Looking Back

10 Years Ago

Oct. 29, 2009

The Medical Lake City Council’s eminent vote to eliminate city-managed police services in exchange for outsourcing law enforcement to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office after a nearly two-year discussion was hotly contested by concerned citizens.

The Blackhawks football team whitewashed Riverside in a 33-0 rout, setting the team up for a potential playoff run, while the Cheney girl’s cross country team captured the Great Northern League’s regular season title.

20 Years Ago

Oct. 28, 1999

After a vote by the two organizations, the Cheney Chamber of Commerce and West Plains Business Association voted to merge into a single organization to tentatively be called the West Plains Chamber of Commerce. Details had yet to be worked out.

A new 17-acre development single family development called Silver Hill was proposed in Medical Lake south of the intersection of Legg and Stanley streets and east of South Hallett Street.

College students from Japan paid a visit to Reid Laboratory School, visiting classrooms and offered short lessons on Japanese culture and geography.

30 Years Ago

Nov. 2, 1989

Two of Cheney’s historic buildings, the Masonic Temple Building at 1st and College Avenue, and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad Depot at 506 Front St., were considered for designation as historic sites by the city Planning Department.

A measure on the upcoming electoral ballot will consider a $175,000 bond to build a new library in Medical Lake. The effort was put forth by Friends of the Library.

In the only contested position in Medical Lake, incumbent mayoral candidate George Ramsey was challenged by Don Johns, himself a former city mayor.

40 Years Ago

Oct. 25, 1979

Children were invited to a “strange and scary house” temporarily located at City Hall on Halloween night. Visitors were asked to bring a can of food to be donated to the Cheney Food Bank.

Two candidates vied for Medical Lake City Council. St. John’s Lutheran Church pastor Wayne Olsen was running against retired police chief Ray Ballance. Olsen wanted to stay ahead of problems that may develop with utilities and parks, while Ballance was pro-growth, but only if water and sewer infrastructure “could be straightened out first.”

50 Years Ago

Oct. 30, 1969

The Cheney School District was facing housing problems due to rapid student population growth.

Army Capt. Robert G. Holler was awarded a Silver Star for gallantry in action while commanding an infantry company in Vietnam’s Kontum Province in an assault against insurgents. Holler, of Medical Lake, had also been awarded the Air Medal, Purple Heart and Combat Infantry Badge.