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CHENEY/AIRWAY HEIGHTS – Multiple vehicle prowling incidents were reported by Airway Heights and Cheney police departments between Dec. 19-31. Cheney Police Chief Rick Bechtel said “The holidays provide a density of opportunity for vehicle prowlers, and we usually see an ebb and flow of increased activity during these times.” Lieutenant J. Keith of Airway Heights police also commented, saying of the prowls “There’s no evidence that they are in any way related or connected in an organized way.” “It’s unfortunate,” B...
6 was a year of change and growth for the members of the Cheney Free Press. Reporters, interns, employees, came and went. Every member of our team left an important mark on the press and on our community. Here we take a brief look at some of the ups and downs of 2022 in the press. January Presents with a Purpose serves 80 Cheney students this year By Sarah Stephens Sarah wrote this piece on Cheney resident Andrew Graham, a 26 year old real estate agent who started Presents With a Purpose. “His organization began three y...
CHENEY – Eastern Washington University Police placed Jarell Davis in Spokane county jail on Dec. 21 on four outstanding warrants for first and second degree trespassing. Davis (19) was booked into Spokane county detention center on Dec. 21 and charged with two counts of first-degree criminal trespass and two counts of second-degree criminal trespass. Sergeant Nick Gerard of the EWU police said “A staff member recognized Davis and reported him for trespassing inside Dryden Hall on Dec. 21. We arrested him on criminal tre...
The Eastern Washington men's basketball team did something very rare on the opening week of Big Sky Conference play beating both Montana and Montana State - on the road. Eastern opened Dec. 29 with an 87-80 win over the University of Montana and followed that Dec. 31 defeating defending Big Sky Champions, Montana State, 70-67. The Eagles did sweep both schools during the COVID-complicated 2020-21 season, but in the traditional schedule setting the last time the Eastern pulled...
MEDICAL LAKE - City Administrator, Sonny Weathers, commented on the fatal shooting that occurred on Dec. 23, 2022. "We want to thank both the members of the Spokane Country sheriff's office and fire district 3 for responding so rapidly to the situation and restoring safety to our community." The incident involved victim Colin Bastow, and suspect Cynthia B. Metsker. "The investigation is ongoing, but it is clear that this incident stemmed from a domestic violence situation."...
SPOKANE COUNTY - The Spokane County Commission now officially has five members. Democrats Amber Waldref and Chris Jordan have joined Republicans Al French, Josh Kerns, and Mary Kuney to form the board that will represent the residents of Spokane County. Both Waldref and Jordan were sworn in as commissioners at a ceremony held on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022. Spokane County Court Commissioner Michelle Ressa administered Jordan's oath of office. He will serve a two-year term as...
The following incidents were reported by Cheney police between Dec. 26 and Jan. 1 Dec. 26 Making False Statement to LE. 400 Block Clay St. (suspect fraudulently used victim’s ID while receiving traffic citation in Oregon) Dec. 27 Verbal domestic violence. 0 Block W. 2nd St. Found property (animal bones). 0 Block B St. Dec. 28 Verbal domestic violence. 1700 Block 1st St. Verbal domestic violence, mental cases (voluntary committal). 100 Block Alki St. Dec. 29 Located juvenile runaway. 1000 Block Betz Rd. Located: 14 year old f...
It is time to change the way things are done in our nation’s capital---the “Other Washington!” The year-end Christmas dash to pass a $1.7 trillion spending monstrosity is the straw breaking the camel’s back. It is a 4,000-page document which lawmakers freely admit they did not read. To put the problem into perspective that one bill contains 17 times more money than the entire two-year state budget for Washington. It’s an unfathomable sum of money and its vast scope has not gone unnoticed outside the D.C. beltway. It is fue...
For many, the new year brings with it a mix of complex emotions, desires, speculations, hopes, and plans. For Rick Bechtel, interim police chief at the Cheney PD, new years doesn’t herald any particularly rigorous self-reflection, mostly because he already has a system of discipline that keeps him on track and thankful. “Gosh,” Rick says with a laugh and a smile, “I guess I want to lose a few pounds and be a little better than I was last year.” Rick and I talked for a while ab...
The Washington State Auditor has completed a performance audit of the Employment Security Department and has found the agency still has not corrected its systemic performance and fraud problems uncovered during the COVID-19 pandemic. After the complete failure of the agency to handle pandemic unemployment claims, which culminated in the resignation of Commissioner Suzi LeVine in 2021, state lawmakers passed several key pieces of legislation to require the agency to reform many of its internal processes and increase...
Weather allows Cheney skating rink to open in Sutton park Parks and recreations department had admonished the residents against premature hopes that the ice skating rink would open in the midst of foul weather. “It just isn’t a good idea to fool with mother nature.” Previously, several other factors had contributed to a near-halt in the progress of the skating rink renovations. Not only had “old man winter” gotten in the way several times, but so had local rodents! When the...
A new year inspires us with the hope of a new beginning and opportunities abound. We see this as a chance to try new things, strengthen our resolve to do better, do more, be more. Winter is waning and spring is just around the corner. With spring comes new growth. Is it any wonder our hearts quicken at the thought? A new year means new adventures, new promises or renewed promises to ourselves and others. As I write, the very thought of it makes me smile. What will I resolve to do or do better in the coming year? There are so...
The holiday schedule for the Cheney boys’ basketball team may not have gone completely as head coach Travis Peevey wished, but he appears pleased with what did transpire. The Blackhawks (4-4) lost both their outings in the Eagle Holiday Classic at West Valley in Spokane. The host Eagles rallied to win 50-48, Dec. 28 and Colfax breezed past Cheney 62-49, Dec. 29. Cheney concluded its three-game-in-three-day schedule with a 61-56 win over Wenatchee, Dec. 30, a game that had been...
Join us on Sunday as we begin a new series, “Baby Talk”, where we will explore how we can learn about God through the mind and curiosity of a baby. We are a community of neighbors who seek and serve Jesus and who strive to create a place where anyone, regardless of their sexuality, gender expression or race can find community and feel welcomed. We hold as a permanent conviction that each person is treasured in the eyes of God. We welcome and stand with all who gather into the safety and fellowship of our community. No matter...
Responsibility for the Cheney girls’ basketball team’s two losses in the Eagle Holiday could land on a variety of shoulders, but head coach Ken Ryan said that number is much more easily defined. Ryan said the outcomes, a 64-61 loss Dec. 28 to West Valley and a humbling 46-22 loss to Colville, Dec. 29, are largely his responsibility in one way or another. The Blackhawks turned things around by topping Wenatchee 46-26 Jan. 2 in a game rescheduled following an earlier wea...
The Medical Lake girls put the sting of a close loss to Greater Spokane League Shadle Park behind them and split a pair of games in the Eagle Holiday Classic following a win over Northport. And all of it from a 4-4 preseason leads the Cardinals into the resumption of Northeast A League play this week. Medical Lake, playing without one of its premiere players in Charde Luat in the second half, watch Shadle rally from a 28-20 deficit at half-time and lost a 47-46 thriller Dec....
WRESTLING: Cheney athletes do well at Hanford, Freeman Cheney wrestlers were busy over the last week with competition at the Hanford Winter Cup and Freeman Winter Classic. In the Winter Cup, stages Dec. 28 and 29, Dalton Taylor placed third at 160 pounds and was the leading finisher in competition at the Hanford Winter Cup. Taylor won by decision over John Rendon (Sunnyside) 2-0. Gauge Seubert placed fifth at 220 pounds, winning by fall over Hector Sanchez (Richland) in 1...
BASKETBALL: EWU women fall at home Eastern Washington’s women’s basketball team lost both of its Reese Court games as the Eagles’ opened Big Sky Conference play. The Eagles fell to Montana, 81-70 on Dec. 29 and Montana State, 92-84 Dec. 31. Jaydia Martin led the team with 22 points against Montana State as the Bobcats built a 22-4 lead after the first 10 minutes, limiting the Eagles the 15.4 percent shooting. Eastern would trim the lead down to 57-55 with 30 seconds left on an Aaliyah Alexander layup. MSU led 59-55 at the e...
