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CHENEY — Andy LaBolle, the owner of West Plains Roasters, made a generous gesture at the City Council meeting April 9 by presenting a donation totaling $18,500 to Cheney Cupboard. Expressing his fondness for the community, LaBolle shared, “My wife and I love Cheney.” He highlighted the support received from 53 sponsors, primarily local businesses spanning from Cheney and Airway Heights to Coeur d’Alene. The donation stemmed from a charity poker event hosted by West Plains Roasters on April 2 and 3, drawing in 65 attende...
CHENEY — The Planning Commission met on Monday, April 8, to address the complexities surrounding construction and non-city-owned features in the right-of-way. City Administrator Mark Schuller led the presentation, highlighting the need for clarifying and simplifying regulations. Currently, these features are regulated under either a license or a permit, creating challenges for both applicants and city staff. “With five different chapters governing today, every project may have to obtain multiple permits for a scope of wor...
CHENEY – Brett Lucas took the lead at the Planning Commission Meeting on Monday, April 8, presenting the Capital Facilities Plan spanning 2024-29. The six-year plan aims to uphold the quality of life by identifying and addressing basic services over the next two decades, as mandated by the Growth Management Act. Lucas emphasized the significance of capital facilities, defining them as major, non-recurring expenditures with fixed assets costing $50,000 or more and possessing a useful life of at least 10 years. These f...
CHENEY — School District officials are expecting the growth in the student population to slow. During the April 10 School Board meeting, Finance Director Jamie Reed reported on the district’s financial status and enrollment trends. Reed noted that despite fluctuations in enrollment, the district is maintaining a consistent financial outlook. “We’re budgeting for flat enrollment,” Reed said, highlighting the stability amid shifting demographic patterns. A closer look at enrollment figures revealed that kindergarten and first...
Fairchild trains for shooter FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE — Base officials and employees participated in an active-shooter response exercise April 11. Personnel and visitors saw first responders conducting emergency procedures, heard sirens and loud noises emanating from the exercise area and saw vehicles racing to an “emergency.” The exercise did not impact on-base services, such as medical appointments or exchange and commissary operations, officials said. Council OKs fire contract CHENEY — The City Council has unanimo...
Airway Heights AIRWAY HEIGHTS — The Police Department arrested the following individuals from April 8-15: April 8 Robert B. Don arrested in the 13600 block of West Sixth Avenue for violation of a protection order-previous conviction. April 9 Nova M. Burt arrested in the 12600 block of West Highway 2 for fourth-degree assault-domestic violence. Matthew R. McCauley arrested in the 12500 block of West Highway 2 for fourth-degree assault-domestic violence. April 10 Daniel W. Jackson arrested in the 12800 block of West Highway 2...
RITZVILLE — Sen. Mark Schoesler is following a gun case in Western Washington closely. On Monday, April 8, Cowlitz County Superior Court Judge Gary Bashor ruled that the 2022 state law banning high-capacity magazines is unconstitutional. “As you might guess, Attorney General Bob Ferguson did not take this news well,” Schoesler, R-Ritzville, said in an email. The case involves Gator Custom Guns in Kelso, which was sued by the state in an effort to stop the business from selling magazines capable of holding more than 10 round...
CHENEY – The School Board meeting April 10 featured a detailed analysis of the community response to a special election bond proposal. Jenna Larson took the stage to go over the survey findings. The bond proposal, which aimed to address infrastructure needs within the district, elicited community engagement, she said. With multiple modes of distribution, the proposal garnered responses from 395 individuals. Of the respondents, 161 voted to approve the bond, while 167 voted to reject it, she said. Additionally, 24 individuals...
The West Plains Little League season official kicked off Saturday, April 13, with a ceremony in Salnave Park. For more on opening day, see Page A7...
DAVENPORT—The trial of a Sprague defendant in a criminal sex case has been continued again. This time, the trial of Jonathan Ray Stocker, 42, of Sprague, was continued because he was served with a federal warrant. Stocker is being held in the Lincoln County Jail. Stocker is already charged with five counts of first-degree possession of depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct and one count of second-degree possession of depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit. The federal warrant was issued for S...
CHENEY — An apparent stalking incident prompted two local men to jump into action at about 9 p.m. Sunday, April 14. But, according to Police Chief Rick Beghtol, the good Samaritans couldn’t catch the man suspected of stalking a local woman. According to the chief, police received a report of a man allegedly following a woman in the 100 block of Erie Street. The woman, whose name has yet to be released publicly, confronted her alleged stalker, the chief said. And two other men stepped in to help her. Despite their eff...
CHENEY — Authorities are investigating an assault and robbery that occurred in the late hours of Friday, April 12. According to reports, the victim had their vehicle forcibly taken from them in the 10 block of North Seventh Street. The severity of the incident has led authorities to assert that should the suspects be identified, there is probable cause for charges including first-degree robbery, theft of a motor vehicle, theft of a firearm and general theft offenses, Police Chief Rick Beghtol said. The victim’s vehicle was...
ROSALIA - Donning special eclipse-viewing glasses, Rosalia Elementary School fifth-graders took the opportunity Monday, April 8 to see the solar spectacle through dense glasses. Their "eclipse party" was the culmination of a morning of fun, educational activities. Fifth-grade teacher Robyn Fjelseth spent the week before Spring Break teaching her pupils all about eclipses and having them prepare an educational event with other elementary students. Fjelseth fifth-graders made...
AIRWAY HEIGHTS – Tragedy struck the community last Thursday evening as a deadly house fire engulfed a residence on West Whitetip Avenue. At least one person was killed in the blaze; their identity has yet to be released. Fire Chief Mike Metzger said the fire occurred at approximately 7:03 p.m. April 4. It was promptly reported to authorities by a concerned neighbor who dialed 911, he said.. Upon arrival at the scene, emergency responders were met with a blaze that had already taken hold of the structure. Metzger said a s...
AIRWAY HEIGHTS – City Council members grappled with a potential tax levy lid lift to bolster public safety initiatives during a meeting Monday, April 8. The proposal to create a new ordinance around a levy lid lift had its first reading, and was approved to be moved forward by unanimous vote to the next session. City Manager Albert Tripp delved into the intricacies of financing options to enhance longterm public safety. His proposal is a tax increase. There are three options for the tax increase: option one is $2.71 per $...
MEDICAL LAKE – Owners of properties with “historic” value could face new regulations under an ordinance and agreement approved on first reading by the City Council. Under Ordinance No. 1122, consenting property owners could have their buildings placed on a historic register, managed jointly by the city and Spokane Historical Preservation. Prior to the vote, Spokane Historic Preservation’s Logan Camporeale presented a series of questions and answers regarding the agreement outlined in the ordinance. “Medical Lake and Spoka...
MEDICAL LAKE – The City Council on April 2 approved on first reading Ordinance No. 1123 addressing right-of-way management. The ordinance is aimed at enhancing the permitting and use requirements for right-of-way projects, and will be brought back for a second reading at an upcoming meeting. City Manager Sonny Weathers initiated the discussion by highlighting the necessity for updated risk management assessments. “Washington state conducted a risk management assessment,” Weathers said. “They noted it was out of date....
Man arrested for eluding police officer CHENEY – Jakob D. Petitto, 30, was apprehended by Cheney police officers on charges of eluding a police officer during a routine traffic stop, possession of a controlled substance, and outstanding warrants from Idaho. The arrest took place in the 700 block of First Street. According to Police Chief Rick Beghtol, Petitto attempted to evade authorities but was successfully apprehended by Officer Sullivan. Notably, following the arrest, law enforcement discovered a firearm in close p...
CHENEY – Residents across Eastern Washington woke up to an unexpected surprise on Friday, April 8, as snow blanketed various parts of the region. According to Steven Van Horn, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, the snowfall totals were particularly noteworthy for this time of year. "Rosalia saw an astonishing 4.8 inches of snow, marking a record for April snowfall in the area," Van Horn said. "We've been keeping records on Rosalia's weather since the late 1... Full story
CHENEY – A recount of Cheney precinct 9014 ballots in the Feb. 13 special election remain unchanged following a requested recount. Election Manager Mike McLaughlin confirmed that Spokane County elections officials conducted the recount March 27 of precinct ballots cast for two levies and a bond measure. “No change,” McLaughlin said last week. Sharon Berg, one of the precinct residents who requested the recount, declined to comment on why she was involved. “The newspapers are kind of biased to a certain view,” she said. “I...
CHENEY — Eastern Washington University’s Police Department is gearing up for an assessment by a team of evaluators from the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators arriving on April 27. The evaluation will scrutinize all facets of the department, including policies, procedures, management, operations and support services, according to Chief Jewell Day. The objective of this assessment is to ascertain whether the police department aligns with the group’s standards, marking a voluntary initi...
Airway Heights AIRWAY HEIGHTS - The following individuals were arrested from April 2-6. April 2 George A. Knott arrested for third-degree theft (shoplifting) in the 12800 block of West Highway 2. Louina M. Quinata arrested for fourth-degree assault-domestic violence and third-degree malicious mischief in the 10600 block of West 12th Avenue. Douglas J. Farmer arrested for first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a controlled substance, second-degree assault, attempting to elude a police vehicle and...
CHENEY – Residents are gearing up for a day of community spirit and civic pride as the annual Clean Sweep event approaches Saturday, April 13. From 8:30 a.m. to noon at Veteran’s Memorial Park, the event aims to not only beautify the city, but also foster a sense of togetherness. The agenda is packed with activities designed to make a positive impact on the community. Volunteers are encouraged to arrive at 8:30 a.m. to fuel up with coffee and refreshments before diving into their assignments. From 9 a.m. to noon, par...
CHENEY — Historic preservation efforts are facing both challenges and opportunities as the community grapples with maintaining its architectural heritage while accommodating modern needs. The National Park Service sent a survey to local governments to see if there were any problems with implementing the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards of Rehabilitation. “I think it’s part of a larger overview,” local preservation advocate Susan Beeman said. “Historic preservation has been a thing since the mid-1970s. They don’t change d...
TEKOA — Friends and family of Jamie Ann Wilson-Spray will gather Saturday, April 13, at Tekoa Event Center to remember a young lady full of life. “In honor of Jamie, we encourage everyone to wear Converse,” said a Celebration of Life posted to her social media page. Family and friends will gather at 1 p.m. at the center, 139 N. Crosby St., to remember Wilson-Spray. The daughter of Troy and Alicia Wilson, Wilson-Spray is described as a vibrant young lady who appreciated comedy, fine dining and family, but whose life ended...
