Articles from the April 17, 2014 edition


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  • Preparing for the unthinkable

    Updated Apr 18, 2014

    The screech of the fire alarm and the screams of wounded civilians filled the air as three Airway Heights police officers walked through the hallways of Sunset Elementary, their guns aimed forward. As they reached the end of the hall, the officers entered classroom 405 and neutralized the shooter who had entered the building and opened fire on civilians. This was the start of the live shooter demonstration at Sunset, April 10. The purpose of the drill was to test the new...

  • Decrease in Cheney crime could be linked to increase in overtime

    John McCallum, Editor|Updated Apr 18, 2014

    Just as they did in the first quarter of 2013, crime numbers in Cheney continued to decline through the first three months of 2014. And while that's good news, the flipside may come in increased spending on overtime. There have been 128 reports filed overall in the 11 criminal activity categories so far this year, compared to 148 in 2013, a decrease of 13.51 percent. That 2013 number was 12.42 percent less than the same time in 2012. Together it represents an overall 24.26...

  • Cheney Planning Commission to review parks plan

    John McCallum, Editor|Updated Apr 18, 2014

    Cheney’s Planning Commission got a preview at their April 14 meeting of what’s in store for them over the next several months. Having just completed an accelerated yet extensive review of the city’s municipal code Chapter 21 – Zoning, the commission will turn its attention in the coming months to review of Chapter 22 – Subdivisions and Chapter 23 – Development Code Administration along with the a review of zoning maps. Public Works Director Todd Ableman told the commission some of the things they’ll consider in reviewing the...

  • Cheney council finds county weed proposal noxious

    John McCallum, Editor|Updated Apr 18, 2014

    Deciding whether or not to save the former Northern Pacific train station wasn’t the only thing Cheney’s City Council did at their April 8 meeting. They also discussed what to do about noxious weeds. Or more specifically what Spokane County’s Noxious Weed Control Board seeks to do, which is place a noxious weed assessment on all parcels in the county. In a March 28 letter to the city, board chairman Paul Puhek said the board is considering a minimum $2 per parcel assessment on all land in the county, with an additional 6 cen...

  • Alton and Guidry graduate from Whitworth

    Updated Apr 17, 2014

    Two residents from the West Plains area received degrees from Whitworth University. Kristina Alton, of Cheney, and Anita Guidry, of Medical Lake, received bachelor of arts degrees in organizational management. Located in Spokane, Whitworth is a private liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. The university, which has an enrollment of nearly 3,000 students, offers 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs....

  • Cheney Middle School releases honor roll for third quarter

    Updated Apr 17, 2014

    Cheney Middle School has released its third quarter 2013-2014 honor roll selections. Sixth Grade 4.0 GPA — Trae Babcock, Kayla Bennett, Kassie Brennan, Charles Cindric, Madisyn Duilio, Kailey Estrellado, Annika Fiala, Abby Fillmore, John Gasper, Megan Habegger, Olena Hoppe, Paige Hughes, Alyssa Larson, Holden McNaul, Marisa Mendoza, Lucy Nester, Nicolas Preisig, Jacob Simonsen, Katana Sink-Simmons, Margaret Smith, Noah Smith, Kaitlin Teeters, Alexis VanHorne, Tess Vasecka and Seth Wilcox. 3.9-3.5 GPA — Lukas Bai...

  • Ulcers and zebras highlight Sapolsky's appearance

    News Service Reports|Updated Apr 17, 2014

    Feeling stressed? Learn more about what causes stress and stress-related illness in humans when Eastern Washington University and the Daniel and Margaret Carper Foundation present “Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers: An evening with Robert Sapolsky,” at 7 p.m., Thursday, April 24 at the Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox in downtown Spokane. Sapolsky is a science and nature writer, biologist, neuroscientist, and a highly renowned stress expert. He is a MacArthur “Genius” Fellow, a professor of biology and neurology at Stanford...

  • Medical Lake begins search for superintendent

    AL STOVER, Staff Reporter|Updated Apr 17, 2014

    The Medical Lake School District is wasting no time in their search for their next superintendent. Dr. Pam Veltri, who has been the district’s superintendent for the last 14 years, has taken a position as the assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction with the Mead School District. She will leave Medical Lake in July. The district has enlisted the services of Educational Consultants LLC, to help search for candidates in Washington state. Some of the qualification for prospective superintendents include p...

  • Ribbon cutting ceremony for the Sheriff's Crime Prevention Office at Spokane Valley Mall

    Updated Apr 17, 2014

    The grand re-opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for the Sheriff’s Crime Prevention Office will be held Wednesday, April 30, from 4-6 p.m., at the Spokane Valley Mall. The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, Spokane Valley Police Department and SCOPE (Sheriff Community Oriented Policing Effort) will be hosting the re-opening. The new office opened Monday, April 7 and is still located on the west side of the mall, but is now on the second floor, just left of the escalators and next to Silver Safari. The public is invited to com...

  • West Plains Police News

    Updated Apr 17, 2014

    CHENEY April 7 A blue scooter was found on the zero hundred block of Sixth Street. Third-degree theft was reported on the 1000 block of Betz Road. A bicycle was taken. An I-pad was found outside and brought to the police department then returned to the owner. April 8 An orange bicycle was found on the 2600 block of First Street. Third-degree theft was reported on the 1000 block of Betz Road. A blue bicycle was taken. Joe D. Rivera, 46, was arrested on the 200 block of Sixth Street for forcible rape. An investigation is...

  • Looking Back

    Updated Apr 17, 2014

    1 Years Ago April 22, 2004 Sunset Elementary School students took part in a tree planting ceremony on Arbor Day that was part of Airway Heights' designation as a "Tree City USA" community. Cheney's Relay For Life had already reached its goal of raising $48,000 with a month to go before the actual event. Midfielder Chad Thornton scored the game-winning goal in the 21stt minute as Cheney defeated Mt. Spokane 2-1 in a soccer match played in Cheney. 20 Years Ago April 21, 1994...

  • What's Happening on the West Plains

    Updated Apr 17, 2014

    City of Cheney • April 17, Preschool Play and Learn Storytime (ages 3 – 5), community library, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. • April 18, Baby Play and Learn Storytime (ages 0 – 18 months), community library, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. • April 18, Friends of the Cheney library meeting, community library, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. • April 19, Kiwanis Easter Egg hunt, Salnave Park, 11 a.m. • April 22, City Council meeting, council chambers, 6 p.m. • April 22, Cheney Book Club discussing “The Newlyweds” by Nell Freudenberger, community library, 7 – 8 p.m. ...

  • Churches

    Updated Apr 17, 2014

    Emmanuel Lutheran Church Emmanuel Lutheran Church invites everyone to worship with us during Holy Week. Visitors expected. Join us for Maundy Thursday worship on Thursday, April 17 at 7 p.m. as we recognize that with nightfall our Lenten observation comes to an end. We gather with Christians around the world to celebrate the three days of Jesus’ death and resurrection. At the heart of the Maundy Thursday liturgy is Jesus’ commandment to love one another. As Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, we are called to follow his...

  • Miller's honey-based beauty products

    Updated Apr 17, 2014

    Jenine and Jim Miller of the West Plains Beekeepers Association sold several honey-based beautification products such as lotion bars and lip balm at an April 4 "cash mob" event sponsored by the West Plains Chamber of Commerce. The Millers also sold honey made from their hives....

  • Celebrated 65th anniversary

    Updated Apr 17, 2014

    Keith and Joan Tracy recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary with their family at a dinner that was hosted by their daughters, Megan (John) Bastow, of Cheney and Ann Johnston of Coeur d'Alene. A daughter, Jean Tracy, lives in Gundelfigen, Germany. Keith and Joan were married in Tacoma on April 8, 1949. They have seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren....

  • Cheney book club meets April 22

    Updated Apr 17, 2014

    “The Newlyweds” by Neil Freudenberger is the April selection of the Book Discussion Group of the Friends of the Cheney Community Library. The group meets Tuesday, April 22 at 7 p.m. at the library. All are welcome to attend. The novel tells the story of an American man and Indian woman who meet on an Internet dating site and get married. The challenges for both in adjusting to married life and for the bride leaving her family in India are realistically and skillfully depicted. The sights and sounds of India come to life in...

  • Still time to reduce those library fines with food

    Updated Apr 17, 2014

    Spokane County Library District is celebrating National Library Week, April 13 – 19 with the second annual Food for Fines, a community food drive for the Second Harvest Food Bank. Food for Fines works like this: for each donation of a non-perishable food item library members can reduce their overdue fines by $1 – maximum $10 forgiven per library account. Food for Fines is happening at all 10 Spokane County Libraries. Donations benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank and their expanded networks in Cheney, Deer Park, Fai...

  • The Verve is back

    Updated Apr 17, 2014

    The Verve owner Rhonda Phillips cuts the ribbon last Thursday to signify the grand re-opening of the shop's new location in Medical Lake at 111 N. Lefevre St....

  • Airway Heights to celebrate Arbor Day with tree planting

    AL STOVER, Staff Reporter|Updated Apr 17, 2014

    Airway Heights will celebrate Arbor Day on April 26, and one of the main activities will be the planting of 50 new coniferous trees at Aspen Grove Park, West Eighth Avenue. The city is inviting the public to participate in the final phase of the project by spreading tree mulch rings around the base of the newly installed trees. Parks, Recreation and Community Services Supervisor J.C. Kennedy said the tree planting is the city’s way of making the event a dedication ceremony. The first phase of Aspen Grove’s tree-planting pro...

  • First half property taxes are due in to Spokane Country Treasurer's office by April 30

    Updated Apr 17, 2014

    The Spokane County Treasurer’s Office is reminding taxpayers that the first half of their 2014 property taxes are due on April 30. Washington state law requires payments mailed to the Treasurer’s Office through the U.S. Postal Service to be postmarked on or before the due date. Payments dropped in a USPS box or station must be done so early enough so that they are postmarked before the tax deadline, with only the cancellation date applied by USPS being recognized as a determination of timeliness of payments. Payments can be...

  • Farm Service Agency allocates funds for minorities and women

    Updated Apr 17, 2014

    SPOKANE – The U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency has a portion of its farm loan program funds specifically allocated for minority and women producers. Loan funds can be used to purchase farms, livestock and equipment. They may also be used to operate the farm, build or repair farm service buildings, pay for soil and water conservation practices and in some cases refinance debt. FSA offers both direct and guaranteed loans. “While FSA farm loans are available to all qualified applicants, by setting aside fun...

  • Prescribed fires through May at Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge

    Updated Apr 17, 2014

    The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Tuesday, April 8, that Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge will be conducting prescribed burns this spring. Depending on weather conditions, burning should occur sometime between April and May. Prescribed burning activities should have little to no impact on access to the refuge public use area. These burns will accomplish refuge management objectives for reducing hazardous accumulations of fuel, decreasing the number of unhealthy and dense stands of forest regeneration, and...

  • West Plains Briefs

    Updated Apr 17, 2014

    Cheney egg hunt at Salnave The Cheney Kiwanis invite folks to “hop on over” to their annual Easter egg hunt Saturday, April 19 at Salnave Park. The hunt begins precisely at 11 a.m. so don’t be late. Toddlers to age 10 are welcome so bring a basket to put their plastic eggs filled with candy in. There will also be prizes, the Easter Bunny and lots of fun. ML egg hunt at Waterfront The Medical Lake Kiwanis will host their 33rd annual Easter egg hunt, April 19 at 11 a.m., at Waterfront Park. The age groups are as follows: 0-4 y... Full story

  • Washington's Science Olympiad puts students' ideas to the test

    PAUL DELANEY|Updated Apr 17, 2014

    A little over 50 years ago the Ideal Toy Company introduced a board game called Mouse Trap. And while the hundreds of students who gathered at Eastern Washington University last Saturday for the 2014 Washington Science Olympiad state tournament may have never even seen the game, let alone play it, for those who do recall it, there might have been some childhood flashback moments for parents and others. "The goal is to create a Rube Goldberg type of device that does a...

  • AH looks at mitigating water leaks

    AL STOVER, Staff Reporter|Updated Apr 17, 2014

    Water leakage was the main subject of the April 14 Airway Heights City Council study session. Clerk-Treasurer Richard Cook presented a draft of an ordinance regarding water leak mitigation. According to Cook, this pertains to citizens who have water leaks on their property but outside of their home. Under the ordinance, the leak would have to be inspected by a member of the Public Works Department. A water leak mitigation committee would be set up. The ordinance would also award mitigation for a resident who has a leak that...

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