Articles from the February 23, 2017 edition


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  • Fairchild pioneers new DOD health system

    PAUL DELANEY, Staff Reporter|Updated Feb 27, 2017

    Fairchild Air Force Base was seen as the perfect fit as a test bed and launch site for a new medical records program that will ultimately be rolled out to the entire Department of Defense. The base is the right size, has a medical clinic and a significant number of dependents so the base's 92nd Medical Group was chosen as the place where the DOD would do initial testing of its new electronic health record system, known as Medical Health Systems GENESIS. In a ceremony held on b...

  • Grant brings more music to Windsor Elementary

    John McCallum, Editor|Updated Feb 24, 2017

    See a photo gallery from the event here. Dorothy Thomas feels she has a pretty good deal working part-time for the Cheney School District. After retiring a few years ago, the long-time Spokane-area music teacher has been filling in where needed in the school district the last three years, helping teach beginning band at Betz Elementary School in Cheney and several music classes at Windsor Elementary, including strings. "It's like a nice, little part-time gig that I just...

  • Flying high to state

    AL STOVER|Updated Feb 24, 2017

    Cheney High School swimmer Noah Prophet is carried out the door by his teammates before they left for the 2A/3A/4A boys state swimming meet in Federal Way, Feb. 18....

  • Cheney changes snow ordinance

    John McCallum, Editor|Updated Feb 23, 2017

    Cheney’s City Council has elected to fast-track proposed changes to the way the city plows streets after snow starts to accumulate. At its Feb. 14 meeting, the council unanimously approved all three readings and final passage of changes to the city ordinance proposed by the Police Department governing snow removal. The changes remove language defining the hours vehicles must be off the streets in order for plows to clear snow once a minimum of two inches has accumulated, which was previously between midnight and 6 a.m. U...

  • What's Happening On The West Plains

    Updated Feb 23, 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 [email protected]. Cheney • Feb. 24, Light Fitness Hour (adults 50+), Wren Pierson Community Center, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. • Feb. 24, Baby Play and Learn Storytime (ages 0–18 months), 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. • Feb. 24, Free AARP Tax-Aide, community library, Noon – 5 p.m. • Feb. 24, Texas Hold’em (adults 50+), Wren Pierson Community Center, 1 – 3 p.m. • Feb. 24,... Full story

  • Lena M. Lackey

    Updated Feb 23, 2017

    Lena M. Lackey, 93, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Feb. 15, 2017. She was the daughter of Hattie and Jake Bowman of Echo, Ore. She was born in Stanfield, Ore. on Nov. 14, 1923. Lena went to school in Stanfield and Echo. Her first job was as a clerk at the ordnance depot outside of Stanfield. She later moved to Marysville, Wash. with her husband Ray Harmon and their four children. They moved to Walla Walla where she worked as a teacher's aide at... Full story

  • Cheney Kiwanis has deep roots in the community

    GRACE POHL, Staff Intern|Updated Feb 23, 2017

    The Cheney Kiwanis club began in September 1972 and has been involved in the community ever since. Whether the club is participating in events behind the scenes or in the public eye, their presence has been known for quite some time in Cheney. The Kiwanis club is not just known to the city of Cheney, it is international. Overall, there are over 700,000 adult and youth members around the world. With the club's motto, "serving the children of the world," the foundation is also a...

  • Churches

    Updated Feb 23, 2017

    Emmanuel Lutheran Church Emmanuel Lutheran Church invites you to worship with us this Sunday, Feb. 26 at 10:30 a.m. as we celebrate the Transfiguration of Our Lord. You may also watch our pastor’s sermons at our website or on YouTube at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Cheney. Christian education for grade school through adult begins at 9 a.m. This Tuesday, Feb. 28, will be Emmanuel’s eighth annual “Festival of Chocolate.” Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the festivities run until 8:30 p.m. A monetary donation will be collected at the...

  • Letter writers miss the point on Trump's immigration ban, ISIS

    Updated Feb 23, 2017

    Last week Rose Kline reminded me of her earlier rants against President Trump going back at least to August 2016. Norm Luther also reminded me of his past efforts. I do not know either of these two, but do know that Norm is a longtime Democrat operative who routinely mails multiple copies of his efforts to local Eastern Washington newspapers. In Rose’s letter, I noted 17 slurs, opinions and charges made against the president. Of those, at least three are demonstratively incorrect (Muslim ban, Israel, Australia) and at l...

  • Johns' opposition to bond helped strengthen community dialogue

    Updated Feb 23, 2017

    As thanks is given to voters for the successful passage of the Cheney School District $52 million bond for schools (Feb. 14), I hope gratitude will extend to Bill and Sue Johns who passionately expressed — at their own expense — cost saving ideas regarding this bond and its predecessor in 2015. The Johns were not the only voices offering different opinions but they were faithful to highlight cost considerations. Cheney taxpayers are now responsible for $131 million ($79 million in 2010, $52 million in 2017) in school bon...

  • Turning public lands over to states would lead to privatization

    Updated Feb 23, 2017

    Do you value your public lands? Our public lands are a part of our American identity. They provide vital sustenance for fish and wildlife and for people. Do you remember your first visit to Mount Rainier? How awesome was that? How about to Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge? I remember both. My first trip to Turnbull was in the fall when flocks of tundra swan were flying over, whooping and circling to come in for a landing on the Pine Lakes. The image is in my head as if it were yesterday, though 43 years have passed. You...

  • Is freedom of the press really the issue here?

    PAUL DELANEY, Staff Reporter|Updated Feb 23, 2017

    A “friend’s” Facebook post recently made a plea to “Hug a journalist today! There’s a reason Freedom of the Press is the FIRST Amendment to our Constitution. Stand up for that freedom and don’t let anyone try to take it away from us!” It was accompanied by a graphic to “Stand for press freedom,” an obvious hint that somehow recently — after Jan. 20 I’m guessing — the media in this country is being persecuted or censored and fears losing its First Amendment rights. Seems...

  • Bond requires control, community involvement

    Updated Feb 23, 2017

    Some thoughts, now that the Cheney School District’s $52 million capital facilities bond has passed. As of Feb. 21, the bond had received 61.08 percent approval, needing just 60 percent to pass. According to the Spokane County Elections website, just 25 ballots remained to be counted, with the next count coming Feb. 23. It would take roughly 71 no votes to turn that 60 percent approval into 59.99 percent, thus failing the bond. Not likely to happen. So, what has happened? The good news for students, parents and district s...

  • CHS Students of the Month

    Leeann Burton|Updated Feb 23, 2017

    Cheney High School announced the names of its students of the month for January. Front row from left to right: Paige King, Alexandria Capaul and Nikki Green. Back row from left to right: Ryleigh Bowes, Mason Allen, Jared Geschke, Erisa Freund, Kinsey Dewan and Karlee Jackson. Not Pictured: Caitlin Wallin, Talon Hutton, Megan Lersbak, Ethan Coombes and Alexis Brooks...

  • Education briefs

    Staff and News Reports|Updated Feb 23, 2017

    West Plains residents make WSU president’s list Several West Plains residents made the Washington State University’s president’s list. Airway Heights — Rylie Ann Porterfield. Cheney — Kyra Angeline Allen, Ryan Michael Axtell, Felicia RaeAnn Claxton, Svetlana Grishko, Austin Cole Harding, Jeffrey Mark Holy, Rachel Evonne Lopas, Victoria Lynne Pickel, Connor Donald Pratt, Logan C. Pratt, Samuel Robertson Schreiber, Sarah Nicole Troutt, Kellie Anne Zakrzewski and Samantha Marie Zakrzewski. Medical Lake — Dara Abounorinej...

  • Stubborn winter not slowing STEP construction

    PAUL DELANEY, Staff Reporter|Updated Feb 23, 2017

    Old Man Winter has had his share of making life difficult for many in the region with doses of both bitter cold and significant dumps of snow. But the Spokane Tribe of Indians seem to have danced around these potential roadblocks as they race to try to open the first phase of their Spokane Tribe Economic Project - STEP - on time this coming fall. To passersby who drive along U.S. Highway 2, there might not seem to be much activity going on behind the line of construction...

  • Westwood Middle School announces 2016-17 Term 2 honor roll

    Updated Feb 23, 2017

    Westwood Middle School announced its honor roll for Term 2 of the 2016-17 school year. 4.0 —Elizabeth S. Bae, Hayley G. Barrera, Makenna M. Benson, Brandon Blazekovic, Dusten T. Butikofer, Mika J. Corneil, Carolyn T. Currin, Jed S. Draper, James S. Eberle, Emma J. Evans, Ryan W. Fagerland, Vinessa R. Fomichev, Sara C. Graham, Nia N. Guest, Olivia C. Hair, Valerie A. Hanes, Ragan L. Harris, Jason L. Hatfield, Emersyn D. Heuett, Carissa L. Hinton, Giavonna M. Jamison, Steven R. Johnson, Elissa R. Jones, Haley R. Jones, Simon V...

  • Medical Lake FBLA builds momentum, finds identity

    AL STOVER, Staff Reporter|Updated Feb 23, 2017

    For a small club, the Medical Lake High School Future Business Leaders of America has been gaining a lot of momentum over the last year. The club had six members compete at the Feb. 4 Northeast Regional Winter Conference in Spokane. Of the six who went to regionals, three qualified for the state competition in April: club secretary Anthony Barnes, who was second in business calculations, vice president Noah Ray, who finished second in client services and president Connor...

  • Westwood robotics at EWU

    PAUL DELANEY|Updated Feb 23, 2017

    Westwood Middle School's SeaPerch students were one of 80 teams from other area middle schools taking part in underwater robotics competition last Saturday at Eastern Washington University's pool. Left: Instructor Karen Runyon assists a student with setting up the team's robot as another (above) guides the vehicle through specific duties on the pool's bottom....

  • Exit 272 lagoon

    AL STOVER, Staff Reporter|Updated Feb 23, 2017

    Motorists drove with caution on State Route 902, near Interstate 90 exit 272, on Feb. 17 because of water on the roadway. Washington State Department of Transportation crews spent the afternoon cleaning up the road....

  • Callaway and Worl co-direct Medical Lake Food Bank

    AL STOVER, Staff Reporter|Updated Feb 23, 2017

    Terri Worl and Joyce Callaway have been co-directors of the Medical Lake Food Bank for over a year, taking over for former director Margaret James, who resigned from the position in 2015. Callaway said the food bank, which runs every Friday from 10 a.m.– noon, serves about 200 families a month. Patrons can also come in every week and receive produce, bread and milk. The food bank follows the Washington state Department of Agriculture Emergency Food Assistance Program income e...

  • One year of working to 'solve common concerns'

    John McCallum, Editor|Updated Feb 23, 2017

    A little over a year ago, Gill Moberly had some time on his hands. The Marshall-area resident was recovering after surgery, so he was taking the opportunity to catch up on his reading. One item was a recent copy of the Cheney Free Press, where an In Our Opinion editorial on what the publication's editorial board would like to see happen in 2016 highlighted the need for more participation in the community in order to meet the needs of those less fortunate. Moberly was...

  • Project Hope program on its way to Airway Heights

    AL STOVER, Staff Reporter|Updated Feb 23, 2017

    Youth in Airway Heights might have an opportunity to learn some gardening skills and make a little bit of extra money this summer. Project Hope Spokane, in collaboration with the Spokane Regional Health District, is working on bringing a youth gardening program to Airway Heights. The idea for the program was generated out of the Community Cafe meetings. Heather Wallace, district health specialist with the Neighborhood Matters program who facilitates the meetings, said the gardening program would be organized through Project...

  • Corrections to Fugere story

    Updated Feb 23, 2017

    In a Feb. 16 Cheney Free Press Story about Wayne Fugere receiving the “Medical Lake Senior Volunteer” of the year, Norita Fugere was incorrectly referred to as Rita Fugere. The Fugeres have five children — it was written they have four children — and they have lived in Medical Lake since 2002 and not for 18 years....

  • Cheney is mostly multifamily

    John McCallum, Editor|Updated Feb 23, 2017

    Cheney single-family to multifamily housing ratio has undergone some significant changes in the past decade, as evidenced by a staff report presented to the city’s Planning Commission at its Feb. 13 meeting. According to information from Public Works Director Todd Ableman, the city’s housing mixture has shifted over the past 20 years, with multifamily construction accounting for 64.4 percent of the total housing units in 2016. In 1996, the percentage of multifamily to single family was 51 percent — 1,284 total single-family u...

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