Articles from the March 26, 2015 edition


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  • Cheney electrical rates to go up May 1

    John McCallum, Editor|Updated Mar 26, 2015

    For the first time in 14 years, Cheney residents will likely see an increase in the rate they are charged to consume electricity. At its last meeting in March on Tuesday night, the Cheney City Council unanimously approved a 6 percent increase in the electrical usage rate for both residential and commercial. The rate is scheduled to take effect May 1 to allow for public comment. Light Department Director Joe Noland told the council the last rate increase took place in 2001. Since then the city’s revenues from electrical s...

  • What's Happening on the West Plains

    Updated Mar 26, 2015

    City of Cheney • March 27, Baby Play and Learn Storytime (ages 0 – 18 months), community library, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. • March 27, Free AARP Tax-Aide, community library, noon – 5 p.m. • March 30, Dance Class, Wren Pierson Community Center, 7:15 – 8:15 p.m. • March 31, Senior Light Fitness, Wren Pierson Community Center, 9 – 10 a.m. • March 31, Community Conversation, “Aspirations, Challenges and Needed Changes,” community library, 6:30 – 8 p.m. • April 1, Toddler Play and Learn Storytime (ages 1 1/2 – 3), community library, 10...

  • West Plains Chamber of Commerce recognizes 'Best of the West'

    Updated Mar 26, 2015

    Last Friday evening, 270 attendees gathered Friday evening at Northern Quest Resort and Casino to congratulate award recipients at the West Plains Chamber of Commerce's "Best of the West" annual recognition ceremony. Chamber president John Francisco, chief of energy resources at Inland Power and Light, told those gathered that the chamber had received 56 nominations this year, with 200 ballots being cast Before the awards began, a special tribute and Hall of Fame induction...

  • West Plains Police News

    Updated Mar 26, 2015

    CHENEY March 13 After further investigation of a minor in possession and conspiracy to commit theft incident earlier in the day, police arrested Nolan F. Atoa, 18, for third-degree theft/shoplifting and MIP. March 16 Second-degree theft was reported on the 100 block of Alki Street. Second-degree theft was reported on the 200 block of Simpson Parkway. Third-degree theft was reported on the 100 block of Third Street. March 17 A sudden death was reported on the 600 block of Lincoln Street. A 15-year-old was arrested at Cheney Hi...

  • Thank you from StageWest Community Theatre Inc.

    Updated Mar 26, 2015

    StageWest Community Theatre, Inc. just finished their run of Paul Elliott’s “Exit Laughing.” We enjoyed large crowds for most of our performances. We would like at this time thank the members of Emmanuel Lutheran Church for the generous use of their building for our auditions, rehearsals, and performances of this play. We would also like to give a hearty thank you to Mike Hartman for the delicious dinner he catered for our dinner theatre. More thanks also goes to the members of the community that continue to support us throu...

  • More input needed in next Cheney bond vote

    Updated Mar 26, 2015

    On April 28 the Cheney School District will rerun its $44.88 million bond issue intended to fund a massive remodeling of Cheney High School. Call it “Bond Version 2.0” if you will as if it were compared to the latest release of a software product. The district’s revised effort attempts to address minor glitches that they think resulted in the Feb. 10 ballot measure that fell about 1.5 percent — 100 voters or so we’re told — short of the 60 percent needed for passage. But is this version being rushed to taxpayers too soon ...

  • Sorry, fossil fuels are not going away soon

    DON C. BRUNELL, Contributor|Updated Mar 26, 2015

    Folks in the Pacific Northwest may not like what Matt Ridley has to say, but we should consider his points about energy. Ridley, a British journalist and author of several popular books on science, the environment and the economy, is a businessman and member of the House of Lords. He is often shunned because he owns land where coal is mined. Recently, Ridley wrote in The Wall Street Journal that while oil, gas and coal have problems, their benefits are beyond dispute. He...

  • West Plains Briefs

    Updated Mar 26, 2015

    Helen Boots honored Helen (Babb) Boots, a long-time Cheney resident will be honored with an open house sponsored by the Cheney Beta Sigma Phi on Saturday, March 28 from 2 – 4 p.m. at the United Church of Christ fellowship hall. Everyone who lives and works in Cheney is invited to attend and shake this lady’s hand or at least say thank you for making Cheney, Cheney. Feed Cheney March meal On Monday March 30, Feed Cheney will offer the monthly dinner and groceries. It’s free and available to all, without any qualifying requi...

  • 'No Rules' rocks St. Anne's

    AL STOVER|Updated Mar 26, 2015

    Members of the "No Rules" band performed at the St. Anne's Parish Hall during the March 21 Medical Lake Dollars for Scholars "Spring Thing" fundraiser....

  • Hallett Elementary honors PACE students

    Updated Mar 26, 2015

    Hallett Elementary announced the Partners Advancing Character Education (PACE) award winners for February. The trait of the month is honesty. PACE — Alison Brogan, Garrek Papiez, Lillian Jeffries, Tanna Pedersen, Dillon Crewdson-Bahr, Isaiah Bowser, Caaden Bortfeld, Melissa Plute, Rya Monroe, Ginny Lindley, Isaac Sweeney, Liam Earl, Gavin Chaffee, Joseph Griffey, Damien Valdez and Aubrey Wiley. Bug — Kaya Vio, Quinn Rossman, Tommy Wethington Dominick Dunham, James Oliver, Andrew Griffey, Justice Armstrong, Natalie Stu...

  • CHS February students of the month

    Updated Mar 26, 2015

    Cheney High School has released its February Students of the Month. Students are listed by name, department and their class standing as follows: Trevor Babcock, health and fitness, sophomore; Savannah Balderree, art, senior; Clayton Beard, vocal music, junior; Drew Colvin, science, senior; Crystal Day, language arts, sophomore; Leanna Eik, instrumental music, senior; Frederick MacIntyre, social studies, junior; Andrew Garrard, support services, junior; Ciarra Gay, business,...

  • Medical Lake Middle School March PACE winners

    AL STOVER|Updated Mar 26, 2015

    Medical Lake Middle School honored six students who were selected for the March Partners Advancing Character Education (PACE) Student of the Month award. They received certificates and T-shirts and were treated to a special lunch March 20 provided by Denny's Harvest Foods and the school. February's PACE trait of the month was diligence. From left to right: Nicole Ehr, Alex Dunay, Masie Dorcheus, Isaac Outhenthapanya, Belen Armendarez and Kadean Lizama....

  • Homelessness presents unique challenges for Cheney schools

    John McCallum, Editor|Updated Mar 26, 2015

    Cheney School District Director of Student Support Services Kristi Thurston is worried when she thinks about homeless students in the district. When it comes to homeless students, there are many worries. Worries about getting those identified as homeless enrolled. Worries about providing some degree of stability in their lives to help with their receiving a good education. And there’s the worry of identification — perhaps the biggest. “I worry that there is a family living somewhere who we don’t know about.” Thurston...

  • ML board approves policy to change credit requirements

    AL STOVER, Staff Reporter|Updated Mar 26, 2015

    At its March 17 meeting, the Medical Lake school board of directors went through a lengthy agenda that included approving a first reading of a policy that would change the number of credits required to graduate high school. Under policy 2140 - "Graduation Requirements," students who enter ninth grade after July 1, 2015 and are scheduled to graduate in 2019, will be required to complete 24 credits - a recommendation from the Washington state Board of Education. The change in...

  • ML Boy Scouts pizza feed to raise money for hike

    Updated Mar 26, 2015

    Medical Lake Boy Scout Troop 307 is holding a pizza feed, silent auction and bake sale to raise funds to buy equipment for their 50-mile hike this summer. The fundraiser takes place Saturday, March 28, from 4 – 7 p.m. at Medical Lake’s Pizza Factory. Prices for all-you-can-eat pizza are $8 for individuals ages 12 and up, $5 for children age 4 – 11 with kids under age 4 eating free. There will be a silent auction for a variety of gift certificates....

  • Fender bender?

    John McCallum|Updated Mar 26, 2015

    Neither driver was seriously injured in this two-car collision that took place Tuesday morning at the intersection of North Sixth Street and Betz Road in Cheney....

  • Museum needs phone books

    Updated Mar 26, 2015

    The Cheney Historical Museum is seeking donations of Cheney phone books from 1970 to 2000. The local phone book has a wealth of historical information. The museum has large gaps in its collection, and no one else in the community has a complete set., so check those old storage spots and bring those old phone books to the museum. Call, text, or email Joan at 509-235-9015 or director@cheneymuseum .org....

  • Looking back with the Cheney Historical Museum

    Updated Mar 26, 2015

    On Thursday, March 26, 1896, Anna Deakin Marshall wrote in her journal, “Wind all day and cloudy.” Learn more about our area’s history at www.cheneymuseum.org....

  • Medical Lake housing development queued north of SR 902

    AL STOVER, Staff Reporter|Updated Mar 26, 2015

    An area north of State Route 902 in Medical Lake will continue to have some growth in housing developments in the upcoming months. Back in February, city staff approved a short plat — or subdivision — for housing developments along Stanley Street and Kathy Lee Avenue. City Administrator Doug Ross explained that short plats are approved through the administration and not required to be brought to the Planning Commission, as opposed to preliminary plats for large developments. “The development is four lots that are zoned resid...

  • Osborne resigns from Airway Heights commission

    AL STOVER, Staff Reporter|Updated Mar 26, 2015

    The Airway Heights Planning Commission dropped one member at its March 11 meeting. Development Services Director Derick Braaten announced that Rita Osborne officially resigned from her position as commission chair due to personal reasons. Osborne had recently started her second term on the Planning Commission prior to her resignation. She previously served as vice chair and was promoted to chair in 2012. “She’s really put in a lot of time here over the years,” Braaten said. “When someone asks ‘why we go through commissio...

  • Cheney High School announces tours

    Updated Mar 26, 2015

    The public is invited to tour Cheney High School to learn more about the Cheney High School $44.88 million construction bond. The dates available for the tour are Wednesday, April 1; Thursday, April 16; and Monday, April 20. All tours begin at 8:15 a.m. Please RSVP by contacting CHS Principal Troy Heuett at [email protected]. Plan to convene at the main office and participate in a guided tour. If you would like to tour the high school but the above dates and/or times will not work for you, please contact Heuett to make...

  • Medical Lake City Council says 'yes' to curbside local recycling

    AL STOVER, Staff Reporter|Updated Mar 26, 2015

    Medical Lake will be the latest city in Spokane County to participate in curbside recycling. At its March 17 meeting, the City Council unanimously approved a resolution to amend utility rates and fees to add $3 to the current $14.70 in garbage fees to residential accounts to pay for curbside recycling. They also voted to amend the city’s current contract for disposal with Sunshine Recycling and Disposal to include curbside recycling services. While some cities in Spokane County pay $5.75 for curbside recycling, Medical Lake w...

  • Spokane County proposes area park improvements

    AL STOVER, Staff Reporter|Updated Mar 26, 2015

    When Spokane County published a list of potential park improvement projects to gain public input and to help prioritize and guide future decisions, Airway Heights Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director J.C. Kennedy was surprised to see that the proposed 70-acre Airway Heights sports complex was not on it. Spokane County has 27 projects on their park improvement list, one being a 93,0000 square-foot, $27 million multi-purpose sports complex on the North Bank in downtown Spokane, right behind Riverfront Park....

  • Swoop speak

    Updated Mar 26, 2015

    Eastern Washington University mascot Swoop provides some "remarks" to the crowd at Northern Quest Casino and Resort after winning the "Uniquely West Plains" award at the West Plains Chamber of Commerce's annual "Best of the West" awards banquet last Friday night. For a complete list of award winners, see Neighbors, page 6...

  • Missel reduction

    John McCallum, Editor|Updated Mar 26, 2015

    An era will end June 30 as Cheney High School assistant principal and athletics director Jim Missel has announced his retirement at the end of the school year. Missel said the decision has been in the works for awhile, and this past weekend he and his wife Robin did a lot of thinking and talking, including a phone call from Jim to his brother Tom, currently a private investigator but also an Eastern Washington University line coach and assistant coach under former head coach Paul Wulff. “He said, ‘Jim, life’s too short...

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