Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 27
MEDICAL LAKE – City revenues were much higher at the end of 2023 than expected. City Finance Direcotr Koss Ronhalt presented a fourth-quarter budget report for 2023 during the Feb. 6 City Council meeting. “We’ve concluded the year on a positive note,” Ronhalt said. “Revenues surpassed expectations by $300,000, while operating expenditures remained approximately $1.2 million lower, primarily due to the negotiated Police contract.” The report highlighted achievements in financial management, with all departments maintaining...
MEDICAL LAKE – The City Council delved into the prospect of partnering with the Spokane Historic Preservation Office to identify and safeguard historical assets in the city during a Feb. 6 meeting. Logan Camporeale, a specialist with the Spokane Historic Preservation Office, outlined the potential advantages of such a collaboration. Camporeale underscored the importance of preserving Medical Lake’s historical resources, emphasizing how it fosters a sense of belonging and community pride, maximizes existing assets, sho...
CHENEY – In a collaborative effort aimed at addressing the future landscape of the city, officials from the Planning Commission and City Council convened Feb. 6 to delve into the intricacies of the Cheney Land Quantity Needs Analysis. Aren Murcar, Project Manager at SCJ Alliance, a civil engineering company, led the presentation, emphasizing the significance of the session as “a high-level meeting.” The discussion primarily revolved around housing needs, buildable lands and economic opportunities in the city and its urban...
MEDICAL LAKE – City officials are considering a contract with Cintas Corp. to provide supplies for maintenance operations. According to City Administrator Sonny Weathers, maintenance crews are overwhelmed. He brought up the subject during a recent City Council meeting. “All these things that happen with our maintenance crew and our wastewater treatment plant employees where supplies and clothing items and rags and all these things that are constant,” he said, noting the company specializes in providing supplies. “We’r...
AIRWAY HEIGHTS – The City Council greenlit the expansion of the Police Department’s K9 units during a meeting Feb. 12. Officer Kayla Franck advocated for the initiation of a Crisis K9 program, while Chief Brad Richmond presented the case for the continuation of the Narcotics K9 Program. Franck’s proposal centered around the establishment of a Crisis K9 Program, aimed at enhancing community engagement and mental health support. “One key aspect,” Franck noted, “is that a dog gets people talking.” Leveraging the bond between...
BOYS BASKETBALL Cheney ousted in tie-breaker SPOKANE —The Cheney boys saw their basketball season end in a playoff tiebreaker last week following a loss in their final Greater Spokane League game. Cheney landed in a three-way tie with Ferris and Mead for the final playoff spot and played a tiebreaker Feb. 8 at Mead. Ferris topped Cheney 25-22 in one three-quarter tiebreaker game with Coleman Randles scoring 8 to lead his team. The host Panthers used a 17-10 second quarter to oust the Blackhawks in the second game, played for...
SPOKANE VALLEY – Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to reports of a potential shooting in the 4900 block of East Upriver Drive on February 11. An anonymous caller relayed that an altercation had erupted in the parking lot, culminating in someone discharging a firearm toward a vehicle before fleeing the scene. Through thorough investigation and witness testimonies, authorities identified the suspect as 35-year-old Billy R. Olson. Initial findings suggest that Ols...
SPOKANE VALLEY – Sexual Assault Unit (SAU) Detectives took steps in pursuing justice as they secured a warrant for the arrest of Gregory C. Boris, a 42-year-old Level-2 Registered Sex Offender implicated in a violent sexual assault on February 5. Boris, residing in Kennewick, was apprehended in the Tri-Cities based on the warrant and subsequently transferred to Spokane County Jail. The incident unfolded on February 5 around 11:20 pm when Spokane Valley Deputies responded to r...
SPOKANE VALLEY – The pedestrian who was the victim of a hit-and-run on January 24 has passed away in the hospital due to the severe injuries sustained, says Spokane Valley Deputies. Authorities are seeking to elevate the charges against the suspect, 64-year-old John R. Townshend, from hit-and-run causing injury to hit-and-run causing death. Townshend remains in custody at the Spokane County Jail under the initial charge of causing injury, with a bond set at $25,000. A...
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Eastern Washington University hosted the 5th Annual Spokane Cyber Cup Competition on Saturday February 10. Nearly 170 high school and college students from Washington, Idaho and Montana worked in teams to compete in various cyber challenges, including a capture the flag cybersecurity competition. Alex Moomaw, Lewis Thomas, David Parker, Tristen Greene, and Robert Rutherford receiving first place....
SPOKANE — The Spokane County Auditor’s Office announced the following preliminary Feb. 13 special election results before press time: Reardan-Edwall School District Proposition No. 1 Yes 328 (43.62%) No 424 (56.38%) Town of Fairfield Proposition No. 1 Yes 90 (90.91%) No 9 (9.09%) Cheney School District Proposition No. 1 Yes 3,320 (55.13%) No 2,702 (44.87%) Proposition No. 2 Approved 3,246 (53.82%) Rejected 2,785 (46.18%) Proposition No. 3 Yes 3,426 (57.94%) No 2,487 (42.06%) Great Northern School District Proposition No. 1 Y...
RITZVILLE – Ninth Legislative District lawmakers are planning virtual meetings to hear from residents. Republican Reps. Joe Schmick of Colfax and Mary Dye of Pomeroy will host a virtual meeting at today, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15. Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, is planning a virtual session for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21. The 9th Legislative District includes Eastern Adams and Franklin, Southern Spokane, Whitman and other counties. The district includes the cities of Cheney and Medical Lake, among others. Reps. S...
SPOKANE — The 5th Congressional District will have an opening next year. Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Spokane, announced Thursday, Feb. 8, that she is not seeking re-election. “It’s been the honor and privilege of my life to represent the people of Eastern Washington in Congress,” she said. “After much prayer and reflection, I’ve decided the time has come to serve them in new ways. I will not be running for re-election to the People’s House.” The 5th Congression...
Airway Heights AIRWAY HEIGHTS — Police reported the following arrests between Feb. 2-12: Feb. 2 April R.C. Davis arrested for fourth-degree assault-domestic violence in the 13600 block of West Sixth Avenue. Feb. 5 Christopher G. Noakes arrested for second-degree burglary (commercial) in the 2500 block of South Hayford Road. Feb. 7 Michelle A. Abrahamson arrested for fourth-degree assault-domestic violence near West Highway 2 and South Lyons Road. Feb. 12 Kyle R. Abrahamson arrested for false reporting, obstruction of a law e...
Malden to fete new Town Hall MALDEN — The community will celebrate the opening of the new Town Hall during a ribbon-cutting ceremony today, Thursday, Feb. 15. The event is set for 2 p.m. at 14 W. Moreland Ave. and is open to the public. The new Town Hall will house the Clerk’s Office, the local post office and the fire station. All three were destroyed in the Babb Road Fire on Sept. 7, 2020. Presidents’ Day changes on tap SPOKANE — Several Spokane County offices and agencies will be closed Monday, Feb. 19, in observance of Pr...
Several days ago, the Wall Street Journal issued a report about California’s “soaring electricity rates.” Average residential rates for investor-owned utility customers have surged by 72% to 127% over the past 10 years. About 2.5 million households there are behind on their bills, averaging $733 in arrears. According to the Energy Information Administration, California has the second highest average retail price for electricity at $.22 per kilowatt-hour. Fuel prices in California are the highest in the nation at an avera...
There was a time many years ago when our state was generally safe and did not have a serious crime problem. Unfortunately, that was then… and this is now. Washington is now among the nation’s leaders in several crimes, including auto and retail theft. While the nation’s violent crime rate dropped slightly from 2021 to 2022, our state saw an increase, according to the FBI. According to a report by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, there were 394 murders in Washington in 2022, an increase of 16.6% over 2...
Judith Arlene (Sauer) Zappone went to the Lord on Jan. 22, 2024 in Spokane, with her six children and family by her side. Judy was born Oct. 15, 1939, at home in Lamont, Wash. to Julius and Bertha Sauer, the second of six children. She graduated from Lamont High School in 1957. In 1958, Judy was selected as queen of the United Service Organization. She earned a degree from Kinman Business College. While on a bowling league, she met Bill Zappone, a school teacher. They married...
We need to unite to tackle fentanyl As an emergency physician, I see too many patients and families destroyed fentanyl epidemic. This is a plague that we can only face united. Four decades ago, many dismissed the impact of secondhand cigarette smoke. History shows us they were wrong. Today, “educated experts” dismiss what they call trace amounts of fentanyl on public transportation – buses, light rail, and ferries. The difference? Fentanyl is considerably more toxic. The time for hiding the effects of addiction and leavi...
MEDICAL LAKE — As communities continue to navigate the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Medical Lake Food Bank Association is taking proactive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of both clients and volunteers with the introduction of a new drive-through facility. Association Secretary Vickie Kennedy said the purpose is rooted in addressing needs exacerbated by the pandemic and related shutdowns. “Prior to the pandemic, people could park out...
TACOMA – Cheney will send four wrestlers to Mat Classic XXXV in Tacoma this weekend, including one individual champion following 3A Region 4 competition Feb. 9-10 at University High School in Spokane. Topping the list is Trenton Moore who captured the 175-pound title and looks to improve on his 2023 trip to Tacoma where he was sixth. Mason Bennett participated in his first state competition last year as an alternate, but goes this time as runner-up at 144 pounds. C.J. B...
QUINCY – Two Medical Lake boys qualified for the state Mat Classic tournament after placing in the Top 4 at regionals Feb. 10. Wrestling at 215, True Cole brought home a third-place finish to qualify. And at 157, Carsen Buenzli finished fourth to secure the final spot. Cole's regionals saw him with pins over Lizando Sanchez of Cashmere in 49 seconds, D.J. Frerks of Quincy in 1:46 and Brady Martin of Riverside (Nine Mile Falls) in 2:49. His only lost was in the semifinals, wher...
CHENEY – The Cheney girls basketball team ended the season on a positive and in the direction the program will trend following a 53-41 win over North Central on Feb. 9. In the battle for who avoids the basement in the Greater Spokane League, a decisive fourth quarter in which the Blackhawks outscored the Wolfpack 14-9 allowed Cheney to grab its lone league win to finish 1-8 (5-15 overall). The trio of Kiah Klauss, Natalie Richards and Mia Ashcroft each scored 10 points, sendin...
CHENEY – The Blackhawks’ budding girls wrestling program had big growth in 2023-24. That continues this weekend when the team doubles its Mat Classic attendees. Jalisca Holmgren will wrestle at state in the 125-pound class and Jenny Tian at 110 pounds. Meanwhile, Liberty’s Kariyah Strobel will wrestle at state at 140 pounds and Medical Lake’s Lyla Heinemann will be an alternate at 130 pounds. “Last year, we took one and this year Cheney builds on that and gets two girls int...
