Articles from the September 23, 2021 edition


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  • Gonzaga Prep dominates Cheney

    Roger Harnack, Cheney Free Press|Updated Sep 23, 2021

    SPOKANE – It was all Bullpups. A bad snap on the first play from scrimmage cost the visiting Blackhawks 13 yards and set the tone for Friday night's game as Gonzaga Prep rolled over Cheney. Cheney (0-3) heads to West Valley (Spokane) this Friday night to play the Eagles (1-1). Kick off is at 7 p.m. The Eagles opened their season Sept. 3 with a 35-17 win over Class 1A Newport, then fell Sept. 10 to Lakeland (Rathdrum, Idaho), 42-13. Last Friday's West Valley at East Valley (...

  • Updated Sep 23, 2021

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  • Employees, residents reject city vaccine mandate

    Scott Davis, Staff Reporter|Updated Sep 23, 2021

    CHENEY – More than a dozen residents spoke or wrote letters in opposition of vaccine mandates at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. Concerns voiced in the public comment portion ranged from possible negative health effects resulting from receiving the vaccine to infringements on civil liberties. The outpouring of frustration and anger has arisen from Resolution No. E-942 that would make the COVID-19 vaccination a condition of employment, to fight the rapidly spreading so-called “Delta” variant of the virus. The resolut...

  • Students return to Eastern dorms

    Scott Davis, Staff Reporter|Updated Sep 23, 2021

    CHENEY –, Eastern Washington University received an injection of life last Thursday and Friday as incoming students were welcomed back to campus dorms for the 2021-22 academic school years. Roughly 960 students are returning for in-person learning for the first time since COVID-19 mandates pushed classes online. The move-in days grew into the weekend as students began returning to off-campus apartments as well. New students are required to show proof of vaccination and go thro...

  • Anti-mandate protesters rally in Cheney

    Scott Davis, Staff Reporter|Updated Sep 23, 2021

    CHENEY – A symphony of honking car horns echoed down First Street last Thursday evening, Sept. 16, as a procession of nearly 30 sign-waving “anti-mandate” protestors paraded down the sidewalk. The march was the culmination of a rally that began beneath the gazebo at Sutton Park, where 6th Legislative District Rep. Mike Voltz, R-Spokane, spoke out against the Gov. Jay Inslee’s vaccine requirements for state workers and school employees. “This is not a Republican, Democrat...

  • Body cameras and tasers funding questioned

    Scott Davis, Staff Reporter|Updated Sep 23, 2021

    CHENEY – A proposal to purchase body cameras for the Police Department was tabled for the next City Council meeting due to questions over funding. The total, including 16 new tasers, would cost the City $182,763 and be billed as a “discretionary request.” The need for body cameras arose from policing reforms handed down from the state because of the national spotlight on alleged police brutality. According to the new requirements, officers need to record interviews with all witnesses and victims, and any interaction with...

  • Airway Heights adds Hayford/U.S. 2 road modifications

    Matthew O. Stephens, Staff Reporter|Updated Sep 23, 2021

    AIRWAY HEIGHTS – Road crews will begin improving the intersection of Hayford Road and U.S. Highway 2 on Sept. 20 causing multiple lane closures and detours through Oct. 15. Drivers can expect some sections of Hayford to remain closed from through at least Oct. 1, Airway Heights City Engineer Mark Bergam said. Project leaders allocated four weeks for the project, but hope the work will be finished between in 2-3 weeks. The goal is to have two southbound left-turn lanes between Numerica and Wal-Mart, Bergam said. There is o...

  • Clover Street rezoning moves to final reading

    Scott Davis, Staff Reporter|Updated Sep 23, 2021

    CHENEY – The Clover Street Rezoning Project was moved to a third reading after an outpouring of support from neighbors at last Tuesday’s City Council meeting. Nearly a dozen concerned members spoke or wrote in favor of the ongoing effort to redesignate an R-2 multi-family zone to an R-1 single-family zone within the Clover Court/West Sixth Street area. Those in favor the redesignation raised concerns over the introduction of Eastern Washington University students – and the associated issues resulting from parties and noise...

  • Cheney Parks and Rec hosts truck event

    Matthew O Stephens, Reporter|Updated Sep 23, 2021

    CHENEY – More than 300 people came out in the rain to see and learn about a variety of trucks gathered at Cheney Middle School on Sept. 18. The chilly morning air didn't stop folks from attending the free event from 10 a.m. to noon that allowed children and adults alike to check out the showcased apparatus. Cheney Parks and Recreation started the "Touch A Truck" event in 2019, and was able to host the event again this year after having to cancel last year due to COVID city R...

  • Eastern State Hospital CEO Steps Down

    MATTHEW O. STEPHENS, Reporter|Updated Sep 23, 2021

    MEDICAL LAKE - Eastern State Hospital Chief Executive Officer Mark Kettner resigned effective Tuesday, September 14 amid backlash about his administration’s mishandling of previous complaints about a nurse that is now accused of murder. With the resignation Kettner’s personal investigation closes, and the Interim CEO Tony Bowie will temporarily step into the position until a more permanent candidate is chosen. The investigation was regarding the way his administration handled previous allegations regarding former nurse Jos...

  • Are we too divided to remember?

    DREW LAWSON, The Davenport Times|Updated Sep 23, 2021

    Have we become too divided as a country to properly honor those lost to tragedy? This question has crossed my mind multiple times in the last week, which was largely focused on recollecting the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States. Saturday was the 20-year anniversary of the attacks. I was glad to see many tributes and well-written, thoughtful notes in print, online and via social media commemorating and honoring the 2,977 lost, including 340 firefighters and 72 law enforcement officers. Unfortunately, I also saw...

  • Individual risk vs. community risk during a pandemic

    Dr. Kathy Crispell, Colfax-based telemedicine|Updated Sep 23, 2021

    It is human nature to think of risk in terms of how it pertains to us as individuals. It is understandable how one might think that their own risk is very low of being infected by SARS COV-2 virus, the virus that causes COVID19 disease, when only 10% of those who become infected in the USA develop symptoms severe enough to be hospitalized. An individual may also believe that their own risk is very low if they are generally healthy, not obese, not elderly, not a diabetic, or do not have other major health problems. However,...

  • Writing 'Wuhan coronavirus' is editorializing

    Updated Sep 23, 2021

    The Sept. 16 story, “WSU orders 4-H volunteers to get vaccinated” was listed in your news section and clearly consisted of the personal views held by your publisher (who wrote the piece). The author’s reference to the “Wuhan coronavirus” was wrong and irresponsible. This terminology perpetuates racial violence. Such personal views belong in the editorial or opinion section. Holly Lynch Cheney...

  • West Plains Briefs

    Updated Sep 23, 2021

    Book Clubs returning to Medical Lake MEDICAL LAKE — Local Book Clubs are returning to the Medical Lake branch of Spokane County Library District. Organizational meetings are planned for 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 22, and 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 25. The meetings are open to the public. The local branch library is located at 321 E. Herb St. Community Coat Drive CHENEY — It is Community Coat Drive time. New coats only may be donated at various locations around the city. All sizes are needed. The coats will be distributed from 9 a...

  • Deutchesfest 2021

    Updated Sep 23, 2021

    Photo by Roger Harnack | Free Press Publishing Brenda Hulett of Cheney plays the accordion as a member of the Oom Pas and Mas during the annual Deutchesfest celebration. The polka band provided the primary entertainment during the festival that attracted thousands of visitors to Odessa from Sept. 16-19. Brenda Hulett's husband, Donovan Hulett, is also part of the band, playing the trumpet....

  • Writer's Workshop

    Updated Sep 23, 2021

    When I was a little girl, I lived a magical life. Like a fairy princess.... Never mind, you already know that’s baloney. I remember a time when I was so disillusioned by whatever my parents were doing that I wanted to run away. Now I’m a planner and always have been. So it should come as no surprise that at a tender young age of four or five, I carefully planned my escape from my captors, Mom and Dad. I have no idea what they did to deserve such a punishment as me denying them my delightful presence. It must have been so bad...

  • Cliff and Jean Gresham Celebration of Life

    Updated Sep 23, 2021

    Celebration of Life for Cliff and Jean Gresham. Fri., Oct. 1, 2021. 3:00 PM Service at Emmanuel Lutheran Church. 639 Elm St. Cheney, WA 99004. Cake & Punch Reception to follow in Church Basement....

  • Celebration of Life

    Updated Sep 23, 2021

    Celebration of Life for Malinda Sautter on Sunday, Oct 3rd from 1 – 4 PM. Located at the Wren Pierson Building in Cheney, Wash., 615 4th St. There will be a short program at 2:00 PM....

  • Ruth J. Fox

    Updated Sep 23, 2021

    Ruth J. Fox June 6, 1937 - Sept. 15, 2021 Ruth J. Fox was born on June 6, 1937, in Seattle, Wash., and died on Sept. 15, 2021, in Spokane, Wash. She was preceded in death by her parents, Irvin and Arleen Josephson, and in-laws John and Rawena Fox. Ruth married Gerald Fox on Dec. 14, 1957, and they lived in Winona, Everett, Seattle, Spokane, and Cheney, Wash. Gerald passed away on May 13, 2006. Ruth graduated from Ballard High School in 1955 and was Ballard Seafair Queen the...

  • West Plains Police News

    Updated Sep 23, 2021

    Medical Lake Reports September 15 Reckless driving was reported on South Prentis Street and East Campbell Street at 3:30 p.m. A suspicious person was reported around East Kathy Lee Avenue and North Graham Road at 7:45 p.m. September 16 A trespassing report was made in the 100 block of North Lefevre Street at 3:30 p.m. September 17 A call was made reporting an assault in the 2300 block of South Salnave Street. Officer arrived and placed the suspect under arrest. Suspect was released with a citation. September 18 A noise...

  • Chronic Wasting Disease a concern as hunting season begins

    Matthew O. Stephens, Reporter|Updated Sep 23, 2021

    CHENEY – The state Department of Fish and Wildlife is conducting an intensive surveillance program to monitor possible cases of Chronic Wasting Disease in regional populations of deer, elk, moose, etc. The monitoring program comes as hunting season gets underway. It is legislatively funded and being implemented after multiple case were found less than 200 miles away in Libby, Mont. “Chronic Wasting Disease is a definite risk to the area being as close as Libby,” Spokane District Wildlife Biologist Michael Atamian said. Atami...