Articles from the March 16, 2017 edition


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  • Homeworks! shows off

    PAUL DELANEY|Updated Mar 17, 2017

    Students at Cheney School District's Homeworks! program presented some of the subjects they are learning at a pair of presentations, Feb. 28. In the afternoon, students at the program site on Andrus Road presented a "Gallery of Learning" where work in subjects such as applied arts, "Math on the Menu," "What's News Today?" and "Minerals in the Classroom" were presented. That evening at Cheney High School's Little Theatre, students demonstrated skills in karate (below) and sign...

  • Residents contest development

    John McCallum, Editor|Updated Mar 16, 2017

    Traffic and safety issues took center stage at a Cheney Planning Commission public hearing Monday night on a proposed rezone to accommodate a 115-unit apartment complex near Hagelin Park and the city pool. Over two dozen people attended the hearing, most of them residents of the area where Eastmark Corporation of Seattle is proposing to build the Parkside Commons complex. The construction would remove 16 duplexes originally installed in the mid-1970s as military housing. The two parcels between Erie and North Eighth streets...

  • ML Circuit Breakers take top rank in Steamworks robotics competition

    Al Stover, Staff Reporter|Updated Mar 16, 2017

    The Medical Lake Circuit Breakers and Cheney Blackhawks high school robotics teams had success at the March 3 FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Steamworks competition at West Valley High School. The Circuit Breakers were ranked first out of 30 teams after winning nine of their 12 qualifying matches and earning 1,897 points. Cheney, who went 6-6 in the qualifying round, was 18th with 1,529 points. During the playoff rounds, Medical Lake, in an...

  • Water logged

    John McCallum|Updated Mar 16, 2017

    A softball floats in a flooded swale at the Cheney High School football field as the Blackhawks track and field teams in the background get set to practice last Friday. Rains and rapid snowmelt have made things difficult for area residents - including athletes looking for practice and playing space....

  • Irish to the core

    PAUL DELANEY|Updated Mar 16, 2017

    Eastern Washington University President, Dr. Mary Cullinan, was honored as the Grand Marshal of the 39th annual St. Patrick's Day Parade staged in Spokane, Saturday, March 11. Cullinan described her 100 percent Irish roots that trace back generations to the Emerald Isle. "My grandparents' grandparents made their various ways west to San Francisco (by mule via the Isthmus of Panama or by ship around Cape Horn) as a result of the potato famine in the 1840's," she wrote in an...

  • Looking Back

    Updated Mar 16, 2017

    1 Years Ago March 15, 2007 Washington State Patrol received a 911 call of a vehicle traveling at over 100 mles per hour westbound on Interstate 90 near Spokane/Lincoln county line. The driver, 34-year-old Brian Gourgeois was initially placed under arrest for reckless driving. The passenger and registered owner of the vehicle, 39-year-old John Popper, was placed under arrest for drug possession. Troopers recovered a total of 14 weapons and a small amount of marijuana along...

  • School board gets alternate construction method overview

    John McCallum, Editor|Updated Mar 16, 2017

    Passage of the Cheney Public Schools’ $52 million capital facilities bond last month presents some interesting logistic issues, and perhaps none more important than the obvious requirement — that all four buildings need to be open for education during construction. Because of that, the school district may be able to utilize a seldom used construction method allowed by state law: the general contractor/construction manager contracting (GCCM) process. It’s a method that, if properly employed, could save the district time and mo...

  • David Emery Carr

    Updated Mar 16, 2017

    Surrounded by loved ones, David Carr lost his battle to glioblastoma brain cancer on March 8, 2017. He was an amazing husband, father, son, brother and friend. David was born in Spokane, Wash., May 20, 1972 to Robert and Linda Carr. He attended school in Cheney, was active in numerous sports and graduated from Cheney High School in 1990. He enrolled in Spokane Falls Community College and later graduated from Eastern Washington University in 1997 with a degree in developmental... Full story

  • West Plains Briefs

    Updated Mar 16, 2017

    Medical Lake scholarship fundraiser this weekend Medical Lake Dollars for Scholars’ “Spring Thing” scholarship fundraiser is this Saturday, March 18 at St. Anne’s Parish Hall, 6:30–10:30 p.m. There will be a live auction/silent auction with lots of great prizes, great food, adult beverages and music provided by the “No Rules” band. Fun and dancing for everyone. Tickets are $30 per person and includes food and all beverages — can’t beat the value. Come and support our seniors in their quest for higher education. Ticket...

  • What's Happening On The West Plains

    Updated Mar 16, 2017

    All events are free unless posted otherwise. To get your event or meeting in the weekly What’s Happening section send an email with date, time, location and event to jmac@cheneyfreepress.com. Cheney • March 17, Light Fitness Hour (adults 50+), Wren Pierson Community Center, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. • March 17, Baby Play and Learn Storytime (ages 0–18 months), 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. • March 17, Texas Hold’em (adults 50+), Wren Pierson Community Center, 1 – 3 p.m. • March 17, Free AARP Tax-Aide, community library, Noon – 5 p.m. • Mar... Full story

  • West Plains libraries to host urban farming events

    GRACE POHL, Staff Intern|Updated Mar 16, 2017

    A chance to become an expert in urban farming is quickly approaching at some of the West Plains libraries. The first events will take place on March 25 at the Cheney and Airway Heights branches. Cheney will host "Container Vegetable Gardening" from 2 – 3 p.m. At this event, people can learn about urban container gardening with Marilyn Lloyd. They will learn about the number of easy vegetables that can be grown in simple containers so that anyone can enjoy fresh vegetables. O...

  • Churches

    Updated Mar 16, 2017

    Four Lakes Community Church We are a non-denominational Village Missions Church. We exist to exalt the Lord, to educate and edify the saints and evangelize the lost. Sunday School is at 9:30 a.m. and Worship Service is at 10:45 a.m. All are welcome. Sunday’s Sermon is titled “Being Stirred Up to Holiness and Godliness, 2 Peter 3:1-18” by pastor Sean Carney. Our worship services combine contemporary choruses and traditional hymns. Join us for a ladies Bible study every other Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday music pract...

  • West Plains Police News

    Updated Mar 16, 2017

    CHENEY March 6 Possible threat was reported at Cheney High School. An individual saw a Snapchat post showing an individual with the caption “Don’t come to school.” Third-degree malicious mischief was reported on the 1000 block of Betz Road. There was damage to a vehicle. Forgery was reported on the 500 block of First Street. Counterfeit money was found. CDs and a CD case were found on the 300 block of Second Street. First-degree assault was reported on the 2300 block of First Street. March 7 Possible child abuse was repor...

  • False assurances given about federal education funding

    Updated Mar 16, 2017

    Our state representatives Jeff Holy and Mike Volz of the 6th District, both Republicans, held a town hall meeting in Spokane on March 11. The majority of the questions were posed by articulate and enthusiastic teachers in the area, many from Cheney and Medical Lake. Our representatives assured the attendees that the authority of the federal Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, would not impact education in Washington State. Volz said in response to a question about vouchers undermining public education, “What they do at t...

  • President Donald Trump should make a deal with North Korea

    Kevin Martin, Contributor|Updated Mar 16, 2017

    President Donald Trump likes to be known for his deal-making, and now he has the opportunity to make deals that can impact world peace and security, not just real estate or other business deals for his profit. North Korea would be a great place to start. Former President Barack Obama described North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missile programs as the most pressing international security problem when he briefed Trump just before leaving office. Obama, who scored impressive diplomatic successes with the Iran nuclear a...

  • Priorities, and price, of government is worth another look

    DON C. BRUNELL|Updated Mar 16, 2017

    In 2003, Gov. Gary Locke (D) faced a 10 percent revenue hole in the state’s budget. He also stared at a sluggish economy still reeling from the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. People were reluctant to fly and airlines stopped buying Boeing jets. Locke faced either recommending substantial tax increases or finding a new way to allocate state tax revenues. He turned to Minnesota’s former commissioner of finance, Peter Hutchinson, who helped his governor balance the budget by...

  • Got a beef or 'atta boy?' Try Cheers and Jeers

    John McCallum, Editor|Updated Mar 16, 2017

    Sometimes things come to your attention that you feel the need to comment on, but don’t want to say too much. To provide a means of expressing these sentiments, whether it’s a good job to somebody or a “Come on man” as the popular ESPN segment goes, the Cheney Free Press has started a “Cheers and Jeers” space on our Opinion pages. It’s pretty simple to use, and we encourage you to do so. It can be something or someone who you feel should get a little community recognition for doing something positive. It can be the same thing...

  • Rodeo Lake

    PAUL DELANEY|Updated Mar 16, 2017

    Pasture lands surrounding the Cheney Rodeo grounds usually flood each year, but this spring the higher amounts of rain and snow melt have left a lake worthy of sailing around on....

  • News Briefs

    STAFF AND NEWS SOURCES|Updated Mar 16, 2017

    More area roads closed due to flooding, washouts Spokane County Public Works Department officials have announced the closure of several West Plains roads caused by heavy rains and rapid snow melt. Some roads had been closed earlier this month due to similar conditions, but subsequently reopened. As of Tuesday, Graham Road west of Cheney from Salnave Road to the dead end was closed due to 3–4 feet of water over the roadway. Betz Road east of State Route 904 in Cheney to Andrus Road was also closed because of deep water over t...

  • Helping every woman

    John McCallum|Updated Mar 16, 2017

    Medical Lake Firefighters Association vice president Jonathan Suffield presents a check for $371 to Every Woman Can chief executive officer Deb Barnes at the March 6 City Council meeting. The firefighters raised the money through the sales of pink T-shirts to recognize the battle against cancer. Every Woman Can was formerly known as the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Standing next to Suffield is MLFA president Jon Greene, and next to Barnes is Every Woman Can director of...

  • Customers up at Cheney Clothing Exchange

    John McCallum, Editor|Updated Mar 16, 2017

    Things are booming at the Cheney Clothing Exchange - in many ways. Volunteer coordinator Connie Oakes said the exchange - which is open Wednesdays from noon – 6 p.m. in space on the Third Street side of the Wren Pierson Community Center - usually sees about 50-60 individuals a week. That number seems to be increasing, she added, particularly over this past year, with about an even split in new and returning customers. "It seems like the number of homeless are increasing," O...

  • ML council amends cellular lease

    John McCallum, Editor|Updated Mar 16, 2017

    The Medical Lake City Council unanimously approved an amendment to a site lease agreement allowing a company leasing space on the city’s water tower to add some equipment — and in the process bring in more money to the city coffers. The council approved a third amendment with the contract it has with cellular company T-Mobile, one of four companies that lease space on the water tower. T-mobile wishes to install a generator on the ground near the rest of its equipment, and according to the city, anytime a company adds to its...

  • Fatality in Tuesday Medical Lake fire

    AL STOVER, Staff Reporter|Updated Mar 16, 2017

    The Medical Lake Fire Department and several other agencies responded to a structure fire within city limits on March 14. According to Medical Lake Fire Chief Jason Mayfield, the Fire Department responded to a report of smoke at a residence on the 400 block of North Stanley Street at approximately 12:45 a.m. When crews arrived, they found a heavy amount of smoke and fire at the residence. Fire personnel's attempts to enter the residence were hindered due to the debris and...

  • Crossing improvement projects coming to AH

    AL STOVER, Staff Reporter|Updated Mar 16, 2017

    At its March 13 study session, the Airway Heights City Council received a few updates regarding potential street improvements for the city. One of these updates focused on safety improvements at crosswalks on Hayford Road. At the request of council, Public Works Director Kevin Anderson said he investigated the feasibility and costs for improving the crosswalks on West Ninth and 12th avenues on Hayford Road. One proposal from Anderson would be to install rectangular rapid flashing beacons at both crosswalks. He explained that...

  • A need for separation

    Updated Mar 16, 2017

    By JOHN McCALLUM Editor A recent study by the state’s Joint Transportation Committee ranked a city of Cheney railroad crossing among the top 50 crossings in Washington needing better separation between rail and vehicle traffic to improve safety, mobility and community impacts. But if you think that crossing is Betz Road and State Route 904, where city officials are proposing moving the existing tracks, you’d be wrong. That distinction belongs to the Cheney-Spangle Road crossing downtown, ranked 22 overall. As for the cro...

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