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A moose wanders between the trees on private property just off Cheney-Spangle Road on Monday morning. The area is frequented by moose, which are often visible from the roadway....
SPRAGUE - The Sprague Chamber of Commerce announced Gina and Ed Habbestad as its 2024 Citizen of the Year during its annual meeting and fundraising auction held on Monday, January 20. Habbestad and her husband, Ed, were recognized for their dedication to animal welfare as the founders of "Norm's World Animal Rescue and Sanctuary" and the "Lincoln County Lost and Found Pet Network." Together, they have provided critical support to lost and abandoned animals throughout Lincoln...
SPRAGUE — A 69-year-old man accused of threatening to kill people while armed with a loaded firearm at the Sprague Motel is set to face trial on Tuesday, March 19. Michael Gilstrap was charged with one count of felony harassment-threat to kill following his arrest on June 11, 2024, at the Sprague Motel, located at 312 East First Street. According to reports, deputies responded to a 911 call reporting a man waving a gun and threatening to kill everyone. “There is a man walking around waving a gun around telling everyone tha...
RITZVILLE - Two Liberty Lake wrestlers won bronze medals Jan. 18 at the Bronco Invite at Lind-Ritzville High School. Wrestling for Liberty Launch Academy, Parker Bundy finished third at 113 pounds and Samson Kjar third at 150. At 113, Bundy (20-7) opened with a technical fall victory (19-4 in 1:57) over John Hamilton of Oroville. In the semifinals, he was pinned by Joseph Young of Kettle Falls in 2:41. In wrestlebacks, he pinned Levi Oliver of Almira/Coulee-Hartline in 2:41....
OLYMPIA - A 9th Legislative District lawmaker has had enough of the state trying to dictate when and where new wind and solar developments will be permitted. On Monday, Jan. 20, House Bill 1188 dealing with local decision-making for so-called "green energy" projects was the subject of a public hearing in the House Environment and Energy Committee. More than 100 people signed in for the hearing, with 85 supporting the bill and 27 opposing. Sponsored by Rep. Mary Dye,...
CHENEY - This past weekend's cold snap is here to stay, at least until next week. According to the National Weather Service, overnight temperatures that hovered in the low teens over the weekend, will continue into next week. In the Cheney area, the National Weather Service is predicting overnight lows near 22 on Thursday night, but then colder temperaturs Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. On Friday night, the forecast is for a low of 16 degrees overnight. On Saturday...
CHENEY - The Cheney Free Press has hired a new reporter. Nadia Ertz, 22, of Cheney, took on full-time reporting duties January 20. She is looking forward to writing about local people, places and events. "Everyone has a story, and every story is worth listening to," she said. "It is a reporter's job to be the voice of the people - all of the people." "We're excited to have such an intelligent, talented new reporter on staff," Owner/Publisher Roger Harnack said. "I'm sure our...
OLYMPIA — A Spokane lawmaker wants to reform gubernatorial powers in the wake of abuses taken by Gov. Jay Inslee during the COVID-2019 outbreak. Rep. Mike Volz, a Republican, said Tuesday, Jan. 14, that he wants to re-establish limits on the so-called emergency powers granted to the governor. He has introduced House Bill 1221 to re-establish those limits; the bill has been referred to the State Government and Tribal Relations Committee. The move comes as Gov. Jay Inslee leaves office and Bob Ferguson takes over. “We have had...
CHENEY - Last week was historic for girls wrestling. On Tuesday, Jan. 14, the Cheney girls participated in the first-ever Greater Spokane League Dual meet at university High School. Then on Thursday, Jan. 16, Tekoa-Rosalia participated it its first-ever dual meet, hosting its Dual in the Den at Tekoa High School. Then a night later, Jan. 17, the NCAA announced that women's wrestling will be added as the 91st championship sport, providing women at Divisions I, II and III...
RITZVILLE - The Liberty (Spangle) boys wrestling team took third place Saturday, Jan. 18, at the Bronco Invite at Lind-Ritzville High School. The Lancers amassed 119.0 points, third only to Okanogan and Hanford, with 252 and 158.5 points, respectively. The Lancers were led by senior Maddex Strobel, who won the 150-pound title. Strobel won his opening quarterfinal match, pinning Chase Horstman of Hanford in 1:50. In the semi-finals, he pinned Josiah Dole of Lakeside (Idaho) in...
Rosalia resident Mike Day was recognized Saturday, Jan. 11, as Mr. Rosalia for his commitment and support of the community and Tekoa-Rosalia athletics and activities. Prior to the start of the varsity girls basketball game against Pomeroy, Rosalia High School senior Westley Bryan read a proclamation recognizing Day and school Superintendent Brett Baum presented him with a certificate. As basketball fans and Day watched a banner in the school gymnasium was unveiled proclaiming...
As you sit at home watching video footage of the wildfires currently burning in California, it makes you wonder could happen here. Well, yes, it could. As California goes, so goes Washington. Our state politicians and bureaucrats in Olympia have a long history of copying California. Our politicos have gotten so lazy, they’ve even sponsored, supported, pushed and/or passed laws that say if California enacts a policy, Washington state will follow (cap and trade, vehicle e...
Rosalia wrestler Hunter Fournier, an eighth-grader competing in the 1B/2B high shcool division this season, readies for the start of a match Saturday, Jan. 11, at the Crusader Classic....
Unemployment benefits were implemented under the Social Security Act off 1935 to help workers who become involuntarily employed. The idea was that businesses would be taxed to pay for unemployment benefits for former employees who were fired, laid off or otherwise lose their job due to business closures and other decisions beyond their control. The funds would be paid on a limited basis and for a limited time period while a worker actively searched for a new job. A worker who...
Airway Heights AIRWAY HEIGHTS — Police arrested the following individuals between Dec. 19 and Jan. 6: Dec. 19 Crandall Solomon arrested near the intersection of Whitetip Avenue and South Aspen Street for possession of a controlled substance. Dec. 20 Kalie Rae Keenum arrested in the 14300 block of West U.S. Highway 2 for first-degree criminal trespassing and possession of a controlled substance. Jack D. Snyder arrested in the 13300 block of West First Avenue for second-degree assault, second-degree robbery, unlawful i...
Cheney announces 2025 closures CHENEY – The city offices will be closed the following days for holiday observances: • Jan. 1 (New Years Day) • Jan. 20 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day) • Feb. 17 (Presidents’ Day) • May 26 (Memorial Day) • June 19 (Juneteenth) • July 4 (Independence Day) • Sept. 1 (Labor Day) • Nov. 11 (Veterans Day) • Nov. 27 (Thanksgiving Day) • Nov. 28 (Day after Thanksgiving) • Dec. 25 (Christmas) Garbage pickup will be one day late on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, according to city officials. Volunteers sought t...
Unemployment benefits were implemented under the Social Security Act off 1935 to help workers who become involuntarily employed. The idea was that businesses would be taxed to pay for unemployment benefits for former employees who were fired, laid off or otherwise lose their job due to business closures and other decisions beyond their control. The funds would be paid on a limited basis and for a limited time period while a worker actively searched for a new job. A worker who quit and walked off the job or who voluntarily...
KENT — Despite winning more than a dozen matches Jan. 3-4, the Cheney Blackhawks girls only brought home only one Top 6 placer from Gut Check, one of the largest wrestling tournaments in the Pacific Northwest. Wrestling at 125 pounds, Blackhawk Jalisca Holgren (18-3) finished in sixth place on the podium. The tournament attracted 76 girls wrestling teams; Cheney finished 16th overall with 78 team points. Toppenish won the team title with 138.5. En route to her medal, Holmgren opened with a bye then pinned Samantah Cortez of N...
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE — An elderly pedestrian on U.S. Highway 2 near the entrance of Fairchild Air Force Base was struck and killed by a car Dec. 28. Roberta L. Isaacson, 75, of Medical Lake, was pronounced dead at the scene. According to the Washington State Patrol, the fatal incident occurred at the intersection of South Dover Road and U.S. Highway 2, just west of the base entrance at about 6:41 p.m. Isaacson entered the roadway, where she was struck by a 2004 Buick Century, driven by William L. Collins, 68, of M...
ROSALIA - Residents packed the main gymnasium at Rosalia High School on Dec. 18 for the 2024 Winter Concert. The hour-long performance kicked off with youngsters singing Christmas songs and culminated with the high school band performing for the first time in two years. Teacher Payton Ritchy directed the program featuring students from all grade levels. The youngest students sang "Snowman Can't March" and "Snowman Jump," while first- and second-graders sang "Dancer and...
CHENEY – As 2024 comes to a close, our community reflects on the events that have shaped life on the West Plains. From natural disasters to political milestones, these stories have defined our year. Tyler fire devastates community On July 26, the Tyler Fire scorched 252 acres, destroying several homes and threatening the town. Crews from the Washington Department of Natural Resources, Spokane County Fire Districts 3 and 10, and regional partners worked tirelessly, aided by h...
SPOKANE VALLEY - The Liberty (Spangle) girls wrestling team finished ninth in the season-opening tournament at East Valley High School. Liberty scored 55.0 points in the tournament; Cheney won with 140.0 points. Wrestling in the 140A bracket, Lillie Unruh led the Lancer girls, finishing first and scoring 20 team points. Unruh pinned all her opponents, including Paycee Nebel of University in 2:50, Laralyn Akins of Cheney in 52 seconds and Josephine Snyder of Ridgeline in 30...
It’s as simple as X and Y. The question of whether boys should be participating in girls sports in our state may finally be addressed by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association next spring. Among proposed amendments to the organization’s athletic code are proposed rule amendments that relating to so-called “transgender” competitors. The proposals will be introduced to the 53-member assembly during its annual meeting Jan. 27. One amendment would limit participation in girls sport to “students assigned female at...
It’s as simple as X and Y. The question of whether boys should be participating in girls sports in our state may finally be addressed by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association next spring. Among proposed amendments to the organization’s athletic code are proposed rule amendments that relating to so-called “transgender” competitors. The proposals will be introduced to the 53-member assembly during its annual meeting Jan. 27. One amendment would limit partici...
CHENEY - The relatively young Cheney girls wrestling program continues to bloom. Just three seasons ago head coach Jeremy McGee had six wrestlers that were part of the boy's program. As they jump into the 2024-25 season the roster blossomed yet again in year-two of the now stand-alone program. "We had 12 wrestlers last year, two graduated 10 came back and we added 12 new girls for 22 this year," McGee wrote in an email. Cheney's progress mirrors a broader landscape where g...
