Looking Back

10 Years Ago

May 29, 2003

A projected $5.8 million loss of state revenue over the next two years meant Eastern Washington University faced both cutting staff, and increasing tuition by an estimated 9 percent, adding $302 per year to in state costs and $1,047 for out of state students.

The Medical Lake City Council authorized Police Chief Tony Harbolt to apply for a $125,000 federal grant from the Justice Department to fund a Cops in Schools Program. The funds would allow the city to hire an additional officer, over and above the current six on staff, who would be dedicated more than 75 percent of the time to work in the schools.

The Cheney City Council got its first glimpse of a new ordinance that would limit the number of unrelated people who can live in a single family residence. A number of EWU students who felt the new rules would limit where they can live in the city showed up to voice their protests over the regulation.

Led by event winners Jeslyn Lemke, Holly Bailey and Lassica Lacambra, Cheney was sending 10 athletes to the 4A/3A state track championships at Edgar Brown Memorial Stadium in Pasco. Scott Traynor, meanwhile, finished first in the 800-meter run and was one of nine members of the Medical Lake track team that were off to state at EWU’s Woodward Field.

20 Years Ago

May 29, 1993

The Cheney School District board of directors took the first step in their search for a new superintendent during a public meeting where input was taken on the direction to take to replace Walt Rulffes who resigned to return to Spokane School District 81.

Cheney Fire Chief John Montague convinced a majority of the City Council, four of the seven at least, that they should enact an ordinance prohibiting the sale of fireworks in the city. Discharging fireworks within the city limits would still be legal this year but not by the same time in 1994.

A groundbreaking ceremony featuring Cheney Mayor Al Ogdon signified the first steps in the construction of a new wastewater treatment facility,

For the 11th time in 20 years, and the sixth straight season, Cheney High School captured the Frontier League’s all-sports trophy. Awarded by the Inland Empire Sports writers and Broadcasters, the trophy honors overall athletic excellence.

30 Years Ago

May 19, 1983

EWU students were in line to have a new health center provider after 15 years as the contract with Cheney Medical Associates, Inc. was being re-evaluated.

More than 40 military aircraft were expected to be part of Fairchild Air Force Base’s annual open house May 22. The event was to have some local flavor as a pair of local high school graduates, 1976 Cheney High is Lt. Leo Moore and Capt. Charles, a 1975 graduate of Medical Lake High were instructor pilots who would talk about their duties.

Seattle Seahawks’ head coach Chuck Knox was to be a featured speaker in EWU’s Academy-Business-Community Lecture Series. The Seahawks were to begin training camp in Cheney July 14.

A number of Cheney women honored the past with a fashion show of various dresses, gowns and even turn of the last century swimwear in an show that was part of the city’s centennial celebration. The event, held at city hall, drew an estimated 200 people.

Cheney pushed across 10 runs in the first inning on the way to a 15-0 rout of Clarkston that inproved the Blackhawks league record to 10-4, good for a playoff berth. Roy Hogeboom pitched a 3-hitter.

Eastern Washington University’s baseball team was closing out play in the Pac-10 North with games against the University of Portland and Seattle University with left fielder Alex Podruzny in the hunt for the league batting crown. The Eagles will, however, not have any team records emerge from the season as 14 of their games had been cancelled due to rain or wet grounds.