Rodeo, Roundup look to connect community

With a rodeo that may be better than ever, even after nearly a half-century, and a city in search of staying power for a community event, perhaps the two can help both parties thrive.

The 48th annual Cheney Rodeo recently completed its three-day run at the Bi-Mart Arena and was one of the best officials said. "In a word, good," Rick Edwards said. Edwards is secretary of the Cheney Events Association, the organization behind the rodeo.

"I think 2013 was the best year we ever had," Edwards said. "It (2015) didn't stack up to that, but it's probably the second best year we ever had."

With the two...