News

They're back – jazz and hip hop dance classes. With over 10 years of dance experience, new instructor Kaitlin Inkpen has great expectations for the program. Classes will be held on Tuesdays Oct. 2 – Oct. 23, and Nov. 6 – Nov. 27. There will be two classes divided into ages 9-13 from 6:15 – 7:15 p.m., ages 14 and up from 7:15 – 8:15 p.m. Both classes will be located in the Wren Pierson Dance Studio. Fee is $22 residents, and $24 non-resident. Register today at Cheney Parks and Recreation, 615 Fourth St. or call 498-9250....

By DAVID TELLER Staff reporter Last Tuesday night, after hearing 90 minutes testimony from the public, the Cheney City Council and involved professionals, the council unanimously upheld the finding of fact to substantiate its decision on the moratorium. The moratorium was passed July 24. In accordance with state law, the council must convene with in 60 days to adopt a finding of fact if a moratorium is adopted without a public hearing. Possible leakage and an increase in non-revenue water levels were the main points of... Full story

By DAVID TELLER Staff Reporter As of Monday Sept. 10, Zip's will deliver any menu items on prepaid purchases of $10 or more to primarily the Cheney area. Breakfast items are also available for delivery. Curt Griffin, the owner of the Zip's restaurant on First Street, has delivered an order to Airway Heights. “If the amount of the purchase justifies the trip, then sure, we'll go,” Griffin said. Being the first hamburger restaurant in the region to offer delivery, which is available from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., he is working out the...

Cheney book group meets Sept. 25 “The Mapmaker's Wife: A True Tale of Love, Murder and Survival in the Amazon” opens the 2007-2008 season for the Book Discussion Group of the Friends of the Cheney Community Library. The group meets on Tuesday, Sept. 25, at 7 p.m. at the library. All are welcome. “The Mapmaker's Wife” combines science, history and adventure in an exciting story that includes a description of one woman's struggle to survive in the jungle. The event takes place in 18th century Peru and Brazil. Please call 23... Full story

By DAVID TELLER Staff reporter Cheney Recreation Director Paul Simmons reported to the Park Board that a record number of people had attended the summer concert series. The antique auto show and picnic, presented by the Kiwanis club added another to 365 people to event attendance this summer. The board will consider a different night of the week and later start time for next season. The board reported the “Movies in the Park” series was a success. At one performance, the over 200 people attending enjoyed a session of bin...

Community Health Education and Resources will once again host a series of presentations this month designed to help residents stay in tune with their health. A presentation on diabetes education will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 18, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Holy Family Health Education Center, 5633 N. Lidgerwood in Spokane. The free program will discuss ways to control type 1 and type 2 diabetes and review new therapies that are now available. On Thursday, Sept. 27, a free course on managing menopause will be held at Holy Family...

Cheney Parks and Recreation Department is currently looking for volunteer youth basketball coaches for the 2007-2008 season. Coaches must be at least 18 years of age. The youth basketball program has a new extended season, running from Nov. 17 to Feb. 24. Weekday evening practices will start the first week of November. Games will be held on Saturday mornings starting Nov. 17. No games or practices will be held on Nov. 24, or during the holiday break Dec. 15 through Jan. 5, 2008. This organization has established an official c...

Saturday, Oct. 20, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., staff and volunteers at Turnbull Wildlife Refuge are providing the opportunity to meet a live wolf. Refuge director Nancy Curry, along with members of the Spokane Parks and Recreation Department has partnered with the “Wolf People” to bring you this exciting program at Turnbull Wildlife Refuge. This will be a chance to see and meet a live wolf. First, Curry will explain how she got interested in wolves and discuss her life and work with them. It will be followed by a Pow...

On Sept. 7, the state Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) proposed a 3.2 percent increase in 2008 workers' compensation rates to help keep pace with inflation. Average premiums would go up by just over 2 cents per hour worked. “Wage-replacement costs for injured workers are up 5.4 percent and we expect workers' health-care costs to grow by 5.5 percent,” L&I director Judy Schurke said. “Our proposed increase for 2008 would not cover all these higher costs. However, past strong investment earnings will allow us to make...

MLSD offers fall parenting classes Interested in becoming a LOVE AND LOGIC parent? Please come join other parents from the Medical Lake School District to learn the parenting techniques that provide the tools to raising responsible children. The first session of Love and Logic will begin on Sept. 27, from 6-7:30 p.m. in the library at Hallett Elementary and is entitled Raising Responsible Kids. The remaining sessions will be at the same time on Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25, and Nov. 1 and 8. Please call Tami Earthman at 565-3416, or...

By DAVID TELLER Staff reporter The ADM mill in downtown Cheney will undergo repair to two bin storage units. The holes were visible from First Street. Plant manager Mike Wodelman said the holes are a result of deterioration from constant use. He estimates the bins were built about 1954. The holes have been temporarily patched as repair has already begun, “We've hammered out all the bad concrete,” Wodelman said. Rebar, which stabilizes the concrete and the interior of the bins will be repaired next. Pouring the concrete is... Full story

CHENEY Sept. 7 Matthew S. Sonntag, 20 and Jessica M. Giamona, 19 were both arrested on the 100 block of North Sixth Street for minor in possession of alcohol (MIP). Nicholas D. Ehry, 23, was arrested on the 1400 block of Third Street for first-degree negligent driving. Sept. 6 An abandoned green and white Chevy pick-up was reported on the 600 block of Golden Hills Drive. The vehicle was impounded. Sept. 5 Adam K. Smith, 19, was arrested at Mitchell's Harvest Foods for third-degree theft. He tried to steal a cigar. Jeffery L....

The Upper Crab Creek/Wilson Creek Watershed Planning Unit will hold its regularly scheduled watershed planning meeting this month on Tuesday, Sept. 18, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Lincoln County Public Works Building at 27234 State Route 25 North in Davenport. This meeting is being held to coordinate the remaining Phase 3 activities and initiation of Phase 4. New grant opportunities will be presented for future projects and the new watershed coordinator, Bill Gilmour, will be introduced. All planning unit members,... Full story

The Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced today that the agency will award more than a $500,000 this fall, through the Wildland Fire Assistance Grant Program, to fire districts and city fire departments. This DNR program administers funding provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “Rural fire districts and departments are often the first responders to a wildfire,” Doug Sutherland, Commissioner of Public Lands, said. “Their actions can make the difference in containing and keeping fires small...

Secret Witness is offering a cash reward for information that results in the capture of a fugitive who has failed to surrender to serve his sentence on a second-degree assault conviction. This is the second time he has been targeted for arrest. An undocumented alien with a history of assault and intimidation, Francisco Lara-Higuera was still allowed a deferred reporting date after being convicted for an assault that occurred in a Spokane Valley restaurant last year. He failed to surrender at the Spokane County Jail and now... Full story

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The Eastern Washington University Intramural Sports program is hosting the Welcome Weekend Eagle Golf Classic on Sept. 23, beginning at 8 a.m. The event is a four-person scramble teaming two EWU faculty with two students/parents. For tourney information, go to www.ewu.edu/Imsports, or [email protected], or call (509) 359-7877.... Full story

For $35, you can get into all Cheney High School home athletic events during the 2007-08 school year. Blackhawk Sports Passes are available by making checks payable to Cheney High School. Mail to Jim Missel, Cheney High School, 460 North Sixth, Cheney, WA. 99004. The passes allow entry to all GNL games (except playoffs) and are a money-saver – regular prices are $5 for adults, $3 for students. For more information, call Jim Missel at 559-4103.... Full story

By JOHN McCALLUM Editor The Spokane County Sheriff's Office is looking for a few good men and women to apply for its open corrections deputy positions. The trouble is that's all they have right now – a few. With just eight days left in the application period, the Sheriff's Office has fewer than 20 candidates who have applied to take the civil service testing needed to fill anticipated corrections vacancies in 2008. The shortage has officials at the Spokane County Civil Service Office worried about meeting their hiring n... Full story

Blood drive at Salnave Elementary Sept.13 The Inland Northwest Blood Center is sponsoring a Cheney Community Blood Drive on Thursday, Sept. 13. The INBC's donation coach will be at Salnave Elementary School from 2-4 p.m. for area residents wishing to donate. All blood types are needed, and those who have not donated before are encouraged to take the opportunity to help save lives. INBC, a not-for-profit community-based organization, is the only provider of blood products to over 30 hospitals and medical facilities in the...

By CARA LORELLO Staff Reporter Spokane County Growth Management Steering Committee is requiring the city of Medical Lake to do some extra homework in determining its long-term urban growth plans by having officials submit a land quantity analysis that will provide further justification for its expansion proposals as cited in the recently updated comprehensive plan. City Council members passed a resolution approving the city's 2007 updated comprehensive plan for submission to the Washington State Department of Community,... Full story

Secret Witness is offering a cash reward for information that results in the capture of several in the Spokane County area, Detectives believe that Dustin M. Christensen was one of several men who forced their way into a Spokane Valley home last May and shoved the female resident to the floor. She pleaded with him not to hurt her baby and then watched as he and the other men took her property. Christensen is now wanted for residential burglary. His felony warrant carries $100,000 bond. The fugitive is a 27-year-old white male... Full story

CHENEY Aug. 31 Trevor J. Sides, 21, was arrested on the 100 block of Second Street for driving under the influence (DUI), hit-and-run and third-degree driving while license is suspended (DWLS) and reckless driving. Also arrested was Mathew A. Hamel, 26, for reckless driving. Incident started as road rage. The DUI arrest is a result from emphasis on the “Drive Hammered, Get Nailed” project. Aug. 30 A report of a theft in the third-degree was made when a blue bicycle was stolen from the 400 block of North Fourth Street. An aba... Full story

Last November, voters in the Spokane County Library District service area passed a levy lid ballot measure to ensure the district continued to receive the maximum amount of funding – through property taxes – under state law to maintain service levels and provide customer-requested enhancements, including more open hours and purchase of additional materials. Eight months into 2007, the district has delivered. Downloadable audiobooks became available via the district's website (www.scld.org) in February, 61 new hours were add... Full story