Articles from the March 9, 2023 edition


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  • Euclid bridge construction kicks off

    Lucas Walsh, Cheney Free Press|Updated Mar 17, 2023

    AIRWAY HEIGHTS – Demolition of the Euclid Road bridge, located near the intersection of North Lyons and Euclid Road, began at 11 a.m. March 3. A new, modernized bridge will be constructed in its place, officials said. Construction will be finished in September. The bridge itself, a primarily wooden design, is owned by Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, and was constructed in 1980 after the original suffered catastrophic damage the year before. Spokane County Commissioner Al French, Fairchild Air Force Base Lt. Col. Dawn H...

  • Locals contribute to car give-away

    Lucas Walsh, Cheney Free Press|Updated Mar 17, 2023

    CHENEY – Local business owners and residents have contributed to the repair and donation of a used car to a nominated resident. Steve Burke, of Burke's Repair, 107 H. St., first acquired the used car from a former client who was planning to move out of state. The client agreed to sell the car to Burke at a reduced price under the condition it be donated to a community member. "I put a post on the Cheney Neighbor Facebook page, just asking them to nominate somebody that they k...

  • NAU stuns Eastern at Big Sky tournament

    Cheney Free Press|Updated Mar 17, 2023

    CHENEY — A 6-point lead with less than a minute to play was not enough to protect top seed Eastern Washington from possibly the biggest upset in Big Sky Conference tournament history March 3 in Boise. Northern Arizona raced the length of the court following a missed free throw by Steele Venters with 8 seconds remaining and Oakland Fort launched a long-range fall-back shot as time expired to give the ninth seeded Lumberjacks an 81-80 victory stunning the regular season champs. Eastern, which was seemingly unbeatable heading i...

  • Young scheduled as speaker

    Lucas Walsh, Cheney Free Press|Updated Mar 17, 2023

    CHENEY – Elinor Young of Chattaroy will be the guest speaker at 10 a.m. during the Sunday, March 12, service. “Her story is fascinating and so encouraging in obedience to God’s call on our lives,” church Administrator Carol Campbell said. According to Campbell, Young grew up on a farm north of Spokane. She contracted polio as a child, and at the age of 12, resolved to become a missionary. After graduation from Prairie Bible Institute, Whitworth University and Wycliffe Bible Translator’s Summer Institute of Linguisti...

  • Many mysteries remain for Medical Lake track

    Paul Delaney, Contributor|Updated Mar 17, 2023

    History will tell you that Medical Lake head track and field coach Gene Blankenship is never shy at making bold predictions like foreseeing success. But as he approaches the 2023 season the veteran leader who has overseen immense accomplishments for the Cardinals in both track and cross country is playing his cards close to the down vest he might wear navigating the winter weather that does not want to let go. Already more than a week into preparation for the season,...

  • Fairchild crew completes 24-hour refueling exercise

    Lucas Walsh, Cheney Free Press|Updated Mar 17, 2023

    FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE – The crew of an AKC-135 Stratotanker airplane completed a 24-hour exercise designed to test their basic abilities for a duty period of that length. The exercise took place over Roswell, New Mexico, between Feb. 13-17, and involved the 92nd Air Refueling Wing. This refueling wing is assigned to the Air Mobility Command 18th Air Force, and is commanded by Col. Chesley L. Dycus, who assumed command from Colonel Cassius T. Bentley III in 2022. “We’re changing the paradigm here; the lessons learned durin...

  • Basketball coach sues Eastern Washington University

    Lucas Walsh, Cheney Free Press|Updated Mar 16, 2023

    CHENEY – Eastern Washington University and its athletic director, Lynn Hickey, are being sued by basketball coach Wendy Schuller. The lawsuit accuses the university and Hickey of age and gender discrimination. In a court filing Feb. 7, Schuller’s legal representatives outlined factors for the lawsuit. Among them are a pattern and practice of age and sex discrimination in employment, and in education and athletic opportunities, unequal pay, and unequal access and inadequate women’s facilities, according to Spokane Count...

  • Extradited suspects to stand trial this month

    Lucas Walsh, Cheney Free Press|Updated Mar 9, 2023

    AIRWAY HEIGHTS – Suspects in the death of an infant, formerly extradited from South Dakota and placed in Spokane county jail, have been given a criminal trial readiness call for Mar. 14 Aleksander Kurmoyarov and Mandie R. Miller are currently being held in Spokane County jail each with $1,000,000 bonds according to an Airway Heights police press release. Kurmoyarov and Miller are scheduled to be tried in criminal court on Apr. 3 Kurmoyarov and Miller were extradited from South Dakota following the filing of a warrant from t...

  • Death at Spokane Tribe Casino

    Lucas Walsh, Cheney Free Press|Updated Mar 9, 2023

    AIRWAY HEIGHTS – A construction worker on the site of a new building at the Spokane Tribe Casino was killed on Mar. 7 at approximately 9:30A.M. Javier De La Rosa, the General Manager of the Spokane Tribe Casino confirmed that the individual was a construction worker on the site of the future Spokane Tribe Hotel. The companies working on this site are STC Construction and Swinerton Construction, though it was not confirmed explicitly if the deceased was a staff member of e...

  • West Plains Police News

    Updated Mar 9, 2023

    The following incidents were reported by the Cheney police between Feb. 27 and Mar. 5 Feb. 27 Third-degree theft. 700 Block Montague Dr. Stolen: (2) lanterns from porch Third-degree theft from vehicle. 200 Block S. Cheney-Spangle Rd. Stolen (2) pairs of shoes, debit card Fourth-degree assault, domestic violence. 100 Block Alki St. Arrested: Lee A. Coventry, 33-year-old female. Violation of court order. 2600 Block Eton Ln. Feb. 28 Verbal domestic violence. 1000 Block Betz Rd. Reckless Driving . SR 904/Betz Rd. Mar. 1 Rape....

  • Spokane airport receives grant

    Lucas Walsh, Cheney Free Press|Updated Mar 9, 2023

    SPOKANE – The International Airport has been awarded a $15 million grant from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Airport Terminals Program for the expansion of Concourse C project which began in late 2022, according to the Terminal Renovation and Expansion (TREX) program website. According to a TREX press release, the Concourse C project will expand this section of the airport by 144,000 square feet, and will cost an estimated $150 million. The expansion includes plans for u...

  • Lawmakers host 'town hall' call-in meeting

    Cheney Free Press|Updated Mar 9, 2023

    COLFAX — The two 9th Legislative District representatives will host a telephone “town hall” meeting on Monday, March 13. Rep. Joe Schmick, R-Colfax, and Rep. Mary Dye, R-Pomeroy, will host the session from 6-7 p.m. An automated call will go out a few minutes before the event to landlines in the district. If you do not have a landline or you want to make sure you can participate, you can call 509- 841-0315 from 5:45 p.m. through 7 p.m. March 13 to participate. “We will give a quick update on the legislative session, the bil...

  • Troopers out in force for spring break

    Cheney Free Press|Updated Mar 9, 2023

    WASHTUCNA — Expect to see more Washington State Patrol troopers on the road from March 9-19. The agency will be operating its Washington State University spring break emphasis in Spokane, Whitman, Grant, Kittitas and Adams counties as students leave and return to Pullman. The emphasis will focus on U.S. Highway 195, State Highway 26, Interstate 90 and U.S. Highway 395. Troopers will be focusing excessive speed, distracted driving and impaired driving during the emphasis. “Our primary mission is to ensure that everyone enj...

  • Sacrifices of Medal of Honor Recipients Should Refocus America

    Don C. Brunell|Updated Mar 9, 2023

    Earlier this month when President Biden fastened the Congressional Medal of Honor (Medal) around retired U.S. Army Col. Paris Davis’ neck, it was a welcome pause to the endless venomous rhetoric, political feuding, and lawlessness which plagues our nation. For a few hours, America’s attention was on Col. Davis and the sacrifices those in our military make to preserve our safety, freedoms, and way of life. Those who serve us on the frontline of danger, whether they are cops, fi...

  • Fighting for farmers' survival

    Mary Dye|Updated Mar 9, 2023

    Too many Puget Sound lawmakers never look beyond their grocery stores to understand the struggle of our farmers to keep those stores supplied. That’s why Sen. Mark Schoesler, Rep. Joe Schmick, and I work so hard in Olympia to advocate for our fellow farmers, educate those in power who have no clue about agriculture and we fight against policies potentially devastating to agriculture. We understand the importance of our state’s agricultural industry, the jobs they provide in...

  • Proposed mileage tax targets ruralites

    Jacquelin Maycumber|Updated Mar 9, 2023

    The Vehicle Miles Travelled tax, or VMT, is once again raising its ugly head in Olympia in the form of House Bill 1832. It has been rebranded the “Road Usage Charge” (RUC), a more benign term, one that supporters hope will breeze by an unsuspecting public keen to reject any bill with the word “tax” in it. But it is a tax; a new tax on the miles you and I travel. And, while the bill talks about it being voluntary for now, the general authority granted to state agencies to create the tax is not limited to just a voluntary progr...

  • Ronald L Hughes

    Updated Mar 9, 2023

    Dec. 30, 1938 – Apr. 8, 2021 Ronald L Hughes was born in Peoria, Ill., to John E. Hughes and Dorothy Robinson Hughes on Dec. 30, 1938, and passed away on Apr. 8, 2021, in Peoria, Ariz. Ron graduated with a BA from the University of Illinois and served his country in the United States Navy, Firefighter Division. In his early career, Ron was employed by highly recognized graphic arts companies. In 1969, he broke away from being an employee in the corporate world and moved to D... Full story

  • Elizabeth Ann Williams

    Updated Mar 9, 2023

    Elizabeth Ann Williams May 20, 1937 Elizabeth Ann Williams was born to Mack Olif Williams and Florence Elizabeth Wheaton in Colby, Kan., May 20, 1937. She graduated from Colby Community High School in May of 1957. She was a Majorette, played percussion and sang in the choir. She worked at the local drug store and soda fountain. She moved to Richland, Wash. to live with her sister Shirley and Brother in law Myron Hankins, attended Columbia Basin College and worked at General... Full story

  • Working in the Senate

    Washington State Senate Republicans|Updated Mar 9, 2023

    An Idaho girl served as a page the week of Feb. 19-24 for Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville. A.J. Taturevych, 15, is a sophomore at House of the Lord Christian Academy in Oldtown, Idaho. Twenty-one served as Senate pages that week. During her week as a page, Taturevych worked on a mock bill that would provide healthier food options in public hospitals. Schoesler represents the Cheney and Medical Lake areas as part of the 9th Legislative District....

  • A week at the Capitol

    Washington State House Republicans|Updated Mar 9, 2023

    Tekoa High School sophomore Alexis Taylor, 15, of Tekoa, served as a page in the state House of Representatives from 19-24 at the state Capitol in Olympia. Taylor was sponsored by Rep. Mary Dye, R-Pomeroy. The student lives in the 9th Legislative District represented by Dye. During her tenure as a House page, Taylor wrote a mock bill for a later school start to give students more time to sleep in and be well-rested for their classroom studies. Dye represents the Cheney and...

  • Bill elevates drug possession crimes

    Roger Harnack, Cheney Free Press|Updated Mar 9, 2023

    OLYMPIA — A bill making its way through the Legislature would make possession of fentanyl, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine a gross misdemeanor. Senate Bill 5536 passed the Senate by a 28-21 vote Friday night. The bill is designed in response to the state Supreme Court’s 2021 ruling that the state’s drug-possession law was unconstitutional. While the bill passed the Senate, it does not go far enough to address the drug problems, Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, said...

  • Alma Smith tops in 3A state diving

    Paul Delaney, Contributor|Updated Mar 9, 2023

    Cheney High School's Alma Smith won the state 3A diving championship last week, the first title in the sport for the school. That was quite a feat in itself, but consider Smith's 338.05 to 316 win over Christopher Sellers from Bishop Blanchet High School came in Cheney's inaugural dip into diving. "The hardest dive was an inward two and a half somersault," Smith explained of the competition that is very much like whit is seen in the Olympics. Leading through both the...

  • EWU track racks up BSC indoor medals

    Updated Mar 9, 2023

    Eastern Washington Track and Field secured four more medals in the final day of competition at the 2023 Big Sky Indoor Championships in Moscow, Idaho on March 4, winning gold in the men’s pole vault and men’s triple jump. A day after Eagle women Savannah Schultz and Hally Ruff finished first and third in the women’s pole vault, the pair of Zach Klobutcher and Brayden Freitag went first and second on the men’s side to continue EWU’s dominance of the event. Both tied — along with Montana State’s Colby Wilson — at 5.05 meters...

  • Venters MVP, Riley coach-of-year, Loera top defender

    staff and news service sources|Updated Mar 9, 2023

    After a historic regular season that included a Big Sky record 16-0 start to conference play, record-tying 18-game overall winning streak and the fifth regular season Big Sky Championship in program history, Eastern Washington men’s basketball was recognized with several 2022-23 Big Sky Conference honors announced March 3. Guard Steele Venters was named Most Valuable Player and head coach David Riley earned Coach of the Year. Additionally, guard Angelo Allegri was named to the All-Conference First Team and forward Ethan P...

  • State predicting larger salmon runs

    Cheney Free Press|Updated Mar 9, 2023

    PASCO — Fishermen can expect more Coho, Chinook and sockeye salmon to return to the Columbia River and its tributaries this season. The state Department of Fish and Wildlife’s forecast is based on environmental indicators such as ocean conditions, numbers of juvenile salmon that migrated to marine waters and numbers of adult salmon that returned in past years. About 84,800 Upper Columbia River summer Chinook are forecasted to return in 2023, representing about 120 percent of the 10-year average return and higher than las...

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