Sorted by date Results 26 - 50 of 7464
AIRWAY HEIGHTS – The City Council unanimously agreed April 1 to hire Liz Loomis Public Affairs to help market an August primary election ballot measure to raise funds for a public service tax. The ballot measure is a proposed levy lid lift that can be passed by a simple voter majority. The lift is needed to generate funding for more police officers. City Manager Albert Tripp, addressing the council, highlighted concerns raised by community members regarding under-staffing in law enforcement. “Seventy-six of the community mem...
With a little patience and a high-density filter, Eastern Washington residents were able to catch a glimpse of the Monday, April 8, solar eclipse. In our region, at about 11:35 a.m., the moon covered from 26.1-28.5% of the sun. That glimpse was available between clouds. The partial eclipse here lasted 1 hour 52 minutes; it began here at 10:39 a.m. and ended at 12:31 p.m. While we observed only a glimpse of the eclipse, the moon totally blocked the sun across a 115-mile swath...
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...
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....
AIRWAY HEIGHTS – A local nanny is being held on $1 million bail after her arrest in the death of a baby boy. Sharon Jeanne Arger, 59, is facing a second-degree murder charge in the death of a 4-month-old infant last November. She was arrested March 28. The charge stems from a Nov. 2 call regarding an unconscious infant at a residence where Arger was working as the child’s nanny. Upon arrival, emergency responders initiated lifesaving measures before the infant was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Children’s Hospi...
AIRWAY HEIGHTS – A local man is being held in the Spokane County Jail without bail Tuesday, March 26, after attempting to elude police investigating a vehicle prowl. Douglas J. Farmer, 34, was booked into the ail on charges of attempting to elude a police vehicle, second-degree assault, first-, second- and third-degree malicious mischief, possession of a controlled substance, vehicle prowling, third-degree theft, and an outstanding Department of Corrections escape from community custody warrant. The incident unfolded a...
Thousands of area youth hit parks on Saturday, March 30, looking for Easter eggs. Pictured, a boy scans the ground in front of him for eggs in Rosalia. For more Easter photos, see Pages A6 and A7....
Cheney Free Press CHENEY – Turnbull National Wildlife Officials are planning low-intensity fires through May to clear dry grass and debris ahead of wildfire season. Officials do not have a set burn schedule, as activity will be dependent on weather conditions. Turnbull officials said residents may see smoke plumes during the burns, but insist the low-intensity fires will be help reduce wildfire risk in the region. “Safety is the No. 1 priority during a prescribed burn,” Turnbull’s Kelly Moroney said. “We will work with fede...
CHENEY – Turnbull National Wildlife Officials are planning low-intensity fires through May to clear dry grass and debris ahead of wildfire season. Officials do not have a set burn schedule, as activity will be dependent on weather conditions. Turnbull officials said residents may see smoke plumes during the burns, but insist the low-intensity fires will be help reduce wildfire risk in the region. “Safety is the No. 1 priority during a prescribed burn,” Turnbull’s Kelly Moroney said. “We will work with federal, state, and coun...
MEDICAL LAKE — During a Tuesday, April 2, meeting, city officials discussed their trip to Olympia during the legislative session and to deliberate on their legislative agenda moving forward. City Administrator Sonny Weathers highlighte the opportunities to procure additional funds, particularly through FEMA assistance. “We have an idea of what’s in front of us,” he said. “There is an opportunity to procure more funds.” FEMA assistance is being sought to help with cleanup of the Gray Fire that devastated the city last August...
Cheney police plan medicine take-back event for April 13 CHENEY – Police have partnered with a local store to provide an avenue to get unused prescription drugs out off homes. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 13, residents may bring unused medications to the parking lot of the Cheney Bi-Mart, 2221 First St. There, police and other first responders will collect the unused or outdated pharmaceuticals for proper disposal. Participants will receive a fee lock box or pouch. Airway Heights council OKs hiring another investiga...
CHENEY – During the March 27 School Board meeting, Cheney schools Finance Director Jenna Larson presented the audit updates for the 2024-25 academic year. The presentation covered various aspects of the financial audits, including the single audit, which encompassed education stabilization and special education funds, as well as the examination of financial statements. One notable highlight from the financial report was the upcoming collection of property taxes in April, a source of revenue for the school district. Larson a...
HARRINGTON - Approximately 165 people packed the Opera House here Tuesday, March 26, for a community meeting about wind turbine projects planned from Edwall to north of Reardan and Davenport. Lincoln County Cattlemen's Association sponsored the meeting moderated by Sue Lani of Edwall. Cattlement's President Matt Schneider said until more facts are gathered, the association doesn't have an official position on the three planned wind turbine projects by Portland-based Triple...
LATAH VALLEY — A man arrested and released following a standoff last week is back in the Spokane County Jail. Cody D. Harris, 38, is being held on $1,500 bail after being arrested for first-degree criminal mischief on Tuesday, March 26. His return to jail came only a day after he was released from the Spokane County Jail following a March 22 incident at a ranch at 7500 S. Farm Road, located between Spokane and Marshall in the Latah Valley area. Harris was initially arrested for residential burglary and third-degree theft a...
CHENEY – City Public Works Director provided details on the contract and funding for the water main improvement project during a recent council meeting. Ableman announced Red Diamond was awarded the contract, having submitted the lowest bid of $480,000 plus tax. He noted that the available budget for the project is approximately $225,000, which will be sourced from either water or American Rescue Plan Act funds. The council unanimously approved of the agreement. “The water main improvement project will address inf...
AIRWAY HEIGHTS – The City Council on April 1 heard a comprehensive review of the 2024 legislative session. According to City lobbyist Holly Sanabria, Airway Heights requested more aid for wildfire response and $260,000 for replacement of a fire engine, but did not receive funding. “The Legislature has three options: adopt as presented, adopted and modify, take no action and goes to vote,” Sanabria said of the budget request. The Legislature adopted the supplemental operating, capital and transportation budgets, as well as in...
CHENEY – The City Council listen to a proposal to transition the local dispatch center to Spokane Regional Emergency Communications during its meeting March 26. Spokane Regional Emergency Communications Executive Director Lori Markham pushed the idea. Her agency manages emergency and non-emergency calls, support GIS data services and operates 23 radio sites for emergency responders in the region. “Our IT department takes care of our phone system which is a very highly technical system,” Markham said. “We’re in the process o...
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...
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...
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...
