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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 bright 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 both could be seen waving at the crowd. Other h...
SPOKANE – Liberty Lake is experiencing crime rate changes that reflect some of the troubling trends happening across Washington state. A recent report from the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) shows that violent crimes and vehicle thefts are rising, and Liberty Lake's statistics tell a similar story. In 2023, Liberty Lake reported a total of 649 offenses, which is a 6.7% increase compared to 2022. While there were no murders in Liberty Lake last y...
SPOKANE – Washington state has seen a significant rise in crime rates over the past five years, with increases in violent crimes, vehicle thefts, and aggravated assaults far outpacing national trends, according to a recent report by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC). Between 2019 and 2023, murders in Washington increased by 87.4%, more than five times higher than the national rate of 17.2%. The murder rate in the state has risen more than 80% since 2019. Violent crime in Washington has gone u...
SPOKANE VALLEY — Spokane Valley deputies arrested two teenage boys on Sept 25 after a robbery at Pronto Plus, 520 S. Pines Road. One suspect was taken into custody inside the store, while the other was caught a short distance away. Around 5:30 pm, deputies responded to a call about a robbery in progress. A witness was holding the store doors shut while an employee was reportedly fighting with one of the suspects behind the counter. When deputies arrived, they were told the second suspect had fled on foot toward the south. He...
SPOKANE VALLEY – A Spokane Valley man arrested for felony DUI is now facing additional charges after deputies recovered guns, drugs, and cash from his vehicle. On Sept 6, around 3:30 pm, Spokane Valley Deputies responded to reports of a driver passed out in a parking lot near the 9400 block of East Sprague Avenue. When deputies arrived, they noticed drug paraphernalia, including burnt tin foil and small blue pills believed to be fentanyl, inside the vehicle. The driver, l...
OTIS ORCHARDS – Yuriy V. Siriy, 34, was arrested on Sept. 24 in connection with several vehicle prowlings at Antoine Peak trailheads, according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. The first incident occurred on Sept. 15, when Kathryn Whitt parked her vehicle at the Antoine Peak trailhead on East Wellesley Avenue around 9:15 am. She told Spokane County deputies that she had hidden her purse, which contained her wallet, credit cards, and identification, under the seat before beginning her hike. While hiking, she rec...
SPOKANE VALLEY — A 73-year-old man died after being struck by a vehicle on Friday, Sept. 27, near Valleyway Avenue. William J. Jura of Spokane Valley was hit while running across State Route 27 and later died at Sacred Heart Medical Center. Jura was crossing the road westbound when he was struck by a southbound 2011 Ford F350 in the right lane, driven by Ramon Pio Saucedo, 43, of Spokane. The collision occurred at around 7 p.m. Jura was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The Washington State Patrol c...
SPOKANE VALLEY – A dump truck rollover led to an injury collision on Monday, Sept. 30, causing partial road blockage on the westbound Pines on-ramp from eastbound Montgomery in Spokane Valley. Washington State Patrol (WSP) Trooper Nance responded to the scene at around 12:30 pm, with firefighters and the Department of Transportation (DOT) also on site. The incident partially blocked the road until around 2 pm, when the entire roadway was fully closed to traffic. According to Sergeant Gregg Riddell, the Public Information O...
SPOKANE – Washington state has seen a significant rise in crime rates over the past five years, with increases in violent crimes, vehicle thefts, and aggravated assaults far outpacing national trends, according to a recent report by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC). Between 2019 and 2023, murders in Washington increased by 87.4%, more than five times higher than the national rate of 17.2%. The murder rate in the state has risen more than 80% since 2019. Violent crime in Washington has gone u...
CHENEY — A death investigation is currently underway following the discovery of a deceased individual in Cheney. The individual has been identified as Justin Ball, 47, with the cause and manner of death still pending further investigation. Sgt. Zeb Campbell from the Cheney Police Department said the investigation is still active. “The investigation is still ongoing,” he stated. “An autopsy of the deceased was completed yesterday, and next of kin notifications were made.” Authorities emphasize that the case will remain op...
Airway Heights Sept. 30 Semaj’a O. Hall was arrested for third-degree assault, disorderly conduct, and first-degree criminal trespassing on the 1200 block of S. Hayford Rd. Oct. 2 James W. Hemmerling was arrested for violating a domestic violence order of protection on the 13600 block of W. Sixth Ave. Abdulla A. Al Swaider was arrested for violating a domestic violence order of protection on the 12800 block of W. 12th Ave. Joseph P. Alderman was arrested for third-degree theft, shoplifting on the 1200 block of S. Hayford R...
CHENEY — Eastern Washington University (EWU) police are urging students to be careful regarding their drinks after reports emerged of potential tampering at recent fraternity and sorority parties. The Cheney Police Department is leading the investigation since the incidents occurred off campus, and Chief Jay Day confirmed that EWU police are fully cooperating with their efforts. At this time, there are no updates on the investigation. Chief Day noted that EWU police handled two similar incidents last year, responding with s...
CHENEY—The Cheney Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a driver involved in a hit-and-run accident that left a pedestrian injured on Saturday evening. The incident occurred on Oct. 5 around 6:45 p.m. at the intersection of 1st Street and College Hill Street. A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle while crossing the street in a marked crosswalk, according to the Cheney Police Department. The vehicle, which was traveling southbound on 1st Street at the time of the collision, did not stop or slo...
SPOKANE COUNTY — As fall sets in, it’s an opportune time to focus on wildfire preparedness. Guy Gifford, Assistant Division Manager of the Community Resiliency and Prevention Department with the Department of Natural Resources, offers practical advice to safeguard your home and property. Consult a Firefighter – One of the first steps homeowners can take is to get expert advice from a firefighter. “People can go to wildfireready.com and request a firefighter to come out, no cost, walk the property, and give you one-on-...
SPOKANE COUNTY – Heating costs are projected to rise significantly this winter, with electricity-based heating costs expected to increase by 13.6% compared to 2023, according to Avista Utilities. The company has expanded its My Energy Discount program to help customers, adjusting income requirements so more people can qualify “We’re excited to expand ongoing bill discounts,” said Kelsey Solberg, Avista’s Senior Energy Program Manager. “Nearly 51,000 customers are enrolled, but we estimate another 90,000 may qualify. Un...
Police investigating large shoplifting incident CHENEY – Police are investigating a Sept. 25 shoplifting incident involving four suspects who allegedly stole over $1,200 worth of merchandise from a store in the 2700 block of First Street. According to police reports, two men were seen pushing carts full of goods out of the store before loading the items into a white SUV and a silver sedan. The suspects, both described as young Black males in their 20s, fled the scene heading north on 1st Street. The case remains under i...
CHENEY – Eastern Washington University (EWU) is set to reduce its carbon footprint with the help of a $2.2 million grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce. The funding will support two major clean energy initiatives: a carbon capture system and a solar energy project. Erik Budsberg, EWU’s director of sustainability, highlighted the importance of these projects in reducing the university’s greenhouse gas emissions, much of which stem from the central heating system. “Eastern has a fairly sizable greenho...
CHENEY - A death investigation is currently underway following the discovery of a deceased individual in Cheney. The individual has been identified as Justin Ball, 47, with the cause and manner of death still pending further investigation. Sergeant Zeb Campbell from the Cheney Police Department said the investigation is still active. "The investigation is still ongoing," he stated. "An autopsy of the deceased was completed yesterday, and next of kin notifications were made."...
CHENEY – A death investigation is underway after officers responded to a call at 2710 Eaton Lane early Wednesday morning. At press time, police had not released the name of the decedent as next of kin had yet to be notified. Police did not call the death a homicide, but noted evidence created questions about the cause and manner of death. Officers cordoned off the area around the home just across the street from Cheney Middle School's bus parking area. A drone was launched t...
MEDICAL LAKE — Inland Power and Light is facing a lawsuit from 62 companies, accusing the utility of negligence related to the massive Gray Fire that burned more than 10,000 acres near Medical Lake this summer. The lawsuit, filed in Spokane County Superior Court last week, alleges Inland Power’s actions contributed to the fire’s rapid spread and the destruction it caused. The case consolidates three previous lawsuits, including one filed in September 2023 and two others from January and February 2024, which covered claim...
CHENEY – More families here are sending their children for an education outside of the Cheney School District this year. During the Sept. 25 School Board meeting, district Teacher and Learning Director Kelly Nicchols presented school-choice data, focusing on students residing within the district but attending other school districts or online schools. According to Niccols, 637 students residing in the district are being educated elsewhere. That number includes 183 students who opted-out of Cheney schools for the first time t...
Airway Heights Sept. 25 Shawn L. Harris was arrested for assault in the fourth (domestic violence) on the 13500 block of West Highway 2. Rhiannon R. Carson was arrested for driving a vehicle under the influence of drugs on the 12000 block of West Highway 2. Miguel A. Arreola was arrested for assault in the first (domestic violence), felony harassment involving a weapon, unlawful possession of firearms in the second, and possession of a stolen firearm on the 1600 block of South Deer Heights Road. Sept. 27 Margaret T. Benner...
Council transfers money to pool fund CHENEY – The City Council reallocated $451,900 to pay for the city pool project during its Sept. 24 meeting. The transferred funds included $387,500 from the general fund, $64,400 from the light fund. —by Allan Gainer New Yoke’s opening delayed AIRWAY HEIGHTS – The opening of the new Yoke’s Fresh Market here has been delayed until Oct. 14. Originally set for August, the project at 11450 W. 12th Ave. was postponed largely due to ongoing construction of a roundabout and other road improvemen...
WEST PLAINS — Spokane County Sheriff’s deputies are investigating a domestic violence assault after responding to a call on Sept. 30, near South Holly Road and West Silver Street on the West Plains. Deputies, with assistance from Airway Heights Police officers, arrived at the residence around 3:20 pm and found an adult female victim inside. She was treated at the scene for non-life-threatening injuries before being transported to the hospital for further evaluation. She has since been released from the hospital. Acc...
SPOKANE VALLEY – A public hearing is tentatively set for Oct. 24, 2024, following an appeal filed by Spokane Valley Councilmember Al Merkel. The appeal comes after a third-party investigation found him in violation of the Spokane Valley Governance Manual and likely in violation of the Washington State Public Records Act. At the Sept. 24 City Council meeting, councilmembers unanimously decided that Merkel is not entitled to city-funded legal representation for the case. The hearing is scheduled at Spokane Valley City Hall. T...
