Articles from the February 3, 2022 edition


Sorted by date  Results 1 - 25 of 28

  • EWU Eagles football 2022 schedule announced

    Jonathan Olsen-Koziol, Cheney Free Press|Updated Feb 3, 2022

    CHENEY – The Eastern Washington University Eagles are getting ready to soar into the 2022 season. Off the heels of an incredible season led by Walter Payton man of the year Eric Berrier, the Eagles look to replicate that team’s success with a new roster helmed once again by head coach Aaron Best. This season’s schedule is highlighted by a pair of FBS matchups against the Oregon Ducks and the Florida Gators. This is the third time the Eagles have faced two FBS teams in a single season. The Eagles begin this year’s confere...

  • Fairchild airman arrested on assault allegations

    Matthew O. Stephens, Reporter|Updated Feb 3, 2022

    FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE – A senior airman has been arrested in connection with alleged sexually motivated crimes. Devontaye T. Harden, 26, was arrested Thursday, Jan. 27 at Fairchild Air Force Base with the help of agents with the Office of Special Investigations, according to the Spokane Police Department. Harden was booked into Spokane County Jail on allegations of two counts of fourth-degree assault with a “sexual motivation” enhancement to be sought, police said. According to records, Harden entered a plea of “not...

  • Four finalists vie for EWU presidential post

    Jonathan Olsen-Koziol, Cheney Free Press|Updated Feb 3, 2022

    CHENEY – Eastern Washington University trustees have narrowed their search for their next university president to four finalists from a field of 60 candidates. The finalists are: · David May, who is currently acting as the university’s interim-president. · Shari G. McMahan, California State University-San Bernardino provost and vice president of academic affairs · John Tomkowiak, the Founding Dean at Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine at Washington State University · Monroe Gorden, Jr., is the UCLA vice chancellor of student...

  • Medical Lake council approves grant for community outreach

    Matthew O. Stephens, Reporter|Updated Feb 3, 2022

    MEDICAL LAKE – Medical Lake Community Outreach was approved for a grant for $50,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act funds the city has received, and the Memorandum of Understanding to finalize that grant was approved on February 1. In the memorandum language states the group must follow ARPA regulations in spending the money, and the group will be required to make quarterly reports until the grant is depleted. Upon council approval, City Administrator Doug Ross asked for the paperwork to be sent straight to him so he can pr...

  • Mayor: Communication needs to improve

    Matthew O. Stephens, Reporter|Updated Feb 3, 2022

    AIRWAY HEIGHTS – Mayor Larry Bowman said during a meeting last week that communication between city staff and the City Council is lacking. Bowman said he believes more issues should be brought before the council and that “every conversation about city business should go to council.” A couple members voiced disagreement with the push for that level of discussion, but the focal point was directed towards committee meetings. Bowman also said “disagreements are as natural as breathing,” but those differences need to be worked th...

  • Man arrested for newspaper threats

    Cheney Free Press|Updated Feb 3, 2022

    NEWPORT – A Pend Oreille County man has been arrested in connection to threats he allegedly made against the Cheney Free Press and Spokesman-Review newspapers. James E. Gandy, 47, was booked into the Spokane County Jail on Tuesday, Feb. 1. At press time, he was being held without bail. Gandy was arrested earlier in the day in Newport on felony harassment charges for allegedly making threats to “burn down” the Cheney Free Press and “kill employees,” records show. Gandy is also accused of making similar threats to the Spoke...

  • Veteran and council member opens new coffee shop

    Matthew O. Stephens, Reporter|Updated Feb 3, 2022

    AIRWAY HEIGHTS – Residents of Airway Heights can find a new Coffee Corner location at 12703 West 14th Avenue, as the spot just opened on January 11 said owner Jennifer Morton. Morton said as a council member she wants to show the residents of Airway Heights she is fully engaged and wants to interact with the community. Morton said the only hurdles she really faced when opening the second location was "putting the basic pieces together" and getting approval from the church b...

  • Broaden Scope of Snake River Salmon Review

    Don C. Brunell, Contributor|Updated Feb 3, 2022

    Washington Sen. Patty Murray and Gov. Jay Inslee announced in October, they’ll listen to diverse viewpoints with open minds to recover salmon and potentially breach the four Lower Snake River dams. Their focus on restoring Snake River salmon and steelhead runs is too limited. It needs to be expanded to cover the entire Snake River drainage. Currently, the four lower dams---all in Washington---are targeted to determine if they should be torn down to improve ocean-going fish r...

  • Council debates business park zoning expansion

    Jonathan Olsen-Koziol, Cheney Free Press|Updated Feb 3, 2022

    CHENEY – The City Council spend a considerable amount of time during their regular meeting Tuesday, Jan. 25, debating a Planning Commission recommendation to change zoning regulations concerning the business park. Cheney’s business park surrounds the Cheney Free Press, Allpak Containers and Haakon Industries on West First Street. City administrator Mark Schuller said that through a series of surveys, a city planner found out that the business park is much more restrictive than neighboring business parks. So, the Planning Com...

  • Worst bill of the week

    Sen. Mark Schoesler, Contributor|Updated Feb 3, 2022

    Last week, I wrote that two bills addressing the state’s flawed and controversial long-term care program (nicknamed the “short-term care program”) and the costly payroll tax (dubbed the “long-term tax”) funding it had come over to the Senate after being passed by the House. The Senate fast-tracked these two measures this week, as the Ways and Means Committee held public hearings on them Monday and then approved them Tuesday. The full Senate yesterday passed the two bills, sending them to Gov. Jay Inslee for his likely si...

  • LaCrosse School Board receives award

    Updated Feb 3, 2022

    LaCROSSE – Local School Board members have been recognized by the Washington State School Directors Association. Cat Wigen, Mike Stubbs, Terry Miller, Harmon Smith and Tami Schwartz have received 2021 School Board of Distinction certificates. This state-level recognition was presented during the association's recent annual conference. There are 295 school districts in the state and this year, 34 school boards were recognized as Boards of Distinction. LaCrosse School Board was...

  • Long time Cheney postal worker set to retire

    Matthew O. Stephens, Reporter|Updated Feb 3, 2022

    CHENEY – Steady effort and growth have helped Vicki Pagel get to where she is with the local post office, and she is set to soon retire after being with the Cheney office since 1997. The long-time postal worker said she was born in Spokane, and primarily lived in the surrounding area although she lived in Olympia and wasn't too fond of that area. Pagel said she started as a janitor in the small post office in Odessa in 1995 and kept putting in all the extra work she could w...

  • Bradley J Barsness

    Updated Feb 3, 2022

    Bradley J. Barsness entered into his eternal rest Monday, Jan. 24th, 2022. He had just turned 55 the week prior. The loss of Brad will be felt deeply by all who knew and loved him. Bradley was born to Allen and Lilla Barsness in Plentywood, Mont. on Jan. 17th, 1967. Brad grew up in a farming community with siblings and cousins to have great adventures with! After graduating from Flaxville High School he attended Montana State University where he studied mathematics and...

  • Planning Department weighs land use

    Matthew O. Stephens, Reporter|Updated Feb 3, 2022

    AIRWAY HEIGHTS – As the city continues to grow, the Planning Department has been updating and revitalizing the comprehensive plan. One emphasis is figuring out how to most efficiently use available land to provide adequate space for housing as more residents move into the area. The city is currently looking at a few options and would like to see some public input on the subject. City officials encourage members of the public to submit written comments and ideas through either mail or by hard copy letters, or residents can p...

  • Mayoral opportunity an honor for Weathers

    Matthew O. Stephens, Reporter|Updated Feb 3, 2022

    AIRWAY HEIGHTS – Looking back over his time as mayor, Sonny Weathers said he is privileged to have served. Weathers expressed he is also enthusiastic to continue serving as a councilman and said the city has overcome many obstacles to accomplish a lot in the wake of COVID. “I count it a great privilege and honor to play a part on City Council as we shape our community into the kind of place worth living, working, learning, and playing through retirement, and I cherish the opportunity to have been mayor of Airway Heights thi...

  • Cheney Cheer Heads to State Competition

    Jonathan Olsen-Koziol, Cheney Free Press|Updated Feb 3, 2022

    CHENEY – The Cheney Blackhawks cheer team is making their way to Washington's state cheer competition in Battle Ground Washington on February 4 and 5. When most people think of cheerleading, they think of waving pom poms and cheering their home team on to victory. Throw in some flips and back handsprings and that's that. But most of people's preconception of cheerleading comes from sideline cheerleading, while competition cheer is an entirely different animal. To make s...

  • Cardinal wrestlers defeat Newport

    Matthew O. Stephens, Reporter|Updated Feb 3, 2022

    NEWPORT – The Medical Lake wrestling team traveled to Newport to square off against the Grizzlies on January 27, and the Cardinals came home with the victory with the final match score being 48-18. Gavin Chaffee got things rolling for Medical Lake as he won the first match by pinfall in the 285-pound class against Roman Tannehill from Newport. The next match at 106 pounds was a double forfeit, and Hudson Raulston from Medical Lake pinned Newport's Michael Nelson at 113 p...

  • Undermanned Blackhawks fall to University

    Updated Feb 3, 2022

    CHENEY — University High defeated a greatly undermanned Cheney Blackhawks boys basketball team on Tuesday, 56-38. For the second game in a row, Cheney dressed only eight players, including three promoted from the freshmen team. COVID-19 protocol kept leading scorer and rebounder sophomore Evan Stinson and junior Jakeb Vallance from the contest. Then 2 minutes into the game, senior starter Garrett Hewett sprained his ankle and was finished for the night. Cheney Coach Tierre W...

  • U-High edges Cheney girls, 37-32

    Cheney Free Press|Updated Feb 3, 2022

    CHENEY — The University High Titans edged the Cheney Blackhawks, 37-32, in girls basketball action Tuesday, Jan. 25. The narrow loss comes as Coach Ken Ryan has seen a turnaround in his Blackhawks girls. After a 2-8 start, the local girls have won three of their last six games. Their loss Tuesday to University was proof of improvement. The first time they played this season, the Blackhawks lost 66-29. A great defensive effort was the difference. The Cheney girls are playing a...

  • Cardinals fall short against Crimson Hawks

    Matthew O. Stephens, Reporter|Updated Feb 3, 2022

    MEDICAL LAKE – The powerhouse Colville Crimson Hawks traveled to Medical Lake on January 25, and the Cardinal boys’ and girls’ varsity teams both fell short to Colville. The Cardinal boys did everything they could to keep the game close against the 9-2 Crimson Hawks, and put enough defensive pressure on Colville to slow their high octane offense. In the end the Cardinals fell short 59-55. Although Medical Lake did commit 15 fouls on the night, Colville struggled from the line only making 4 of 15 free throws. Medical Lake...

  • Blackhawks boys fall to Ferris

    Cheney Free Press|Updated Feb 3, 2022

    SPOKANE -- The Cheney Blackhawks boys basketall team had to again play one of the GSL’s best with an incomplete roster, losing at Ferris 72-50, on Friday, Jan. 28. Cheney was still without their leading scorer and rebounder Evan Stinson. Garrett Heutt was added to the coronavirus protocol list earlier in the day, but at full strength the “Hawks” would still have had a huge challenge. Ferris has eight seniors on the roster and they all could be starters. The Saxons are known for their tough defense and strong rebou...

  • Saxon girls top Cheney, 54-29

    Cheney Free Press|Updated Feb 3, 2022

    SPOKANE -- The Ferris Saxon senior basketball players were celebrated royally by their faithful followers on Friday night, Jan. 28. And the veteran girls team showed their appreciation by putting on a great show and easily defeated the young Cheney Blackhawks, 54-29. Ferris has six seniors on the roster and it was obvious they had learned much from the coaching staff over the last four years. Using a tenacious man-to-man helping defense, some half-court traps and lots of steals that led to easy breakaway baskets, the five...

  • Cheney wrestlers struggles against Ferris at Home

    Jonathan Olsen-Koziol, Cheney Free Press|Updated Feb 3, 2022

    CHENEY – The spotlights flooded the center of the Cheney high school gym on Tuesday night for a wrestling showdown between the Blackhawks and the Ferris Saxons. The Saxons may have been in enemy territory, but they made themselves right at home in Cheney. Between the cheerleaders domineering spirit and the wrestlers performances, the Blackhawks were definitely challenged in their home turf....

  • MCC Champs Swim Meet Results

    Jonathan Olsen-Koziol, Cheney Free Press|Updated Feb 3, 2022

    CHENEY – Here are the notable results for the Cheney Blackhawks final swim meet of the season. Ben P. Schreiber placed third in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:03.68. Luke Wilcox placed eleventh in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:21.23. Maxwell T. Hemenway placed seventeenth in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:33.79. Cheney placed fifth in the 400-yard freestyle relay with a time of 3:57.85. Cheney scored fifth in the 200-yard medley relay with...

  • West Plains Police News

    Updated Feb 3, 2022

    Cheney Free Press Jan. 25 Tools stolen from vehicle on the 1500 block of Fifth Street. Verbal dispute on the 500 block of Second Street. Money stolen via an online/phone scam on the 1000 block of Second Street. Jan. 26 Jarrod T. Grubb, 33-year-old male was arrested on a felony DOC warrant, two misdemeanor warrants, and refusing to comply with police on the zero block of Cheney-Spokane Road. Verbal dispute reported on the 500 block of Second Street. Jan. 27 Watch stolen from vehicle on the zero block of North Eighth Street. Ve...

Page Down