Looking Back

10 Years Ago

Aug. 27, 2009

Medical Lake police officer Chris Johnston was honored with a pair of awards for his efforts to rescue residents of a home that caught fire June 27. Johnston had never been trained on what to do if and when he encountered a burning home, but said helping the residents escape “seemed like the human thing to do.”

New Cheney business Pistil Packin’ Posies, a wedding and floral business, opened its doors Aug. 15.

Medical Lake schools added several new employees for the start of the school year, including a new vice principal of Medical Lake High School.

20 Years Ago

Aug. 19, 1999

Cheney’s Justin Miller was featured by Unlimited Magazine and the CBS Morning Show for his role as the Washington champion combine demolition driver.

Business at Chet’s Flowers in Cheney was booming, so much so that owners Claude and Fay Montecucco had to build an addition onto the 1st Street flower shop.

The Cheney Rotary Club donated $15,000 to local organization Cancer Patient Care as part of a Rotary International grant.

30 Years Ago

Aug. 24, 1989

Area farmers fell behind in their regular harvest schedule due to a February arctic freeze that required the re-seeding of winter grains.

Local artist Oletha Jernigan showed the Cheney Free Press the process of creating high-quality porcelain dolls.

The Cheney School Board spent three and a half hours with a Spokane architect, discussing structural improvements to the district’s schools.

40 Years Ago

Aug. 23, 1979

Firefighters at Spokane County Fire District 3 assembled a new fire truck after nearly a year of work. The truck was created to house the latest firefighting equipment and rescue supplies.

The Cheney Historical Museum moved locations — again — from the Wren Pierson Building to the third floor of the Fisher Administration Building.

Three Cheney women began a class teaching area residents new canning techniques and methods, helping citizens with their preserving and freezing problems.

50 Years Ago

Aug. 21, 1969

Remodeling on several Main Street buildings continued, following plans of store owners to expand their retail spaces.

In an announcement on the administrative attitude of Eastern Washington State College, Dean Daryl Hagie said Eastern would “not tolerate lawlessness or disruptive demonstrations.”

Three school board positions opened up in the Cheney district, with the filing period set for Sept. 5 – Sept. 19.