Articles from the January 26, 2023 edition


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  • Bill proposes relaxing restrictions on low dose cannabis drinks

    Alexandria Osborne, Washington State Journal|Updated Jan 30, 2023

    Consumers will be able to purchase more low-THC liquid-infused products in a single purchase if a bill in the Legislature wins approval. “HB 1249 is necessary to ensure that the evolution of consumer preference, and access to an increasing variety of these products, reflects those preferences and is aligned with the law,” said Douglas Henderson, Painted Rooster Cannabis Company CEO. Rep. Chris Corry, R-Yakima, introduced the bill. He said he recently became aware of new products in the market, including a low-THC infused bev...

  • Updated Jan 26, 2023

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  • Former policeman sues Cheney for $5.5 million

    Lucas Walsh, Cheney Free Press|Updated Jan 26, 2023

    CHENEY – Attorneys representing former police officer Chad Eastep have filed a notice of tort claim with the city, claiming damages of $5.5 million. This claim for damages form and the accompanying tort claim were filed with the city on Jan. 9, 2023. The claims are filed against the city and the police department for injurious conduct, wrongful termination, breach of contract, and others, according to the notice. Eastep, who is listed as the claimant, is seeking for loss of r...

  • One-vehicle Crash kills motorist

    Lucas Walsh, Cheney Free Press|Updated Jan 26, 2023

    AIRWAY HEIGHTS – A fatal crash involving one vehicle took place on South Craig Road near the intersection of McFarlane Road, Jan. 16. According to Spokane County Sheriff’s department report, the driver of a Black SUV was killed when the vehicle struck a power-line pole after losing control of the vehicle. Initial investigation indicates that the black SUV, occupied by two adult females and a toddler, was traveling northbound on Craig Rd. and attempted to pass another veh...

  • Man's remains found near Rock Lake

    Lucas Walsh, Cheney Free Press|Updated Jan 26, 2023

    EWAN - A Cheney area woman is being held on $500,000 bail in the slaying of her son. Christine Diane Catelli, 58, is charged with second-degree murder (intent to kill), Spokane County Jail records show. She was booked into the jail at 4:59 a.m. Jan. 15 after deputies found the remains of her son wrapped in garbage bags off Gene Webb Road, in rural Whitman County. The location near Ewan - a small community between Lamont and Saint John- was close to Rock Lake. According to...

  • Cheney police department has three potential new hires

    Lucas Walsh, Cheney Free Press|Updated Jan 26, 2023

    CHENEY – Three patrol officer candidates have made it to the background-check stage with the Cheney police department. Since October of 2022, the Cheney police department has interviewed 37 individuals in an effort to regain its baseline personnel numbers. As of the publication of this article, three of those 37 interviewees have progresses to the stage in which they must submit to a full background check, “Which takes a long time.” says police chief Rick Bechtel. “We’v...

  • Man dies in car crash on Cheney Spokane Road

    Cheney Free Press, Lucas Walsh|Updated Jan 26, 2023

    CHENEY — A male was pronounced dead at the scene of a single-vehicle crash on Cheney Spokane Rd. Jan. 21. The man, identified by the Spokane County medical examiner as Cavin Firestone, 27, died as a result of blunt force injuries. At about 3:00am on Jan. 21, a Cheney Police Officer reported to Spokane County Deputies that a single-car crash had occurred on Cheney Spokane Rd., according to Sheriff’s office press release. A red 1997 Dodge Ram pickup was discovered overturned on the east side of the road by deputies who res...

  • Cheney Community Court shares updates

    Lucas Walsh, Cheney Free Press|Updated Jan 26, 2023

    CHENEY - Cheney Community Court released an update detailing its grant funding numbers, community partners, and stakeholders, Jan. 19. The community court is a deferral program for offenders who come into contact with the legal system, and is meant to reduce recidivism overall and increase positive outcomes for individuals and communities. “The program for an individual will be built based on the offer from the prosecutor.” April Bassen, Deputy Clerk of Cheney Municipal Cou...

  • Huey reaches 20,000 flight hours

    Stassney Davis, 92nd Air Refueling Wing|Updated Jan 26, 2023

    FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE — A 36th Rescue Squadron UH-1N “Huey” achieved 20,000 flight hours Jan. 13. According to the aircraft manufacturer, this is the highest number of flight hours for Huey used in the Department of Defense. UH-1N “Huey” No. 6648 arrived at Fairchild in March of 1971, completing all its operational hours assigned to the 36th RQS supporting search and rescue missions, and survival school training. “This milestone represents the highest flight time for UH-1N model and truly highlights the significance of the...

  • Schoesler: Address school maintainance 

    Sen. Mark Schoesler|Updated Jan 26, 2023

    For the fifth straight year, I’ve introduced a bill that aims to help school districts in Washington address their building-maintenance needs. Senate Bill 5403 would allow school districts to create a “depreciation subfund” that can receive a transfer of up to 2% of a school district’s general fund each fiscal year. This bill would provide another path for school districts to handle building- or facility-maintenance needs. Sometimes it can be better for a school district to pay cash for a building repair or to set aside m...

  • Dye introduces bill to help men, boys

    Cheney Free Press|Updated Jan 26, 2023

    RITZVILLE – A local lawmaker has introduced legislation to create the Washington State Commission on Boys and Men to address the well-being of boys and men across. “There are many issues that impact men and boys. Yet, there is no unified voice that would tackle these issues at the state level,” 9th Legislative District Rep. Mary Dye, R-Pomeroy said. “If adopted, this legislation would create the first of its kind boys and men’s commission in the nation right here in Washington state.” Dye represents Whitman, Lincoln, southern...

  • Rep. Schmick bill helps level playing field

    Roger Harnack, Publisher|Updated Jan 26, 2023

    Washington state has high tax rates — gas, property, you name it. Government agencies billions of tax dollars annually from residents and businesses here. So why then are government agencies taking Washington taxpayer dollars and buying goods and services out-of-state, goods and services that are readily abundant in Washington? Those agencies are penalizing state taxpayers (residents and businesses) for paying the high taxes the agencies collected under burdensome r...

  • Questions should be asked about WARNS survey

    Roger Harnack, Publisher|Updated Jan 26, 2023

    WARNS. Interesting acronym for a survey being pushed by the state Department of Education, Washington State University and public schools statewide. The Washington Assessment of the Risks and Needs of Students has been around a few years, but largely disappeared during the coronavirus shutdowns — when students were at home and parents would have an opportunity to see it, read the questions and determine appropriateness. But now that classes are back in-person statewide, the s...

  • Easter Washington University Deans List

    Updated Jan 26, 2023

    These are the students who made the Eastern Washington University Dean’s List for fall 2022. An undergraduate student who earns 12 quality hours and a Grade Point Average of 3.5 or better is placed on the Dean’s List. If the student has placed a directory restriction on their records the name will not be released for publication. Cheney Jared Adams Grace Ahola Ahmed Al Ghamdi Ivan Amezquita Anwyn Anderberg Heather Anderson Michelle Arceo Ashley Armstrong Tyler Ashcroft Reagan Baas Savannah Baber Giselle Barragan Lyric Beaumon...

  • Local British artist gains dual-citizenship

    Cheney Free Press, Lucas Walsh|Updated Jan 26, 2023

    CHENEY – British born and raised multi-media artist Anne Seacrest achieved dual citizenship late in 2022 after having moved to the U.S. four years ago. "I met my husband, who is a U.S. citizen, online about five years ago, and we decided to start the immigration process shortly after that." Seacrest said. Seacrest said that she has been an artists since she was very young, and has produced art in a wide range of mediums. From stained glass, oil paintings, and watercolors, to p...

  • Raulston on roll

    Medical Lake wrestling|Updated Jan 26, 2023

    Medical Lake 113-pound wrestler Hudson Raulston will put his undefeated 5-0 Northeast A League dual meet record on the line tonight (Thursday, Jan. 26) at Lakeside, 6 p.m. It's the final match before districts, Feb. 3-4 at Freeman. Raulston is 23-8 on the season with notable outings at the Blackhawk Invite (2nd) and a 4-1 mark at the River City Duals in Post Falls where the photo was taken. Other notable Cardinal wrestlers who will battle at Lakeside are Shadrach Mason (138)...

  • Eastern men remain perfect in Big Sky play

    Staff and news service sources|Updated Jan 26, 2023

    The Eastern Washington men needed another late rally but successfully kept alive their best start in Big Sky history with a sweep of its two road games last week. Trailing by five points, 74-69 with 2 minutes, 45 seconds to play, the Eagles went on a 10-2 run to claim a 79-76 win over Northern Arizona, Jan. 21. Earlier in the trip Eastern led from the midpoint of the second half to defeat Northern Colorado 83-75. Eastern improved to 8-0 in conference play, 14-7 overall and won its 10th consecutive game. Steele Venters...

  • Eastern men remain perfect in Big Sky play

    staff and news service sources|Updated Jan 26, 2023

    The Eastern Washington men needed another late rally but successfully kept alive their best start in Big Sky history with a sweep of its two road games last week. Trailing by five points, 74-69 with 2 minutes, 45 seconds to play, the Eagles went on a 10-2 run to claim a 79-76 win over Northern Arizona, Jan. 21. Earlier in the trip Eastern led from the midpoint of the second half to defeat Northern Colorado 83-75. Eastern improved to 8-0 in conference play, 14-7 overall and won its 10th consecutive game. Steele Venters...

  • Blackhawks have yet to win in 2023

    Paul Delaney, Contributor|Updated Jan 26, 2023

    Cheney’s boys’ basketball team remained winless in 2023 following a pair of Greater Spokane League losses last week. The Blackhawks lost a heartbreaker 51-49 at home to Mead, Jan. 17 and to Lewis and Clark 44-31, Jan. 20, extending their losing streak to six games and they remain winless, 0-4 in GSL play and 5-9 overall. “We put ourselves in a great position to win that game and it didn’t go our way,” head coach Travis Peevey wrote in an email. The Blackhawks led 27-25 at...

  • EWU Sports Briefs

    Updated Jan 26, 2023

    BASKETBALL: Eastern women win twice, again The Eastern Washington women’s basketball team won both of its Big Sky Conference games last week, making sure along the way they sent a big crowd of youngsters home happy, too. The Eagles thrilled a “Kids Day” crowd of some 2,500 at Reese Court with a 49-36 win, Jan. 19 over Northern Colorado. Things were a bit more tense Jan. 21 in an 96-89 overtime victory against Northern Arizona to run the Eagles record to 5-3 in Big Sky play, 12-6 overall. “That was a gutsy effort the whole gam...

  • Cheney girls drop sixth straight

    Paul Delaney, Contributor|Updated Jan 26, 2023

    The 2023 tailspin continued last week for the Cheney girls as they dropped a pair of Greater Spokane League basketball games. The Blackhawks, who are winless in GSL play, lost 73-45 to league co-leader Mead at home Jan. 17 and traveled to drop a 59-17 outing at Lewis and Clark Jan. 20 where the losing streak reached six. Mead (5-0 GSL, 10-3 overall), one of the upper-level teams in state rankings used a fast start, led 45-25 at half and did not lift its feet from the gas pedal...

  • Medical Lake's tumble continues

    Paul Delaney, Contributor|Updated Jan 26, 2023

    The beginning of second trip through the Northeast A League basketball schedule was less kind than the first for the Medical Lake boys based on the most recent results. The Cardinals saw their skid reach six games following Newport’s 57-50 win, Jan. 20 and a 61-42 Riverside win Jan. 21. The Cardinals earned their one and only victory, 55-44 over Riverside on Jan. 3. “The turning point was in the second half when they out rebounded us,” head coach Jordan Starr said of the N...

  • West Plains Police News

    Updated Jan 26, 2023

    The following incidents were reported by the Cheney police between Jan. 9-15 Jan. 9 Third- degree theft. 100 Block College Ave. Stolen: wallet containing WADL, credit/debits cards, misc. ID cards, $130 cash Warrant arrest. Cottonwood, ID. (prisoner being released from ID prison and had active felony warrant related to 2018 Cheney second-degree rape case, third-degree rape of child, communication with a minor for immoral purposes) Arrested: Buddy D. Robbins, 38 year old male Recovered stolen vehicle. 100 Block E. Betz Rd....

  • Cardinal girls reverse losing streak

    Paul Delaney, Contributor|Updated Jan 26, 2023

    The opening of the second round of the Northeast A League play where the Medical Lake girls scored a pair of wins has head coach Brett Ward enthused for the stretch run — and hopefully a playoff berth. The Cardinals topped Newport 62-26, Jan. 20 and Riverside 51-30, Jan. 21, prompting Ward to remark that not only were the wins nice, “But even better that we played two of our best games of the season.” The wins ended a four-game losing streak for Medical Lake, 4-4 in leagu...