would soon be eliminated. Garbage collectors had complained that many alleys had become cluttered and almost impassable.

After rainy weather limited Eastern Washington University’s baseball team to just 12 games in the first month of the season, the Eagles were preparing for a stretch of eight games in six days. The contests included play against perennial national power Lewis and Clark State as Eastern prepared to resume play in the Pac-10 North.

40 Years Ago

April 12, 1973

The Cheney City Council was expected to do their final reading on an ordinance that would require curbs and sidewalks in all new local improvement districts.

Quick action by the Cheney Fire Department kept a suspected arson fire at the Fisher Junior High School in Cheney from spreading and doing more damage. Two unnamed juvenile girls were said to have ignited the blaze.

Tim Morlan, a 1970 Cheney High School graduate, current EWU student and a former candidate for city council was killed in an auto accident on Interstate 90 near Cle Elum, the Washington State Patrol reported.

Jim Koubele, the highly recommended replacement for 25-year veteran Cheney city treasurer Agnes Bryceson, began his training recently.

Members of Cheney High School’s boys’ basketball team had their banquet recently at the Longhorn Barbecue with nearly 100 people in attendance. Tim Daughtery won the Mel West Inspirational award for a second straight year.

50 Years Ago

April 12, 1963

Renewal of the Cheney School District’s superintendent’s contract for another two years resulted in a stormy discussion at a recent school board meeting. A one-year contract extension was tabled for Dr. Richard Langston whose contract is valued at $17,128.90 per year.

Cheney’s population continued to grow according to recent Census figures that showed the city with 3,441 residents, an increase of 55 over the previous year.

Contractor Robert Gobel from Spokane began the excavation of the city’s new $150,000 community swimming pool, scheduled to open July 4.

EWSC track coach W.B. (Red) Reese announced he would have a team without a single returning letterman as he prepared them for the Evergreen Conference opening meet in Bellingham against Western Washington.