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The Airway Heights City Council is preparing to take an official stance on the Cheney School District’s $52 million bond proposal. During Monday night’s study session, the council forwarded a resolution with some changes, to its Jan. 17 meeting, declaring that it cannot support the district’s bond proposal. The proposal, which will be on the Feb. 14 ballot, is a 21-year bond, assessed at 59 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value that will fund various improvements throughout the district. It includes $7.8 million for Sun...
Rep. Jeff Holy, R-Cheney, was sworn in for his third term as 6th District state representative on Monday as the 2017 legislative session got under way. "There is much work to be done," Holy said in a news release. "We need to buckle down, find solutions and work together to pass a balanced, sustainable budget, fully fund basic education, and get Washingtonians back to work. I look forward to working with the people of my district and the state on the challenges we face." Holy...
Cheney High School student Sydney Zapf was selected as a 2017 National Honorable Mention recipient of The National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) Award for Aspirations in Computing. Each year, high school-age women in grades 9 through 12 are eligible to receive recognition for their demonstrated interest and achievements in computing, proven leadership ability, academic performance and plans for post‑secondary education. This year, the NCWIT selected 50 n...
Crime reports in Cheney jumped 16.8 percent in 2016, according to year-end statistics from the Cheney Police Department. The increase comes after a decline in 2015 of 8.68 percent over 2014 numbers - which in themselves reflected an increase of 12.37 percent over 2013 statistics. Overall, crime reports increased to 639 in 2016, compared to 547 in 2015 - which was a drop from the 2014 number of 599. The largest area of increase last year came in motor vehicle thefts, up 164...
Cheney School District has a unique identity because of its diversity. A university town serves as its anchor supported by yet another small town with its commercial/manufacturing weight. We extend to Eagle Ridge, slide over Four Lakes and down Interstate 90 and fence in Medical Lake. It is an amazing footprint that eventually feeds all upcoming ninth-graders into the high school. District information states that passing the new bond will expand the high school to house 1,600 students. This will serve us, it says, until...
This is turning out to be a busy year for Cheney’s Snow Angels. In 2012, City Councilman John Taves saw a need and organized a small band of volunteers to shovel or snowblow sidewalks and driveways for residents who are unable to clear their own snow. The number of volunteers varies from year to year and this winter there are seven — Martin Seedorf, Duane Issac, Tom Whitfield, John Taves, Bill Nation, Anton Stout and Joseph Aginen. If you are unable to manage the snow on your sidewalk or driveway, you may contact Taves at...
The Cheney School District has chosen to go for round three of the bond proposal vote. In 2015, the voters rejected the $44.8 million bond twice. I have pleaded with the school board, at their meetings, to come up with a lower bond amount and only go for the needs not all the wants. Instead, they have pushed the amount from the previous $44.8 million to now $52 million. This is a new tax, and since it is an unlimited general obligation bond, it is like a new mortgage on our property. Even those who rent pay through their...
I have been a school and department secretary for Cheney Public Schools for 17 years, and I am writing in support of the proposed bond being put to voters Feb. 14, 2017. Enrollment is increasing. Our district resides in some of the fastest growing areas of Spokane County. As citizens of these communities, it is important to step up and invest in the education of our children. By providing safe, modern facilities, and a learning atmosphere of innovation and creativity, our students will be better prepared to face the...
It wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to deem the state legislative session getting underway this week as the “Education Legislature.” Education will be front and center, particularly how best to fund it and hence live up to the directives of the Washington Supreme Court and this state’s constitution to make basic education our top priority. While that is a complex task, it shouldn’t be as difficult as legislators and others are making it out to be. So far, to meet the requirements of the court’s 2012 McCleary decision, t...
By JOHN McCALLUM Editor For the second time in about six months, I’ve been saved by a young girl. In August, I wrote about a recent mission trip to Guatemala, of trying to hike into a village during a rainstorm along narrow, muddy, slick footpaths in fading daylight and feeling lost. Of being prevented from becoming lost by a 10-year-old girl who appeared out of the rain and fog of my glasses to guide me along the path to the house I was seeking. The girl was Rebecca Ico, granddaughter of Julian Ico. Julian often a...
From News and Staff Reports Bryant makes University of Oregon winter Dean's List Medical Lake's Kristina Bryant was one of 520 students who made Eastern Oregon University's Dean's List for the 2016 fall term. Qualifying students achieve and maintain a grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale while completing a minimum of 12 hours of graded coursework for the duration of the term. Communities in Schools seeks mentors for Cheney and ML Communities in Schools is...
The butcher paper is off the windows just as planned and the new Barrelhouse Pub and Pizza opened for business this past Monday, Jan. 9, right on schedule. The former Zentropa Restaurant at 122 College Ave. in Cheney changed hands and had a fever-pitch schedule of minor renovations and red tape in order to open, new owner Mike Lyons said. Not a lot changes from the establishment that was owned by Josh Baldwin and his father, Steve, and opened in January 2013. Lyons and his...
While snow cancelled the Jan. 9 meeting of the Cheney Merchants Association, it did not stall voting for the organization’s new officers as the results of several weeks of email-submitted balloting were announced, Jan. 10. Fifty-percent of the CMA membership cast ballots. Randi Kooyman from Banner Bank will take over the chair duties from Doug Nixon, who has stepped down. Shane Noblin of New Boundary Brewing is the vice chair, replacing Roger Hagenbaugh. Tina Sikkema of Lily Kate Boutique will continue in her role as s...
Hallett Elementary School its Partners Advancing Character Education (PACE) award winners for December. PACE/Caring — Owen Pritchard, Kambria Boone, Marie Rauscher, Josie Boyd, Colton Stoltz, Kenalie Brogan, Isabella Giles, Mary Mong, Gwyneth Gerry, TeJon Baldeau-Davis, Rilee Williams, Madison Griffis, Bryce DeLange, Elisabeth Merrick, Caitlyn Guzy, Drew Harper, Lake James, Michael Keister, Pekay DiLuciano, Taylar Brogan, Keenen Foutz, Hunter Flood and Evelyn Halme. Bug — Jaenelle Spillman, Bentley Sambuco, Evan Neher, Rad...
When it comes to working with homeless students and their families, the Medical Lake School District’s mission is a simple one — to have the same free educational opportunities as their classmates. Kim Headrick, who is the director of teaching and learning and the district’s homeless family liaison, said the work includes conducting a needs assessment with staff in order to make sure homeless students have access to all educational services, activities and school meals as per the McKinney-Vento Act. “We’ll provide resources s...
The Eastern Washington University Veterans Resource Center is holding its "22 Boots" display in the JFK Library Alcove until Jan. 24. The display, which actually consists of 24 pairs of combat boots, represents the estimated 22 veterans that are killed by suicide each day. It includes a Powerpoint presentation and information for students to recognize symptoms and signs that someone is struggling with suicide. For more information, contact the EWU Veterans Resource Center at...
The Cheney School District’s capital facilities bond voters will begin considering later this month has many more parts and pieces than the $44.88 million measure that failed to receive a needed 60-percent majority twice in 2015. That bond was for expansion of the district’s high school only, and included three of four phases to modernize the facility that began life in 1966 as a multi-building campus, compared to the single-building structure today. Phase four, which never received much discussion due to the failure of the...
Cheney Finance Director and Clerk Cindy Niemeier (left) administers the oath of office to new Cheney Municipal Court Judge Richard Leland (right) during Tuesday's City Council meeting. Leland, who also serves as a Spokane County District Court judge, was appointed to the Cheney bench by Mayor Tom Trulove (behind Leland). Leland replaces Judge Gregg Tripp, who is retiring after serving 18 years in Cheney....
The city of Medical Lake is following suit with Cheney and Airway Heights in that it is gearing up to work on its comprehensive plan update in 2017. However, City Administrator Doug Ross said he does not foresee any major changes. Unlike the other West Plains cities, Medical Lake’s population has not changed much since the city’s 2010 comprehensive plan update. “There is still a lot of land that is deemed residential and commercial that can be developed,” Ross said. The city’s Planning Commission completed some of its revie...
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office responded to a crash involving a train and a vehicle on Saturday morning, Jan. 7. The incident, which took place outside of Medical Lake city limits, claimed the lives of two people. According to a news release from the Sheriff’s Office, a pickup truck, traveling southbound on Brooks Road, was hit by the train traveling west. In separate news releases, the Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office and Fairchild Air Force Base confirmed the names of the victims, Melissa Normandin, 45, and Jacob N...
As if a heavy weekend snowfall and the first day of classes wasn't enough to snarl traffic, drivers coming into Cheney Monday morning also had to wait 10-12 minutes for a slow moving BNSF grain train (left) to pass, lining up cars, buses and trucks in either direction on State Route 904 and on Betz Road....
During the winter months, the use of electricity and heating increases — this also escalates the risk of structure fires. In an email, Debby Dobson, division chief, and district education officer for Spokane County Fire District 3, said most structure fires occur because of additional heating appliances being used in homes. “These fires are often caused by unattended cooking, overloading electrical circuits, damaged stove pipes, ashes placed on porches and other preventable incidents,” Dobson said. “We get particu...
Hate the snow that is making driving and walking a true effort? Dislike the bone-chilling cold that has been a regular visitor? Better get used to it because this LaNina winter does not appear to be going anywhere too soon says retired Eastern Washington University professor and weather expert, Bob Quinn. "The storm track, since we're into mid-winter, normally drops to the south, so that's what it's doing," Quinn said. It is centered around Northern California and Oregon and...
Over-occupancy of single-family homes in Cheney took center stage at the Jan. 9 Planning Commission meeting. During a comprehensive plan review of the city’s housing chapter, senior planner Brett Lucas noted language about housing balance under “Housing Issues” point out residents’ concerns about over-occupancy of rental homes in the city. The language went on to list problems associated with this usage, such as noise and poor maintenance, and stated that in the short term, “they may destabilize, devalue and discourag...
Cheney High School cheerleaders perform a routine for the fans at last Friday night's girls basketball game with the visiting Clarkston Bantams....
