Articles from the November 22, 2018 edition


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  • Fairchild hit with second lawsuit

    SHANNEN TALBOT, Staff Reporter|Updated Nov 21, 2018

    Two West Plains landowners have filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court against the federal government in the aftermath of the area’s water contamination, alleging that officials at Fairchild Air Force Base used the fire retardant irresponsibly and failed to warn neighbors of its “inherently dangerous properties.” The suit is the second filed as a result of the incident, in which firefighting foam leeched into the water table from an on-base training facility. The first was filed in April and represents more than 100 peopl...

  • 'It's a Wonderful Life' coming to StageWest this December

    Updated Nov 21, 2018

    StageWest Community Theatre presents the Lux Radio Theater Production of “It’s A Wonderful Life,” directed by Chris Booth. The play is based on the classic holiday movie but staged as a live radio broadcast. Actors portray numerous characters and perform live sound effects. “It’s A Wonderful Life” is about the life of George Bailey, a generous and well-meaning man who has become too downcast and tired to continue living. It will take help from Clarence, a loveable angel, to show George what life would be like if he wasn’t bor...

  • West Plains Briefs

    Updated Nov 21, 2018

    Spokane County solid waste holiday closures The Spokane County Public Works Department and Environmental Services Department will be closed Thursday-Friday, Nov. 22-23, 2018, in observance of the annual Thanksgiving holiday. The Spokane County Regional Solid Waste System will also close all three transfer stations (including the Waste-to-Energy Facility) on Thursday, but they will reopen on Friday, Nov. 23. Cheney book club meets Nov. 27 at local library The Cheney FOL book club will meet on Tuesday, Nov. 27 at 6:30 p.m. in...

  • Churches

    Updated Nov 21, 2018

    Cheney Congregational Church We invite everyone to join us for services Sunday, Nov. 25, at 10 a.m. Pastor David Kruegar-Duncan will continue his series on women in the early church with a sermon on “The Task of Erasing Women From the Early Church” on how women were eliminated from leadership and authority in the Christian Church. We are a welcoming and supportive congregation no matter where you are on your journey of faith. Join us after services for coffee, good conversation and fellowship. Like to sing? You are inv...

  • Looking Back

    Updated Nov 21, 2018

    1 Years Ago Nov. 20, 2008 The Cheney Municipal Court began offering internet-based hearings and payments for the first time. A new ordinance classifying street gang activity as a public nuisance was approved by the Airway Heights City Council in light of county-wide increases in gang activity. Cheney officials considered compiling a preferred renters list to provide college students with reputable landlords to protect young people from getting taken advantage of. 20 Years Ago Nov. 19, 1998 The proposed annexation of a...

  • What's happening on the West Plains

    Updated Nov 21, 2018

    Cheney • Nov. 19, EWU Faculty Art Exhibit, EWU Gallery of Art, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. • Nov. 24, Small Business Saturday, Cheney, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. • Nov. 24, Slightly West of Spokane Artists Studio Tour, self-guided tour, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. • Nov. 28, Symphonic Band: Soundscapes, EWU Recital Hall, 7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. • Nov. 29, The HoneyBuckets - Live, The Mason Jar, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. • Nov. 29, Jazz Concert, EWU’s Recital Hall, $10, 7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. Airway Heights • Nov. 24, Keyforge: Launch Party Tournament, Ghost Quarter Games,... Full story

  • Slightly West Artists Tour is slightly smaller

    John McCallum, Managing Editor|Updated Nov 21, 2018

    The ninth edition of the Slightly West of Spokane Artists Studio Tour — taking place this Saturday, Nov. 24 — is featuring slightly fewer artists than in previous years. “I have no explanation for that,” new tour coordinator Karen Simmons said. She did offer several possibilities, ranging from thinning crowds for art overall to the economy to the fact that art collecting is something the “older set does,” whereas the younger generation tends to be more “minimalist...

  • Dogs' silo ordeal earns them 'Hambone Award'

    PAUL DELANEY, Staff Reporter|Updated Nov 21, 2018

    First and foremost, Zeus and Ziva, survived the ordeal that saw them lost for 22 days, trapped in a deactivated Nike air defense missile facility beyond their backyard fence in Medical Lake. But recently it was announced that the German Shepards belonging to Jessica Donges and her husband won another battle, that from Nationwide Insurance Company for their annual “Hambone Award” that honors pets who are still around to bark and meow about their amazing survival skills. Som... Full story

  • The power of flowers:

    Managing Editor|Updated Nov 21, 2018

    Lifetime Cheney resident Sue Hines has always been around flowers. Her great-aunt and uncle started Chet's Flowers in the 1940s; her grandmother grew a rose garden so prolific that it was often called "mom's arboretum." And Hines mother eventually got into the act, replacing her vegetable garden with a veritable field of gladiolas. So it was no surprise then that when Hines eventually discovered she had a creative streak, while in New York as her husband and childhood sweethea...

  • Swoop-straction

    PAUL DELANEY|Updated Nov 21, 2018

    Swoop, the Eastern Washington mascot, has a variety of jobs at the many events and activities at which he attends. At last Saturday’s 2K Empire Classic basketball game between Eastern and Missouri-Kansas City, he did his best to distract free throw shooters from the visiting Kangaroos with his antics. Did it work? Well it depends. UMKC did shoot 75 percent from the charity stripe, hitting 18 of 24 free throws, but lost the game 87-80 in overtime....

  • Waiting game

    PAUL DELANEY|Updated Nov 21, 2018

    Eastern Washington head football coach Aaron Best and daughter Tenli wait patiently on Sunday for the news that the Eagles would earn a berth in the upcoming Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. Not only did Eastern receive that good news, but the Eagles found they would receive a round-one bye and a home game Dec. 1 against either Nicholls State or the University of San Diego who play Nov. 24....

  • Senate Republicans' plan addresses affordable-housing problem in Washington state 

    Updated Nov 21, 2018

    OLYMPIA — Senate Republicans announced Nov. 13 that they will introduce a package of bills in 2019 to address one of the main causes of Washington’s homelessness problem: the lack of affordable and available housing. At a news conference held at Quixote Village, an Olympia-based community of 30 tiny cabins for the homeless, three Republican senators discussed their concerns about affordable housing and shared how the proposals would help reduce homelessness in the state. “Homelessness continues to be a serious problem in Wa...

  • Airway Heights council approves de-icing equipment

    SHANNEN TALBOT, Staff Reporter|Updated Nov 21, 2018

    The Airway Heights City Council approved the purchase of salt-brine production equipment to help with snow removal in the upcoming winter months, and tabled a discussion on whether to allow an interfund loan between the Water/Sewer Fund and the Aquatic and Fitness Center Construction Fund to help ease the gap between its current funding and construction budget. The City currently uses a magnesium chloride solution for de-icing roadways and sidewalks. This solution is manufactured off-site, delivered in bulk and costs about...

  • Keep your money at home this holiday season by shopping local

    RHEA LANDHOLM, Contributor Center for Rural Affairs|Updated Nov 21, 2018

    This holiday season, will you be among 83 percent of consumers who plan to do some portion of their holiday shopping at a small, independently owned retailer or restaurant? These types of businesses are what keep our small communities thriving. Up and down rural main streets, shopkeepers are readying their stores for the season. They welcome shoppers from their communities and those who are just visiting. Business owners are even stocking rolls of wrapping paper to provide added value when you spend your money with a local re...

  • If you want to find corruption, just look to the right

    TOM H. HASTINGS, Contributor|Updated Nov 21, 2018

    When I was growing up a long time ago there was a presumption of prudential integrity for politicians. Yes, I suppose I was naïve, but as a boy from Minnesota I came to think of politics as a clean game in my formative years. This may explain why I am nonplussed now with the acceptance of such low standards by so many, and frankly, at this time most of them with the lowest standards seem to be aligned with President Trump out on the right. The voters rejected Trump for the most part in our midterms, but this is normal and...

  • Here are some lessons learned from the recent election

    FRANK WATSON, Contributor|Updated Nov 21, 2018

    The mid-term election results could have been much worse. The Democrats got control of the house, but the results were far short of the predicted overwhelming blue wave. Actually, I think it is good that neither party is in total control of government. It will be interesting to see how Nancy Pelosi plays the role of obstructionist to presidential initiatives. The Republicans haven’t been able to blame Democrats for government shutdowns. Now they will have the chance, and it will be interesting to watch. My wife and I saved a...

  • This Thanksgiving, be thankful for where you're at

    John McCallum, Managing Editor|Updated Nov 21, 2018

    Each time I get to write this column for the Thanksgiving edition I like to relate some sort of story about why I am thankful. Thankful not just this year, but in all years. This year is no different, mostly. It has been an interesting year for me in many ways, at times testing the boundaries of happiness and sadness. The latter began early this year with the passing of my mom at age 92. She lived a long life and was blessed with relatively good physical health and definitely good mental health. For that I am thankful, and I...

  • Local firefighter motorcycle club donates to Cheney charities

    SHANNEN TALBOT, Staff Reporter|Updated Nov 21, 2018

    The Knights of Inferno Firefighter Motorcycle Club presented a substantial donation to two local charitable organizations Nov. 15 at the American Legion Hall Post 72 in Cheney. In total, the club donated about $3,000. The Knights of Inferno club is a registered non-profit and an international organization of former military, firefighters, nurses and other like-minded civilians. The Cheney group was chartered about two years ago, and two months ago decided to work closely with...

  • Housing is biggest issue at Fairchild Air Force Base

    SHANNEN TALBOT, Staff Reporter|Updated Nov 21, 2018

    The new commander of Fairchild Air Force Base addressed West Plains Chamber of Commerce members at their monthly breakfast on Nov. 14, telling them to anticipate even more new growth to the region as the base expands its operations and prepares to host an event that could bring up to 3,000 people to the area for a month next fall. Col. Derek Salmi has been deployed all over the world and flown combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. He took command of the base in June...

  • Hallett Elementary October awards

    Updated Nov 21, 2018

    Hallett Elementary School announced its awards for October, 2018. Kindergarten Williams: Kiya Rudy, Addison Miller Zyler Trocki. Musselwhite: Ruby Smith, Soren Bauman, Genevieve Robinson. Haase: Sydney Richards, Maxlynn Hanks, Kayson Chappell. Danker: Peyton Underwood, Aaron Geiger, Korbin MaGuire. First Grade Coins: Jordan Buck Lucas Burris Carter Hobbs. Devine: Alexander, Medina-Sanchez, Nora McGowan, Savanna Whitcher. McLaughlin: Maeve Halme, Dawson Lum, Ryley Paul. Myers: Keziah Potter, Elisha “Butch” Turnbough, Bra...

  • Steps to stopping school violence before it starts

    PAUL DELANEY, Staff Reporter|Updated Nov 21, 2018

    School shootings always seemed to happen someplace else — until they don’t, as was the case just over a year ago at Freeman. Hitting really close to home suddenly made school safety a much higher priority on the radar of all area schools, and Medical Lake was no exception. Every district school received physical upgrades of secure doors and video systems that allow staff to monitor who is coming and going. Medical Lake High School will also soon have an 8-foot security fen...

  • Cheney district sets goals for 2019 Legislative session

    SHANNEN TALBOT, Staff Reporter|Updated Nov 21, 2018

    It was a packed house at the Cheney School Board’s Nov. 14 meeting as they unanimously approved the district’s 2019 legislative priorities and discussed its ongoing boundary review. Summed up, the district’s requests center around the Legislature funding the actual costs of education. The state currently allocates about $230 per square foot for school construction, a number that Cheney contractors say is only about 64 percent of the actual cost. Cheney officials also argue that the special education funding they recei...

  • Cheney City Council approves Harvest Bluff final plat

    John McCallum, Managing Editor|Updated Nov 21, 2018

    Cheney’s City Council voted unanimously at its Nov. 13 meeting to extend final plat approval on phase four of the Harvest Bluff subdivision. Located across Betz Road from Cheney Middle School, Harvest Bluff is a 136-lot, single-family dwelling unit subdivision on 38.3 acres of land that was previously occupied by a single house. Lot sizes range from 6,600 to 12,143 square feet, with a neighborhood park including a wetland on the subdivisions southwest corner and a trail system that parallels the stormwater drainage system. P...

  • Happy Thanksgiving

    Updated Nov 21, 2018

  • Nickel and dime plans

    John McCallum, Managing Editor|Updated Nov 21, 2018

    Without large-item dealerships to bring in huge sales tax amounts, the city of Cheney has had to rely on construction projects, dedicated fees and taxes along with grants to pay for things like public safety, street improvements and its 50-plus-year-old swimming pool. Which are several reasons why the City Council agreed at its Oct. 9 meeting to shell out $73,969 for a pair of “investment grade audits” to determine where energy efficiencies can be found in city facilities, exactly how much the upgrades will cost and how muc...

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