Sorted by date Results 51 - 75 of 7731
CHENEY – In a collaborative effort that underscores their shared dedication to education, the Cheney Education Association and the Cheney School District have reached a tentative agreement. This crucial development comes as the district prepares to welcome students back for the upcoming school year. The agreement, announced jointly by Cheney Education Association President Meridth Lemelin and Cheney Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Ben Ferney, results from extensive negotiations to address the needs of students, staff, a...
CHENEY – On Thursday, the Washington Secretary of State’s Office certified the results of the state’s August 6 primary and announced a hand recount for the lands commissioner race. With around 1.9 million voters participating, the primary covered various open seats from statewide to local levels. The lands commissioner race has produced an exceptionally narrow result, marking the closest second-place finish in Washington’s statewide primary history. In the 2024 primary...
OLYMPIA — The Office of the Secretary of State certified the results of the August 6 Primary on Thursday and ordered a mandatory recount for the Commissioner of Public Lands race. The recount is expected to take about seven business days to complete. In the race, Democrat Dave Upthegrove secured second place with 396,300 votes, just 51 votes ahead of Republican Sue Kuehl Pederson, who received 396,249 votes. The narrow margin of 0.0064% triggered the recount. The candidate who finishes in second place after the recount w...
SUPERIOR, Mont.– The Mineral County Sheriff’s Office in Superior, Montana, reported Wednesday, Aug. 14 that 47-year-old Andrew T. Fortunati was found deceased. Authorities confirmed that Fortunati died from what appeared to be a self-inflicted wound. His disappearance was originally reported on August 8, when a family member reported Fortunati missing. His family stated that he was making concerning statements the following day, and that he had not been seen or heard since then. Andrew T. Fortunati was described as a whi...
CHENEY – Cheney's food scene is about to get a boost with the opening of a new Korean BBQ restaurant this week in downtown. Wings Pan, the brainchild of Augy Park, offers a menu featuring handcrafted Buffalo wings, Korean fried chicken, Bulgogi (Korean BBQ) bowls, and more. "I have been developing the perfect chicken wings for two years," said Park, the owner of Wings Pan. Inspired by Buffalo Joe's in Chicago, known for its iconic wings that draw people from miles around, a...
CHENEY – Cheney Education Association President, Meredith Lemelin said the organization’s general meeting will be on Tuesday. “At that meeting, we will either be presenting our tentative agreement and ratifying our contract for the school year,” Lemelin explained, “Or we may need to vote on our next steps. Whatever they will be.” Helen Page, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent, explained, “The district has been transparent throughout the process, posting updates after each negotiation session since June, and they are...
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE – The 92nd Air Refueling Wing was honored with the 2023 Omaha Trophy in the Global Operations category during a ceremony here Aug. 7. U.S. Air Force Gen. Anthony Cotton, the commander of U.S. Strategic Command, presented the award to the wing for its exceptional performance and contributions to global operations. The 92nd Air Refueling Wing played a pivotal role in the world's largest air refueling mission, a critical operation that underpinned the P...
Rock Ridge's Banjo player Dale Adkins, guitar player and singer Josie Grant and mandolin player Josh Adkins jam through a rhythmic tune that had a few spectators dancing at the annual Blue Waters Bluegrass Festival last weekend. The festival highlighted bluegrass players across the country as well as local talent who took the stage and performed before bluegrass enthusiast. The festival also highlighted a farmers market and other events for kids of all ages. See Page A8 for...
CHENEY — Both Airway Heights public safety levy and Cheney’s Fire Department Emergency Medical Service levy have gained more ground since election day last week at 627-580 and 1,523-430 respectively. If it holds, Airway Heights will be able to employ more police officers and equipment to handle the rise of crime by 133% in the last five years. Cheney Fire Department will be able to continue servicing the community with medical assistance on their calls. In contrast with the successes of the two levies, the 2024 primary ele...
LAMONT — The School District will face trial over alleged negligence following a hearing Friday, Aug. 9, in Whitman County Superior Court. The district had moved for a summary judgment to dismiss a lawsuit brought about by former Lamont Middle School student Amber Jolie Berg of Sprague, now 19. Berg had filed suit against the district Aug. 17, 2021, claiming the district discriminated against her and failed to protect her. Visiting Adams County Superior Court Judge K. Peter Palubicki presided over Friday’s hearing. He gra...
AIRWAY HEIGHTS – A local metal coating and engraving company has been fined $32,000. Spokane Galvanizing, was fined $32,000 by the state Department of Ecology for mishandling dangerous waste and contaminating soils. The company, known for galvanizing steel by cleaning and etching the metal with corrosive chemicals and acids before coating it in hot zinc, failed to manage waste properly, Ecology officials said. A June 2023 inspection revealed that Spokane Galvanizing had allowed corrosive waste to spill outside its facility, p...
Airway Heights AIRWAY HEIGHTS — The Police Department reported the following arrests from Aug. 6-11: Aug. 6 Patrick B. Stone arrested for first-degreecriminal trespassing in the 14300 block of West Highway 2 Vanessa J. Rodriquez arrested for fourth-degree assault-domestic violence in the 10700 block of West Highway 2 Aug. 7 Fletcher M. Wilson arrested for fourth-degree assault-domestic violence in the 14300 block of West Highway 2. Rodney A. Redmond arrested for fourth-degree assault -domestic violence in the 13100 block o...
CHENEY – At the council meeting on July 23, City Manager Mark Schuller provided an update on the new contract for Teamsters Union Local 690, covering the transition of former dispatchers to police support specialists for 2024-2026. This transition is part of the city’s integration into a regional dispatch system. “This is your first look at the draft agreement with the Teamsters,” said Schuller. “The Teamsters represent our former dispatchers, now transitioning to police report specialists.” The new roles for police supp...
AIRWAY HEIGHTS – City officials presented the 90% design phase of the Sixth Avenue Extension Project, showcasing plans for a new route to enhance local access and promote sustainable urban development last Monday. Planning Director Heather Trautman led the presentation, highlighting the project’s role within the broader 6-12 Avenue Corridor Program. “This project aims to provide an alternative route for residents and businesses while incorporating multi-modal elements that reflect community input,” Trautman said. The design...
CHENEY – The city is restricting outdoor recreational fires and open burning. The city defines recreational fires as any outdoor fire that does not use a chimney, such as those in backyard fire pits or campfires using chopped firewood or charcoal. City officials said all open burning, including of fields or yard waste, is prohibited. However, manufactured portable outdoor devices like fireplaces, chimneys, barbecues, and patio warmers are allowed — if used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Approved fuels...
CHENEY – Local teachers were planning a rally Tuesday afternoon to put pressure on School District officials to come to an agreement on a contract. The protest was set to begin at 1:15 p.m. in front of Cheney Middle School; the newspaper went to press before the event began. School District officials were unable to be reached for comment on deadline. Cheney Education Association union officials and School District leaders have been meeting since May to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement for the 2024-25 school y...
Winnie the miniature dachshund looks up at a larger dog during the annual Hot Rockford car show on Saturday at the Southeast Spokane County Fairgrounds. The show attracted 176 entries. For local entries on the car show, see Page B5....
OLYMPIA – The state Department of Ecology honored three area wastewater treatment plants with Outstanding Performance Awards last week. The recipients include Cheney Wastewater Treatment Plant, Fairchild Mobile Home Community Wastewater Treatment Plant and Liberty School District #362 Wastewater Treatment Plant. Statewide, more than 300 wastewater treatment plants are maintaining the health of rivers, lakes, wetlands and Puget Sound, Ecology officials said. These facilities manage the waste generated by homes and b...
Teachers credit union buys Community Bank LIBERTY LAKE – Spokane Teachers Credit Union have enter into purchase and assumption agreement to acquire and assume substantially all the assets and liabilities of Community Bank, last Tuesday. Community Bank has 10 branches in Wallowa, Union, Umatilla and Baker counties in Oregon and Walla Walla and Asotin Counties in Washington along with $550 million in total assets. If approved by the regulatory agencies, all Community Bank branches would transfer to STCU and become part of i...
MEDICAL LAKE – Mayor Terri Cooper expressed strong opposition to proposals for turning the Pine Lodge Corrections center into either a jail or a homeless shelter, citing lack of resources and impracticality. She held a press conference on Sunday, August 4, which included State Representatives Jenny Graham and Mike Volz, State Senator Jeff Holy, and County Commissioner Al French, as well as Sheriff Nowels of Spokane County. The Pine Lodge Corrections Center, located across from...
CHENEY – Cheney Market opened its doors on Tuesday, July 30 this past week. The store was still being set up on Thursday, August 1, and there were boxes near the front counter, and at the cash register was Manjot Simgh, one of the co-owners of the convenience store. It is one of the only stores in Cheney that is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. After allowing us to take a few photos of the interior, Simgh told the Free Press that he didn't have time for an interview. T...
University July 31 11:38 p.m. - No arrest made but back CPD on a call on the 300 block of Erie St. August 2 2:06 p.m. – Subject was arrested for driving while license is suspended/ revoked on 100 Washington St. 6:58 p.m. – No arrested made but lost keys were found on the 1900 block of North Monroe St, Spokane. August 3 1:05 p.m. – Traffic offence no arrest made on the 1200 block of Washington St. August 4 6:22 p.m. – Car and Bicycle injury collision, no arrest made on Washington St and Miler McKeehan Way. Airway Heights...
AIRWAY HEIGHTS – Spokane Valley Major Crimes Detectives, with support from the U.S. Marshals Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force (PNVOTF), apprehended Kevin W. Nichols, 40, a repeat felon with eight prior convictions, on Aug. 1. Nichols faces multiple charges including second-degree assault with a deadly weapon, drive-by shooting, harassment with threats to kill, and two counts of reckless endangerment. Detectives obtained a felony arrest warrant after Nichols allegedly threatened his victim and others, declaring h...
SPOKANE – Spokane County Treasurer and Republican Congressional Candidate Michael Baumgartner, who led in Tuesday’s “top-two” primary, praised the electoral process and the candidates who participated. Baumgartner will advance to the November general election where he will face Democrat Carmela Conroy, based on the preliminary vote count. “I want to express my deep respect for all the candidates who ran in this primary, regardless of party affiliation,” Baumgartner said. “We saw candidates from diverse backgrounds and politic...
Farmers work to clean up a hay spill after a truck lost its load Friday on Waverly Road, between Spangle and Waverly....
