News briefs

Zimmerman American Ninja Warrior video online

It’s official – Medical Lake School District teacher Sandy Zimmerman has posted her audition video for competing in the popular TV show “American Ninja Warrior” online, and needs people to view it and like it to help her chances of making an appearance.

Zimmerman, who teaches at Michael Anderson Elementary School on Fairchild Air Force Base, filmed her video at Pacific Judo Academy in Spokane. She also filled out a 20-page questionnaire and is looking at participating in a regional qualifying competition in order to be one of 100 participants selected for the show.

Zimmerman’s video can be viewed at http://www.cheneyfreepress.com, click the link at the end of this news brief, or on Facebook at the Cheney Free Press page, http://www.Facebook.com/Cheney-Free-Press.

“The more views and likes the better my chances,” Zimmerman said in an email.

To check out Zimmernan's video and help her reach the competition, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pE1Hba6lCGU.

Cwik newest Cheney firefighter

Eastern Washington University graduate and former football player Chris Cwik was sworn in as Cheney’s newest firefighter during the Oct. 13 City Council meeting.

Originally from Spokane and a Mead High School graduate, Cwik was a tight end for the Eagles from 2001 to 2004, earning All-Big Sky honorable mention award his senior year. After earning a bachelor’s degree in communications and a minor in business, he worked in sales in Seattle, but decided to change careers and enrolled in the emergency medical technician program at North Seattle Community College.

Cwik moved back to Spokane and attended District 9 Regional Fire Academy, later enrolling in paramedic school. He served nine months as a resident firefighter, and worked for five years for American Medical Response as an EMT and as a paramedic.

The Cheney Fire Department hired Cwik this past summer. He and his wife Candace live just outside Cheney.

Cheney Fire Chief Mike Winters said Cwik’s hiring returns the department to its full complement of nine full-time firefighters.

Sheriff’s Office holding crime prevention conference

The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office and Spokane Valley Police Department, in collaboration with S.C.O.P.E. (Sheriff Community Oriented Policing Effort), will be holding a Citizen’s Crime Prevention Conference Tuesday, Oct. 27. The conference will take place at the Sheriff’s Training Center at 6011 N. Chase Road in Newman Lake from 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

The conference is open to all citizens including businesses, non-profits, students and watch groups — anyone who would like to learn more about crime prevention. This year’s conference will focus on safety surrounding the use of firearms as well as other issues regarding their presence in communities, and what it means to be an officer today.

The morning sessions will feature personal safety, active shooter survival, legal use of force and citizen’s responsibility when carrying firearms. The afternoon sessions will focus on Sheriff’s Office equipment, what is used and why they have it, along with first-hand officer accounts of incident and arrest responses. 

General attendance costs $10 and includes a continental breakfast and lunch. Students and S.C.O.P.E. or C.O.P.S. volunteers pay $5. Flyers and registration forms are available by calling Simone Ramel-McKay at (509) 477-3055.

Cheney’s Kelsey Cook performs at the Bing

Cheney High School and Washington State University graduate Kelsey Cook is bringing her stand-up comedy talent back to Spokane this weekend for a Friday night show at the Bing.

Cook now resides in Los Angeles where she is pursuing her career in comedy full-time. She is currently touring around the country with comedy superstar Jim Norton, with recent shows in New York City, Houston, Dallas and Los Angeles.

For this Friday’s show, Cook will be the feature artist for headliner Adam Ray. A native of Lake Forest Park, Wash., Ray has extensive credits in television and film industries in addition to his comedy work. His latest big screen roles have been in the Melissa McCarthy films, “The Heat” and “Spy.”