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MEDICAL LAKE – Rusty Ranch, located just outside of the city, is hosting its annual pumpkin patch on Fridays through Sundays until Oct. 27. Last year, the fall attraction drew over 10,000 visitors, according to co-owner Jamie Clark, who runs the farm with her husband, Matt Clark. The Clarks' dream of raising their children on a farm led them to this venture, despite neither having a strong farming background. "Matt has a little experience, but I didn't," Jamie explained. "...
Editor's note: This is the third in a series of profiles of artists participating in the Slightly West of Spokane Studio Artist Tour set for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 30. Look for more profiles in upcoming editions of the Cheney Free Press. Cheney Free Press CHENEY - A local block printer will display his works at Stop No. 6 of the Slightly West of Spokane Studio Tour on Nov. 30. Gayle Havercroft will have his works on display along with Rosanne Anderson and Faith King...
SPOKANE - As the calendar pages turn and postseason looms, Cheney head cross country coach Derek Slaughter is seeing a better picture of that future. The Blackhawks warmed up for that by earning wins at a Greater Spokane League triple-dual, Oct. 3 and scoring solid finishes in the Battle of the 509, Oct. 5. Cheney boys had it easy at home with wins over University (19-58) and Shadle Park (19-63) where the Blackhawks took all but one of the top-eight spots. On the girls' side,...
The Rosalia High School Homecoming royal court were recognized Friday night, Oct. 4, during halftime of the football game against the visiting Waitsburg Cardinals. From left, Rosalia royalty comprises, senior Queen and King Briley Smith and Westley Bryan, juniors Nevaeh Stevens and Soren Braun, sophomores Melaina Bryan and Skyler Claffey, and fresmen Lyrah Lindhag and Liam Freidt. Rosalia partners with Tekoa High School for sports; their combined Timberwolves team lost, 14-6,...
Opel Martin dresses up to be a ghost in a pumpkin patch. Opel visits Rusty Truck Ranch as they host a 40-acre pumpkin patch just outside of Medical Lake. They are open Friday through Sunday from now until Oct. 27....
SPOKANE – Washington state has seen a significant rise in crime rates over the past five years, with increases in violent crimes, vehicle thefts, and aggravated assaults far outpacing national trends, according to a recent report by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC). Between 2019 and 2023, murders in Washington increased by 87.4%, more than five times higher than the national rate of 17.2%. The murder rate in the state has risen more than 80% since 2019. Violent crime in Washington has gone u...
CHENEY — A death investigation is currently underway following the discovery of a deceased individual in Cheney. The individual has been identified as Justin Ball, 47, with the cause and manner of death still pending further investigation. Sgt. Zeb Campbell from the Cheney Police Department said the investigation is still active. “The investigation is still ongoing,” he stated. “An autopsy of the deceased was completed yesterday, and next of kin notifications were made.” Authorities emphasize that the case will remain op...
Airway Heights Sept. 30 Semaj’a O. Hall was arrested for third-degree assault, disorderly conduct, and first-degree criminal trespassing on the 1200 block of S. Hayford Rd. Oct. 2 James W. Hemmerling was arrested for violating a domestic violence order of protection on the 13600 block of W. Sixth Ave. Abdulla A. Al Swaider was arrested for violating a domestic violence order of protection on the 12800 block of W. 12th Ave. Joseph P. Alderman was arrested for third-degree theft, shoplifting on the 1200 block of S. Hayford R...
CHENEY — Eastern Washington University (EWU) police are urging students to be careful regarding their drinks after reports emerged of potential tampering at recent fraternity and sorority parties. The Cheney Police Department is leading the investigation since the incidents occurred off campus, and Chief Jay Day confirmed that EWU police are fully cooperating with their efforts. At this time, there are no updates on the investigation. Chief Day noted that EWU police handled two similar incidents last year, responding with s...
SPRAGUE — A Spokane Valley man was killed in an early morning crash Saturday, Sept. 28, on Interstate 90. Craig E. Richardt, 61, of Spokane Valley, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash at 4:42 a.m. near Milepost 236. According to the Washington State Patrol, the crash occurred about 11 miles west of Sprague, near the south end of Sprague Lake in Adams County. Lloyd O. Arbaugh, 89, of Moses Lake, was westbound in a 1999 Dodge Ram pickup when he struck Richardt’s westbound 2009 Toyota Corolla, the patrol reported, not...
CHENEY—The Cheney Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a driver involved in a hit-and-run accident that left a pedestrian injured on Saturday evening. The incident occurred on Oct. 5 around 6:45 p.m. at the intersection of 1st Street and College Hill Street. A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle while crossing the street in a marked crosswalk, according to the Cheney Police Department. The vehicle, which was traveling southbound on 1st Street at the time of the collision, did not stop or slo...
Recently, state schools superintendent Chris Reykdal announced that he plans to ask the legislature for another $2.9 billion for public education. This would be on top of the current $20.1 billion education budget. Like the changing leaves of Fall, every year around this time Reykdal asks for more money. Let’s ask ourselves, Will pouring in more money make a difference to children? The data shows the answer is “No.” For years the state has increased education spending, and t...
SPOKANE COUNTY — As fall sets in, it’s an opportune time to focus on wildfire preparedness. Guy Gifford, Assistant Division Manager of the Community Resiliency and Prevention Department with the Department of Natural Resources, offers practical advice to safeguard your home and property. Consult a Firefighter – One of the first steps homeowners can take is to get expert advice from a firefighter. “People can go to wildfireready.com and request a firefighter to come out, no cost, walk the property, and give you one-on-...
SPOKANE COUNTY – Heating costs are projected to rise significantly this winter, with electricity-based heating costs expected to increase by 13.6% compared to 2023, according to Avista Utilities. The company has expanded its My Energy Discount program to help customers, adjusting income requirements so more people can qualify “We’re excited to expand ongoing bill discounts,” said Kelsey Solberg, Avista’s Senior Energy Program Manager. “Nearly 51,000 customers are enrolled, but we estimate another 90,000 may qualify. Un...
Sure, big city media printing the same diatribe you see on television is declining. (That’s because the city media moguls have forgotten their place in society.) And sure, with the Googles of the world, cellphones and social media have impacted our advertising, which, by the way is how we pay our bills. But in our community newspapers, we haven’t forgotten our place. Our reporters shop in the same stores, eat in the same restaurants and attend the same community functions as y...
Police investigating large shoplifting incident CHENEY – Police are investigating a Sept. 25 shoplifting incident involving four suspects who allegedly stole over $1,200 worth of merchandise from a store in the 2700 block of First Street. According to police reports, two men were seen pushing carts full of goods out of the store before loading the items into a white SUV and a silver sedan. The suspects, both described as young Black males in their 20s, fled the scene heading north on 1st Street. The case remains under i...
CHENEY – Eastern Washington University (EWU) is set to reduce its carbon footprint with the help of a $2.2 million grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce. The funding will support two major clean energy initiatives: a carbon capture system and a solar energy project. Erik Budsberg, EWU’s director of sustainability, highlighted the importance of these projects in reducing the university’s greenhouse gas emissions, much of which stem from the central heating system. “Eastern has a fairly sizable greenho...
September Bustamante passed away suddenly Sept. 21, 2024, in her home in Yorktown, Va. Born Jan. 31, 1978, in Spokane, Wash. to Bill and Kellie Jackson, September attended Sunset Elementary School in Airway Heights, Cheney Middle School and Cheney High School, graduating in 1997. September and her husband, Sam, met while he was stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base. They were married in 1997. Their married life took them to various bases. They enjoyed their many adventures....
OLYMPIA — Free Press Publishing staffers and contributors dominated the photography category for newspapers its size in the annual state Better Newspaper Contest. In addition, graphic designers and reporters won multiple awards for their work over the year spanning April 1, 2023, through March 31, 2024. The awards were presented Saturday evening, Oct. 5, at Indian Summer Golf and Country Club during the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association annual gala and meeting. During the awards banquet, Free Press photos stole t...
We made it! My name is Keely Fournier and I’m a senior at Rosalia High School as well as a sophomore at Eastern Washington University. Welcome to the Senior Journal where I will be discussing the challenges that we seniors face including community service hours, senior projects, college applications, fund raising, and everything in between. This is one of the most stressful years we will face in our teenage years, but also one of the best. It is the year where we grow into adulthood, learn lifelong lessons, and make d...
CHENEY – Cheney High School will induct their first eight Blackhawks into the Hall of Fame inductees on Oct. 17 at 6 p.m. in the high school auditorium. This class consist of Tom Oswald, class of ‘66, Brian Quinett, class of ‘84, Steve Emtman, Class of ‘88, Launi Meili, class of ‘81, Ryan Gray, Class of ‘01, Michael P. Anderson, Class of ‘77, Sandy Williams, Class of ‘79 and Terri Schmitt. Each person was nominated by alumni and had to have other qualities as well. Not only do they need to graduate from Cheney High Sch...
SPOKANE - What's that saying about "close only counts in...?" The Cheney Blackhawks got close, and in fact led the Shadle Park Highlanders late in the game at ONE Spokane Stadium, Oct. 3 before losing 22-16 in overtime. "We put ourselves a position to win a game," head coach John Graham said. "Now the next step in the program is to win those games. Shadle quarterback Kaden Hooper completed his 198-yard rushing night scoring on an 8-yard run to end it and improve his team's...
October 2024 Out in the garden pumpkins are ripe Their orange skin’s ready regardless of type. Round ones and flat ones and some that are white All hoping for faces that October Night. Some sport goose bumps and stripes of bright green Others so large Peter Pumpkin Eater’s wife can be seen. Like stars in the moonlight upon the cold land Tiny ones, too, fit the palm of my hand. Fairies and witches and creatures that roar Run through the town and knock on my door. I’ll try to appease them with candy and treats And wish them...
Stacy Ashcroft took her first “driving test” with the West Plains Little League by becoming a board member a decade ago in 2015. By 2017, the keys to the car were in her hand, and Ashcroft was at the wheel as the organization's president and traveling new roads. "We do not regularly do fundraising, but after last year our board is getting a little bit more active and we're getting more ideas flowing," Ashcroft said. The effort to raise at least $8,000 — but more is always welcome — will fund a variety of field improve...
SPANGLE – Liberty Lancers wins their homecoming game against Davenport Gorillas, 18-0 last Friday night. Liberty Coleman Tee ran for eight yards to score the first touchdown of the night as Viliami Finau kicked the extra point in the first quarter putting the score at 7-0. Prior to the ending of the second quarter, Liberty defense scored a safety by sacking the ball carrier behind the goal line. The half-time score was 9-0. The third quarter was scoreless for both teams. In t...
