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CHENEY – Cheney Public Schools has announced its proposed budget for the 2024-25 academic year, emphasizing transparency, strategic planning, and community engagement in financial decisions. During the June 12 School Board meeting, Finance Director Jamie Reed presented a detailed budget outlining how funds will be allocated to achieve educational goals and serve as a financial blueprint for the district. Reed reported that the expected enrollment for the upcoming year is 5,209 students, with an additional 182 participating R...
CHENEY - Local firefighters contained two brush fires over the last week. One fire broke out at the Salnave Road-Interstate 90 interchange Tuesday night, July 9. The other broke out Wednesday, July 3, off West Jennings Road. At press time, details were not available on the Salnave Road fire. But fire officials reported the West Jennings fire had been contained to about 3 acres. Initially reported as slow-moving, that fire burned about a half-acre before spreading to 3 acres...
CHENEY - The Cheney Depot Society is closing in on its nearly decade-long mission to restore the historic Cheney Depot. According to Depot Society Secretary Susan Beeman, the project's goal is to not only save and restore the depot but also to transform it into a vibrant economic tool for the downtown area. "The mission is to restore the depot so that it can be a centerpiece," Beeman said. "We want to lease it out to a tenant who will turn it into a business, so people will...
REARDAN – One person was killed July 6 when a motorcycle struck a Ford F150 pickup on U.S. Highway 2 east of the city. Christina J. Gernert, 40, of Post Falls, Idaho, was pronounced dead at the scene. Spokane Fire Department officials notified her next of kin. She was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. According to the Washington State Patrol, she was eastbound on her 2020 Harley-Davidson Flathead motorcycle at 6:50 p.m. at the time of the crash. She attempted to pass another vehicle and hit the westbound pickup d...
AIRWAY HEIGHTS – Police have released the names of individuals arrested during a June 26 drug bust here. Nine were arrested on outstanding warrants at 591 S. Easy St. Arrestees are: • Tyler J. Holmes (warrant) • Ryan T. Thomas (DOC warrant) • William Orvalla (warrant, refused by SCJ) • Michael D. Ramirez Jr. (warrant, OR-SCJ) • Gessi K. Duvall (warrant, OR-SCJ) • Kaylee B. Stanz (Fugitive Felony, slip; probable cause affidavit needed within 48 hours) • Brooke N. D. Benton (warrant, OR-SCJ) • Tiffany L. D. Croney (two warra...
MEDICAL LAKE – The City Council reviewed s proposal at last Tuesday’s meeting to install a dual port electric vehicle charger at the local library. The proposal was presented by Amber Williams, the Strategic Project Manager at the Spokane County Library District. She said the initiative is part of an ongoing partnership with Avista, which began in 2021 and has already resulted in EV chargers being installed at five other libraries. The project would see the installation of a dual port AC Level 2 charger in the library’s parki...
MEDICAL LAKE – The City Council is reviewing a new regulation aimed at reducing fire hazards by requiring property owners to remove dangerous vegetation and debris. Building Inspector Dave Weisbeck outlined the proposal during a July 2 meeting, explaining that the goal is to mitigate fire risks and improve public health and safety. “It builds on our maintenance code,” Weisbeck explained. “Currently, we treat many issues as nuisances.” The proposed regulation, Title 9 Chapter 9.10.025, requires all property owners and occup...
AIRWAY HEIGHTS – The council approved park and recreation’s request for $35,000 to buy two boilers at the meeting on Monday. The decision comes after last week’s discussion to replace the broken boiler for $18,000. The council discussed the necessity of replacing the current boiler system with a more efficient and reliable solution. “The estimated cost to replace the boiler for $18,000 was for an identical unit,” Parks and Recreation Director J.C. Kennedy explained. “We’re looking to replace the system with something more eff...
AIRWAY HEIGHTS - Spokane County Investigative Unit detectives arrested a 23-time convicted felon on multiple felony charges June 25. Matthew R. Dobson, 36, was booked into the Spokane County Jail for second-degree burglary, first-degree theft, second-degree, malicious mischief and theft of a motor vehicle. His bond was set at $20,000 by Spokane County Superior Court Commissioner E. Cruz, and he remains in custody, records show. More than $150,000 in stolen property was...
CHENEY — The School Board unanimously approved Resolution 30-23-24 during its June 26 meeting, approving a motion to place a $73 million construction bond on the Nov. 5 ballot. The bond aims to fund the construction and improvement of schools and land acquisition. If approved, the proposed bond funds would be spent on construction of a new elementary school in Airway Heights and the purchase of land for future secondary and elementary schools. Additionally, the bond will cover the acquisition of land for a centralized t...
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE - Base leaders and community members gathered June 20 to honor the victims of a tragic shooting that occurred 30 years ago. The memorial observance remembered the lives lost and those affected by the deadliest mass shooting in Spokane County history. On June 20, 1994, Dean A. Mellberg, a 20-year-old former airman, entered the Fairchild Air Force Base hospital annex armed with a MAK-90 assault rifle. His attack began with the fatal shooting of Major Tho...
AIRWAY HEIGHTS — A June 26 drug raid led to nine arrests. Despite being public record, police have yet to release the names, ages and charges for those arrested. The drug bust followed two suspected overdose deaths, according to police. Officers investigating the overdoses identified a building at 591 S. Easy St. as a site for illegal drug activities, records show. Police executed a search warrant at the address. Arrest warrants were issued warrants for more than 20 individuals on and around the property for various c...
SPOKANE VALLEY — At the June 25 City Council meeting, legislative coordinator Virginia Clough and county Emergency Management Planner Mark Conrad presented a report detailing the city’s Continuity of Operations Plan, a component of the interlocal agreement with Spokane County Emergency Management. The agreement, renewed in May 2023, outline city obligations, including appointing an emergency management coordinator, designating representatives to the emergency management policy board and developing and maintaining both a COOP...
SPOKANE VALLEY — Spokane Valley deputies arrested two women June 21 after they allegedly used stolen credit cards to make fraudulent purchases at several stores in the Valley Mall. Morgan L. Nelson, 38, and Brandy Proia, 41, were booked into the Spokane County Jail on charges of second-degree identity theft and second-degree possession of stolen property. The two women were released on their own recognizance the next day by Spokane County Superior Court Judge K. Stewart. Their arrest came after deputies responded to r...
SPOKANE VALLEY - A small plane made an emergency landing on the Horizon Middle School football field on June 23 after experiencing engine failure. The four occupants on board, including the pilot, were uninjured. At approximately 7:40 p.m., Spokane Valley deputies received reports that a Cessna 182 aircraft, about 6 miles southeast of Felts Field, had declared an emergency. The pilot reported engine failure, making it impossible to reach the airport. Spotting the football...
SPOKANE – The county will have to spend $25-$35 million to meet requirements under the Green Buildings Act. During a June 17 meeting, commissioners discussed the law established under House Bill 1257. The discussion followed county Facilities Department employees relaying findings from a recent investment-grade audit. Facilities Director Gil Haubert outlined the audit and the subsequent plan to align the county’s buildings with the act. “Keep in mind that this is kind of the first phase, and by the second phase, they...
SPOKANE - The Washington State Chamber of Commerce announced that it awarded $72.6 million for community decarbonization work in 24 counties on June 17. Spokane County organizations have received a total of $599,700 in funding from Washington's Climate Commitment Act, significantly less than other counties such as King and Pierce, which have received $19,883,388 and $9,031,678, respectively. Despite the substantial disparity in funding, Spokane County itself has not actively...
MEDICAL LAKE – The City Council approved TNT Fireworks’ application to sell fireworks within city limits, despite lingering confusion about the local fireworks ban. City Manager Sonny Weathers clarified the nature of the permit during the council meeting. “There isn’t anything about the sale of fireworks,” Weathers said. “This permit is before retail sale.” Councilman Don Kennedy highlighted the discrepancy between the ban on discharging fireworks and their availability for purchase. “We gladly sell you these fireworks but i...
People brought their dogs to the Disc Dog event at the Founder's Day celebration on June 14. For more on Founders Day....
AIRWAY HEIGHTS — At the June 10 City Council meeting, City Manager Albert Tripp provided an overview of the city’s reserve funds policy and its evolution since 2009. Tripp explained the existing policy, which maintains a cash balance for emergencies, capital expenses, payroll and unanticipated events. “Back in 2009, our budget was $4 million, and now it’s $14 million. We utilize 8% as a planning basis,” Tripp said, noting that the city is currently looking at a reserve range of $1.1 million to $2.1 million, with two month...
AIRWAY HEIGHTS — The City Council met on June 10 to discuss several important topics, including a detailed financial report presented by Finance Director Stanley Schubert. Schubert reported on the city's financial status for January through May 2024. He noted that the city's year-to-date revenue collection should be about 42% of the budgeted amount. The budgeted revenue for 2024 is $14,303,137, with actual revenue collected from January to May totaling $2,878,246, or 37.4%. Tax revenues include $1,557,010 in property tax a...
AIRWAY HEIGHTS — City Planner Heather Trautman present the six-year transportation improvement program to the City Council during its June 10 meeting. As it is required by Washington state law, the program includes maintenance, major reconstruction projects, shared-use paths, and bicycle lanes, with final project decisions made by the City Council. "We integrate our planning, housing, population, and business growth to look at the impact on each of our plans," Trautman said, noting the council's goal to maximize matching f...
SPOKANE – In light of last summer's fires, Spokane County Emergency Management (SCEM) is considering a new fire warning alert system for this year. According to the emergency management team, if a fast-moving fire breaks out in Spokane County, this alert would be broadcast through radio, TV, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radios, and social media, in addition to the usual public alerts and evacuation notices. The goal of the fire warning alert is to give residents more time to prepare and stay informe...
AIRWAY HEIGHTS – Municipal Courts Judge Angelle Gerl presented the state of the court report for 2024 during the June 10 City Council meeting. Gerl provided an overview of court operations and initiatives for the year, highlighting the therapeutic court’s efforts to address underlying issues behind criminal behavior through treatment and support, while also emphasizing the court’s success in reducing its caseload. Gerl introduced the court team, which included herself and Commissioner Kati Dorman, both hired in 2020, along...
