Looking Back

10 Years Ago

April 24, 2003

Following the dissolving of the Cheney Parks and Recreation Department because of budget cuts, Spokane County Commissioners Phil Harris and Kate McCaslin were said to be considering assisting the city to open the municipal swimming pool.

The city of Medical Lake has terminated the services of longtime police officer Marty Lawrence. City attorney Cindy McMullen announced in a press release that Lawrence, a 16-year employee, was fired “for cause.” Lawrence filed a grievance over the matter.

A $21,000 grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates’ Foundation moved Medical Lake closer to purchase of a building to house its new food bank.

The Medical Lake boys’ tennis team concluded the first half of their season with a 5-1 record after a 6-1 conquest of Pullman, despite the absence of Tanner Tareski who missed the match due to sickness.

20 Years Ago

1993 missing from the archives.

30 Years Ago

April 21, 1983

Cheney businesses were preparing for the May 7 celebration of the city’s centennial with some, like Wayne Brokaw and his Winner’s Circle, adding murals to their buildings.

Eastern Washington University’s radio station KEWC was awaiting word whether the Federal Communications Commission would grant the station’s application to boost power from 10,000 to 50,000 watts.

The 19th annual Medical Lake Fisherman’s Breakfast reportedly drew a record 1,403 hungry anglers it was reported. Those in attendance consumed 330 dozen eggs, 180 pounds of hotcake mix, 880 pounds of sausage, 50 gallons of milk and 12 pounds of coffee.

EWU head football coach Dick Zornes, whose team was coming off an 8-2 finish and had eight straight wins, was preparing to open spring practice.

40 Years Ago

April 19, 1973

More than 1,000 spectators were on hand at Fairchild Air Force Base to welcome home former prisioner of war, Lt. Col. James Y. Nagahiro. The local airman was on board a B-52 that was shot down over North Vietnam Dec. 21, 1972. He was held captive 99 days.

President Richard Nixon’s decision to cut Federal Impact Aid nearly in half, 54 percent to be exact, meant the Medical Lake School District would lose an estimated $300,000 while Cheney would see cuts of $120,000.

President Emerson Shuck reported to the EWSC board of trustees that the school will be involved in an “extremely stringent budgeting process,” in light of the loss of some $1 million in revenue.

First place finishes in 11 events earned Cheney an 83-62 Border League track victory. Del Spear kept his record perfect with four of those victories while Steve Kirk remained undefeated in the shot put.

50 Years Ago

April 19, 1963

Area fisherman can expect a “very good” outing on the opening day of the 1963 fishing season, April 21. Anglers can expect thousands of fish, estimated to be anywhere from 8-10 inches following their planting in the spring of 1962 as 2-3 inch fish.

Area drivers were being warned by Washington State Patrol Chief Roy Betlach of picking up hitchhikers. “Although hitchhiking is definitely an illegal act, many well-meaning drivers still endanger themselves by stopping to pick up total strangers who stick out their thumb for a ride,” Betlach said.

The Cheney Blackhawks’ baseball team, coached by Don Monson, improved their record to 3-0 after a 5-2 victory over North Central’s B-squad. Cheney was after win No. 4 at Colville with Dave Nicol on the mound.