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MEDICAL LAKE – The annual Winter Festival is set for noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 14 downtown, offering a day of festive activities for the whole community. This year's event introduces new features, Festival Director Kylie Stein said. "We're adding a tree sale, chainsaw carving at Sun West Automotives, pony rides, and an expanded Elf Village with more houses," Stein said. Last year, the Elf Village had only two houses due to damage caused by fire. "Thanks to dedicated volunteers, w...
AIRWAY HEIGHTS – A local woman is in jail after allegedly ramming a patrol car several times Nov. 18 and attempting to flee police in a stolen vehicle. Sadie Marie Brown, 30, is being held on $6,000 bail in the Spokane County Jail. She was initially facing charges of possession of stolen motor vehicle, attempting to elude police, first- and third-degree malicious mischief, obstructing a public official, intimidating a public servant, making a false statement, third-degree theft and possession of a controlled substance on N...
CHENEY — Several area businesses and governmental offices will be closed Thursday, Nov. 28, for the Thanksgiving holiday. Nearly all banks, financial institutions andgovernment offices will be closed Thursday. The Cheney Free Press and Free Press Publishing offices will be closed both Thursday and Friday, Nov. 28 and 29. Area schools will also be closed both days, although many sports teams will be practice Friday. Area residents should also check with trash service providers, as there may be a change in the pickup s...
CHENEY – The City Council approved on first readiung a proposed $81.5 million budget for 2025 and tackled a packed agenda during its Nov. 12 meeting. Council members were scheduled to discuss the budget again Nov. 26; due to the Thanksgiving holiday, the newspaper went to press before meeting time. The budget largely reflects funding for projects, including the purple pipe initiative and pool construction, according to City Finance Director Cindy Niemeier. In addition to budget discussions, the city is set to raise its u...
CHENEY – The equine community is reeling after two horses were euthanized over the weekend of Nov. 16-17 due to a neuropathogenic strain of Equine Herpes Virus, also known as Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy. The contagious and often fatal disease has prompted the state Department of Agriculture to issue a warning to local horse owners. Both affected horses had been at J Spear Arena in recent weeks, a facility that frequently hosts events such as team roping competitions. The arena has since been quarantined and t...
MEDICAL LAKE – Local residents may see big changes to their transit system, according to Karl Otterstrom, the Chief Planning and Development Officer at Spokane Transit Authority At the Nov. 19 City Council meeting, Otterstram laid out the STA’s plans to update local bus routes and accessibility. Route 63 had nearly 48,600 rides in the past year, while Paratransit served 2,820 rides in 2023. STA’s Rideshare program includes five groups with 22 riders. Changes are planned for Route 62, which connects State Highway 902 and F...
Airway Heights AIRWAY HEIGHTS — The Police Department reported the following arrests from Nov. 18-24: Nov. 18 Precious A. Bigsmoke was arrested on the 800 block of South King Street for criminal mistreatment in the second and third-degree. Nov. 19 Jina Comto was arrested on the 14300 block of West Highway 2 for first degree criminal trespassing and possession of a controlled substance. Nov. 22 Jay K. Hoffschneider was arrested on West Betz Road and South Normal Park Road for driving without an ignition interlock device, r...
CHENEY – Cheney Public Schools is rethinking school meals with local ingredients and international flavors, Nutrition Services leaders shared at the board meeting on Wednesday. “We want kids to recognize where their food comes from,” said Director LJ Klinkenberg. He highlighted the district’s commitment to local sourcing. Grass-fed beef from Cheney-area farms is used in chili and beef stew, while a Farm to School grant is funding lamb gyros. The team is introducing culturally diverse meals like gyros with house-made hummus,...
MEDICAL LAKE – Finance Director Koss Ronhault updated the city council on the third-quarter budget during the Nov. 19 meeting, stressing the city’s need for year-end amendments to the 2024 budget. He explained that while 83% of the city’s funds were reported as spent, the current number would be closer to 85%. General Fund revenues reached 89 of the $2.5 million budget, exceeding expectations by $135,000 due to higher-thang-anticipated sales taxes, permits, and interest income. Expenses stood at 67% used, however, key depar...
Annual Turkey Trot set to run CHENEY – The 17th Annual Turkey Trot takes place on Nov. 28 at the high school, 460 N. 6th Street at 9:00 a.m. This event is open to Thanksgiving Day walkers, runners and your dog, too. You can receive a ticket for drawings to win a turkey and other prizes. Portion of the race fee will be donated to Cheney food bank. WinterFest 2024 looms AIRWAY HEIGHTS – The city hosts their annual WinterFest by ringing in the holiday season with family, friends and neighbors for 2024. On Dec. 6 from 6:00 to...
ROSALIA — A Pullman teenager was killed Saturday morning, Nov. 16, in a five-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 195. Zion M. Bischoff, 13, was transported from the scene of the crash about 3 miles north of Rosalia to Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane, where he was pronounced dead, the Washington State Patrol reported. Stephen A. Bischoff, 44, also of Pullman, was also transported to the hospital, where he was treated and released. Nobody else was injured in the crash. The crash investigation prompted closure of the highway, and tra...
CHENEY – Fire broke out on the truck loading bin or hopper at the Archer Daniel's Midland Flour Mill on 1st Street on Nov. 13. The city fire department and Spokane County Fire District 3 responded swiftly to the scene as city police closed 1st Street, diverting traffic onto 2nd Street to ensure safety and facilitate emergency operations. Firefighters managed to contain the fire within an hour, limiting it to a single hopper in the facility. Crews then focused on fully e...
GEIGER HEIGHTS – Spokane County Sheriff’s Office arrested a suspect on several felony and misdemeanor charges on Nov. 12. Darius Lavonne Denmon, 33, was booked into Spokane County Jail on first degree burglary, second degree of assault, unlawful imprisonment, first degree of attempted rape, second degree of malicious mischief, fourth degree of assault and harassment with threat to harm. On Nov. 13, Spokane County Superior Court Commissioner Eugene Cruz set Denmon’s bond at $100,000 where he remains in custody. Deputies respo...
ROSALIA – A five-vehicle crash involving a semi-truck, icy conditions, and multiple cars left one person dead and another injured early Saturday, according to the Washington State Patrol (WSP). The accident occurred aroud 7:20 am, on State route 195, about three miles north of Rosalia, near Babb Road. Investigators say a southbound semi-truck lost control on the ice and jackknifed into the northbound lanes. A car heading north collided with the semi, pushing it into two other vehicles in the adjacent lane. Meanwhile, the t...
CHENEY – Cheney Public Schools is moving towards the next phase of their strategic plan to guide to student success beyond academics. Director of Teaching and Learning, Kelly Niccols, presented the plan, which features two programs: Portraits of a Learner (POL) for elementary grades and Portraits of a Graduate (POC) for secondary students. Niccols said that the district is hoping to create a student-centered system which emphasizes skill development and personal growth. “Everything we do is for the benefit of the stu...
Airway Heights AIRWAY HEIGHTS — The Police Department reported the following arrests from Nov. 7-15: Nov. 7 Cheryl L. Davis was arrested for criminal trespassing in the second degree on the 1200 block of South Hayford Road. Nov. 12 Kayla R.A. Roop was arrested for driving while license was suspended in the third degree and driving without an interlock device on the 1200 block of North Craig Road. Nov. 13 Justin E. Rivas was arrested for rape in the third degree on the 800 block of South Garfield Road. Nov. 15 Aaron W. M...
OLYMPIA – State Department of Fish and Wildlife employees will fly drones over known pygmy rabbit locations on state and federal lands to test the effectiveness of tracking pygmy rabbits from the air. The agency will also fly drones over private lands, with permission, the agency said, noting the targeted areas will be in Grant and Douglas counties. Flights will occur from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. beginning next month and continuing through October 2026. lights will depend on weather conditions and suitable flight conditions. A...
CHENEY – The Cheney School board reviewed its 2025 legislative priorities for the first time at the recent board meeting on Wednesday night. The current focuses are state funding for special education and operational costs rather than on transportation. Superintendent Ben Ferney highlighted the district’s collaboration with Washington’s 295 school districts to present a unified request to the legislature. “We need to improve the prototypical model,” said Ferney. He noted that state funding only covers 7% of special education...
Editor's note: This is the eighth 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. MEDICAL LAKE - Those heading out on the Slightly West of Spokane Studio Artist Tour on Saturday, Nov. 30, will encounter artist Dennis Smith at their first stop. Smith will be at 609 N. Howard St., where he will exhibit his art....
CHENEY – Woman who was arrested last month as a suspect for giving false information was arrested again with new charges last Thursday. Shawna Rae Langdon, 34, was booked into the Spokane County Jail for new charges of Malicious Prosecution (two counts), Intimidating a Witness, Tampering with a Witness, False Reporting, and Making False Statements to a Public Servant. There is no bond. Langdon had been released from custody on Oct. 22 after posting a $5,000 bond for earlier charges. However, investigators allege that after h...
Airway Heights AIRWAY HEIGHTS — The Police Department reported the following arrests from Nov. 8-11: Nov. 8 Michael B. Finn was arrested for theft in the third degree (shoplifting) and making a false statement to a public servant on the 1200 block of South Hayford Road. Aaron W. Montoya Jr was arrested for violation of a domestic violence protection order and making a false statement to a public servant from the 1200 block South of Hayford Road. Nov. 10 Josue D. Oceguera was arrested for possession of a stolen motor v...
SPOKANE – Damian C. Eiffert, 38, of Spokane, appeared in district court on Oct. 25 after allegedly fatally stabbing his father, Robert Eiffert, 61, on October 24 and later instigating a major freeway shutdown. Eiffert faces a second-degree murder charge and as of Oct. 29, second-degree identity theft charge with bail set at $2 million. According to court records, Eiffert has an extensive criminal history, including eight felonies and at least five misdemeanors dating back to 2004. The incident reportedly began on Oct. 23 i...
Cheney man froze to death CHENEY — The Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office has determined that 47-year-old Justin Ball died from hypothermia. According to the weather reports on the night Ball was found, the low was 43 degrees. Police Sgt. Zeb Campbell confirmed that Ball died in his garage, and noted that Ball “was suffering from some medical issues that were contributing conditions to his death, that may have affected his ability to seek warmth and assistance.” Ball’s body was found Oct. 2, leading to an investiga...
AIRWAY HEIGHTS – A man with a past criminal record allegedly forced a woman and two children into a vehicle and fled the scene as being pursued by law enforcement on Nov. 9. A domestic violence incident in city, led to a pursuit and the arrest of Antonio Markese Davis, 32, a violent offender with an extensive criminal record according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. Davis faces multiple charges including, attempting to elude a police vehicle, two counts of reckless endangerment, obstructing a public officer, thr...
MEDICAL LAKE – Spokane County Sheriff’s Office arrested a burglary suspect who was found inside sleeping in a commercial building near Medical Lake on Nov. 3. The Sheriff’s office, with assistance from Airway Heights Police saw Russell Garner, 59, through a large hole in the side of the building sleeping on a couch with a blanket on him inside a business on State Route 902 and South Bartholomew Road. The incident began when an alarm sounded as Garner entered the business. The alarm company observed an unknown man on video...
