Sorted by date Results 7492 - 7516 of 7979
By CARA LORELLO Staff Reporter Call volumes were way up last week as citizen inquiries to Medical Lake City Hall aired frustrations over maintenance crews' lack of speed in clearing snowbound streets and neighborhoods after heavy storms that forced a week of school closure and some area government offices to shut down on Jan. 31. The previous weekend's record-breaking snowstorms were followed up with another late night storm on Jan. 30, which added six more inches to the already drift-ridden community. Medical Lake School...
By CARA LORELLO Staff Reporter The vacant military housing units in Geiger Heights and Cheney could see new tenants by June of this year, if GMH Capital Partners, the real estate company slated to buy the properties from Fairchild Air Force Base, accepts local nonprofits groups' bid to purchase the developments. Fairchild is expected to turn the properties over to GMH on March 31, a deal four years in the making, according to base housing privatization project manager, Myrl Briggs. Habitat for Humanity-Spokane and Spokane... Full story
By JOHN McCALLUM Editor In the only action item at Monday night's meeting, the Cheney Planning Commission voted unanimously to close a hearing on the city's comprehensive plan that had been open since August 2007. The August meeting had originally contained an agenda item to hear testimony on the comp plan's capital facilities chapter, which contains a six-year list of projects the city hopes to pursue should funding be available. The over $89.3 million project list included everything from the city's upcoming $12 million was... Full story
Nationally renowned author and speaker Bruce Brown will be coming to Cheney for a presentation on redefining the term “athlete” – life lessons for all athletes. The presentation is open to all students, coaches, parents, community members and leaders and will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 20, at 7 p.m. at the Cheney High School Theatre. Brown believes that one of the best opportunities for individual character growth in young people happens when adults, such as coaches and parents, clearly identify and support behav...
Spokane County has launched the process of developing a county-level Community Wildfire Protection Plan. Local agencies and organizations in Spokane County have created a planning committee to complete the Community Wildfire Protection Plan as part of the National Fire Plan and Healthy Forests Restoration Act as authorized by Congress and the White House. The Spokane County Community Wildfire Protection Plan will include risk analysis at the community level with predictive models for where fires are likely to ignite and...
By DAVID TELLER Staff Reporter The Cheney Planning Commission has a new face, especially for civic organizations. Jason Alvarado replaced Doug Nixon on the Planning Commission, beginning with the January meeting. Nixon's mandatory separation comes because of his election to the City Council. After a few conversations, Cheney Mayor Allan Gainer gave the job to the 25-year-old Alvarado because of the interest he has shown in the city. “He really likes to work in the community a...
By DAVID TELLER Staff Reporter What started out as a trip to go get pizza, eventually ended up as a new business. Marissa Wunderlich of Body Harmony Massage has leased space in the Cheney Sun Shop Tanning Salon and has begun taking clients. She completed her education at Apollo College and this is her first venture out on her own. It started when she made a trip to the store then stopped to pick up some pizza and ran into the owner of the South Hill Sun Shop. After a brief exc...
By CARA LORELLO Staff Reporter Visitors to Cheney's downtown library may have noticed a new black-and-yellow “Safe Place” sign posted outside the building. The sign is the official symbol of Eastern Washington and North Idaho Volunteers of America's national Safe Place program that offers immediate help and safety services to youth in crisis in the community. A large network of regional businesses and community buildings display these signs and have staff trained to res...
CHENEY Jan. 28 Harassment was reported on the 1300 block of Third Street. Investigation is still pending Suspicious circumstances were reported on the 100 block of Fifth Street when an individual was witnessed running over garbage cans with a four-wheeler. Jody S. Dietz was arrested for hit-and-run. Jan. 27 A wallet was found. The owner has been identified. A traffic complaint was made on the 800 block of West First Street when a vehicle was blocking a lane of travel. Jan. 25 Brice W. Leahy, 20, was arrested on the 100 block...
CHENEY Jan. 18 Kevin A. Broadnax, 18, and Timothy W. Winchester, 26 were both arrested at Zip's for fourth-degree assault. Jan. 17 An agency assist was requested on the 500 block of North Fifth Street when Spokane County Sheriff's deputies executed a search warrant. A property damage accident occurred on the 200 block of Oak Street. Third-degree theft was reported at the post office. Investigation is pending. Samuel J. Hoober, 24, was arrested on a warrant from Airway Heights for failure to appear, and driving while license...
Just days before the Legislature convened Monday for the 2008 session in Olympia, 9th District Rep. Joe Schmick received confirmation that he had been appointed to a coveted seat on the House Appropriations Committee. It is a rare accomplishment for a freshman lawmaker to advance so quickly to the powerful budget-writing panel, but caucus leaders said Schmick made a persuasive case when he met with them to discuss his committee priorities. In announcing Schmick's assignment, House Republican Leader Richard DeBolt said the...
By DAVID TELLER Staff Reporter Embattled mobile home park owner Thomas Myers received a 60-day stay pending the appeal process of a 30-day sentence by Spokane County District Court Commissioner Brad Chinn stemming from a probation violation. His decision is based on the civil infractions, which Chinn explains are violations like littering, jay-walking and parking tickets and like some of the zoning violations involved in the case. “You have the right to ask Superior Court, as you do with criminal cases, for what's called a ...
Stitches from the Heart needs volunteers to knit, crochet or quilt blankets, little sweaters and hats for babies in need. These items are donated to hospitals all over the country. Patterns are available, and donated yarn is appreciated. Stitches from the Heart has donated thousands of hand-made hats, booties, sweaters and blankets to more than 411 hospitals and charities nation-wide, and is a nonprofit organization. For more information call toll free at 866-472-6903....
The AARP Tax-Aide Program is offering free help on filing tax returns and E-filing for the year 2007. This assistance is free and is offered to low/moderate income families and senior citizens. AARP membership not required. The filing season for the program begins Friday, Jan. 25, at Cheney's Wren Pierson Building, 615 Fourth Street, between noon and 4 p.m., and on Saturday, Jan. 26, at the Cheney Library from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Those planning to attend are asked to bring their 2006 tax return, Social Security cards for...
Community Health Education and Resources will once again offer an array of health education classes this month including a course on the prevention and treatment of sports injuries on Wednesday, Jan. 23 at the Holy Family Education Center, 5633 N. Lidgerwood, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Cost for the class is $10. Call 232-8138 to register. A two-part program on pre-diabetes will begin Thursday, Jan. 24, also at Holy Family. The class will address what can be done to identify pre-diabetes – a condition which generally presents f...
By CARA LORELLO Staff Reporter The board of trustees of Inland Power & Light announced last December it would refund $1,250,000 in capital credits to its membership. Capital credit funds are generated through the company's power bill revenues. Inland Power & Light currently provides service to 6,427 customers in the West Plains, including the Cheney, Medical Lake, Four Lakes and Marshall area. The company has sent refunds totaling $773,000 to West Plains customers, and $11 million in total capital credits to customers over...
By DAVID TELLER Staff reporter Cheney City Administrator, Arlene Fisher, announced at the Jan. 8 City Council meeting that the city is accepting proposals for a city attorney. The decision comes as a directive from Mayor Allan Gainer. Fisher said this is something the city wants as well. Proposals will be due Feb. 1. Frank Conklin has been the city attorney and is moving toward retirement. Conklin had delegated responsibility for Cheney issues and litigation to Dan Maggs, who recently retired and has left the area to be with...
Photo by Paul Delaney Matt Pedersen (far left) of the West Plains Chamber of Commerce and Cheney Free Press sales representative DeeAnn Sporn (right) oversee the ribbon cutting and grand opening of Cheney's newest restaurant with employees of the El Sol de Mexico last week. El Sol de Mexico is in the building that formerly housed a Burger King, but undertook extensive remodeling before opening....
Photos by David Teller Cheney's finance director and city clerk Cindy Niemeier swore four council members into office at the council's Jan. 8 meeting. Pictured above clockwise from left to right are new Councilman Doug Nixon, Position 3; Bob Stockton, re-elected to Position 5; new Councilwoman Annette Mather, Position 6; and Tom Trulove, re-elected to Position 7.... Full story
The Washington State Patrol plans to vigorously enforce the state's new law against sending text messages while driving. The law took effect on Jan. 1. Because texting while driving is a secondary violation, troopers cannot stop drivers if they see it occurring. But it could mean drivers end up with two tickets instead of just one. “When we see other driving errors, such as weaving or unsafe lane changes, we will not hesitate to write a second citation under the texting law if that contributed to the first violation,” WSP... Full story
Robyn Oster, a recently certified Jazzercise instructor, has joined the Cheney Jazzercise team and is offering Tuesday and Thursday classes in the mornings from 9:30 – 10:30 at the Cheney Parks and Recreation Department. Oster earned her certification to teach Jazzercise by completing an intense three-day workshop and performing a letter-perfect audition. Becoming a Jazzercise instructor requires dedication and thorough training. After submitting adequate references and putting in long hours of practice, Oster, recently p...
By DAVID TELLER Staff Reporter In a series of meetings, the city of Cheney has begun taking steps to make the park on Betz Road a reality. Although nothing has been decided upon, the planning phase has begun in the form of discussions and proposals. Cheney's public works director, Don MacDonald, presented a proposal written by the landscape architect for the project, Sherry Pratt Van Voorhis, to the Park Board at its Jan. 3 meeting, asking for comments on the proposed scope of work. An agreement between the city and the...
By DAVID TELLER Staff Reporter After 30 years of providing shade and aesthetics to downtown Cheney, some of the maple trees on First Street in downtown Cheney will be replaced this spring. Though not all the trees are affected, some are being replaced due to sun damage, which has penetrated the bark and has begun to kill the trees. Funding for the project was passed in a Sept. 11 City Council meeting. The cost for the work will be about $30,000 and will come from the SR-904...
The Washington State Department of Transportation advises Eastern Washington motorists that winter driving conditions can be expected on all state highways and secondary roadways. Motorists need to be prepared for these conditions at all times by carrying chains, basic safety equipment and keep vehicles in proper operating conditions. Winter driving information is available at www.wsdot.wa/gove/winter. Mountain pass reports plus road conditions on selected Eastern Washington highways is available by dialing 5-1-1 within...
