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  • Non profit gives pet food to those who can't afford it

    Allan Gainer, Cheney Free Press|Updated Oct 31, 2024

    CHENEY – The Golden Wings Mobile Pet Pantry, founded by Tony Blount, will be collecting pet food donations throughout the West Plains from Nov. 1 to Dec. 21, with drop-off locations at Copy Junction and D'Tails. Blount, who started the initiative, shared his goal: "I'm reaching out to local businesses to assist in gathering pet food donations. I hope we can support as many families as possible in feeding their pets through the cold winter months." The Pet Pantry was born in D...

  • Science proficiency not improving among local schools

    Allan Gainer, Cheney Free Press|Updated Oct 31, 2024

    Editor's Note: This is the final story in a three-part series on consistent grade-level aptitude for area schools, as measured by the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction's recently released report card. CHENEY – Academic performance has notably declined in several Washington school districts since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, with Cheney, Medical Lake, and Liberty among those impacted, according to a recent report from the Washington Office of S...

  • Wonka Truck

    Allan Gainer, Che|Updated Oct 31, 2024

    Kids walk to many decorated trunks such as the Wonka Truck at Medical Lake's Fall Festival at Medical Lake High School last Saturday. The Wonka Truck gave out Wonka bars with one have a golden ticket for a special kid give-away prize. This community event hosted a cake walk, costume contest, games and activities, inflatable toys and the King of Candy Contest....

  • Man locks himself in car, stops traffic on I-90

    Allan Gainer, Cheney Free Press|Updated Oct 30, 2024

    FOUR LAKES – Damian C. Eiffert, 38, who barricaded himself in a car with a gun, prompting the closure of Interstate 90 on the morning of Oct. 23, is also the suspect in a fatal stabbing that occurred the previous day in East Central Spokane. Eiffert was charged with second-degree murder. Bail of $2 million was set by Spokane County Superior Court on Oct. 24. Authorities shut down both directions of the freeway near the Four Lakes interchange after receiving reports of a man armed with a gun inside a stolen vehicle parked o...

  • Cheney presents budget to council, public

    Allan Gainer, Cheney Free Press|Updated Oct 30, 2024

    CHENEY – At a public hearing on Oct. 22, Cheney’s Finance Director Cindy Niemeier presented the city’s 2025 revenue budget to the city council and residents at City Hall, marking the start of the city’s annual budget process. The budget presentation, required by state law, was split into two parts, with Niemeier first covering the revenue side. She explained that revenue is categorized into two primary types: governmental funds and enterprise funds. “The enterprise fund is like running a business with a balance sheet, pr...

  • Back in the Day

    Allan Gainer, Valley News Herald|Updated Oct 30, 2024

    1 years ago Nov. 6, 2014 Joe Noland, City Light Director, has a list of eight projects, totaling an estimated $710,000, included in his $8.73 million budget that he’d like to see accomplished next year. Some projects, such as a $50,000 replacement of old wooden street light poles along State Route 904 from Vine to 2nd streets, have either been cut from previous budgets or delayed due to funding. Airway Heights at their city council meeting, Airway Heights City Manager Albert Tripp presented the preliminary budget for 2015. O...

  • Halloween Stories

    Allan Gainer, Cheney Free Press|Updated Oct 30, 2024
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    CHENEY – As Halloween approaches, Cheney’s most infamous ghost stories come to life once again. Whether rooted in fact or pure legend, these eerie tales have become part of the town’s folklore. Here are three of the most well-known ghost stories that continue to haunt Cheney’s history. The First Recorded Ghost Story In 1909, Elizabeth McLanahan made headlines in the Spokesman Review with her claim of a ghost haunting her Cheney home. McLanahan, a widow who earned a modest living doing laundry, was so troubled by the mysteriou...

  • Cheney schools host Hall of Fame ceremony

    Allan Gainer, Cheney Free Press|Updated Oct 24, 2024

    CHENEY – Cheney high school hosted an Oct. 17 ceremony in its auditorium, where eight alumni were inducted into the school's Hall of Fame, marking the first-ever class of honorees. The inaugural class included Tom Oswald (Class of 1966), Michael Anderson (Class of 1977), Sandy Williams (Class of 1979), Launi Meili (Class of 1981), Terri Schmitt (Class of 1984), Brian Quinnett (Class of 1984), Steve Emtman (Class of 1988) and Ryan Gray (Class of 2002). Emcee Vice Principal a...

  • Halloween fun takes over this weekend

    Allan Gainer, Cheney Free Press|Updated Oct 24, 2024

    CHENEY – This weekend, a series of Halloween events for all ages will be held across the West Plains to celebrate the spooky season. Medical Lake Fall Festival Re*Imagine Medical Lake is hosting its annual Fall Festival this Saturday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the high school bus loop. The festival will feature 20 decorated trunks for the Trunk-or-Treat event from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., along with a day-long cake walk. Kids can enjoy activities such as pumpkin carving and pumpkin bowling, with free pumpkins provided. The M...

  • Math proficiency also lacking among students

    Allan Gainer, Cheney Free Press|Updated Oct 24, 2024

    Editor's Note: This is the second in a three-part series on consistent grade-level aptitude for area schools, as measured by the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction recently released report card. CHENEY – Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, academic performance has significantly declined in several Washington school districts, including Cheney, Medical Lake and Liberty, according to the latest annual report from the Washington Office of S...

  • Cheney's budget will be tighter in 2025

    ALLAN GAINER, Cheney Free Press|Updated Oct 24, 2024

    CHENEY – The city’s financial forecast for 2025, discussed during the city council’s budget meeting on October 10, revealed a mixed picture for both general and enterprise funds. According to Finance Director Cindy Niemeier, enterprise fund revenues are expected to decrease by $793,100, a 4.79% drop compared to this year. On the other hand, the general fund is projected to increase by $187,100, or 2.84%. During the meeting, Niemeier clarified the distinction between the two types of funds. General funds cover a variety of ci...

  • Back in the Day

    Allan Gainer, Cheney Free Press|Updated Oct 24, 2024

    1 years ago Oct. 23, 2014 Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, Spokane County Fir District 3 and the Washington State Department of Transportation responded to a power pole fire on State Route 902 and Welcome Road, two miles east of Medical Lake, Oct. 14 at 11:10 p.m. Cheney Police units were first o the scene of an accident involving four vehicles, two of which were motorcycles, on Interstate 90 early Sunday morning, Oct. 19. The Cheney girl’s soccer team earned its first winning streak of the season, albeit briefly, with bac...

  • Cheney celebrates Homecoming

    Allan Gainer and Clare McGraw, Cheney Free Press|Updated Oct 24, 2024

    CHENEY – Cheney High School's Homecoming game on Friday, Oct. 18, brought the community together for a night of celebration and school spirit at Tom Oswald Field. Despite the game's outcome, the stands were filled with smiling faces and excitement. In a moment of the evening, Homecoming King Julie Dumlao, a Cheney High School Band member, performed during halftime. Homecoming Queen Vicky Chen accompanied him, and they can both be seen waving at the crowd. Other highlights i...

  • Community Events

    Allan Gainer, Cheney Free Press|Updated Oct 24, 2024

    Coat Drive CHENEY – Cheney Helping Cheney Community Coat Drive is accepting new coats only at businesses and churches in Cheney. Distribution will be on Oct. 26 at the Wren Pierson Community Center on C Street from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. A second distribution will be on Oct. 28 at Feed Cheney in the Wren Pierson from 5:30-6:30 p.m. The culinary arts class at Cheney High School prepares the hot meals each month thus creating an additional resource for families. There is no qualifying criteria to get coats. Anyone who wants or needs...

  • Community Briefs

    Allan Gainer, Cheney Free Press|Updated Oct 18, 2024

    Coat Drive CHENEY – Cheney Helping Cheney Community Coat Drive is accepting new coats only at businesses and churches in Cheney. Distribution will be on Oct. 26 at the Wren Pierson Community Center on C Street from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. A second distribution will be on Oct. 28 at Feed Cheney in the Wren Pierson from 5:30-6:30 p.m. The culinary arts class at Cheney High School prepares the hot meals each month thus creating an additional resource for families. There is no q...

  • Veterans cemetery expanding

    Allan Gainer, Cheney Free Press|Updated Oct 18, 2024

    MEDICAL LAKE – The state Department of Veterans Affairs has secured a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs grant to expand the Washington State Veterans Cemetery. The grant, totaling $4,153,953, will pay for improvements to the site. "This grant marks a major milestone for our team and the community, symbolizing our unwavering commitment to honoring our veterans," state Veterans Affairs Director David Puente said. "The expansion will ensure that the Washington State Veterans C...

  • English proficiency lacking among students

    Allan Gainer, Cheney Free Press|Updated Oct 18, 2024

    Editor's Note: This is the first in a three-part series on consistent grade-level aptitude for area schools, as measured by the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction recently released report card. CHENEY – Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, academic performance has seen a significant decline across numerous school districts statewide, including Cheney, Medical Lake, and Liberty. The recently released annual report card from the Washington Office of S...

  • New craft store opens in downtown Cheney

    Allan Gainer, Cheney Free Press|Updated Oct 18, 2024

    CHENEY – A new business is bringing a burst of creativity to downtown. The Craft Cupboard, 502 1st Street, owned by Cheney native Macey Fredenberg, 35, offers craft supplies, classes and even features a wall dedicated to local art. "Cheney is full of creative people - artists, crafters, even farmers," Fredenberg said. "If you're part of this community, this is something that should matter to you." Fredenberg recently returned to her hometown after living and working in p...

  • Public lewd conduct now illegal in Cheney

    Allan Gainer, Cheney Free Press|Updated Oct 17, 2024

    CHENEY – During their Oct. 8 meeting, the Cheney City Council passed an ordinance amending the municipal code to address lewd conduct, now part of Chapter 9A.02 of the Cheney Municipal Code. City Prosecutor Michael Addams explained that a recent case involving a man following women on campus while engaging in inappropriate behavior highlighted a gap in the city’s laws. Although the man was arrested, Addams stated, “When it came time to prosecute, I realized there were no laws specifically addressing his actions. The only char...

  • Amy Tuman

    Allan Gainer, Cheney Free Press|Updated Oct 17, 2024

    MEDICAL LAKE – Amy Tuman, Hallet Elementary School, grew up in Kirkland and graduated from Central Washington University. She spent 22 years teaching special education at East Valley School District in Yakima. She supports third and fifth grade students with intervention and inclusion as a special educator. She said Teaching has always been a passion rooted in her childhood experiences and a desire to make a real difference in people's lives. She met and married her h...

  • Back in the Day

    Allan Gainer, Cheney Free Press|Updated Oct 17, 2024

    1 years ago Oct. 16, 2014 In an effort to promote new development in Cheney’s vacant Commerce and Industrial Park, the City Council unanimously approved a resolution changing the structure of utility connection charges for businesses who might be interested in locating to the park inside the city’s southwest limits. At its Oct. 7 meeting, Medical Lake City Council approved a joint inter-local agreement with Spokane County and the city of Spokane for solid waste services. Buoyed by one of the largest first-year classes in...

  • Cheney High School Band wins regional championship

    Allan Gainer, Cheney Free Press|Updated Oct 17, 2024

    MOSCOW, IDAHO – The Cheney High School Band claimed the Regional Championship last weekend at the Bands of America competition held at the Kibbie Dome. The Blackhawks earned the top spot with a score of 78.600, securing both the overall championship and first place in their 2-A division. Timberline High School from Idaho followed closely in second place with a score of 75.100, while West Salem High School from Oregon took third with 73.700, both in the 2-A division. A.C. Davis High School, representing 3-A, finished in f...

  • Freeman XC places 2nd at Tuesday's league meet

    Allan Gainer, Valley News Herald|Updated Oct 14, 2024

    FREEMAN – The Freeman Scotties put on a competitive showing at their third league meet on Tuesday, securing second place in both the boys’ and girls’ cross country races on their home course. Valley Christian swept the meet, taking first in both divisions with 33 points in the girls’ race and 21 points in the boys’ race. Leading the way for Freeman’s girls were freshman Emma Dryer, who finished fifth in the 5,000-meter race with a time of 22:37.30. Close behind, senior Ava Mounts took seventh place, clocking in at 23:10.00. S...

  • Eagles close strong in Tri-State Invite

    Allan Gainer, Cheney Free Press|Updated Oct 9, 2024

    SPOKANE — The Eastern Washington University women’s golf team wrapped up its final home event of the 2024- 25 season with a solid performance at the TriState Invitational, securing second place on the team leader-board. The Eagles finished with a team score of 596 (+20), climbing past Big Sky rival Montana (598) after shooting an impressive 293 (+5) in the second round. “I’m pleased with how the team performed today,” said head coach Brenda Howe. “The ladies posted the lowest round of the day, which is encouraging...

  • Liberty girls race into fourth place

    Allan Gainer, Cheney Free Press|Updated Oct 9, 2024

    FREEMAN – The Liberty Lancers girls' cross country team finished strong, securing fourth place with 82 points at the Northeast cross country meet held at the high school last Tuesday afternoon. Leading the way for the girls was Allison Hanegan, who achieved an impressive fourth place in the 5,000 meters, clocking in at 22:33.80 among 38 competitors. On the boys' side, her brother Michell Hanegan finished as the top Lancer, taking eleventh place with a time of 18:36.20 out of 77 runners. Other notable performances from the b...

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