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  • Teacher facing more charges

    Matthew Stephens, Valley News Herald|Updated Jul 6, 2023

    SPOKANE – After being arrested in connection to a shooting at the Cheney Starbucks, a teacher from East Valley High School is accused of multiple crimes. Benjamin Hill, 41, was already facing an assault charge after Spokane Police arrested him for shooting at his ex-wife’s car as she drove to work at Sacred Heart hospital in Spokane. That shooting happened May 18, 2023. Court records show investigators believe it wasn’t the first time Hill tried to shoot his ex-wife. Cheney Po...

  • Spokane Valley to remain in consortium

    Matthew Stephens|Updated Jul 6, 2023

    SPOKANE VALLEY - On June 27, Spokane Valley City Council unanimously voted to continue participating in the Spokane County Urban Consortium that disperses funds to the city. The funds come in the form of Community Development Block Grants, Home Investment Partnerships and Emergency Services Grants. Councilmembers discussed possible options before electing to defer the city’s entitlement to take administrative control of the block grant funds, and continuing to remain a part...

  • Parade to march through city

    Matthew Stephens, Cheney Free Press|Updated Jul 6, 2023

    CHENEY - One of the biggest parts of rodeo weekend here is the community parade. This year, the parade will roll through town Saturday July 8. Parade Director Colbie Monter said the event has grown this year. "The biggest thing this year is we have over 20 vendors that will set up downtown," Monter said. "And they will be open at 9 a.m." She said that's over two hours before the parade starts so the community can browse the vendor tents in the cooler morning hours. Vendors wil...

  • Let 'er Buck! It's rodeo week

    Matthew Stephens, Cheney Free Press|Updated Jul 6, 2023

    CHENEY – With rodeo weekend fast approaching, there are a few things to take note of prior to the event. The breakaway roping slack scheduled for July 7 has been updated to begin at 10 a.m. to accommodate the large number of contestants. Contestants in this event are asked to leave promptly afterwards to free up some parking spaces for the barrel racers. Contact the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association with any questions. There have also been some issues with tickets thi...

  • Starbucks shooter faces more charges

    Matthew Stephens, Cheney Free Press|Updated Jul 6, 2023

    CHENEY – After being arrested in connection to a shooting at the Cheney Starbucks, a teacher from East Valley High School in Spokane Valley is accused of multiple crimes. Benjamin Hill, 41, was already facing an assault charge after Spokane police arrested him for shooting at his ex-wife’s car as she drove to work at Sacred Heart hospital in Spokane. That shooting happened May 18, 2023. Court records show investigators believe it wasn’t the first time Hill tried to shoot...

  • Inslee tours airport, cancels Airway Heights stop

    Matthew Stephens, Cheney Free Press|Updated Jul 6, 2023

    SPOKANE - The Spokane International Airport Terminal Renovation and Expansion program is well under way, and essentially lines out the long-term goals for airport expansion. Governor Jay Inslee toured some of the ongoing construction at Spokane International Airport on Friday June 30. He also learned about the steps the airport is taking to accommodate the growth of the West Plains. "Washington's economy is firing on all cylinders," Inslee said. "The expansion at Spokane...

  • Sidewalk makeover

    Matthew Stephens, Cheney Free Press|Updated Jul 6, 2023

    Customers of the Cheney Post Office at 224 2nd. St. will now be able to get in and out a bit easier because they just had all of the concrete and sidewalks redone....

  • Council approves library roof

    Matthew Stephens, Cheney Free Press|Updated Jul 6, 2023

    MEDICAL LAKE – After some trouble with the initial effort to replace the roof, another work estimate has been accepted by city council. The city has been discussing an estimate from All Terrain Roofing, LLC out of Spokane according to Public Works Director Scott Duncan. They presented an estimate April 30 and is priced at $39,204. The measure was voted through during the June 20 council session after a brief presentation by Duncan. The contract is to remove the old roofing a...

  • Security incident forces temporary closure

    Matthew Stephens, Cheney Free Press|Updated Jul 5, 2023

    SPOKANE - One suspect is in airport police custody after a security incident onboard an Alaska Airlines aircraft. The aircraft was enroute from Atlanta to Seattle on July 5. The flight was diverted to Spokane International Airport, and safely landed at 5:15 p.m. according to a press release from the airport. The passengers and flight crew have been safely offloaded. This emergency forced the temporary closure of all activities at the airport. “The airport initiated closure m...

  • Sports clinics coming to Medical Lake

    Matthew Stephens, Cheney Free Press|Updated Jun 29, 2023

    MEDICAL LAKE – A contract with Skyhawk Sports will bring skill building sports clinics to Medical Lake. A resolution added to the June 20 city council session was approved through the first reading. Another program called SuperTots will also be included. According to Mario Williams, the program director, this will bring opportunities for children between 18 months and five years old. Being a resolution, this contract was able to pass in a single reading. Only laws need to g...

  • Fire destroys three NAPA vehicles

    Matthew Stephens, Cheney Free Press|Updated Jun 29, 2023

    AIRWAY HEIGHTS – An early morning fire at a local business left three delivery trucks destroyed and a building damaged Saturday, June 24. According to a NAPA Auto Parts store manager, the business lost three vehicles in the blaze, records show. And the building at 12200 W. Sunset Highway has some external burn damage. The owner is currently awaiting an official damage estimate. The store remains fully open and business won't be impacted much. Police said the fire started w...

  • Former Fairchild staff sergeant sentenced

    Matthew Stephens, Cheney Free Press|Updated Jun 29, 2023

    FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE – A former staff sergeant here was sentenced June 22 in U.S. District Court in Spokane to six months in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to being in possession of stolen ammunition. Eric Eagleton, 30, was offered a plea deal after being arrested and indicted last year, according to reports. As part of the deal, Eagleton agreed to surrender a “silencer of unknown origin” to the FBI, records show. In exchange, the charges of consp...

  • Fire Chief: Ballot measures will help with costs

    Matthew Stephens, Cheney Free Press|Updated Jun 29, 2023

    AIRWAY HEIGHTS – Fire Chief Mitch Metzger and other city leaders believe it’s time to update the agency’s station. So, the Aug. 1 primary election ballot will include ballot measures designed to help fund a new building. One measure asks voters to approve a bond that would add 37 cents in taxes for every $1,000 in property value, Metzger said. So, the owner of an average $300,000 home here would pay an additional $111 in taxes beginning next year, if the measure passes. That...

  • Garage Lodge opens facility for West Plains

    Matthew Stephens, Cheney Free Press|Updated Jun 28, 2023

    SPOKANE – A Bornhoft project that has been in the works for over three years was finalized on the morning of June 9 during the ribbon cutting ceremony for the newly opened Garage Lodge. The West Plains Chamber of Commerce marked the opening of the 1551 S. Deer Heights Road with a ribbon cutting. Owners Marianne and Chris Bornhoft, have been developers for more than 10 years, and Marianne Bornhoft has been working in real estate for 28 years. Some of the issues they faced inclu...

  • Council weighing homelessness plan

    Matthew Stephens, Valley Herald|Updated Jun 22, 2023

    SPOKANE VALLEY – The city of Spokane Valley is struggling with the ever increasing issue of homelessness, and have developed a plan of action to alleviate some of that. The Spokane Valley Homeless Action Plan is a systematic, long-term response plan that works to the explicit goal of prevent homelessness. If it cannot be prevented, the city wants to ensure it’s a rare, brief and one-time experience. The plan involves preserving funding for sustainable strategies with act...

  • Fatherfest draws big crowd

    Matthew Stephens, Valley Herald|Updated Jun 22, 2023

    POST FALLS, ID – A huge crowd gathered at Findlay Stadium Stateline Speedway on Saturday, June 17 to celebrate Father's Day with the third annual Fatherfest event. There were some presentations on site geared right toward the dads in the crowd, including motorcycles, car show, live music, live wrestling, food vendors and a burnout contest that was won by an 11-year-old boy from Spokane, Taz Tarr. Tarr is part of a youth racing league in the area. One of the event vendors, H...

  • Public hearing held on transportation plan

    Matthew Stephens, Valley Herald|Updated Jun 22, 2023

    SPOKANE VALLEY – Transportation is certainly a driving topic as the region grows, and during the June 20 Spokane Valley City Council meeting a public hearing was held in regard to the proposed six-year transportation improvement plan. Engineering Manager Adam Jackson went in front of the council to give a presentation about this plan which outlines 41 projects expected to take place between 2024 and 2029. The improvement projects span from major projects such as grade s...

  • Public hearing held on transportation plan

    Matthew Stephens, Valley Herald|Updated Jun 22, 2023

    SPOKANE VALLEY – Transportation is certainly a driving topic as the region grows, and during the June 20 Spokane Valley City Council meeting a public hearing was held in regard to the proposed six-year transportation improvement plan. Engineering Manager Adam Jackson went in front of the council to give a presentation about this plan which outlines 41 projects expected to take place between 2024 and 2029. The improvement projects span from major projects such as grade s...

  • Council approves sports contract

    Matthew Stephens, Valley Herald|Updated Jun 22, 2023

    SPOKANE VALLEY - Another motion passed unanimously during the June 20 Spokane Valley City Council meeting, and this was presented by Economic Development Director Mike Basinger. Basinger went to council asking for approval of a motion consideration to allow a contract with Spokane Sports on June 20. The contract is for $300,000 meant for sports recruitment and marketing according to Basinger. Basinger said if approved, the city will work with Spokane Sports to develop a scope...

  • Eagle grads fill Spokane Arena

    Matthew Stephens, Cheney Free Press|Updated Jun 22, 2023

    SPOKANE - After the students processed in to "Pomp and Circumstance" and the ceremony was opened with the presentation of colors, Dr. Jonathan Anderson welcomed the graduates and thousands of guests to Spokane Arena the afternoon of June 17. Anderson is the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Eastern Washington University (EWU). Between two ceremonies that day, 2,600 Eagle graduates crossed the stage under the bright lights. Anderson then handed the microphone...

  • Disc dogs fly high in Medical Lake

    Matthew Stephens, Cheney Free Press|Updated Jun 22, 2023

    MEDICAL LAKE – A big crowd gathered to watch the furry flying fun of the Spokane Disc Dogs 2023 season-opener on June 16. The event was a disc catching competition held in the baseball field at Waterfront Park during the first day of the Founders Day celebration. The format of the sport drew the interest of hundreds of passers-by, and they stopped along the fence line to watch. Bringing in 31 points in two rounds, Bella with her owner Carrie Dugovic, took first place. ...

  • Founders Day draws thousands

    Matthew Stephens, Cheney Free Press|Updated Jun 22, 2023

    MEDICAL LAKE – The annual Founders Day celebration brought thousands of people to Waterfront Park and other areas of the city Friday and Saturday, June 15 and 16. The fun kicked of Friday night with Sprague-based band Rusty Vikings taking the stage to bring old-school rock'n'roll music to the festival while attendees enjoyed hot food, a cornhole tournament, a high-flying disc dog competition and an explosive fireworks display. The fireworks seemed to be the highlight most v...

  • Casino opening new section mid-June

    Matthew Stephens, Cheney Free Press|Updated Jun 15, 2023

    AIRWAY HEIGHTS – The Spokane Tribe Casino has some major projects underway, including a new section for games and slot machines set to open later this month. According to General Manager, Javier De La Rosa, the casino has invested over $100 million into the current workings. After the gaming section opens, the next phase will be a large multi-purpose room that will be used for concerts, conventions, community events and that will eventually expand as well. "We will have the ro...

  • Cheney High School Class of 2023

    Matthew Stephens, Cheney Free Press|Updated Jun 15, 2023

    Above, valedictorian Valerie Hanes describes what community has come to mean to her during her high school years. Left, an emotional moment as the Cheney High School Choir sings “You Do Not Walk Alone” during the June 9 graduation ceremony. Below left, Cheney Public Schools Superintendent Ben Ferney certifies the class of 2023 on June 9. Below, a happy graduate waves to guests in the stands of Reese Court....

  • Jiu Jitsu center opens in Airway Heights

    Matthew Stephens, Cheney Free Press|Updated Jun 15, 2023

    AIRWAY HEIGHTS – With a lifelong passion for martial arts, and a drive to teach others, Adam Smith has opened his third facility for SMASH Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to serve the West Plains region. According to Smith, he saw a need here and after having seen success with his other locations in Spokane Valley and Deer Park he wanted to bring this opportunity to Airway Heights. Originally the 34-year-old martial artist got involved in karate at 5 years old, and that was because S...

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