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MEDICAL LAKE – The State Veterans Cemetery at Medical Lake will host its annual Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 27. Starting at 11 a.m., the event honors the service and sacrifice of U.S. veterans and their families. Due to limited on-site parking, attendees are encouraged to carpool. Overflow parking will be available on Ritchey Road. Pets and the use of tobacco products are prohibited on cemetery grounds. In preparation for the ceremony, members of the military will p...
CHENEY – Two individuals were arrested on outstanding warrants during a routine traffic stop on May 13. Bonita Mullins, 56, was pulled over by officers on the 1900 block of 1st Street. During the stop, officers discovered that Mullins had an active warrant from the Department of Corrections for failing to respond to a probation summons, according to Cheney Police Department Public Information Officer Cheyanne Walters. Kyle Kiourkas, 28, a passenger in the vehicle, was also arrested after officers identified him as having a w...
CHENEY – Brennan Anderson, 23, was arrested twice in two days for an outstanding warrant related to a domestic violence protection order. On May 16, Anderson was re ported to the police by a neighbor and was subsequently transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail, according to Cheney Police Department Public Information Officer Cheyanne Walters. However, Anderson was released and, the following day, an officer spotted him with his victim at a bus stop. Anderson was arrested again on May 17 and booked back into the S...
CHENEY – Dr. Jason Ashley, an associate professor of physiology at Eastern Washington University, has received a $480,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study the molecular mechanisms behind bone regeneration. This funding marks a significant milestone for both Ashley and the university’s growing research programs in molecular biology. In an interview, Ashley explained the basics of how bones naturally repair and remodel themselves at a molecular level. “Bones are dynamic organs that have a prote...
CHENEY – At the latest Cheney Public Schools board meeting held on May 8, concerns were raised regarding a dip in enrollment, particularly notable in elementary schools. Jamie Reed, responsible for the Financial and Enrollment Report, shed light on the situation, projecting a flat year for enrollment growth. “Under a lot of different models, it looks like next year will be a flat year, they will grow eventually, we are just lagging,” Reed remarked, underlining the anticipation for eventual growth despite the current downt...
CHENEY – Annie Wolfley, the School District director of teaching and learning, curriculum and instruction, unveiled changes to the library book adoption process during the April 24 School Board meeting. Previously, the library book approval process was primarily overseen by librarians, who played a pivotal role in selecting materials aligned with grade-level appropriateness and educational standards. Traditionally, this process involved cumbersome paperwork, with forms filled out in triplicate. However, the district has e...
UPDATE: Correction — The front page story on Premera plans dropping MultiCare applies to all HMOs and Supplement/Advantage members. The information provided to the Cheney Free Press in the front page story May 9 was incorrect. MEDICAL LAKE – Premera Blue Cross has announced the potential termination of its coverage agreement with MultiCare, a prominent healthcare provider in Washington State. The decision has sparked concerns, particularly in the West Plains, where MultiCare operates medical facilities, including a cli...
GEIGER HEIGHTS – Cheney Public Schools announced Tim Harse as the pending assistant principal and athletic director of Westwood Middle School on May 3, subject to board approval. Harse’s selection follows a rigorous interview process involving district administration, staff, and students. Westwood Middle School staff and district leaders conducted comprehensive interviews, including campus tours where students engaged with candidates. Incoming Westwood Principal Alison Tob...
MEDICAL LAKE – Terri Cooper announced on May 10 that she is suspending her campaign for Washington State's 5th Congressional District. After weeks of campaigning, Cooper cited her commitment to her local community and ongoing recovery efforts from the Gray Road and Elk fires as reasons for her decision. "My priority has always been, and still remains, my local community of Medical Lake," Cooper said in the news release. "In light of all the unfinished business and the a...
AIRWAY HEIGHTS – The City Council discussed the housing allocation methodology for the 2026 comprehensive plan update during their meeting on May 13. Heather Trautman, the planning director, led the briefing, highlighting the importance of planning for population growth and housing needs over the next two decades. “This is related to our comprehensive plan in 2026,” Trautman explained. “The goal is just like with your household budget, we have to appropriately plan for all of these. We’ve gotten a population projectio...
MEDICAL LAKE – The City Council gathered May 7 to deliberate on a proposal aimed at amending the Medical Lake Municipal Code concerning the usage of shipping containers within city limits. The decision, teetering between the planning commission’s recommendation, a straightforward denial, or approvals with either existing or revised language, culminated in a motion for approval with new language. With a narrow margin, the motion carried, securing a four to three vote. The public hearing on LU 2022-04 TA sought to amend Sec...
SPOKANE – In a bid to address mounting concerns over caseload pressures, the Washington State Bar Association has announced plans to implement a caseload cap. The goal is to ensure the quality of legal representation for clients. Several stakeholders in the Spokane County justice system have weighed in, including the Spokane County Public Works CEO Scott Simmons. “During the period from 2015-2023, indigent defense costs for Spokane County have risen 20% from $9.6 million to $11.5 million annually,” Simmons wrote in a lette...
SPOKANE – The recent junior livestock sale held on Saturday, May 4th, showcased the hard work and dedication of young exhibitors from various clubs and chapters across Spokane County. Participants from FFA and 4-H clubs presented their finest swine, competing for top honors and respectable prices. Among the notable winners were: • Abigail Cole from Medical Lake FFA, whose pig fetched $3.00 per pound, totaling $726.00 for a 242-pound specimen. • Jolena Naccarato, also from Medical Lake FFA, earned $3.25 per pound for her 2...
Fire upgrades approved AIRWAY HEIGHTS – At the most recent City Council meeting, steps were taken to bolster the city’s Fire Department capabilities. The council unanimously approved the transfer of funds from the Fire Equipment Reserve Fund to the Current Expense Fund, earmarked for essential equipment needs. Additionally, a motion was passed to proceed with Moridian, the lowest bidder, for upcoming fire station construction, with estimated costs totaling $5 million. Fire Chief Mitch Metzger emphasized the significance of...
AIRWAY HEIGHTS – During the recent legislative session, the City Council announced the city has been awarded a $400,000 grant from the Department of Commerce to support climate planning initiatives over the next two years. The motion to accept the grant funds was passed unanimously. “The state wants to break up the funds into two funding cycles,“ City Planner Heather Trautman said. With the support of this funding, Airway Heights will collaborate with experienced firms Cedar Step and SSG in a “product-based contrac...
$2 million broadband construction approved OLYMPIA – The south Spokane County communities of Waverly, Spangle and Fairfield are set to receive a boost in broadband access thanks to the recent approval of $21 million in Washington State Public Works Board grants. Announced following the board’s May 3, meeting, the funds will support 10 projects across eight counties, aiming to connect nearly 6,000 previously unserved broadband locations. Among the approved projects is the “South Spokane County Rural Towns Open Access Mid-m...
CHENEY – During the Historic Preservation Commission meeting May 2, members delved into the details of the grant application process with the state’s Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation. The commission is seeking a $6,500 grant, as part of the Certified Local Government Grants program, to further bolster historic preservation efforts within Cheney. This grant application was recently approved by the city council on April 23, and is meant to be allocated for planning and preservation objectives. Susan Bee...
CHENEY — The Historic Preservation Commission welcomed Michelle Thompson, a certified local government coordinator for the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation during its May 2 meeting. Thompson provided an opportunity for commission members to gain insights into state-level preservation efforts and explore avenues for collaboration. Michelle Thompson, a Cheney native, graduated from Eastern Washington University with a Bachelor’s in Art History before pursuing her Master’s in Science in Historic Prese...
CHENEY – The Spokane Transit Authority is gearing up for a transformative decade with the launch of its comprehensive 2035 Strategic Plan, aimed at enhancing the public transportation experience, improving quality of life, fostering community collaboration and bolstering service capacity, announced Chief Planning and Development Officer Karl Otterstrom. In an exclusive interview, Otterstrom gave insights on the key pillars of the 2035 Strategic Plan, emphasizing its commitment to elevating the customer experience, s...
CHENEY – As the deadline for Resiliency Grants applications offered by the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) passes, Cheney is pursuing a unique approach to bolstering its community resilience efforts. In an exclusive interview with Brett Lucas, Cheney’s strategy became clear: the city is not directly applying for a resiliency grant through WSDA. Instead, it is backing Spokane County’s application, which focuses on climate resiliency. Lucas elaborated, “What we’re doing is we’re backing Spokane County to d...
CHENEY — The city has initiated its annual tree trimming program, targeting vegetation encroaching on power lines. The maintenance operation, which commenced in April, involves the trimming and potential removal of trees and other foliage posing a risk to the city’s power infrastructure. Spearheaded by a contracted crew from Asplundh Tree Experts, the program is set to span several weeks. All trees situated within the city’s 20-foot right-of-way, comprising 10 feet on each side of the power line, are subject to removal, irres...
CHENEY – In the latest school district board meeting held on April 24, the spotlight fell on the Financial and Enrollment Report presented by Jamie Reed, the Financial Director of the district. The report shed light on the fiscal landscape and enrollment trends impacting the district’s budgetary considerations. One of the central points highlighted in the report was the stability of the fund balance, which remained unchanged. However, the impending budget for the upcoming year poses a challenge, with projections ind...
CHENEY – In its 14th year, Feed Cheney continues to serve community support and collaboration, with the Cheney FFA club and culinary arts students taking center stage in providing nourishment and fellowship to those in need. Carol Kreigh, an organizer of the event, shed light on the evolution and significance of Feed Cheney. The event has undergone significant changes over the past two years, according to Kreigh. While they no longer distribute groceries, thanks to the C...
CHENEY — As spring blooms across Cheney, the Future Farmers of America (FFA) club at Cheney High School prepares to host its annual plant sale, offering a vibrant array of flowers and vegetables grown by students. Scheduled for May 9th and 10th from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Cheney High School’s Greenhouse, and May 15th and 16th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the sale presents an opportunity for the community to support local agriculture while adding beauty to their homes and gar...
CHENEY – Council members unanimously approved Resolution F—242, which pertained to the submission of a grant application to the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation druing an April 23 meeting. The grant aims to support efforts in preserving city historic and cultural resources. “This money could help us update Cheney’s historic preservation ordinance and integrate preservation strategies into our Comprehensive Plan,” Public Works Director Todd Ableman said. Councilman Paul Schmidt expressed...
