Sorted by date Results 126 - 150 of 196
COLFAX — The two 9th Legislative District representatives will host a telephone “town hall” meeting on Monday, March 13. Rep. Joe Schmick, R-Colfax, and Rep. Mary Dye, R-Pomeroy, will host the session from 6-7 p.m. An automated call will go out a few minutes before the event to landlines in the district. If you do not have a landline or you want to make sure you can participate, you can call 509- 841-0315 from 5:45 p.m. through 7 p.m. March 13 to participate. “We will give a quick update on the legislative session, the bil...
WASHTUCNA — Expect to see more Washington State Patrol troopers on the road from March 9-19. The agency will be operating its Washington State University spring break emphasis in Spokane, Whitman, Grant, Kittitas and Adams counties as students leave and return to Pullman. The emphasis will focus on U.S. Highway 195, State Highway 26, Interstate 90 and U.S. Highway 395. Troopers will be focusing excessive speed, distracted driving and impaired driving during the emphasis. “Our primary mission is to ensure that everyone enj...
OLYMPIA — When Gov. Jay Inslee’s cap-and-trade proposal passed the Legislature in 2021, he and many of the Democrat lawmakers who endorsed his plan assured the agriculture community that fuels used in the production and transport of agriculture products would be exempt. Even though no state Republican legislators voted for the bill, some are now saying it’s worse than anyone thought and the state should be on the hook for breaking its promise to farmers. “Emissions from fuels used for agricultural purposes are suppose...
CHENEY — A male was pronounced dead at the scene of a single-vehicle crash on Cheney Spokane Rd. Jan. 21. The man, identified by the Spokane County medical examiner as Cavin Firestone, 27, died as a result of blunt force injuries. At about 3:00am on Jan. 21, a Cheney Police Officer reported to Spokane County Deputies that a single-car crash had occurred on Cheney Spokane Rd., according to Sheriff’s office press release. A red 1997 Dodge Ram pickup was discovered overturned on the east side of the road by deputies who res...
RITZVILLE – A local lawmaker has introduced legislation to create the Washington State Commission on Boys and Men to address the well-being of boys and men across. “There are many issues that impact men and boys. Yet, there is no unified voice that would tackle these issues at the state level,” 9th Legislative District Rep. Mary Dye, R-Pomeroy said. “If adopted, this legislation would create the first of its kind boys and men’s commission in the nation right here in Washington state.” Dye represents Whitman, Lincoln, southern...
CHENEY – British born and raised multi-media artist Anne Seacrest achieved dual citizenship late in 2022 after having moved to the U.S. four years ago. "I met my husband, who is a U.S. citizen, online about five years ago, and we decided to start the immigration process shortly after that." Seacrest said. Seacrest said that she has been an artists since she was very young, and has produced art in a wide range of mediums. From stained glass, oil paintings, and watercolors, to p...
CHENEY – Preliminary planning complete for annual Sutton park summer concert, hosted by Parks and Recreation. “Every summer we have our summer concert series at Sutton park from 6:30pm to 8:00pm.” Kelly McGinley Ashe, Recreation director, said. There are five total concerts, one every Wednesday from Jul. 12th to Aug. 9. “Three of the five bands who are scheduled to entertain still need sponsorship, according to Kelly McGinley Ashe. “A sponsor covers the cost of a band’s performance fee. We’re working hard on additional am...
CHENEY - Capstone Coffee was sold on Dec. 15 to Tom and Kendra Littau and Amanda Swenson. It will be operating under the name Serendipity Coffee upon arrival of appropriate signage. “The new signage will be up soon.” Rhonda Kissack, former owner of Capstone Coffee, said. “They’re planning to keep the staff and the brand of coffee we had before the sale, which is great.” Kendra Littau, co-owner of Serendipity Coffee, said “It’s our first business, my sister and I. We really like drinking coffee, of course, and financially s...
CHENEY – The Slightly West of Spokane artists tour will begin in Medical Lake, venture through Four Lakes, and end in Cheney. The tour itself is a showcase of eight local artists whose art is displayed in six studios across the west plains. The tour is self guided, and will take place Saturday Nov. 26 from 10a.m. to 5p.m. Many different styles and mediums will be on display at the various studios and all are encouraged to engage. Gwyn Pevonka, one of the three newest artist t...
CHENEY – A local state lawmaker says residents can expect to pay more at the pump in the coming months. According to Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, Senate Bill 5126, approved by Democrats in the Legislature during the last session, will drive up prices more. Sen.Schoesler represents the 9th Legislative District, which includes southern Spokane County. “I know some of you hope to see gas prices drop closer to $4 per gallon someday,” he said. “Unfortunately, thanks to the recent “cap-and-trade” law (Senate Bill 5126), pass...
BELLINGHAM – Several Free Press Publishing employees were honored Saturday, Oct. 8, for their work in the newspaper industry during the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association convention. The convention included the Better Newspaper Contest awards gala. John Myers won first place in the use of small space for his graphic design work for Wild Bill’s Longbar advertising. Former reporter Matthew O. Stephens received a first-place portrait photography award and a second for general news photography. Staffer TeAire Baier too...
CHENEY – A traditional Native American dwelling was erected and put on display in the Pence Union building. Oct. 10. The structure is called a “tipi” and the one on display measured approximately 15 feet in height and 12 in diameter. The mission of the Office of Native American Affairs is to “Provide leadership, guidance and support for Native American initiatives, organizations, and programs that align with the Native American Advisory Council.” This project involved students and alumni, including staff members from the...
CHENEY – The annual pep rally will take place on the corner of 2nd Street and “G” Street in downtown Cheney at 6p.m. Oct. 13. To celebrate the Eagle Family Homecoming, this event will feature live music from the university’s marching band. The school’s cheer team will also be there, along with Swoop, the Eastern mascot. The Cheney Fire Dept. is planning to light and supervise a large bonfire for the event, and may acquire additional vehicle support, per Fire Marshall Tim Steiner. Fire Chief Thomas Jenkins, who is monitorin...
CHENEY – The annual bed races take place on the corner of 2nd St. and G St. in downtown Cheney. Oct. 13. The event will take place at 7p.m. and will feature multiple teams from the university. Bed races are an historic tradition dating back to the mid 1960’s, and Eastern is one of the many western Washington universities keeping the traditional alive. Maria Reyna, former student and director of New Student Transitions and Family Programs, said “I have loved the bed races ever since I was a student here. It is one of my favor...
CHENEY – Cheney high school cross country will host annual Turkey Trot event to help raise funds. Nov. 24. This event is a two to three mile sponsored run/walk that begins at 9a.m. at Cheney High School. All donations are tax deductible through the Blackhawks XC/TF Boosters, a charitable organization. Donors will have their names added to the list of sponsors on event flyers, signage, and on the event T-shirts. All profits from this event go to the Cheney cross country team....
CHENEY -- The Cheney Free Press has hired a new managing editor to lead coverage of the West Plains. Lucas Walsh, 33, of Geiger Heights, joined the newspaper staff Tuesday, Sept. 20. “To help contribute balanced and fair journalism to this great community,” Walsh said. “We’re excited to have a journalist on staff committed to providing readers ‘just the facts’ coverage,” Publisher Roger Harnack said. A working editor, Walsh will personally cover local news while leading reporters in the Free Press coverage area. The son...
CHENEY - Erikka Soto, Cheney 24, is our new receptionist at the front office. She works with the classified section of all the papers as well as obituaries. “Big change for me, the environment is positive and welcoming. I always have a smile on my face. I am a bit of an extrovert, and my coworkers are supportive of that.” Originally from Rock Spring, WY. Where she lived with her father and mother, Mario and Fredann Soto, she moved here in 2018 to get her BA in Psychology from Eastern Washington University. She is now pur...
CHENEY – After a two-year hiatus, Feed Cheney will be resuming sit-down meals. This month’s dinner will be at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 26, in the Wren Pierson Community Center, officials said. The dinner will be pulled-pork sandwiches, coleslaw, baked beans and a dessert. Rusty Jackson and Harry Batty of the Rusty Jackson Band will be performing during the dinner. Monday’s meal will be the first since 2019, when they were halted due to gubernatorial COVID-19 shutdown mandates. Feed Cheney meals are usually served at 5:30...
CHENEY – The Cheney Book Club will meet Tuesday, Sept. 27, at the local branch library. The meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. in the meeting room of the library, 601 First St. During the meeting, the book “Things You Would Save in a Fire” will be the topic of discussion. The book was written by Katherine Center. The book is about a woman who overcomes adversity in her life. The library has a list of the books that will be discussed at future meetings. The Book Club is open to the public, member Delphine Phillips said....
OLYMPIA – College students interested in being a legislative intern during the 2023 session can now apply. The Legislative Intern Program priority deadline is Oct. 19; the final deadline is Oct. 23. Students wishing to apply can do so online at 222.leg.wa.gov/internships. The program is open to college juniors and seniors of any major. Applicants must be in good academic standing, be able to receive credit for their tme as an intern and attend a four-year college in Washington state or be a Washington state resident in an o...
MEDICAL LAKE – The city will receive a grant from the state Department of Commerce to install solar panels. According to Commerce officials, the city will receive one of 14 grants award to install the panels in public buildings statewide. The $210,867 grant will help cover the cost to install a 104 kilowatt solar panel generation system at the city’s wastewater treatment plant, officials said. Other grants awarded to Eastern Washington projects include $188,874 toward installation of a 103 kW system at Palouse High Sch...
OLYMPIA – Sen. Mark Schoesler is calling a new program that subsidizes mass transit in urban areas as unfair to rural residents. Schoesler, R-Ritzville, further calls the program that went into effect in eight areas of Puget Sound last week disrcimatory. Schoesler represents the 9th Legislative District, which includes Lincoln, Whitman, Southern Spokeane and parts of Adams and Franklin counties, among other areas. The program allows individuals younger than 18 free public transportation in many areas; it was approved by t...
CHENEY – Smoke from Pacific Northwest wildfires continued to linger Tuesday evening, prompting area health officials to issue an air quality alert. The alert was expected to remain in place through 1 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 14, in Adams, Spokane, Lincoln and Whitman counties, among other places. “When air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups,sensitive persons may experience health effects and should limit prolonged or heavy exertion and limit time spent outdoors,” the alert said. “When air quality is unhealt...
GEIGER HEIGHTS – Two Spokane County Sheriff’s Office deputies have received “Deputy of the Year” honors from the Elk Katif Shriners. Travis West and Terry Liljenberg were recognized for their professionalism, dedication and service to Spokane County. West was honored for his impact with the Spokane Valley Investigative Unit, where he worked his own cases, wrote his own search warrants and assisted other investigators within the agency. West also tracked down and arrested wanted suspects after probable cause had been establish...
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Association of Wheat Growers is objecting to a biased report designed to push Democratic efforts to breach dams on the lower Snake River. In comments opposing the dam-breaching effort and one-sided report, Wheat Growers CEO Chandler Goule said the organization is concerned about the push by Sen. Patty Murray, D-Shoreline, and Gov. Jay Inslee, D-Bainbridge Island. “The dams play a vital role in providing a safe, efficient and affordable way for wheat farmers to get their product to mar...
