Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 43
Several visiting Eastern Washington University urban planning students got a chance at Monday night’s Cheney Planning Commission meeting to hear what most – if not all – Cheney residents have shied away from: commission discussion of revisions to the city’s zoning codes. The commission continued with its rapid review work in a workshop that covered eight chapters, two of which regarding neighborhood shopping centers and downtown commercial were deleted to form one new chapter – Commercial (C-1, C-2 and MX) Zones. Elements of...
Cheney Mayor Tom Trulove thought so highly of John Taves that he appointed him in September 2012 to fill the uncompleted term of council member Mike McKeehan. Now John is running for election to Position 3 on the Cheney City Council. We enthusiastically endorse his candidacy. We got to know John for his work on the board of the Cheney-Spokane Chapter of the Ice Age Floods Institute. We have been impressed by his personality, professionalism and his work ethic. We believe he is exceptionally well qualified for this position....
I find myself sitting in sort of an opinion-column no man’s land right now. The obvious topics, Congress, federal spending, debt default and other goodies will have played out in some sort of end game by the time this column reaches your coffee table. Not much use in discussing these until next time around. Since I won’t write again until after Halloween and the Nov. 5 general election – kind of the same thing – I thought I’d talk about two things: Initiative 517 and candy corn. I-517 would make it easier for initiativ...
The Cheney Merchants Association would like to thank the candidates that spoke and the public who came to listen at our first Candidates Forum. It was nice to have the turn out we did, and thank you for all the feedback. We have never tried this before and have learned a lot about what to do in the future (such as) have cards to signal the candidates how their time is flowing, get the room for more time so we can have a public question and answer time and an official emcee to run the show. Hope to see you and all your...
Washington’s 731 certified organic farms are an economic powerhouse, generating $284.4 million in farm gate sales (price paid to farmers) in 2011. According to the USDA, Washington ranks second in the nation for organic farm gate sales, and trade industry data shows the organic industry is creating jobs at four times the national rate. Published data shows organic farming is more profitable and economically secure than conventional farming over the long term. Organic farmers are prohibited from using genetically engineered se...
It is my pleasure to write a letter of support on behalf of Suzanne Dolle who is running for reelection to the Cheney School Board. As a teacher in the Cheney School District, I have had the unique opportunity to work with Suzanne in various capacities. From our work together, I have come to know her as a leader who continually asks the question “What is best for our kids?” Whether it is working through a yearlong process to find the best school calendar for our students or arranging discussions with teachers and state leg...
When a crowd of 9,734 showed up to watch Eastern Washington open their 2013 Big Sky Conference schedule with a 41-19 victory over Weber State it marked the largest gathering ever at Roos Field for a game that didn’t feature a team from Montana. This Saturday, when the Eagles return to face Southern Utah for a 5 p.m. kickoff in their 2013 Homecoming game, the turnstile count could surpass that. And when Montana State shows up Nov. 9 in Eastern’s next home game, if you don’t already have your ticket, enjoy the view on TV, b...
The Cheney Merchants’ Association held what they billed as a “candidates forum Oct. 7, from 6:30-8 p.m.” Those attending heard where the candidates have lived, their education and occupation, and previous involvement in community affairs. For this, I thank the CMA. The 10-minute time allotment for each candidate was strictly enforced and they finished speaking shortly after 7 p.m. At that time, citizens in the fairly large audience tried to ask questions of the candidates, but were told by someone, evidently repre...
from news service reports Eastern Washington University’s fall enrollment has set a record for the fifth consecutive year, surpassing last year’s mark by more than 200 students. The overall headcount for the fall 2013 quarter, which includes all students who take classes at every level at Eastern, is 12,791. In 2012, EWU’s overall headcount totaled 12,587. “These enrollment numbers are the byproduct of strong student retention efforts, lower tuition costs compared to other public institutions in Washington and quality...
Concerned ranchers gathered at the Jensen Memorial Youth Ranch last Friday, Oct. 11 to discuss stringent new Department of Ecology rules that could impact their business. Around 60 to 80 met at the youth ranch just outside of Medical Lake to hear what other communities were doing in regard to providing support for what they view as intrusive tactics by Ecology. “It’s amazing how many people don’t realize what’s going on,” Spokane County Cattlemen president Jim Wentland said. A...
The Cheney School District officially dedicated its newest school building, Snowdon Elementary, during ceremonies last Wednesday night. A large crowd listened to remarks by school board members Suzanne Dolle and Henry Browne, Superintendent Dr. Debra Clemens and Snowdon principal Shawna Fraser as well as a presentation by “Snowdon Cougars” students (upper left) on what they like about their new building. After the presentation those present could roam the halls to check out...
Cheney’s Katie Barone received a surprise during class last Thursday when representatives from Spokane Teachers Credit Union arrived and presented the Salnave Elementary School teacher with a $500 classroom grant, along with a gift basket. Barone was one of four area teachers selected to receive the grant funding out of more than 2,000 applicants. According to a STCU news release, the not-for-profit organization founded by educators in 1934 is honoring its roots this fall b...
Taking home three grand champion awards, and one reserve champion award, Leah Swannack stole the show at the Colfax-Palouse Empire Fair. Swannack is a sophomore at Cheney High School and a member of the Cheney FFA. In Colfax, with her FFA goat project she won freshman/sophomore fitting and showing and reserve champion for the overall FFA goat showman. In the sheep barn with her 4-H project she received grand champion ribbons for 4-H senior sheep showman and overall 4-H sheep showman. This young showman also received the...
Cheney FFA had five showmen at the Spokane Interstate Fair. Seniors Shyann Morton and Chelsea Netz were in the Swine Barn while Cassie Evaneski and Cheyanne Rightler were in the Goat Barn. The youngest of these ladies was freshman Kelci Scharff in the Beef Barn. There are many grand champion ribbons in Cheney’s hands after the fair. Netz received both grand champions Feeding Hog and she won grand champion in the Senior Fitting and Showing class. Rightler won grand in her senior fitting and showing goat class and her senior B...
CHENEY Oct. 3 A 13-year-old female was arrested for second-degree assault and sale of a controlled substance and another 13-year-old female was arrested for possession of a controlled substance at Westwood Middle School. Oct. 7 Third-degree theft was reported on the 2600 block of First Street. Keys were stolen. Gary B. Alvert, 28, was arrested for second-degree malicious mischief on the zero hundred block of Simpson Parkway. Third-degree theft was reported on the 2200 block of First Street. A cellphone was stolen....
The city of Cheney has opened a public comment period on a short plat application submitted by representatives with Steve Emtman’s Terra Vista development. The application, submitted by Whipple Consulting Engineers in Spokane Valley, calls for splitting a high-density residential parcel along Alki Street east of existing townhouses and west of The Grove student-housing complex into four separate lots, plus one remainder lot. The four new lots are approximately one acre in s...
StageWest Community Theatre had a good opening weekend of the play “It was a Dark and Stormy Night.” Due to a family tragedy, actor Richard Craven had to drop out of the play for the first two weekends. Taking his place on very short notice was Phil West who also played another role. “It was a Dark and Stormy Night” continues its run Friday and Saturday, Oct. 18-19 at 7 p.m. Performances are at Cheney Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 639 Elm St. in Cheney. Oct. 26 is the dinner theater, catered by Willow Springs Restaurant, with re...
Cheney Community Church This coming weekend Cheney Community Church celebrates its Jubilee (1963-2013) with the motto, “Branching From Our Roots Into The Future.” The community is invited Friday, Oct. 18, 7 p.m. to a musical program featuring gospel songs and hymns of the past five decades. Sunday, Oct. 20, at 10 a.m. There will be a special worship service conducted by previous pastors. An open house follows until 3 p.m. Regular activities during the week include Youth Group, 6:30 p.m. each Tuesday, and Awana Club for boy...
1 Years Ago Oct. 24, 2003 The city of Cheney expected revenues to decrease about $80,000 from its previous budget and officials were in the process of adjusting spending accordingly. Spokane County was attempting to collect nearly $31,000 in fees from the city of Medical Lake for dispatch services for the community’s police force. Mayor Jim Hill said the city would not pay the county because of their mutual aid agreement. After failing in their previous attempt to secure zoning to accommodate duplexes, developers of the t...
Cheney book club Oct. 22 A very funny novel “Where’d you go, Bernadette?” is the “Spokane is Reading” selection for 2013, and the October selection of the Book Discussion Group of the Friends of the Cheney Community Library. The group meets Tuesday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. at the library. All are welcome to attend. “Where’d you go, Bernadette?” is set in Seattle and Antarctica and is told by letters, memos, police reports, report cards and other documents. The chief correspondent is Bee Branch, a brilliant, physically hand...
Cheney City Administrator Arlene Fisher has received the “Professional Finance Officer” award for 2013 from the Washington Finance Officers Association (WFOA). The annual award recognizes achievements of professional service and ongoing continuing education and training on the part of each individual and is not automatically awarded. The WFOA is a professional association of finance officers from towns, cities, counties and the state and other governmental units within the state of Washington....
Jack Collins is looking to continue giving back to the Airway Heights community by serving on Position 2 of the Airway Heights City Council. Collins, a volunteer firefighter in the city’s Fire Department for nearly two years, said he wants to help ensure that citizens are covered and represented during the city’s growth and expansion. “I feel the next way to give back to the community is representing them on the City Council,” he said. One of the things he’d like to see in th...
Business has been good in the opening weeks for Chibu Estate Exchange in Airway Heights. Opening the store wasn’t an easy decision, but it proved to be the right move for the Okemgbo family, who have lived in the U.S. for the past eight years. Last August, they moved to Airway Heights due to a job relocation, but they couldn’t be happier. After moving to the city, Marcelina Okemgbo was searching for a way to help support her family while still being near her children dur...
There will be more than just Eastern Washington University football fans out and about this Saturday for the Eagles Homecoming. The Cheney Firefighters Local 1919 is holding their annual “Fill the Boot” campaign at various locations throughout town asking motorists to toss in any spare change or dollars they may have to help fight muscular dystrophy. According to a press release from the Muscular Dystrophy Association, firefighters became the first national sponsor for MDA in 1954, and have raised millions of dollars over the...
Skepticism was out and about at the Medical Lake City Council meeting during a presentation on Spokane County’s Proposition 1, a levy to protect Fairchild Air Force Base. Spokane County Commissioner Al French was at the meeting, seeking support for the ballot measure, which appears on the Tuesday, Nov. 5 ballot across the county. The item would buy out mobile home parks in Airway Heights encroaching on Fairchild’s runway and turn it into developable industrial land. The City Council specifically took issue with the fact that...
